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Dear Mizzou community,
Welcome to a new semester at the University of Missouri! Across campus, our world-class faculty and staff are ready to prepare the next generation of leaders to make an impact right away. It’s why our students aren’t just succeeding, they’re thriving. More than 95% of recent graduates are employed, join the military or continue their education within just six months, and Mizzou is ranked #4 best value flagship university, according to U.S. News and World Report data. A Mizzou degree will transform your life and empower you to make a difference.
Whether you’re a new or returning student, all Tigers are now part of a historic moment in Mizzou history. Our momentum extends far beyond the classroom, reaching communities around Missouri and driving pioneering breakthroughs for our nation. We recently celebrated another record-breaking year of research funding at $553M, and we continue to invest in hands-on opportunities that help students learn, lead and succeed.
This year, there’s more to celebrate than ever before. Through Power the Roar, Mizzou’s historic $2 billion fundraising campaign, we’re investing in your future and building on our 187-year legacy of excellence. On Sept. 2, we’ll announce a major campaign milestone alongside Tigers from around the world. We’ll also mark two transformative moments for our campus with the groundbreaking of the new Energy Innovation Center and the ribbon-cutting of the Memorial Stadium Centennial Project. We need all Tigers to show up for Mizzou and show the world that our fans and community are the best in the country.
That is what makes Mizzou special — the people. Respect, responsibility, discovery and excellence remain central to who we are as a flagship, land-grant, AAU research university. On Mizzou’s campus, you’ll have the freedom to explore new ideas, challenge yourself and build a better future. Every Tiger plays a role in creating a welcoming environment where all members of our community can learn, grow and thrive.
Personal responsibility and safety
At Mizzou, each person has the freedom to speak, learn and discover their interests. Earlier this month, we were ranked #16 in the country and earned a “green light” speech code rating from the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression for the second year. We are committed to free expression and intellectual pluralism, where our students have the opportunity to experience and learn from a wide array of viewpoints. We each share a responsibility as members of a world-class university to express ourselves in civil, respectful manners, and Mizzou will hold accountable those who violate our policies on free expression.
We’re grateful for the excellent work of our MUPD officers in ensuring a safe environment on campus, and your safety remains of paramount importance to us and your families. That’s why we’ve continued to make significant investments in lighting upgrades, additional cameras and safety apps and training to enhance your safety and well-being.
We continue to collaborate with the Columbia Police Department, Boone County Sheriff’s Department, Missouri State Highway Patrol and the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Missouri to increase patrols and support important safety measures, including downtown and the neighborhoods adjoining campus. Mizzou, the City of Columbia and the Downtown District have also implemented safety ambassadors who provide outreach, assistance and a visible public safety presence in the downtown area.
Additionally, there are steps you can take to be safe. They include:
- Sign up for MU Alert notifications and make sure you’re following official channels for accurate information about incidents impacting campus safety.
- Incidents downtown typically occur between midnight and 3 a.m.; make sure you’re home safely before then. Some areas of downtown Columbia should be avoided at night, specifically sections of Walnut Street between 8th and 10th streets.
- Review the Mizzou Campus Safety module in Canvas.
- Download and use the MizzouSafe App for Friend Walks, incident reporting and to call MUPD for an escorted walk on campus.
- Travel with a friend or in a group.
- Sign up for and use STRIPES, our safe ride service powered by Uber that offers $10/month worth of rides from downtown to your residence on Friday and Saturday nights.
- Know your surroundings and report suspicious behavior. In an emergency, always call
9-1-1. You can also contact MUPD anytime online or by phone if something doesn’t seem right.
Thank you for supporting one another and for your important contributions to the Mizzou community. We hope you have a great semester, and we can’t wait to see you around campus.
MIZ!
Mun Y. Choi, PhD
President
Matthew P. Martens, PhD
Provost