By Jenna Ingalls |Staff writerFace coverings will be required on for all faculty, students, staff and visitors at Augusta University starting July 15.The University System of Georgia made face coverings a requirement of all colleges and universities in the system, reversing its decision to only recommend masks for the fall."I was pleased to read the updated guidelines about masks sent by Dr. (Brooks) Keel," said Professor Pamela Hayward, who teaches communication. "I think it will increase safety for all on campus."Keel made the announcement on July 6 in an email to all students, faculty, administrators and staff.Under these new guidelines, those not wearing a face covering will be asked to leave campus, and refusal may lead to disciplinary action. All students, staff and faculty will be provided two cloth masks by the university.Distribution of those masks has not been announced yet.“Even with masks being a requirement, I still feel apprehensive about returning,” said Shania Banks, psychology student at AU. “As a Type 1 diabetic, I am among one the high risk groups and even though masks are a requirement, social distancing can’t really be put in place because of classrooms. In some places it’s just not really possible.”Masks will not be required when alone in enclosed offices, an individual’s dorm, study rooms alone or outdoors where social distancing guidelines can be met.“I never wanted to jeopardize mine or my loved one’s health,” said AU student Natia Gillis. “I even thought about skipping a semester because they may not enforce face masks.”Accommodations can be made for individuals who are unable to wear face coverings for health reasons. Individual professors and staff with underlying health conditions can seek alternate work arrangements.The change by USG may have in part come because of a petition signed by hundreds of Georgia Tech faculty members asking that masks be required. Another factor likely is the spike in COVID-19 positives in recent weeks.As of July 7 at 5 p.m., the Georgia Department of Public Health posted that there had been 100,470 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the state, with 2,899 deaths. The number of cases have been steadily climbing over the last month with a high of 3,472 new cases on July 2. Contact Jenna Ingalls at jeingalls@augusta.edu.