Announcements

Recent COVID-19 Updates

COVID-19 Cases:

0 employee active (28 recovered)
0 student active: 0 isolated on campus; 0 isolated off campus
89 recovered (28 employees; 61 students)

COVID-19 Cases:

0 employee active (28 recovered)
0 student active: 0 isolated on campus; 0 isolated off campus
89 recovered (28 employees; 61 students)

COVID-19 Cases:

0 employee active (28 recovered)
1 student active: 1 isolated on campus; 0 isolated off campus
88 recovered (28 employees; 60 students)

COVID-19 Cases:

0 employee active (28 recovered)
1 student active: 0 isolated on campus; 1 isolated off campus
87 recovered (28 employees; 59 students)

COVID-19 Cases:

1 employee active (27 recovered)
9 student active: 2 isolated on campus; 7 isolated off campus
77 recovered (27 employees; 50 students)

COVID-19 Cases:

3 employee active (24 recovered)
9 student active: 2 isolated on campus; 7 isolated off campus
74 recovered (24 employees; 50 students)

COVID-19 Cases:

1 employee active (22 recovered)
9 student active: 2 isolated on campus; 7 isolated off campus
72 recovered (22 employees; 50 students)

COVID-19 Cases:

0 employee active (22 recovered)
9 student active: 5 isolated on campus; 4 isolated off campus
72 recovered (22 employees; 50 students)

COVID-19 Cases:

4 employee active (16 recovered)
3 student active: 1 isolated on campus; 2 isolated off campus
63 recovered (16 employees; 47 students)

COVID-19 Cases:

9 employee active (9 recovered)
3 student active: 1 isolated on campus; 2 isolated off campus
57 recovered (10 employees; 47 students)

COVID-19 Cases:

11 employee active (6 recovered)
9 student active: 5 isolated on campus; 4 isolated off campus
47 recovered (6 employees; 41 students)

COVID-19 Cases:

11 employee active (6 recovered)
20 student active: 10 isolated on campus; 10 isolated off campus
34 recovered (6 employees; 28 students)

COVID-19 Cases:

9 employee active (6 recovered)
20 student active: 10 isolated on campus; 10 isolated off campus
34 recovered (6 employees; 28 students)

COVID-19 Cases:

8 employee active (4 recovered)
20 student active: 10 isolated on campus; 10 isolated off campus
32 recovered (4 employees; 28 students)

COVID-19 Cases:

8 employee active (4 recovered)
17 student active: 9 isolated on campus; 8 isolated off campus
32 recovered (4 employees; 28 students)

COVID-19 Cases:

4 employee active (4 recovered)
4 student active: 1 isolated on campus; 3 isolated off campus
32 recovered (4 employees; 28 students)

COVID-19 Cases:

4 employee active (4 recovered)
3 student active: 1 isolated on campus; 2 isolated off campus
32 recovered (4 employees; 28 students)

Archived Updates

2021 Archive

December 2020

December 2020 Updates

November 2020

November 2020 Updates

October 2020

October 2020 Updates

September 2020

August 2020

July 2020

June 2020

May 2020

April 2020

March 2020

February 2020

February 28, 2020 - Campus messaging to Students, Faculty and Staff from the Wellness Center

January 2020

January 29, 2020 - Campus messaging to Students, Faculty and Staff from the Wellness Center

CARES Act - Added May 8, 2020

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was passed by the U.S. Congress and signed into law to provide economic relief from COVID-19. One particular section of the CARES Act specifically established the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund, which provides schools with emergency relief funding. Westminster College received $768,643 in emergency funds — half of which must go directly to students for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. Funds may also be used to offset expenses related to instructional changes, such as investments in technology for distance learning as a result of being quarantined away from campus.

Westminster College applied for funding from the federal CARES Act and will be able to rapidly distribute grants to students based on their financial need. The Business Office will begin distributing checks to qualifying students beginning May 22.

Students who meet basic eligibility criteria for federal financial aid can be considered for these funds. The Financial Aid Office is using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) data to determine eligibility. Approximately 90 percent of Westminster’s students qualify for CARES Act relief funds.

Unfortunately, the U.S. Department of Education does not allow CARES Act funds to be used for international or undocumented students.

Westminster College wants to provide quick economic relief to students who have experienced additional expenses as a result of COVID-19. We have used the CARES Act emergency aid funds to provide a check to each eligible student who completed a FAFSA. Each Westminster student will receive the same amount of emergency aid from the CARES Act Relief Grant.

CARES Act funds are meant to help students pay for technology, health care, course materials, rent, food, moving costs, or other expenses incurred during the Spring 2020 term. If you have yet to experience financial stress due to COVID-19, these funds can help with unanticipated expenses that might occur in the future.

Under U.S. Department of Education rules for the program, students who are not eligible for federal financial aid programs are not eligible for federal CARES grants.

We know that many families’ incomes might be in a state of flux, and additional financial disruptions may be associated with the pandemic. If you would like to discuss any financial changes your family has experienced, please feel free to reach out to the Financial Aid Office at financialaid@wcmo.edu or 573-592-5364.

Westminster currently is concentrating on Spring Semester 2020 emergency aid while continuing to monitor federal and state economic conditions. We are also evaluating the prospects for additional federal emergency funding for colleges, universities, and students. Westminster will update these FAQs when additional information is available.

Questions About Routine Campus Operations While Westminster Operates Remotely - Added March 2020

Campus offices and the mailroom are open for regular business hours.

Questions About Housing and Dining - Added March 2020

As always, your health and safety continue to be our priority. The decision to close our residential facilities was tough but necessary to protect students and their families. We are asking you to please prioritize your health and safety first. We want you to be able to move out as soon as possible; however, we recognize that individuals need to make plans accordingly. We are requiring that you gather your belongings later than Friday, April 17. Please indicate on MyWC your expected dates for returning to campus.

In order to begin the check-out process, all students in Residential Life Housing, including fraternities, are required to complete the Campus Return Plans Survey by Thursday, March 26, 2020.

Students who are unable to leave Westminster housing for any reason will need to indicate on the Campus Return Plans Survey that they are applying for an extension. Approvals will be issued on an as-received basis and processed as quickly as possible. Students who are granted an exception will receive communication outlining access to meals, services on campus, and other considerations, as some offices and/or services may be suspended pending health recommendations.

Individuals approved to remain on campus for the rest of the spring semester may be relocated to a consolidated space on campus. Efforts will be made to locate students in single rooms. Medical accommodations will also be taken into consideration.

If you are approved to remain on campus for the remainder of the semester, you will not be able to host guests until/if a determination is made that the risk of doing so has subsided.

Students will be able to pick up individually wrapped to-go meals that will include needed utensils from Backer Dining Hall. Details regarding time and meal services will be sent out to students who remain on campus.

Students who return home will receive a prorated amount for room and board to the Fall Semester 2020 account. Seniors will be granted a refund. It is important that you complete the Housing Checkout Form so Westminster can plan accordingly.

Individual communication will be provided from the Business Office regarding a timeline for refunds/prorated amounts and refund amounts.

For the safety of our Westminster community, we have had to modify the procedures needed to check out of our residential facilities. Please use our required Housing Checkout Form on the day that you vacate campus in order to properly check out.

Please make sure to follow all of the instructions in the form, take all of your belongings, and leave your key on your desk. You will be able to access the form while using your mobile device or iPad and must be logged into MyWC. If you are having trouble doing so, please contact the Office of Residence Life at StuLife@wcmo.edu.

Additionally, your Resident Advisor will be following up with you via email during this process.

Our goal is to continue to support our residents through this challenging time in any way that we can. If you have any questions or concerns regarding this process, please contact us at StuLife@wcmo.edu.

Questions About Student Finances - Added March 2020

The Department of Education has released emergency guidelines regarding the use of federal financial aid funds. As long as students are enrolled and working towards their degree, Pell, Federal Direct Loan, and SEOG funding should not be impacted. Any changes to your current schedule or enrollment status may impact your aid.

If money coming to you from awards, grants, scholarships, and loans exceeds the amount you owe on your student account, a refund will be issued to you following our normal refund process. Please contact Aimee.Bristow@WCMO.edu for more information.

Information from the Council of Independent Colleges indicates that all veteran students will continue to receive their GI Bill tuition and BAH at the rate of in-person classes. Should this guidance change, this information will be updated.

Questions About Campus Events - Added March 2020

At this time, with the exception of Commencement 2020, Virtual SOAR, and limited visits to campus through Enrollment Services, all campus events and sports are canceled or postponed.

Alumni Weekend, originally scheduled for April 17-19, 2020, has been postponed to coincide with Homecoming 2020. The new date for Alumni Weekend 2020 is Oct. 2-4, 2020.

At this time, our graduating Blue Jays are foremost in our thoughts. No decision regarding Commencement 2020 has been made at this time. A decision regarding Commencement will take place and be announced no later than April 9.

General Information About COVID-19

Added March 2020

COVID-19 is a novel, new coronavirus that has not been previously identified. The virus causing coronavirus disease in 2019, or COVID-19, is spreading from person to person. This virus is not the same as the coronaviruses that commonly circulate and cause mild illness, like the common cold. People have little or no immunity to this virus because it is new, which allows the virus to spread quickly from person to person. Current symptoms reported for patients with COVID-19 have included mild to severe respiratory illness with fever, cough and difficulty breathing.

The virus is thought to spread mainly between people who are in close contact with one another (within about six feet) through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Individuals should avoid touching the surfaces of objects in public places. Additionally, people should avoid touching their mouths, noses or and eyes. People with COVID-19 may be able to spread the virus before symptoms appear, but in general, people are thought to be most contagious when they are the most symptomatic.

For the health and safety of our employees and students we are providing the following CDC guidelines to help prevent illness:

Currently there is no vaccine to prevent COVID-19. The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to the virus. However, as a reminder, the CDC always recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases, including:

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 percent alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.

The most frequent symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, cough, or shortness of breath. COVID-19 also may present like the flu, with achiness and fatigue.

At this time, campus is operating remotely. If you receive approval to be on campus and develop symptoms of illness, we ask you to stay home.

Approved Resources

Campus Communications

Westminster will communicate updates through this page.

Updates from the CDC may be found at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus and the state's website at www.health.mo.gov/coronavirus.