UPDATE (March 11, 2020): Due to public health concerns related to the coronavirus (COVID-19), all university-sponsored St. Pat’s events and the Teaching and Learning Technology Conference are officially cancelled. For updates regarding Missouri S&T and COVID-19, please visit coronavirus.mst.edu.

Chancellor Mo Dehghani sent the following message to Missouri S&T students, faculty and staff on March 10. For the latest updates, check the S&T coronavirus website.

With one “presumed positive” case of coronavirus in Missouri, it is vitally important that we all work together to focus on the health and well-being of our campus community and to limit the potential impact of COVID-19 on our campus. Currently there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 connected to Missouri S&T.

Based on the guidance we are receiving from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), at this time we expect no changes to operations this week. All official activities associated with the 112th Best Ever St. Pat’s Celebration will be held as planned, as will our Teaching and Learning Technology Conference this Thursday and Friday, March 12 and 13. However, as this situation continues to rapidly evolve, there is the possibility that we may have to change our plans, should the CDC guidance merit any changes, such as postponement or cancellation of events.

In addition, due to the large number of visitors to campus and the community expected for these events, and with the continuation of cold and flu season into the coming days and weeks, it’s important that we all observe and practice good hygiene to prevent the spread of respiratory illness and disease.

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
• 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 using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing.
• If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.

As a further preventive measure and to minimize physical contact, we encourage you to adopt a no-handshake practice. Verbal greetings are preferred.

Our custodial staff have posted hand-washing signs in restrooms across campus and are setting up mobile hand-sanitizer stations at high-traffic areas in preparation for this week’s major campus events.

You can expect to receive a weekly update with the newest information regarding university guidelines and health precautions. Communications will be distributed more often if needed. A website for our S&T community has been developed to provide COVID-19 resources, and information is updated frequently.

An incident command team is leading planning for responses to the potential effects of this outbreak to our university and the continuity of our operations. This team is led by Dr. Dennis Goodman, chief student health officer; Cuba Plain, interim vice chancellor of finance and operations; Dr. Steve Roberts, interim provost and executive vice chancellor for academic affairs; and Dr. Debra Robinson, vice chancellor of student affairs. This team is meeting regularly with others across campus and is in constant communication with our counterparts at the UM System to assess this fluid situation and make recommendations to university leaders while keeping in mind the distinct needs of our students, faculty and staff.

Because of the rapid changes occurring with this health situation, we will update the university’s COVID-19 website frequently, and we ask that you review it for the latest updates. We advise every member of the S&T community to practice everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of illness on campus. During the uncertainty surrounding the public health concerns of COVID-19, we encourage everyone to provide support, empathy, patience and compassion to each other.

Sincerely,

Mo Dehghani
Chancellor