COLUMBIA – It’s the start of another semester at the University of Missouri, but it’s not just another year. Much has changed because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, and this is affecting how students live at university as well.
Students are now required to report positive to COVID-19 to their professors and the University within four hours of their tests. Previously, students and faculties were not required to report this information.
Another change that is coming for students in the residences across campus is the protocol for when they test positive. They will be moved to “isolation rooms” after quarantine.
“There are a variety of different types of rooms and units that we can address if we have several cases or just a few,” MU spokesman Christian Basi said Thursday.
Basi would not indicate where those buildings are or how many total insulation spaces there are, but he pointed out that students who end up in those rooms will have everything they need for their classes to go through.
“That’s the type of thing we want to take care of where we place you, we want to make sure you have the tools, or that Wi-Fi is like your computer or various chargers you might need,” said Basi . “We will make sure you have the tools you need for your academic progress.”
As for the number of positive cases at MU and how it will report them, Basi said the campus does not release specific figures.
“We do not want to be stuck with one number. Does that help reduce the problem? Or is that particular problem under control?” he said. “Do we feel like we can move forward? We will not make a decision before an in-depth review of all those topics.”
Even with all the restrictions in place to reduce the spread on campus, some students said they could not help but feel a little worried.
“I would hate to go home, but if that’s the responsible thing to do, I’d rather do it,” said Lizzy Donnelly, an MU freshman. “And I kind of expect to go home after Labor Day.”
Classes for the University of Missouri begin Monday, August 24th.
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