Westminster Extending Online Classes Through End of Spring Semester 2020

In a letter to the College community, Lamkin added that all staff members who are able to work from home are asked to do so beginning March 19 after specific discussions with their supervisors.

Lamkin emphasized that the decision to institute a longer-term online course format was difficult but necessary. He said, “In assessing the current escalating Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) situation throughout the world, particularly in the state of Missouri, I have made the difficult decision to continue online delivery of all courses through the end of the semester.”

It was announced on March 13 that spring break, which officially began March 16, would extend through March 27. Today’s decision to conduct online classes using Westminster’s Digital Blue Distance Learning Plan through May 7 ensures the health and safety of all students, faculty and staff.

Westminster’s COVID-19 Task Force has established careful procedures for the future controlled removal of student belongings from campus, which will involve restricted access to campus and take place at a later date. Students and their families will receive updates from the Office of Student Life on how that process — involving an application, a travel survey and individual checkout procedures — will take place.

Lamkin also stated that no decision has been made yet regarding Commencement 2020, which currently is scheduled for May 9, 2020. “We want our seniors to have the healthiest, safest experience possible,” Lamkin said, adding that Westminster’s COVID-19 Task Force will continue to evaluate the situation and make a decision no later than April 9, 2020.

Today’s announcement emphasizes that members of Westminster’s COVID-19 Task Force have worked diligently at devising the best solution for students during this unprecedented time.

Individuals are encouraged to review all campus COVID-19 updates by regularly visiting Westminster’s website at www.wcmo.edu.

Founded in 1851 and home of Winston Churchill’s “Iron Curtain” speech, Westminster College in Fulton, MO, is ranked prestigiously by U.S. News & World Report as a National Liberal Arts College. The institution is in the top 15 percent for graduate earnings and boasts a 98 percent placement rate. Westminster also is a Forbes Best Value College. Westminster focuses on educating and inspiring students to find the power in their purpose in order to become the world leaders of tomorrow.

To find out more about Westminster, visit our website here.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact Sarah Backer at 573 592-5438, 573-220-9038 or Sarah.Backer@westminster-mo.edu.

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