In our efforts to continue to keep you informed about the impact of COVID-19 on the University of Central Missouri campus in Warrensburg and in Lee’s Summit, we are updating information that was previously shared on July 15 about preparations for the fall 2020 semester and beyond. As we get ready for the first day of classes on Aug. 17, we are taking steps to promote a safe campus while remaining steadfast in our commitment to provide an educational environment where students can experience learning to a greater degree. While we still plan to offer in-person classes, we recognize there will be a number of changes from a typical academic year, but we appreciate the cooperation and understanding of all campus members as we work together to persevere through the challenges the pandemic poses. Updates can also be found at https://www.ucmo.edu/coronavirus. Please check below for information related to:
The University of Central Missouri continues to maintain its effort to provide for a safe and healthy campus for students, employees and visitors alike. UCM is committed to providing our students with the best possible experience while also safeguarding their well-being against the backdrop of the global pandemic. Therefore, classes will be modified for the fall 2020 semester, and details of these modifications will vary by course.
Students will be contacted directly by their instructors if any of their courses are modified. All students should check their university email regularly for updates from their faculty for details regarding class modifications.
Since the size of some classrooms allow for each student to have a six-foot radius
of space around them, per CDC guidelines, some classes will meet as usual. In other
cases, course delivery will be modified to meet those guidelines while still providing
an engaging educational experience. These modifications could include conversion to
a partial or full online format, or changing the course attendance according to a
flipped classroom or rotational attendance format.
In a flipped classroom, students do not meet face to face for every class period as
indicated on the schedule. Instead, the course syllabus will include a schedule of
when the class will meet face to face and when the instructor will make course material
available online/remotely.
In a rotating attendance format, students will not attend their course in the classroom every single day in order to allow all students to maintain proper social distancing. For example, if a class is scheduled to meet on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, half of the students could attend on Monday and the other half on Friday, with everyone meeting virtually on Wednesday. Since the amount of face-to-face time is greatly reduced, the content not covered at the face-to-face meetings could be offered electronically through Blackboard, Google Classroom or other means.
Alternately, some students could choose to attend class in person while others could choose to attend via video conferencing (e.g., Zoom, WebEx, Google Meet) from home or elsewhere.
Laboratory classes will be handled like lectures, with students split into smaller groups and flipped classrooms. Many laboratory courses will have pre-produced lectures for students to watch ahead of the lab, and the classroom time will be used for labs.
In addition to the usual protective equipment required for students like goggles, safety glasses and gloves, face masks will be required in all laboratories. Laboratory courses have been reconfigured so that there are about half of the students present at any one time. This reduces or eliminates the need to share equipment and instruments among students during each class.
Equipment and instruments will be cleaned and sanitized at the end of each class to be ready for the next group of students. Other highly-touched surfaces like keyboards will also be cleaned and sanitized at the end of each class.
For practicums, internships and clinicals, students will adhere to the requirements of that organization, which may be more stringent than UCM’s requirements.
Special arrangements might be required for students and faculty engaged in clinical programs. Those arrangements will be guided by the program’s accreditations and/or public health guidance. Other activities such as flight instruction or experiential learning will occur where possible, and students will be required to observe CDC guidelines.
Just as we have made adjustments to our courses and procedures to promote student safety in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the school districts we partner with for field experiences are also making adjustments for the safety of their students and faculty. The need to prioritize safety has led us to make some changes in our field experiences courses.
For education students, sophomore and junior level courses or practicum that include a field experience placement in a PK-12 classroom, we will not be placing students in schools during the Fall 2020 semester. Faculty are currently working on alternative experiences that may include virtual observation, virtual teaching, or viewing videos of PK-12 classrooms. Alternative activities will still provide students with knowledge of the teaching and learning that occurs in our schools.
These modifications will not impact students’ path to teaching certification. The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is allowing teacher preparation programs to create alternative field experiences. The College of Education faculty here at UCM are former classroom teachers, using their expertise to design innovative and creative alternatives that are meaningful and relevant.
Students will still be enrolled in field experiences courses, and those courses will appear on student transcripts.
Students with any questions or concerns about their fall 2020 courses are encouraged to reach out to their professors directly, or contact our Office of Student Services.
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Students also are advised to practice handwashing between classes, and remember to clean and store their cell phones when not in use.
_New this fall, wall-mounted hand sanitizer dispensers have been installed at main entrances of campus academic buildings, and will be installed at the main entrances of the residence halls. A limited quantity of dispensers can be ordered by individual departments through the Procurement Warehouse.
_The Counseling Center 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 online, 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.
In an effort to limit crowds and allow for physical distancing, the move-in process for this year has been modified. First-year students who sign up for the UCM Kickoff will be required to sign up for a move-in time, and will move in between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 13. All other first-year students and upper class students will move into residence halls from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug.16, and will receive a direct communication about move in. Those living in apartments will receive a direct communication regarding move-in, which begins Friday, Aug. 14.
Please view all guidelines and processes for move in 2020:
If you have specific questions regarding moving in, please contact University Housing at 660-543-4515 or at housing@ucmo.edu.
_When returning to campus or moving in for the first time, please be sure to bring items that can help support a healthy lifestyle while the national pandemic continues.
The following are some of the steps the university and Sodexo, UCM’s food services provider, are taking to support a safe dining experience.
In accordance with federal requirements, all international students will be required to quarantine for 14 days if they are coming from a location outside the United States. Any international students who have been in the United States for more than 14 days will not be required to quarantine. International students will receive direct communication about this process.
_Per federal requirements, all students who have traveled internationally prior to the start of the academic year will be required to quarantine for 14 days before returning to fall classes on campus. Students who have been in the United States for more than 14 days prior to the start of classes will not be required to quarantine.
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All travel should be considered carefully. While travel may be limited due to funding, there is no ban on domestic travel as it may be essential in some positions to conduct university business. International travel is suspended for the fall semester. Under current guidance, anyone who engages in international travel, regardless of purpose, will be required to quarantine for 14 days after their arrival in the U.S. You should confer with the foreign officials for the country you are traveling to determine travel restrictions for that nation.
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The University Health Center is the first stop for 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 student union at, 108 East Clark Street, Warrensburg, MO 64093
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. 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.
_Located on the lower level of the Student Recreation and Wellness Center, Campus Cupboard is a volunteer-based, 501(c)(3) charity dedicated to alleviating hunger and financial burdens in the UCM community. Food and personal care items are provided to students and UCM employees in need. It will resume regular service on Wednesday, Aug. 19. For more information about Campus Cupboard visit https://www.ucmo.edu/current-students/student-services/campus-cupboard/.
_The Student Recreation and Wellness Center is taking many steps to provide an environment that encourages social distancing and follows safety guidelines prescribed by the CDC and local health officials.
Among those efforts, in the atrium area, which is considered a public space, cloth coverings have been removed from furniture, and the remaining furniture has a leather and hospital grade fabric to encourage social distancing. A spray mister for surface cleaning that uses oxygenated water has been purchased for use in this area mid-day and again at closing time.
Here is a list of several changes/updates in which SRWC patrons will want to be aware (Please note, this list is not comprehensive):
We have reconfigured, re-imagined, and realigned events to help ensure we are following 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 as we begin the fall 2020 semester:
UCM’s Athletics Conference, The MIAA, has announced all fall sport competitions will be suspended until January 1, 2021. Learn more..
_UCM Kick-off is still scheduled for Thursday, August 13. For more information, please visit ucmo.edu/kickoff.
_The Office of Student Activities is hosting an exciting Week of Welcome with many fun events planned for Aug. 14-21. Activities planned during the week are listed below. All of these activities have been configured with strong consideration for social distancing and other applicable CDC guidelines.
Friday, Aug. 14
8 -11 p.m. Game Night at the Student Recreation and Wellness Center (SRWC): This event will feature Hillbilly Golf, Corn Hole Toss, washers, volleyball, basketball, ping pong, and a Top Shot Competition with activities that include archery, darts, rubber band gun and ax throwing.
Saturday, Aug. 15
10 a.m.-12 p.m. First-Year Service Projects: Students will be assigned projects across the UCM campus. They also will create hygiene kits for individuals for use by the American Red Cross, make bookmarks for the public library, door decks for local residential care units, and table decorations for the Warrensburg veterans home.
3-5 p.m. UCM Waterpark at East Field: This event featuring water balloons, dunk tank, slip and slide, blow-up slide, and balloon launchers.
8-11 p.m. Choose your own Mo-venture! This includes a free outdoor movie tentatively at the James C. Kirkpatrick (JCKL) lawn with the lower level of the SWRC as a rain location; Silent Disco at East Field with the SRWC Garrison Courts as rain location, and online Bingo.
Sunday, Aug. 16
8-11 p.m. The Student Activities Showcase: This event features bowling at the Union Bowling Center; Bingo, Union Ballroom; Glow Mini Golf, outside and near the SRWC; Karaoke at the Union Atrium; and Novelties, Union/Union Mall.
Wednesday, Aug. 19
3-5 p.m. Student Involvement Fair: The fair is an opportunity to find out how you can get involved and will take place at various locations.
8 p.m. Electric violinist Alex Ahn: This event is sure to please and is planned at Hendricks Hall.
Thursday, Aug. 20
9 a.m.-3 p.m. Welcome Back Blood Drive: Located in Union 238-240, this event provides
students an opportunity to donate blood to save lives.
8 p.m. UCM Bingo: Join us for a great time at SRWC Garrison Courts
Friday, Aug. 21
8 p.m. A free outdoor movie will be shown tentatively at the JCKL lawn with the SRWC lower level as a rain location.
The coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak is an evolving situation that is continually being
monitored by the university. As the safety and well-being of all UCM members and campus
visitors is a priority, UCM leadership will make any adjustments that it believes
are necessary to meet this goal and to comply with any local, state or federal requirements.
We will continue to keep you informed of any new developments. If you have questions
about coronavirus, or are interested in seeing recent campus updates related to the
virus, please visit https://www.ucmo.edu/coronavirus.