Dear KCU Community,

 

I wanted to update you on the initial plans for the reawakening of our campuses and some key decisions related to our students' return to KCU.

 

The state of our world has created difficult and challenging circumstances for everyone. And, I understand that the start of our new academic year will not be ideal and will feel strange. Please know, as we continue to navigate our way through this global pandemic, our foremost concern is the health and well-being of our campus communities. We are therefore working to ensure a gradual, steady, safe and smooth transition, guided by science, and based upon decisions that incorporate public health best practices and local and state guidelines.

 

IMPORTANT INFORMATION YOU NEED TO KNOW

 

Here are our current plans, based upon today's local, regional and federal guidelines and protocols, to help students understand how to plan their next moves forward:

• We will adhere to the published KCU academic calendar for 2020-2021, including the start dates for all programs. 

• We ask that all students be in place by July 13th and ready to participate in their fall curriculum - whether in Kansas City, Joplin or specific rotation sites. This will allow students to settle in, avoid the stress of having to move once the semester begins, and be in place to access our campuses as soon as they are available. This timing also provides for a 14-day self-quarantine for those returning from outside Kansas City or Joplin in order to protect other students and our communities.

• We will begin by delivering the didactic portion of the curricula remotely, with no lectures held on either campus through Labor Day. Following Labor Day, based upon the current public health situation at that time, we plan to begin a phased approach for returning to live classes. Whether held virtually or in-person, delivery of our curricula for all programs will continue to meet necessary accreditation standards.

• In addition, our various programs may begin limited small-group or lab activities on campus beginning in August. These critical initiatives will be very specific, of short duration and clearly outlined by your dean or program director. These too, will be guided by the most current public health guidelines and best practices.

• W. Joshua Cox, DO, campus dean for COM-Kansas City, will assume the additional, newly created role of KCU director of campus health and well-being. This role will provide medically informed oversight and guidance for our re-entry onto campus. Dr. Cox will also help in the development of an ongoing screening process to ensure the safety of our communities as we re-open and in the weeks and months following.

•  Students will receive additional communications from their respective deans and directors, which will outline schedule and class details specific to their degree programs and years of study. If students have any questions in the meantime, they can send them to [email protected] and we will work to provide answers as quickly as possible.

 

Although we are optimistic and look forward to having our community together again, the situation continues to be fluid, and we must remain cautious and flexible. We will move forward with ongoing monitoring and assessment of our communities. And, we will be prepared to change course as needed based upon the public health environment, with possible tightening and loosening of restrictions over time to ensure the safety of our students, faculty and staff.

 

Thank you for your continued patience and cooperation and for your commitment to KCU.

 

Yours truly,