Facial Coverings FAQ

“Facial covering” means a covering made of cloth, fabric, or other soft or permeable material, without holes, that covers only the nose and mouth and surrounding areas of the lower face. A covering that hides or obscures the wearer’s eyes or forehead (a costume mask for example) is not a considered a facial covering for NKU’s purposes. Examples of facial coverings include a scarf or bandana; a neck gaiter; a homemade covering made from a t-shirt, sweatshirt, or towel, held on with rubber bands or otherwise; or a facial covering which need not be medical grade. A facial covering may be factory-made or may be handmade and improvised from ordinary household materials. The facial covering should be comfortable, so that the wearer can breathe comfortably through the nose and does not have to adjust it frequently to avoid touching the face.

For as long as medical grade masks such as N95 masks and surgical masks are in short supply, members of the public should not purchase those masks as facial coverings; those medical grade masks should be reserved for health care providers and first responders. Please note that any mask that incorporates a one-way valve (typically a raised plastic cylinder about the size of a quarter on the front or side of the mask) that is designed to facilitate easy exhaling is not a permissible facial covering under NKU’s requirement. Valves of that type permit droplet release from the mask, putting others nearby at risk.

On April 3, 2020, the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention recommended that everyone wear facial coverings when away from home to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. On May 6, 2020, Kentucky’s Governor issued an executive order requiring that businesses require their employees to wear a facial covering at work, subject to specific exemptions. NKU requires that faculty, staff, students, vendors, volunteers, and visitors wear facial coverings while present on campus. All employees and students on campus should keep a facial covering with them at all times to be prepared in the event of unanticipated contact with others.

Faculty, staff and students may request an accommodation for a facial covering. Accommodations for facial coverings will be provided for the following reasons with adequate documentation:

Requests for Facial Covering Accommodations will be accepted beginning Monday, June 22nd.

• Facial coverings in the work setting are prohibited by law, regulation, or documented industry standard;
• Facial coverings are prohibited for a documented health reason.Facial coverings are in violation of the documented safety policies; or
• There is a functional (practical) reason for an individual not to wear a facial covering in the workplace.

Once the application and documentation have been received and reviewed by the Office of Student Accessibility and Human Resources, generally within 5 business days of receipt, the individual requesting accommodations will be notified via their NKU email of accommodation approval/denial or request for further documentation.

Request Accommodations:

• Faculty, staff, and student employees who wish to request facial covering accommodations for employment matters should complete the request form from human resources. 
• Students who wish to request facial covering accommodations for non-employment matters should visit the NKU accessibility website to register and request accommodations.
  

Facial coverings must be worn at all times on campus except while eating or while alone in a private room such as a personal office. Facial coverings will not be required while exercising outdoors, as long as you are properly socially distancing and not clustering with others.

Northern Kentucky University will be providing reusable facial coverings to all faculty, staff, and students beginning January 4, 2021. Reusable facial coverings will be available using your NKU All Card from the Student Union Information Desk during normal building hours.

*NKU faculty, staff, and students who previously received reusable facial coverings in the fall semester are still eligible to receive additional reusable facial coverings during the spring semester.

Limited quantities of disposable masks may be available at the following locations during normal business hours:

Main Campus Locations

• Welcome Center
• Mail Distribution
• University Center Information Desk
• University Center Tech Bar                          
• Student Union Information Desk
• Student Account Services
• Steely Library Welcome Desk 
• Steely Library Distribution Desk
• Campus Recreation                                        

University Housing

• Norse Commons
• Callahan Hall

It is currently unknown whether face shields provide protection from COVID-19. Facial shields are not intended to be worn in place of facial coverings, but may be used with a mask when face-to-face interaction is anticipated as an additional physical barrier.

Yes. NKU branded facial coverings will be available for purchase at the bookstore for $11.98 during normal business hours.

Yes, but NKU is providing reusable NKU branded facial coverings to all faculty, staff, and students. (See “WHERE CAN I GET A FACIAL COVERING?” for distribution information)

Yes. NKU requires that faculty, staff, students, vendors, volunteers, and visitors wear facial coverings while present on campus. Facial coverings will not be required while eating or exercising outdoors, as long as you are properly socially distancing and not clustering with others.

NKU is requiring facial coverings to be worn in accordance with the Governor’s Healthy at Work initiative and recommendations made by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. NKU will reevaluate this on a regular basis and communicate any changes to this requirement.