By BRENT MARTIN
St. Joseph Post
Missouri Western State University is welcoming students back to the St. Joseph campus, hoping to build on the experiences learned in living with the coronavirus pandemic in the fall semester.
Interim President Elizabeth Kennedy says Missouri Western has worked hard to make sure that its students get the full college experience despite COVID-19 restrictions.
“For example, in the fall, we did a football watch party in the stadium that was socially distanced, projected on the big screen, those kinds of things,” Kennedy tells St. Joseph Post. “So, looking at things that we can do to enhance the experience of students I think is one of our top priorities.”
Kennedy says a survey of Missouri Western students indicated more than 85% felt very safe on campus.
Kennedy says a lot of preparation has gone into the start of this semester.
“Overall, we’re excited to get back to it,” Kennedy says. “And I think everyone is excited to see how this vaccination process will roll out for us.”
Missouri Western hasn’t been notified when it will get coronavirus vaccine.
Kennedy acknowledges that the excitement of a new semester is mingled with anxiety about the coronavirus pandemic.
“I think our anxiety comes from watching what happens with our county numbers, our city numbers, and then just looking forward to what the vaccine might be able to do to mitigate the presence of COVID on our campus.”
Kennedy says she relies on two COVID response teams as well as a COVID coordinator to guide the university during the pandemic.
Missouri Western begins the new semester tomorrow. Today is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, a federal and state holiday.