Truman State University will not conduct in-person classes the week of March 16 in an effort to limit the possibility of exposure to the coronavirus to the campus and Kirksville communities.
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 high risk for complications from the virus. Truman does not have any students studying abroad in high-risk areas, and no current students from CDC high-risk countries returned to their countries of origin during spring break and returned to campus.
As Truman was on spring break March 7-15, this additional week will give students, faculty, and staff who traveled time to self-evaluate and assess their probability of exposure. It will also afford University leadership and academic departments the opportunity to explore a plan to complete the semester through alternative instructional methods should the need arise.
Truman will remain open, University offices will continue to be staffed and faculty members will be instructed by their academic departments on how to proceed during the week. Pickler Memorial Library, the Student Recreation Center and Pershing Arena will remain closed.
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.
Students are not to return to campus. 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.
At this time, there is no reason for concern among students, parents, faculty, staff, visitors or the Kirksville community in general. Truman has a pandemic plan in its emergency preparedness guidelines. A leadership task force is monitoring the situation and is ready to implement a plan if the need arises. These are precautionary steps during a developing situation. Truman will be sending regular communications to students, faculty, and staff, and all updates will be available online at trualert.truman.edu.
