Coronavirus (COVID-19) Frequently Asked Questions

Students seeking an exemption to the University's face covering/mask requirement due to health or disability reasons must contact the Office of Accessibility Services. Students will need to provide OAS documentation from their healthcare provider that indicates a medical or mental health condition that prevents wearing a face covering or a medical recommendation of exemption to the face covering requirement. Students may contact the Office of Accessibility Services at 660-543-4421 or access@ucmo.edu.

Faculty and staff who would like to request an exemption due to health or disability reasons should contact Human Resources at 660-543-4255 or hrpay@ucmo.edu.

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea

• Seek assistance from a health care provider if your anxiety is interfering with your activities of daily living.
• Fighting against anxiety can make it worse. Instead, accept that it is normal to feel worried or anxious about things that are uncertain or threatening. One way to accept anxiety is to observe and describe it. For example, you might notice: “my heart is racing, and I keep thinking about 'what if' scenarios.” Normalizing and accepting the anxiety can have the paradoxical effect of reducing the anxiety; while trying to ignore or deny it can make the anxiety stronger.
• Get the facts and then move on. Rather than spending extended time reading social media posts about the risks of COVID-19, review a fact sheet from the CDC or another trusted source. Limit the amount of time you spend daily focused on COVID-19 information.
• Human beings tend to overestimate risks related to unfamiliar and uncertain threats. Challenge your worrisome thoughts with facts and remind yourself to focus on what is actually happening.
• Anxiety can lead us to forget that we possess strengths and coping skills. Remind yourself that even if you are impacted by this situation, you have skills to cope, and there are systems in place to help you. This includes focusing on what you can control (washing your hands, which events to attend, practicing self-care, knowing the facts) and letting go of what you cannot.
• Don’t forget about the importance of self care. Be deliberate about getting enough rest, proper nutrition, intentional movement, time outdoors, and support from your friends and family. Self care can help us be resilient in the face of stress.
• Visit the UCM Counseling Center page for a robust list of free supportive resources.
• The Counseling Center is offering drop-in support groups via Zoom for students to connect and cope while in quarantine and isolation. You do not have to be a client of the Counseling Center to participate. During each 20-30-minute workshop, you will get to reflect, discuss, and learn coping skills/strategies to help you take care of yourself through quarantine and isolation. The groups meet each Monday and Thursday at 1 p.m., from Feb.8 through May 3. Connect via Zoom.
• Visit the HR page to learn more about the Employee Assistance Program.

If applicable, instruction to isolate will be given to you by your Local Public Health Agency, and will be detailed. You will be given their contact information to ask any follow up questions. According to the CDC, patients who test positive for COVID-19 may come off isolation:

• An individual’s medical provider will determine this based on an individual’s circumstances
• At least 10 days since symptoms first appeared and
• At least 24 hours with no fever without fever-reducing medication and
• Symptoms have improved

If you had severe illness from COVID-19 (you were admitted to a hospital and needed oxygen), your healthcare provider may recommend that you stay in isolation for longer than 10 days after your symptoms first appeared (possibly up to 20 days) and you may need to finish your period of isolation at home. If testing is available in your community, your healthcare provider may recommend that you undergo repeat testing for COVID-19 to end your isolation earlier than would be done according to the criteria above. If so, you can be around others after you receive two negative tests results in a row, from tests done at least 24 hours apart.

In all instances, you should follow the requirements of your Local Public Health Agency and the recommendations of your health care provider. For the latest CDC recommendations regarding isolation, visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/isolation.html.

• Acting on Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidance, UCM asks that you remain at home and not return to campus if you meet any of these “stay-at-home” guidelines:
  • Have a fever, cough, or difficulty breathing
  • Have had close contact with an individual who has a known positive case of COVID-19 (See below for definition of “close contact”.)
  • Have traveled to an area where there are a high number of known cases of coronavirus. (See https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html)
• If you meet any of the above criteria, call your medical provider immediately, and follow self quarantine instructions.
• If you are a student and meet any of the above criteria, but you are unable to safely remain at home off campus, contact the University Health Center at uhc@ucmo.edu. A member of the COVID-19 Medical Team will consult with you to make an individualized plan for monitoring your symptoms and for safe housing.
• Follow CDC guidelines for quarantine and social distancing

A flu shot will help protect you against the influenza virus. UCM’s Health Center advocates getting a flu shot if your primary health care provider recommends it. If recommended by your primary health care provider, it is important to get a flu shot every year, and especially this year, to help prevent the flu, which takes a toll on your immune system and decreases your ability to fight other illnesses such as COVID-19.

The University Health Center will be offering students flu shots in October.

• Clean and sanitize frequently touched surfaces
• Wash your hands often
• Use hand sanitizer if soap and water are unavailable
• Avoid touching your eyes/nose/mouth with unwashed hands
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick
• Practice physical distancing
• Distance yourself 6 feet away from others when in public
• Wear a mask when out in public or around others outside your household
• Support your immune system:
  • Get 7 to 8 hours of sleep daily
  • Eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables
  • Drink plenty of water daily
  • Get regular exercise
  • Decrease stress
• More information is on the CDC’s prevention page.
• For updates and information, follow:
  • The University Health Center Facebook page
  • The Campus Community Health Facebook page
  • The CCH Twitter feed, and/or
  • The CCH Instagram feed

The University Health Center is the first stop for UCM students who are sick or injured, need well woman care, or need clinical prevention services such as immunizations or medications. It's staffed by physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, pharmacy and lab technicians, and friendly office personnel.

Wellness Support and Community Engagement is also housed in the University Health Center. Through a wide variety of support programs and services focused on education, engagement, and prevention, staff help students stay safe, healthy, and connected to community resources.

The University Health Center is located near the Elliott Student Union at, 600 S College Street, Warrensburg, MO 64093. You may contact the Health Center at 660-543-4770 or at uhc@ucmo.edu.

• Testing for students is available at the University Health Center (UHC). Most insurance companies will pay for testing if the patient has COVID-19 symptoms. If you do not have health insurance and want to learn more about UCM's student health insurance plan, information is available through MyCentral on the Student page under Health Services.

• The University Health Center is able to provide rapid COVID testing for UCM students at no cost. The test is available to both symptomatic and asymptomatic students, and results are available the same day. Unlike the deep nasal-pharangeal swab, this rapid test uses a minimally invasive swab of the lower nostril. Students with symptoms should call the UHC at 660-543-4770 ext. 3 to schedule their appointment for testing. Students who do not have symptoms may schedule an appointment at ucmo.medicatconnect.com under the "Appts." tab. Pre-scheduled appointments and completed patient consent forms are required. No walk-up appointments will be allowed.

• Johnson County Community Health Services and other applicable Local Public Health Authorities will facilitate initial contact tracing for individuals who test positive. The University will assist as appropriate and consistent with applicable laws and available resources.
• In partnership with health care providers and the University Health Center, we are increasing our ability for testing and contact tracing for students.
• Contact your health care provider to determine whether you need to be tested for COVID-19, or students may choose to use this screening form on the University Health Center website.
• The University Health Center does not see, nor can it provide guidance to, employees.
• Specific questions regarding testing and contact tracing may also be directed to Johnson County Community Health Services. Students who have questions about testing may contact the University Health Center at 660-543-4770 or uhc@ucmo.edu.

The Local Public Health Agency where a positive individual resides will implement tracing of close contacts. Each LPHA is responsible for establishing criteria. Johnson County Community Health Services refers to CDC guidelines, and defines close contact as

• Within 6 feet of a known COVID-positive individual for 15 minutes or more, with or without a mask
• Provided care at home to someone who is sick with COVID-19
• Direct physical contact with a COVID-positive individual (hugged or kissed)
• Shared eating or drinking utensils with COVID-positive individual
• The COVID-positive individual sneezed, coughed, or somehow got respiratory droplets on you

As always, students who have concerns about their current schedule should contact the Success Advising Center to discuss their options at 660-543-4721 or success@ucmo.edu.

Students who need accommodations due to disability or mental or physical health should contact the Office of Accessibility Services at 660-543-4421 or access@ucmo.edu. Employees should contact HR.

Please follow CDC guidelines. Stay home and contact your healthcare provider. Students may choose to complete the University Health Center’s student COVID communication form. This will help us coordinate support and communication with your faculty.

Students may complete the University Health Center’s student COVID communication form. This will help us coordinate support and communication with your faculty.

• The process to withdraw from classes, drop a class or request an incomplete grade follows the existing process.
• For specific questions, please contact the UCM Registrar. The Registrar’s contact information can be found here, https://www.ucmo.edu/current-students/office-of-the-registrar-and-student-records/

UCM is currently reviewing CDC and State Department advisories to determine whether students may study abroad in summer or fall of 2021. Interested students may contact intlprog@ucmo.edu or view ucmo.edu/studyabroad for updates or to set up an advising appointment.

• International students and those looking for resources or information for international students are asked to visit the following UCM webpage for information related to maintaining valid visa status during the recent COVID-19 changes: COVID-19 Resources for International Students.
• F1 students should be in contact with their international student adviser (DSO) for guidance pertaining to their individual needs/questions: isss@ucmo.edu
• Sponsored and exchange student organizations have been in contact with GISS and have provided guidance. This information has been disseminated to students, and GISS staff are working to accommodate student needs.
• GISS is closely monitoring the location of our currently enrolled students and those on OPT outside of the local area.
• International students living on campus are in close contact with GISS and the Housing Office for guidance.
• For specific questions and individual circumstances, including future enrollment and visa statuses, please contact GISS at giss@ucmo.edu or at 660-543-4621.
• Students with the university-facilitated health insurance plan with United Health Care, can access a medical provider 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for free at www.telehealth4students.com.
• University Student Health Center will be open between 8 a.m.-noon and 1-5 p.m. Monday through Friday during the school year. We ask that students call for an appointment and not walk in for an appointment at this time. Call the clinic at 660-543-4770. The health center is providing some telephone care and actively working on setting up telehealth.
• International students who need assistance with COVID-related insurance questions are being referred to the Health Center and to the insurance provider based on their question.

Please contact the Office of Graduate and International Student Services for further assistance.

The University will host activities and events in which students are encouraged to attend. The University encourages interactions outside of a residence hall room to engage in the college experience.

Also, the Counseling Center is available for students and is providing virtual services primarily by Telemental Health (TMH). Individuals can access services by calling 660-543-4060 to participate in a brief screening for TMH and to schedule appointments. Mental Fitness workshops are offered live via Zoom and on-demand via Blackboard. Please see the Counseling Center’s website (ucmo.edu/cc) for more information about services and for additional resources, or call 660-543-4060 with any questions.

The Counseling Center is also offering drop-in support groups via Zoom for students to connect and cope while in quarantine and isolation. You do not have to be a client of the Counseling Center to participate. During each 20-30-minute workshop, you will get to reflect, discuss, and learn coping skills/strategies to help you take care of yourself through quarantine and isolation. The groups meet each Monday and Thursday at 1 p.m., from Feb.8 through May 3. Connect via Zoom.

UCM offers affordable health care insurance for students and their eligible dependents through UnitedHealthCare Student Resources. Visit the University Health Center page for more information, or to learn more about coverage and rates or to enroll in the insurance, login to MyCentral, select "Student" on the left side of the page, then "Health Services" and look for the "Health Insurance" section. Links in that section will redirect you to the UCM-specific UnitedHealthCare Student Resources plan.

Note: You must be enrolled in at least 6 credit hours currently or in the fall to enroll in the health insurance.

International students are required to have the student health insurance unless a waiver is approved. More details about requesting a waiver are available through MyCentral.

If you have more specific questions about the insurance plan, contact UnitedHealthCare Customer Service at 1-877-944-6767 or customerservice@uhcsr.com.

Employees should follow the directives of their Local Public Health Agency and treating physician regarding isolation and self-care. If an employee is instructed by their LPHA or treatment provider to be quarantined or isolated, FMLA, leaves of absence, and/or reasonable accommodations may apply. Please contact Ranea Taylor in HR for assistance with available options related to COVID-19 at 660-543-4255.

If an employee is at work and finds that they were exposed, they should follow CDC Guidelines. They should contact their care provider, urgent care or the emergency room, and ensure that they are having their needs addressed as it pertains to their individual medical history. Their provider will recommend testing, and/or quarantine as appropriate. If they are advised to quarantine, they should immediately request documentation from their physician and contact HR for further assistance.

When an individual tests positive for COVID-19, the state and local health department will work together to ensure the individual who is positive gets the care they need and their contact with others is limited (i.e. isolation at home if well, hospitalized if sick), AND the health department will work with that individual to determine anyone with whom they have been in close contact. The health department will reach out to those contacts to inform them how to stay at home and monitor their symptoms. In other words, if a person is positive for COVID-19, local health officials will know about it and work to protect the person and the greater community. See above for the definition of “close contact.”

UCM is a comprehensive regional institution whose campuses located in Warrensburg and Lee’s Summit, Missouri are the standard worksites unless the university president declares otherwise. Most of our work is best done onsite at one of these two locations.

Leaves of absence or telecommuting may be appropriate in very limited circumstances. Please contact your direct supervisor regarding any of your concerns. Work assignments will be decided on a case-by-case basis with your supervisor and Human Resources.

Information from BlueKC is available online, as well as the EAP. Helpful resources and UCM employee benefit and log-in information for BlueKC and EAP is accessible here, https://www.ucmo.edu/offices/human-resources/benefits-information/. You may also access BlueKC directly for resources at bluekc.com

Please contact Human Resources at 660-543-4255 or in Administration 101 for assistance with employee support.

Contact Becky Landkamer by telephone at (660) 543-4540 or 4797, or by e-mail at ap_cr_bpc@ucmo.edu.

For all grant funded travel, please contact your Program Administrator at the Office of Sponsored Programs & Research Integrity or directly call (660) 543-4264 or email osp@ucmo.edu.

You should cancel all reservations and request refunds for all expenses paid that will no longer be utilized. Contact conference/event organizers for registration and deposit refunds. Contact hotels for deposit refunds. Contact the airline for airfare credit or refund.

• No, you will not need to reimburse the university for these expenses. An attempt should be made by the traveler to request refund, transfer tickets, or otherwise minimize financial impact. All remaining expenses should be submitted using standard travel processes. If you receive a future benefit (voucher, registration for next year), please provide Accounts Payable with all documentation as that benefit is subject to special accounting procedures.
• If paid for by a grant, and you cannot receive a refund, or a credit for the travel is related to the project scope of work, contact your Program Administrator in the Office of Sponsored Programs and Research Integrity. They will work with you to make necessary revisions with the funder and move any unallowable expenditures from the project budget.

• If the expense was paid for by the university or reimbursed to you by the university, then the funds should be deposited back to the university to the FOAPAL where the expense was charged. If the money was deposited into your account or is in the form of a check with your name, you will need to write a check payable to "University of Central Missouri" and give it to your department budget manager for deposit to the university.
• If paid for on a grant, the credit will be made to the charged grant FOAP.

• Org code 600240 - Emergency Operations, has been established to track expenses related to COVID-19 and any future EOC expenses.
• All expenses related to COVID-19 must use this Org as part of their FOAPAL when coding requisitions in Jaggaer and on Payment Requests.
• Requisitions and payment requests must include all documentation related to the expense and clearly indicate that it is related to COVID-19.
• If your Org has been charged directly for a COVID-19 expense, prepare an IDT to move the expense to Org 600240, with all documentation to support the reclassification of the expense.
• If you have non-refundable travel expenses for cancellations due to COVID-19, use an IDT to transfer those costs to Org 600240.
• Please attach all cancellation documentation in ChromeRiver and with the IDT.
• Document, Document, Document is the name of the game. More is better than not enough in reporting COVID-19 expenses.
• For additional questions, contact Lisa Miller at 660-543-4406, or lamiller@ucmo.edu or accountingservices@ucmo.edu.

• Freshmen and sophomores who live within 65 miles of campus (previously 50 miles) can apply for an exemption from living in campus residence halls providing they will live with a parent, grandparent or legal guardian. Any student who believes they may be eligible for an exemption and wishes to obtain one can contact University Housing at 660-543-4515, or housing@ucmo.edu.
• For 2020/2021, all residence hall rooms will be single occupancy only. Residents will have the option to request a specific suitemate, if mutually agreeable (suites are two rooms joined by a common bathroom). Although each room will be single occupancy, residents will be charged the lower double occupancy rate.
• Beginning in fall 2021, UCM will reinstate double occupancy housing. A limited number of single rooms will be available to students, but for an additional charge. Students who have a medical condition that they believe necessitates living in a single occupancy room will be able to request their room by reaching out to the Office of Accessibility Services (OAS) and providing supporting documentation. OAS will let University Housing know if a single room is warranted. 
  
  A measure that was initiated in fall 2020 to make it possible for sophomores (students with at least 30 hours of credit) to reside at The Crossing: South at Holden is being extended. Anyone who is a sophomore or above will be eligible to reside at The Crossing.

Students, faculty, staff, and visitors are encouraged to engage in physical distancing practices recommended by the CDC. University staff will not “police” or prohibit private gatherings for distancing measures in residence halls. It is up to each one of us to take responsibility for our own health and well-being, including being mindful of the health and well-being of others. The University encourages all persons to follow applicable recommendations from the CDC.

The following are some of the steps the university and Sodexo, UCM’s food services provider, are taking to support a safe dining experience.

• Sodexo has company-wide protocols for food preparation and service which are being employed at UCM.
• All dining employees will wear masks.
• There will be adjustments in seating availability consistent with local government regulations, and set capacity of the space.
• Dining areas will be set up to allow for social distancing.
• Carry-out service will be available. Students may opt for carry-out meals at any point during the meal time. However, a 30-minute window for carry-out only meals will be provided at the beginning of meal times for those who want to get their take-out meal before sit-down dining is available, which may enhance social distancing.
• Traffic patterns will be implemented that allow diners to efficiently move from the cashier stand to their selected stations. Floor decals and consistent signage will reinforce traffic patterns and social distancing.
• Traffic patterns will also lead from the seating area to the exit with designated instructions along the way for returning dishes or disposing of packaging or waste into marked receptacles.
• Efficient station designs for each meal period will ensure quality selection and service and optimal sanitation standards.
• All stations will be attended by uniformed staff.
• Staff will frequently sanitize serving stations to ensure safety.
• No personal refillable containers will be utilized in the dining room, to ensure safety for our staff and guests.
• Menu toppings and condiments will be portioned by attendants.
• Enhanced cleaning in dining facilities will be performed in accordance with CDC guidelines.
• Enhanced sanitation and cleaning will be performed by uniformed staff.
• Tables will be cleaned and disinfected after each use and free of any items, such as salt/pepper shakers or napkin dispensers.

Your roommate or suitemate should contact their medical provider or may choose to complete the University Health Center’s student COVID communication form. If it is determined that they may have COVID-19, arrangements will be made to evaluate and test the individual. If you and your roommate have been living together, you will be placed in quarantine and you will also need to be evaluated by your medical provider or the health center. Quarantine and isolation space will be provided to residents by University Housing.

Disinfect touch points such as door knobs, light switches, desk tops, table tops, hard surface furniture, keyboards, phones, remote controls, faucets, toilet seats, etc. with common household disinfectants. Wash hands often.

Please view this video for proper bathroom cleaning procedures.

• Facilities, Planning and Operations is sanitizing touch points of all public areas daily such as: doors, door knobs, handles, panic bars, glass doors, vending machines, light switches, electrical outlet covers, furniture, tables, chairs, elevator doors and buttons, elevator walls, floors, water fountains, kitchens, public bathrooms, laundry rooms, stairways, and handrails.
• It would be beneficial if others would assist with monitoring public spaces, clean behind use in kitchens, laundry rooms and public spaces in between daily custodial service.
• It is the responsibility of the student to clean their residence hall room and bathroom.

We have reconfigured, re-imagined, and realigned events consistent with CDC guidelines. We will utilize social distancing measures where feasible, and implement ticketing to help promote social distancing at large gatherings. Here are a few items worth noting regarding events:

• Requests for event space will be made through the 25Live online system. If you do not have access please complete the online training and take the quiz. https://www.ucmo.edu/offices/meeting-and- conference-services/schedule-an-event/
• All room capacities have been updated in 25Live to account for social distancing.
• Please select a room that is appropriate for the number of attendees you plan to have at your event.
• Please do not move the tables and chairs, as they will be set to allow for social distancing. No tables and chairs will be added to academic classrooms and auditoriums.
• If a room in the Union is set to the new capacity, no additional tables or chairs will be added.
• Event sponsors must supply hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes for their events, especially if items will be shared by participants.
• If participants want to sit closer than six feet apart, the event must be ticketed and inform ticket purchasers that attendees are encouraged to social distance from those outside their household.

Events may look different than previous events and may have adjustments in order to facilitate a safe event, and will follow the above event guidelines.

Please visit ucmathletics.com for the most up to date athletic information.

At this time, other university events are scheduled as planned but may be adjusted as necessary. UCM will communicate about events as adjustments are made.

Most UCM services will be available which includes, but is not limited to, movies, bowling, intramurals, computer labs, study rooms, tutoring services, childcare, Lee’s Summit bus service, etc. Services may implement different protocols in their respective area, differing from previous operations, based on the needs of the service.