Dear Members of the Truman Community:

As you are aware, our University has been closely monitoring the COVID-19 outbreak for some time.  With the continued, rapidly changing landscape of the outbreak and our primary focus on the health, safety, and well-being of everyone on our campus, the COVID-19 Response Team* determined today that we are suspending in-person classes for the week of March 15-21.

Students are not to return to campus during this week.  Those students who have an extreme extenuating circumstance that necessitates returning to their on-campus housing should contact the Residence Life Office through this form.

Since we are currently on spring break, this additional week will give everyone who traveled time to self-evaluate, assess their probability of exposure, and take appropriate precautions (https://trualert.truman.edu  provides recommendations).  It will also give University leadership and academic departments the opportunity to explore alternative instructional methods, should the need arise.

While in-person classes will not be conducted, this is not an extension of spring break. Students are encouraged to continue their coursework, if possible, and faculty members will contact their classes via email, Blackboard or other communication methods to provide details on their academic expectations.

Truman will remain open. All faculty and staff should plan to continue their normal work schedules. University offices will continue to be staffed and faculty members will be instructed by their academic departments on how to proceed during the week.  Staff and faculty who have any concerns about their work schedules should talk with their supervisors.  Please note, Pickler Memorial Library, the Student Recreation Center, and Pershing Arena will not be open.

Students who work on-campus will not be expected to work. Supervisors will work with local students to determine if there is both a willingness from the student and a need from the University for the student to work.

In general, events for next week have been cancelled. Individual appointments, visits, or meetings are encouraged to be conducted by phone/virtual meetings if possible, but may still occur.

At this time, the University does not have any cases of coronavirus, and the general student population is not among those known to be at a high risk for complications from the virus. Truman does not have any students studying abroad in CDC high-risk countries, and no current students from high-risk areas returned to their countries of origin during spring break and then returned to campus.

This uncertain and rapidly changing landscape results in anxious moments for all of us.  Please be mindful of your own physical and mental wellness and the wellness of others.  That’s what Bulldogs do.  Please be sensitive to the fact that members of our community may respond differently to this challenging situation. For example, some may choose to wear masks as a sign of respect for the health of others and/or as a precaution for their own health.  As a community that values diversity and inclusion, we must respect one another.

For the most up-to-date information and regular updates, keep an eye on your email and check the https://trualert.truman.edu website.  We are a smart and compassionate community and we will get through this together.

Be well,
Sue

*President, Vice Presidents, General Counsel, Executive Director of Human Resources, Director of Public Safety (Police Chief), Director of Public Relations, Director of Physical Plant/Safety Manager