Intelligent.com, a trusted resource for online degree rankings and higher education planning, has recently published their findings from a survey of 2,000 current and upcoming college students who will be attending an in-person institution in the fall of 2021. The study revealed that 63% of students plan to continue wearing a mask across campus settings, even if not required by their school.
Although 82% reported that they plan to be vaccinated before returning to campus, the majority of those surveyed still intend to take precautions, as 70% said they will wear a mask at indoor parties, 66% will wear masks in the classroom, 61% in dorm hallways and common areas, and 56% outdoors. The results particularly contrast with the general population of the U.S., as the responses between students in different U.S. census regions and political affiliations were not as polarized as expected.
Admissions expert Beata Williams commented on the lack of a unified administrative approach to COVID safety this fall, which makes student choices about vaccinations and mask wearing all the more relevant, “I have seen numbers showing approximately 500 institutions of higher education that will be requiring or strongly encouraging vaccinations for its students. However, the requirements are not straightforward, as some schools may only require students to get the vaccine. They may not require faculty or administration vaccinations, and some schools are only requiring residential students to be vaccinated while some students will be exempt due to religious beliefs.”
A small but notable percentage of college students (14%) responded that they did not plan to be vaccinated before returning to campus, and this group also reported the lowest numbers of intended mask wearing. The study found that the responses for unvaccinated students and their intended mask wearing was about 25 percentage points lower than for vaccinated students.
Intelligent.com ran this study to shed light on college students’ attitudes toward mask wearing this fall and help students and educators make an informed decision about returning to campus. For the full results, please visit https://www.intelligent.com/63-percent-of-college-student-will-voluntarily-wear-a-mask-on-campus-this-fall/.
