2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Updated April 22, 2020, 5:55 p.m.

MU works closely with infection control experts at MU Health Care and local and state public health officials, and follows guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Additionally, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) has activated a statewide public hotline, 877-435-8411, for citizens or providers needing guidance regarding COVID-19.

What Mizzou Is Doing

• The university has postponed commencement. In May, it will host a virtual celebration for our graduates. In addition, the university will also invite graduates back to campus at a later date to participate in a future ceremony. For more information, please visit the Graduation & Commencement page.

• All undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in courses (including online and self-paced) in spring 2020 will be able to choose the Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory (S/U) grade option for all courses that have an A-F grade option. Students have the option to retain the letter grade earned or select S/U after final grades have been posted. (NOTE: Classes that ended prior to March 16, 2020, are not eligible to be changed to S/U grading.) Students will be able to select the S/U option from 8 a.m. (CDT) Monday, May 18, 2020, through 5 p.m. (CDT) Friday, June 5, 2020. For more information, visit the Office of the University Registrar’s website.

• Missouri Gov. Mike Parson has extended a statewide stay-at-home order through May 3, 2020. We expect our students, staff and faculty, whether on campus or working and learning remotely, to follow any city, county or state directives. The stay-at-home order directs Missourians to limit all unnecessary travel outside of the home. For more on the statewide order, visit the FAQ on Gov. Parson’s website.

• To reduce campus operations and the risk to our community during this period, the university has taken the following actions:

  • The MU Student Center, Memorial Union, the MizzouRec Complex, and the University Club are closed to the public.
  • University Libraries and the Student Success Center are closed. Remote services continue to be available.
  • Residential Life is working to help students who have alternate living arrangements move as soon as possible.
  • Operations staff are completing a thorough cleaning, disinfecting spaces throughout campus.

• Students who do not have other options to support their continuing education, including international students, will be allowed to remain in our residence halls. We will continue to provide dining options and other needs.

• Enhanced leave policies that were issued in March have been revised in April. To view the revised policies, visit HR-700 Enhanced HR Policies for Employees in Response to COVID-19. Employees of MU Health Care and MU School of Medicine will be provided separate guidance, appropriate for those providing health care for our community.

• Effective immediately, all university-related non-essential international and domestic travel is suspended until further notice, including previously approved travel. This includes travel connected to university activities or programs for all faculty, staff and students, whether that travel is funded by the university, an external grant, or any other sources. Requests to engage in essential travel must be approved by deans, vice chancellors or vice provosts.

• All university events have been canceled at this time.

• The university has canceled all study abroad programs for spring, spring break and summer 2020. As students return to the United States, many of them are going back to their homes away from campus and will be self-monitoring with the assistance of their local public health departments. We continue to work with the students to ensure they maintain their academic progress this semester.

• Mizzou has adopted a recommendation by Faculty Council leadership to employ a no-handshake practice. Verbal greetings are preferred substitutes.