KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — University of Missouri students still living on campus in Columbia after classes were moved online were told this week to make plans to move out, in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
The University of Missouri system announced last week that spring semester classes would move online but had planned to keep the residence halls open.
“Because public health officials have instructed us to reduce the density of on-campus housing, we are implementing a plan to depopulate Residential Life facilities,” William Stackman, vice provost for student affairs, said in an email to students this week. “Unfortunately, we must now ask you to start making plans to move out of university housing.”
The university will work with students to set departure dates and will help students who don't have permanent homes — such as international students — find a place to live, university officials said. Graduate students are not being asked to move out of university housing, The Columbia Missourian reported.
On Wednesday, Southeast Missouri State University joined most other major colleges in the state when it announced that all classes for the rest of the spring semester will be held online.
U.S. Rep. Ann Wagner of Missouri announced Wednesday night that she would self-quarantine because she met with a colleague last week who has tested positive for COVID-19. Wagner, a Republican, said she had no symptoms but was isolating herself as a precaution after consulting with Congress’ attending physician. She was the first House member from Missouri to announce a self-quarantine, The Kansas City Star reported.
State health officials said 24 people have tested positive for the coronavirus in Missouri, including one person who died in Boone County.
For most people, the new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia.
Missouri lawmakers on Wednesday gave initial approval to a bill that would allow Gov. Mike Parson's administration to spend up to $33 million in federal dollars on the response to the virus, if the federal government provides that much to the state.
Combined with $7 million in state dollars freed up when Parson declared a state of emergency, the state would have $40 million to use through the end of June, when the current state fiscal year ends.