Massachusetts Institute of Technology: Students Prohibited from Asking Others to Wear Masks

On March 14, 2022, after the repeal of a local mask mandate, Massachusetts Institute of Technology told students they aren’t allowed to “request” that others wear masks. FIRE wrote to MIT March 17, requesting it rescind the requirement, as forbidding students from simply asking others to wear masks violates the university’s free speech policies. On March 24, MIT updated its policy, narrowing the prohibition to pressuring or coercing others to mask.