Several universities in Missouri starting the semester with COVID-19 protocols

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ.)

In Missouri, many students have returned back to class from their winter break, but not all students will continue their education inside a classroom this semester.

Columbia College announced its plan to deliver courses virtually at the beginning of the Spring 2022 semester. The district said in a press release, "Due to rapidly rising cases of the COVID-19 Omicron variant and out of an abundance of caution, the college will begin its Spring Semester this Monday, January 10, under a partially virtual learning and working environment".

"Knowing that this virus is spreading pretty quickly and the high contagiousness of the virus... we felt like that was concern bringing all of our students back at once", Dean of Columbia College, Dave Roberts said.  

Columbia College COVID-19 protocols:

• Masks are not mandatory but strongly encouraged
• If fully vaccinated and test positive for the virus you must wear a well-fitting mask for ten days and get tested for COVID after 5-7 days if practical or possible.
• If unvaccinated, quarantine for five days and return to class/work after six days following a negative COVID test.

"What we've learned with covid is things change pretty rapidly for us. At this time we're keeping our mask requirement the same. Where students wear masks while they're in class", Roberts said.

Two weeks ago, Stephens College has also announced its students will start the Spring semester through remote classes. "As communities across Missouri address concerns about the emerging Omicron variant of COVID-19 and potential community spread, Stephens College has announced that the first two weeks of the spring semester – Monday, Jan. 10, through Friday, Jan. 21 – will be taught remotely", the district said in a press release.

Stephens College COVID-19 protocols:

• All faculty, staff, students and visitors are required to wear a tightly fitted mask in all indoor classrooms and meeting rooms at all times.
• Currently does not require employees to get vaccinated
• Students will need to be tested weekly, either at a local pharmacy or clinic, or on campus at a regularly scheduled testing event every Tuesday if they aren't vaccinated

The University of Missouri COVID-19 protocols

• Vaccines for students although not required are highly encourgaed.
• No mask mandate but it is still encourged.
• Employees are no longer required to show documentation of vaccination or apply for an exemption at this time
• Continue to follow health local public health guidance
• Some units buildings across campus including, MU Health Care, the School of Medicine, School of Nursing, School of Health Professions and certain facilities in the College of Veterinary Medicine, may continue to have requirements that are specific to their units

Although some schools have decided to start the semester off virtually, The University of Missouri has decided to stick with in-person classes. However, the district does still plan to follow Covid-19 protocols and procedures to keep its students safe.

According to the University of Missouri Covid Dashboard, there are currently 22 new Covid cases and 228 active student cases as of January 18, 2022.

When a student at MU was asked how he felt about returning back to in-person classes, he told Abc 17 that it's not a concern especially since his professor is offering virtual lectures.

"Most of my classes are in person...but there is one that I have..statistics where it's offered like... I can either go in or it's recorded and I can watch it after if I want to. You know knowing that there's a recorded lecture that I can watch is nice", freshmen at MU Spencer Pingel said.