Dear colleagues,

As you may have heard, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has decided to lift state-imposed mask mandates and allow businesses to operate at full capacity effective next week.

We’ve received inquiries from many of you, so we’re sending this message to make it clear that since Rice University’s campus is private property, its face mask policy will remain in effect: All employees, students, contractors, and visitors on Rice’s campus must cover their mouths and noses with face masks as outlined in the policy found at this link.

The governor’s executive order also lifted state-mandated capacity restrictions for businesses and facilities, but Rice’s own COVID-19 occupancy limits, posted for every room, remain in effect.

Please continue observing the masking and social distancing protocols we have observed on campus throughout this semester. Thank you for helping us keep the campus community safe.

Kevin E. Kirby

Chair of the Crisis Management Advisory Committee

Vice President for Administration