Dear Faculty and Staff,

KCU has been actively monitoring COVID-19, the illness caused by the novel coronavirus since January. The immediate health risk from the novel coronavirus remains low in the United States. At this time, Missouri has no confirmed COVID-19 cases and there is no imminent threat to either our Joplin or Kansas City campus. 

As concerns about the illness increase nationwide, KCU has formally activated our Crisis Management Team to monitor and respond to situations as they evolve. This team consists of university administrators, public safety, operations, student and academic affairs and other university offices. This group meets daily to identify emerging issues, prepare for possible impact and ensure that our campus communication efforts are timely, informative and accurate. Updates will be communicated via the KCU website COVID-19 Information Page . Communications via the intranet and other internal communications will always direct you to this page for information.

This is a rapidly evolving situation, therefore the Crisis Management Team will continue to monitor it locally as well as nationally. The University encourages all employees, in consultation with your dean or vice president, to cancel any non-essential, university-sponsored travel until further notice.

What To Do If You Are Sick:

We ask that all employees and students take the following actions if you believe you are ill. If you experience the following symptoms you should immediately contact your personal physician:

  • Fever
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath

If you exhibit these symptoms and think you may have been exposed to the coronavirus, please call ahead before visiting your health-care provider. This will help your provider’s office take steps to keep other people from becoming infected or exposed.

Preventing Illness:

The best way to prevent infection is to avoid being exposed to this virus. However, as a reminder, the CDC always recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, including:

  • Wash your hands often (at least once an hour) with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • Stay home when you are sick.
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

KCU is committed to our mission of improving the well-being of the communities we serve. Our campus community and your well-being is a priority and for this reason we take these risks very seriously, as should you. So, please follow these guidelines carefully and take every precaution to prevent the transmission of this disease.

The KCU website will be updated daily based on our best source, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Please direct any and all questions to [email protected], which will serve as a repository as we build and maintain a comprehensive FAQ which will be available to you at KCU COVID-19 .

Sincerely,