Dear University community,
This afternoon, U.S. President Donald Trump issued a national emergency and Missouri Governor Mike Parson issued a state emergency to combat COVID-19. As our country works to contain the spread of this virus, we have made the decision to suspend all in-person classes at MU, UMKC, Missouri S&T and UMSL, effective Monday, March 16, through the remainder of the spring 2020 semester. All classes will be taught remotely.
We are taking this action with an abundance of caution for the health of students, faculty, staff and visitors. There are many aspects of this plan that will continue to require ongoing extraordinary efforts from our university community, as well as our students and their families. Our universities will be communicating regularly as we work to ensure teaching, research and health care operations continue throughout the UM System.
Universities will remain open and operational, including libraries, residence halls and dining halls to ensure students can continue their education from wherever best suits their individual needs. Recreation centers and complexes on all four campuses will be closed. Plans for final exams and commencements will be communicated as decisions are made. As previously shared, supervisors should continue to plan for remote work options should they become necessary.
As Missouri’s public research university system, we play an important role in addressing this virus. Our researchers have worked with similar viruses for years and are collaborating globally to help fight the growing COVID-19 pandemic. MU College of Veterinary Medicine Dean Carolyn Henry joined Governor Parson today to share our extensive testing capabilities and our commitment to research and health care as we continue our service to the state.
The emergency declarations made by our national and state leaders are a necessary step, similar to when a national disaster occurs, to allow federal and state assets to be deployed to help communities respond, especially those that experience the harshest impacts. We will continue to prepare and respond with our partners throughout the state.
We are fortunate to have valued and strong partnerships with civic leaders across Missouri, including public health departments to help us monitor this evolving situation. Our top priority remains the safety of our students, staff and faculty.
Thank you for your attention to this important matter and your service to our university community in this challenging global climate.
Sincerely,
Mun Y. Choi, President, UM System
Alexander N. Cartwright, Chancellor, MU
C. Mauli Agrawal, Chancellor, UMKC
Mohammad Dehghani, Chancellor, Missouri S&T
Kristin Sobolik, Interim Chancellor, UMSL
Reviewed 2020-03-16