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Dear Roos,
We’ve had so much exciting news in the past week with the rollout of our UMKC Forward plan and the announcement that May Commencement will be in person for 2021 and 2020 graduates at Kauffman Stadium, the home of our Kansas City Royals. And today, the week before Spring Break, we have more great information to share.
We are currently planning to return to pre-pandemic learning modes for fall semester 2021. We won’t make a final decision for a few months, but based on current trends, we are cautiously optimistic and are looking forward to more opportunities to teach, learn and connect in person.
On the subject of connecting, we are currently broadening our event guidelines. For indoor events, there is a maximum of 25% capacity with social distancing and masking required. Food and drink are prohibited at indoor events. For outdoor events, we are recommending approval of events with social distancing and masking required. Food and drink would be allowed at outdoor events with proper protocols.
However, even with COVID rates declining and the number of vaccinated faculty, staff and students increasing, we must still practice masking and social distancing, especially during Spring Break. More aggressive COVID variants are circulating, and there are still many people who haven’t been vaccinated, so ongoing vigilance is a must. The CDC urges COVID testing before and after any Spring Break travel; remember to take advantage of the free, drive-up rapid testing clinic we have on campus by appointment for students, faculty and staff.
Please register for an COVID vaccination appointment now, as most of our community will soon become eligible. Check for vaccine availability through your state, through your county, your health-care provider and pharmacy centers. In Missouri, higher education faculty and staff are eligible March 29 and all state residents are on April 9; and in Kansas, here are the current phases and availability. Faculty and staff: our UMKC School of Pharmacy will have limited quantities of vaccine available so please fill out this survey if you haven’t already. We will keep our campus updated with other opportunities.
We are deeply grateful you have kept our campus so safe because of our deep Culture of Care for each other. Please have a wonderful, much-needed break from classes next week!
In this together,
C. Mauli Agrawal, Ph.D.
Chancellor
Jenny Lundgren, Ph.D.
Provost
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