Hello Spartans,

The University’s Emergency Response Team has been following and evaluating the constantly changing Coronavirus and COVID-19 pandemic since late January. In late February, the University implemented additional protocols for campus sanitizing above and beyond routine cleaning. The week of March 2 the lead group for the Emergency Response Team met regarding additional steps evaluating preparation and potential response scenarios. All updates related to the University will be posted at: https://www.mobap.edu/coronavirus-advisory/

The University deeply cares for the health and safety of our students, faculty, and staff and work to balance that with continuing the educational environment and coursework.

Given the rapidly changing environment as the Center for Disease Control (CDC), World Health Organization (WHO), and governments work to slow the spread of COVID-19 the University has worked with the guidance from the CDC and local/state health department officials. Based on that guidance, the following decisions have been made:

• Main Campus (In-Person Classes)
  • The University is currently on spring break through March 15. In-person courses that met on MBU’s main campus will resume online via Canvas, MBU’s Learning Management System, no later than Thursday, March 19. Students should, however, check Canvas daily for class updates beginning March 16.
  • The current plan is to resume in-person classes on Monday, April 6. We will closely monitor this dynamic situation and could possibly extend the date to resume in-person classes.
• Existing Online Classes
  • Any classes that were already fully online will continue as planned on March 16.
• Regional Learning Centers
  • The Deans and Directors will communicate with students at these locations regarding in-person classes.
• Undergraduate Nursing Students (In-Person Classes)
  • Nursing students will resume classes on Monday, March 16 and attend their clinical sites.

Main Campus Residence Halls, Food Services, Athletics, Student Employment, Internships/Practicums/Teaching Hours, Student Activities, Student Services,

• Residence Halls
  • Students are asked to seek every avenue to live off-campus between now and April 5, 2020.
  • Students who for extreme extenuating circumstances must remain in the residence halls must complete the Residence Hall COVID-19 Form.
    • For the students in extreme extenuating circumstances who remain in the residence halls additional policies regarding guests and other rules will be in place.
  • Students who need to get academic books, materials, or laptops from the Residence Halls to continue with the online-only classes should contact their Residence Director who will work with them to access their room to retrieve academic items. We request for students not to return for personal items.
  • Currently, the University plans to fully re-open the Residence Halls on Sunday, April 5 – **please take note: given the evolving nature of this COVID-19 situation, nothing about our newly revised schedule can be absolutely guaranteed. More changes – while not desired – are possible. As such, please remain as flexible as possible between now and the completion of the Spring Term.
• Food Services
  • Food Services will be open for students in the Residence Halls with a meal plan.
  • Food Service options may be limited or augmented by pre-packing meals, removing self-serve options, and other steps related to health safety.
• Athletics: Reviewing guidance from the NAIA the following will occur
  • All in-season athletics will continue
  • Spectator-Free athletic events will occur until further notice. MBU will work to live-stream as many competitions as possible. Live-streaming can be viewed at: https://mbuspartans.com/
  • All off-season athletic practices, conditioning, campus, and competitions are canceled until further notice.
  • Athletics scholarships will be honored.
• On-Campus Student Employment
  • Any student workers who live in the St. Louis area off-campus may continue to work their scheduled hours. Student workers who will be living outside of the St. Louis area should contact their supervisor and let them know of the expected absences.
• Off-Campus Internships/Practicums/Teaching Hours
  • Students who are in an off-campus internship, practicum, or teaching hours should continue to participate in those activities and follow directives from the company or school/school district related to employees.
  • If your company or school/school district changes your internship, practicum, or teaching hours you should immediately contact your supervising faculty member to determine a plan for reaching your academic requirement.
• Student Activities
  • All student activities will be canceled until April 6 and are planned to resume as scheduled on April 6.
• Student Services
  • Student Services will remain open in order to assist students with their educational support needs.
  • This includes: Library/Learning Center, Academic Support Center (phone call and email advising available), Tutoring Services (phone call and online support available), Disability Services.

University Travel

• Travel Cancelled March 16 through April 5 – All University-sponsored student and employee travel, both international and domestic, scheduled for March 16-April 5 will be cancelled unless approved by the President’s Cabinet.
• University-sponsored Summer Study Abroad Trips – The University had two study abroad trips planned for May 2020. With recent updates to those countries limiting travel and in consultation with University administration the decision has been made by the faculty sponsors to cancel the trips.
• Non-University Sponsored Study Abroad – Students choosing to study abroad with another organization are highly recommended to contact their study abroad program for guidance. If a student does study abroad, please note the student must inform the University and will be required to remain off-campus and self-isolate for a period of 14-days upon return.

Returning from Spring Break

• The University requests that all faculty, staff, and students complete the following Travel Form after returning from Spring Break.
• If you traveled to region of the world that the CDC has categorized as  a Level 2 or 3 or have been in contact with someone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19, you may not return to campus for a period of 14 days.
• If you begin to feel symptoms related to COVID-19 please contact the Missouri Health Department COVID-19 24-Hour Hotline for specific instructions 877-435-8411 (https://health.mo.gov/living/healthcondiseases/communicable/novel-coronavirus/)

Will there be Refunds for Tuition or Housing/Room/Board?

• Despite these extraordinary circumstances, costs associated with operating the University, including cost of staff and other resources to run facilities, delivering online learning, etc., do not go away. In fact, new and unplanned costs related to prevention and mitigation – including cleaning, acquisition of supplies and other emergency responses – become necessary. Tuition, room, board and related fees paid to the University are being fully utilized to maintain and manage this evolving situation for our University. As such, no refunds on tuition/housing/room/board can be made available.

Kind regards,

Ben

Dr. Benjamin Lion | Vice President for Student Development