{"id":818,"date":"2020-03-12T13:20:28","date_gmt":"2020-03-12T18:20:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.missouriwestern.edu\/covid-19\/?p=818"},"modified":"2020-03-29T13:54:54","modified_gmt":"2020-03-29T18:54:54","slug":"coronavirus-update-3-12-2020","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.missouriwestern.edu\/covid-19\/2020\/03\/12\/coronavirus-update-3-12-2020\/","title":{"rendered":"Extending Spring Break until March 23. 3\/12\/2020"},"content":{"rendered":"

We have been closely monitoring the rapidly changing COVID-19 situation and will be extending Spring Break until March 23 to help mitigate its spread. We will use this time to explore alternate methods of delivery for classes. We will make a determination by next Wednesday, March 18 regarding plans for the remainder of the semester.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

We have a responsibility to protect the health and welfare of our campus community, and we take this commitment very seriously. We would like to emphasize that <\/span>Missouri Western has <\/b>not<\/b> had any cases of COVID-19 on campus<\/b>, and the decision to extend Spring Break was made as a precaution and in an effort to support nationwide efforts to help prevent its spread.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Students should remain at their permanent address and not return to campus next week for classes or to move back into the residence halls.<\/b> Students who have extenuating circumstances regarding their on-campus housing should contact <\/span>Student Affairs<\/span><\/a>. Student employees should contact their supervisors for further information.<\/span><\/p>\n

University offices will remain open and employees should continue to report to work.<\/b> Faculty members teaching face-to-face classes should start planning how to continue instruction through alternate methods in the event that the university decides to move away from in-person class delivery. Methods should include the use of Canvas, Panopto, Zoom, email or other means of communication.\u00a0 Academic leadership will be communicating with faculty to discuss available options. The IT department has created a <\/span>resource page<\/span><\/a> with information on various technology solutions available.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Your Missouri Western email will be our primary method of communication as this situation develops. Students should check their emails for messages from faculty about adjusted assignments. Faculty members will contact students with more information.<\/span><\/p>\n

On-campus events scheduled for next week have been cancelled, and we encourage employees to conduct meetings with off-campus individuals by phone or video conferencing. Continue watching your email for more information about your specific situation.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Students, Faculty and Staff with underlying health conditions<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Unless notified otherwise, employees should continue to report to work as usual. At the same time, we recognize that some members of our campus community may be at a higher risk of infection.\u00a0 Individuals having underlying health conditions that place them at heightened risk should contact the following:<\/span><\/p>\n