St. Ambrose University students, faculty and staff give their opinions on the university’s mask mandate policy, as well as their message to the unvaccinated. As of Sept. 12, St. Ambrose’s vaccination rate for students that have reported it to the university is 52%.

Name: Jaquelin Orduna

Grade: Freshman

Major: Nursing

Hometown: Silvis, IL

What is your opinion of the mask mandate on campus?

“It’s important to think about how others feel and how comfortable they are. So, by wearing a mask, you not only protect yourself, but you protect others.”

Do you have a message to those who are unvaccinated on campus?

“Getting vaccinated is really important because it’s what’s helping us get normalized and back to normal standards of living.”

Name: Lindsey Voss

Grade: Junior

Major: Multimedia Journalism & Art History

Hometown: Leclaire, IA

What is your opinion of the mask mandate on campus?

“I expected it considering the rate of infections in Iowa were going up again. I think we’re all at a high rate of infections and it wasn’t gonna last. The progress we had seen in the summer was definitely gonna change by the time it came to the fall.”

Do you have a message to those who are unvaccinated on campus?

“If you cannot due to medical reasons, it’s understandable. The least you can do is still protect others by still wearing a mask. However, if you are choosing not to get vaccinated on the premise that you’re unsure, it takes 5 minutes to do research. If you are not comfortable with doing the research, then contact your local doctor and figure out a solution because there are a couple ways to treat this. It’s either we wear masks for the rest of our lives or we get vaccinated and somehow find a way to fight it.” 

Name: Lesley Frenell

Position on campus: Bee Central Employee

Years at SAU: 5 ½ years

What is your opinion of the mask mandate on campus?

“They’re just doing it to protect us basically and to protect everyone. I don’t have an issue with it. If it will help someone to not get something that would potentially harm them, then I would wear a mask for anyone or to protect anyone and to protect myself. So, it doesn’t bother me at all.”

Do you have a message to those who are unvaccinated on campus?

“I don’t really have a message to those that are unvaccinated because I was unsure myself. I actually got vaccinated about a week before they did the mandate again, so I was mask free for about a week. But, it’s everyone’s own prerogative and everyone just do what’s best for you. I don’t think people should have to be vaccinated. It is just a personal choice that everyone has to make.”

Name: Kaitlyn Bosold 

Grade: Senior

Major: Early Childhood Education 

Hometown: Sherrard, IL

What is your opinion of the mask mandate on campus?

“I think that it is important to let each individual student decide what they’re comfortable with, but I think as a campus, having a mask mandate and having masks be worn inside will help alleviate the stresses of covid-19.”

Do you have a message to those who are unvaccinated on campus?

“Do your research. Do what feels right to you. But think about everybody else on campus and those who can’t get vaccinated.”

Name: Ethin Sivels

Grade: Freshman

Major: Psychology

Hometown: Moline, IL

What is your opinion of the mask mandate?

“I believe it’s necessary just because there’s so many people walking around. Me, myself, I don’t really wanna wear the mask but I just believe it’s necessary to keep everyone safe.” 

Do you have a message to those who are unvaccinated on campus?

“Well, I’m not vaccinated myself, but I wouldn’t feel bad for not getting the vaccination. If you don’t believe in it, good for you.”

Name: Edwin Ubeda

Position: Associate Professor in Teacher Education 

Years at SAU: 6 years

What is your opinion on the mask mandate on campus?

“I believe in science and there’s plenty of evidence that masks keep us safe, and so I’m very much in favor of the mask mandate.” 

Do you have a message to those who are unvaccinated on campus?

“Get vaccinated. It’s for all of us. Especially the children that are unvaccinated. I have two little kids, and they are at risk because those that can get vaccinated are not getting vaccinated, and that’s creating more problems for all of us. It’s just plain science, and it’s just evolution. The virus is gonna mutate, so yeah get vaccinated. Stop it from mutating and getting us sick and infected.”

Name: Sean O’Hara

Grade: Sophomore

Major: Biology

Hometown: Antioch, IL

What is your opinion of the mask mandate on campus?

“I was a little disappointed getting the second email towards the end of the summer that we’d have to wear them indoors again. But, I don’t mind it too much because it’s just something to put on your face. I was just hoping for some normalcy because I can’t really recognize people inside now.” 

Do you have a message for those who are unvaccinated on campus?

“It’s your body, so you can do whatever you want with it. But, getting vaccinated is a good thing if you want to eventually travel. The reason I got the vaccine is because I wanted to travel over the summer. It makes me feel a little bit more safe and confident that if I do contract the virus again, it won’t be as bad. I did get it in November, so now I’m like at least I won’t get it as bad if I do get it. It’s everyone’s choice if they do get vaccinated, but I think it has a lot more benefits than consequences.” 

Name: Hunter Harris

Grade: Senior

Major: Finance, Economics, & Marketing

Hometown: Aledo, IL

What is your opinion of the mask mandate on campus?

“I think that it is still important based upon the circumstances that we are going through in the world. Given that Iowa is loose on their restrictions, I’m glad to see that Ambrose is still holding something together.”

Do you have a message to those who are unvaccinated on campus?

“I would recommend getting vaccinated if you can because it’s showing better results for lower hospitalization rates. So, while it may not be 100% effective for not getting the virus, it means that your symptoms aren’t as high. If there is a specific reason that you can’t get vaccinated I understand, but I would just recommend getting it if you can.”