Dakota Wesleyan University will re-institute a mask mandate beginning January 20th. In an email to students, Interim President Theresa Kriese says the mandate is due to the significant increase in COVID-19 infections in Davison County and surrounding communities and in light of the general pattern of the spread of the omicron variant nationally and internationally. The university is requiring that masks be worn in all indoor public spaces on campus. Mask wearing will be strongly encouraged, but not required in the residence halls. The mandate will be revisited by university officials.