Office of the President // Campus Messages

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Feb. 25, 2021: MU to host in-person commencement

Dear Campus Community, It is our pleasure to share with you that the University of Missouri will host in-person commencement ceremonies for May and August 2021 graduates and the Class of 2020 over three weekends in April and May. Although details are still being finalized, please mark your calendars: 2021 graduates will be invited to […]

Feb 25 2021

Jan. 25, 2021: Latest information on vaccine distribution

Dear faculty, staff and students, Since the COVID Incident Command Team started meeting shortly after the pandemic began, we have anxiously awaited the day that all our students, faculty and staff could be vaccinated and protected against this virus. We are pleased that almost all of our community’s health care workers and first responders have […]

Jan 25 2021

Holiday Wishes from Mizzou

Thank you for your commitment to the University of Missouri. We are deeply grateful for your hard work and support of our Mizzou community this past year, and we look forward to the excellence we will achieve together in the years ahead. Happy holidays, and best wishes for 2021! President Mun Y. Choi and […]

Dec 16 2020

Dec. 16, 2020: Dr. Tom Spencer named interim VC for research and economic development

Dear Mizzou community, Despite an exhaustive national search and quality candidate recommendations from the search committee, timing and circumstances have left us unable to select a permanent hire for vice chancellor for research and economic development at this time. We will consider our options for a renewed search in the future. It is our pleasure […]

Dec 16 2020

Dec. 10, 2020: Reflecting on the Fall Term

Dear Mizzou community, Over the last nine months, our university has been put to the test. And you’ve met challenges with flying colors. You worked together to protect the university’s core missions of teaching, research and engagement, all while juggling unprecedented hurdles in your own lives. We are so grateful for the resilience and grace […]

Dec 10 2020

Nov. 12, 2020: Mizzou to Temporarily Shift to Remote Learning After Thanksgiving

Dear Campus Community, As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday, we are thankful for the accomplishments of our faculty, staff and students this semester. You have persevered through a fall term like no other. You have demonstrated incredible resilience and embraced the precautions and adjustments that supported the safety of everyone. We know it has not […]

Nov 12 2020

Oct. 15, 2020: No changes expected to fall schedule plans

Dear Mizzou Community, As we get closer to the holiday season, we can’t thank everyone enough for their hard work and perseverance over the last several months as we continue to battle the COVID pandemic together. Your work and cooperation with our new policies have allowed us to maintain in-person classes and regular operations while […]

Oct 15 2020

Oct. 15, 2020: #CampusClear monitoring begins Monday, October 19

Campus Community: Thank you for your diligence in helping Mizzou curb the number of active COVID-19 cases in our community. In an effort to further encourage this downward trend, we are reminding you to download the #CampusClear appon your smartphone if you haven’t already. Students, staff and faculty are required to monitor their health on […]

Oct 15 2020

October 6, 2020: Despite challenges, Mizzou strives for excellence, accountability

Dear University community, We are now seven weeks into the semester and have been fortunate enough to continue our mission of education, research and engagement. I’d like to take this opportunity to say thank you. Thank you to our students who have embraced learning through a mix of in-person as well as remote modes. Thank […]

Oct 6 2020

Sept. 15, 2020: Celebrating Mizzou’s rise in rankings

Dear Mizzou community, We are excited to share great news about our rankings — so excited, in fact, that we wanted to convey our thanks with a video instead of just sending an email (see the video below). Mizzou has jumped 15 spots in the 2021 U.S. News & World Report list of top national […]

Sep 15 2020

Sept. 10, 2020: Change in face covering requirements

Dear University community, Thank you for all you are doing to keep our campus and community safe. We are all learning and adapting to the new environment, which may be with us for a while. In the spirit of remaining flexible and making adjustments as needed, we are modifying the face covering requirements we announced […]

Sep 10 2020

Sept. 8, 2020: Expanded face covering requirements

Dear Mizzou community, We want to commend the many of you who have fully embraced our COVID-19 protocols. We continually refine our requirements based on latest public health and expert guidance, behaviors we’re seeing on campus and our commitment to keeping our campus safe. Below, we have listed expanded rules for face coverings effective today. […]

Sep 8 2020

August 31, 2020: Show Me Renewal Update

To our students, faculty and all MU and UM System staff, We are at the start of week two of the fall semester and we want to share information about our classes, our campus and how we’re managing the virus. We visited classes every day last week and were pleased with what we saw. In […]

Aug 31 2020

August 20, 2020: New Bias Hotline now available

Dear Mizzou community, As an institution, we pledge to live by our values of respect, responsibility, discovery and excellence. While much has changed in the last five months, our commitment to these values has not. We will work continually to preserve our core missions, and to protect the learning and living experiences of our students, […]

Aug 20 2020

August 17, 2020: New COVID Policies: Events Restrictions, Notification Mandate & App

Dear campus community, As you know, more than 130 administrators, faculty and staff continue to work together with public health experts to develop safety plans that support our return to campus. We’ve implemented a number of policies and procedures for our UM System employees and our MU students, faculty and staff aimed at preventing the […]

Aug 17 2020

August 10, 2020: Planned Retirement of Dr. Mark McIntosh

Dear campus community, After nearly 40 years of service to Mizzou, Dr. Mark McIntosh — MU vice chancellor for research and economic development — is retiring. While Dr. McIntosh’s tremendous impact on Mizzou’s research and economic development initiatives will be missed, his decades of contributions to the university are a cause worth celebrating. Dr. McIntosh […]

Aug 10 2020

August 6, 2020: A Message from the Chancellor to Alumni and Supporters

Dear Mizzou alumni and supporters, During the past few months, our Tiger community has remained strong in the face of unprecedented challenges. We’ve made many tough decisions, and through it all our alumni have offered their feedback, expertise and support. Your unfailing commitment has helped us safeguard Mizzou’s vital mission. Since March, I’ve been proud […]

Aug 6 2020

August 4, 2020: A New Chapter at Mizzou: A Message from the Chancellor to Faculty and Staff

Dear colleagues, Last week the Board of Curators voted to realign the UM System and MU leadership structure and appoint me to a new, dual role as chancellor of Mizzou and president of the UM System. I am incredibly honored and inspired to take on this new role. It gives me the opportunity to work […]

Aug 4 2020

August 4, 2020: A New Chapter at Mizzou: A Message from the Chancellor to Students

Dear Mizzou students, Our fall semester is almost here. While the past few months have challenged all of us, the changes we are making at Mizzou will not only enable us to safeguard our renewal, but they will also help us take necessary strides in education, research and creative discovery, engagement and inclusive excellence. Great […]

Aug 4 2020

August 3, 2020: Remembering trailblazer Dr. Gus T. Ridgel

Dear Mizzou Community, We are saddened to share the news of the passing of Dr. Gus T. Ridgel. Dr. Ridgel was one of nine Black students, and the first graduate student, to be admitted to the University of Missouri in 1950 after civil rights groups won a court ruling to desegregate the university. He received […]

Aug 3 2020

July 8, 2020: Message to our international community

Dear Mizzou International Students, Scholars and Mizzou Community, Earlier this week, the Department of Homeland Security Student and Exchange Visitor Program released new guidance regarding international students with F-1 visas. The guidance specified that international students enrolled in universities that are planning online-only instruction during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic will not be allowed to remain […]

Jul 8 2020

July 6, 2020: Jackie Lewis selected as vice chancellor for advancement

Dear campus community, It is my pleasure to announce today that I have named Jackie Lewis the next vice chancellor for advancement at Mizzou. She will come to MU after serving as vice president of University Relations at the University of Maryland in College Park. At the University of Maryland, Lewis led a team of […]

Jul 6 2020

June 29, 2020: Update on Fall Plans

Dear students, faculty, staff, There is much excitement about our planned in-person return to campus this fall. Our students want to be back on our beautiful campus; and our staff and faculty are eager to fulfill our university’s vital missions of education, research, engagement and service to our state. We also know many of you […]

Jun 29 2020

June 19, 2020: Vice Chancellor for Inclusion, Diversity and Equity announcement

Dear campus community, It is my pleasure to announce today that I have appointed Maurice Gipson, Vice Chancellor for Diversity and Community Engagement at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, as the Vice Chancellor for Inclusion, Diversity and Equity at MU. Gipson will start his new position full-time July 15, 2020, but will be joining some […]

Jun 19 2020

June 10: Classes start at MU on Aug. 24

Dear Campus Community, We have been hard at work preparing our campus for in-person classwork for the 2020 fall semester. Following discussions with faculty leadership and the UM Board of Curators, we are announcing that MU and UM System employees will follow the existing schedule and will begin in-person classes on Monday, Aug. 24. I’m […]

Jun 10 2020

June 4, 2020: Tigers leading change

Dear Students, Faculty, Staff and Alumni, Over the last several days, we have seen an outpouring of support for those who have faced racism, both in our community and throughout the country. University leaders and I have sent notes in recent days voicing our sorrow over the recent injustices and tragic deaths of George Floyd, […]

Jun 4 2020

June 3, 2020: Show Me Renewal Update

Dear Faculty and Staff, We began implementing our Show Me Renewal plan last month, and more than 2,600 university and UM System employees have been approved to return to campus or offices. We expect these numbers will continue to increase in the coming weeks as our phase-in process continues. These individuals represented the first phase […]

Jun 3 2020

June 3, 2020: Update on preparations for the fall, possible schedule change

Dear Mizzou students and families, Since January, the world has come to a halt because of COVID-19, and our entire Mizzou family has had to pivot in every aspect of our operations while we confront a challenge unprecedented in our lifetimes. Through it all, we have worked hard to ensure that the university’s missions of […]

Jun 3 2020

June 1, 2020: Combatting discrimination and racism

Dear Campus Community, The events of the past months, weeks and days have been jarring and traumatic for African Americans and communities throughout the country. I know our Mizzou family is hurting as events continue to unfold. I am hearing from many who are feeling frustrated and hopeless about whether real change can happen. Our […]

Jun 1 2020

May 15, 2020: Thank you for the difference you make

Dear Mizzou community, Today we launch our first-ever, Mizzou Made virtual celebration to honor our more than 6,000 spring graduates. At 2 p.m., the video launch of our 24-hour celebration will be posted, and I invite everyone to click on the virtual celebration page linked above. The launch will feature remarks from university leaders, students […]

May 15 2020

May 13, 2020: Show Me Renewal phased plan begins

Dear campus community, As the Columbia community cautiously moves out of the stay-at-home phase of the current pandemic, the University is planning the first steps of a phased approach for returning to campus that we’re calling “Show Me Renewal,”which is aligned with guidelines from the Boone County Department of Public Health and with input from […]

May 13 2020

May 7, 2020: Program Audit and Restructuring Committee formed

Dear Mizzou community, As we continue to navigate our new reality, we are committed to taking steps that will ensure a strong future for our university and community – today and many years from now. As you know, the landscape of higher education has shifted drastically over the years. As the diverse needs of our […]

May 7 2020

May 1, 2020: Update on Budget/Personnel Decisions

Dear Staff and Faculty, As the university continues to experience significant financial pressures related to the COVID-19 public health crisis, some of the necessary actions – pay reductions, furloughs and layoffs – that we have been discussing in email messages, town halls and numerous meetings are beginning to occur. We know this is a stressful […]

May 1 2020

Work from home directive continues

April 28, 2020 Dear faculty and staff, I’d like to clarify the university’s current operational status as adjustments are made to local and statewide social distancing measures.

Apr 28 2020

Getting Back to Campus/Update on Fall Classes

April 22, 2020 Dear Mizzou community, We know that many, if not all of you, are anxious to return to campus – to your offices, your classrooms, your laboratories. We too are eager to get back to all the activity that makes Mizzou a special place.

Apr 22 2020

Update on Budget Decisions for MU

Dear Staff and Faculty members, We know the last several weeks have not been easy. We appreciated the attendance of more than 4,000 staff and faculty at our recent virtual Town Hall. Your dedication to continuing our educational and research mission for the benefit of our students, our communities and our state has been an […]

Apr 20 2020

Commencement Postponed

Dear Mizzou community, Our Tigers have shown incredible determination over these last few weeks. As a community, we quickly came together amid sweeping changes that impact the way our people teach, learn and live their daily lives. We have made so many difficult decisions — some of which affected longstanding Mizzou traditions. Though we were […]

Apr 2 2020

MU Response to Zoom incidents

Yesterday, three separate university-related Zoom sessions were disrupted by several individuals using hateful, discriminatory and reprehensible language.

Apr 1 2020

A message to alumni from Interim Chancellor and UM President Choi

Dear Mizzou alumni and supporters, First of all, I hope this message finds you safe and well. I have been thinking a lot about our global Tiger family during this challenging time. I can’t tell you how grateful I am for your immense support for Mizzou, now and always. As you may have heard, the […]

Mar 31 2020

A message to students from Interim Chancellor and UM President Choi

Dear Mizzou students, As you may have heard, the Board of Curators has asked me to serve as the interim chancellor at Mizzou, as well as continue my duties as president of the University of Missouri System. I am honored to step into this new joint role and look forward to working and interacting with […]

Mar 30 2020

Priorities to guide short-term financial decisions

March 27, 2020 Dear Faculty and Staff, As we finish spring break and prepare for remote learning to resume on Monday, I want to again thank you for your impressive efforts to provide high-quality instruction for our students through this enduring challenge. Our efforts to support our state through the coronavirus pandemic continue and many […]

Mar 27 2020

A message from UM System President and Interim Chancellor Choi

March 26, 2020 Dear Mizzou Staff and Faculty, As you learned this morning, the Board of Curators has asked me to serve as interim chancellor of Mizzou. I am honored to step into this new joint role and look forward to working with all of you. I want to thank Chair Julia G. Brncic and […]

Mar 26 2020

March 18, 2020: Message from Vice Chancellor Gibler Regarding Student Housing Discount

Dear Mizzou students, Thank you for your incredible resilience and commitment to your education during this challenging and uncertain time. Wherever you may be, I hope you are safe and in good spirits. As our soft rollout of remote learning continues to proceed, the indomitable strength of character of our Tiger community has never been […]

Mar 18 2020

March 18, 2020: University responds to Boone County’s first case

Dear University community, Last night, we received word that Boone County has reported its first confirmed case of coronavirus (COVID-19). Though this event was somewhat expected in light of global events, it is important that our community be aware of the situation and take precautions to keep themselves and others safe. First, we want to […]

Mar 18 2020

University encouraging telework when possible

Dear Mizzou community, Earlier today, President Choi and the four chancellors sent a note to all University of Missouri faculty and staff members that outlines new policies in light of the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. These policies set up a structure for the vast majority of our staff and faculty to work from home starting tomorrow, […]

Mar 17 2020

March 15, 2020: Update on remote learning and Mizzou’s response to Covid-19

Mizzou family, We write to thank our entire campus community for your hard work, resiliency and adaptability over the past several days as things changed, and changed quickly. Your efforts have been nothing short of inspiring. As we move all our instruction to remote platforms, we realize there will be hiccups — questions and concerns […]

Mar 15 2020

March 11, 2020: Chancellor’s Message Regarding MU Coronavirus Response

Dear Campus Community, As we told you earlier today, we have been made aware that a small group of MU faculty and students attended a conference in New Orleans this past weekend where one of the attendees who was not part of the MU group tested “presumptive positive” for the coronavirus. As we already informed […]

Mar 11 2020

March 11, 2020 Coronavirus Update

Dear Campus Community, Late Tuesday evening, the University of Missouri was made aware that a small group of MU faculty and students had attended a conference in New Orleans this past weekend where one of the attendees who was not part of the MU group tested “presumptive positive” for the coronavirus. As we learn this […]

Mar 11 2020

March 9, 2020 Update from the Chancellor Regarding Coronavirus

Dear Campus Community, As you may have heard, Missouri’s first presumptive case of coronavirus was diagnosed in St. Louis County over the weekend. Despite this concerning news, our public health officials still consider the risk in Columbia to be low. The St. Louis case has no connection to the University of Missouri and we have […]

Mar 9 2020

February 28, 2020: Important Update Regarding the Coronavirus

Dear University Community, As news about the coronavirus, or COVID-19, continues to spread around the globe, we want to share with you some campus updates and important information to help you stay safe and support others. Earlier this week, officials from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced that clusters of infection are likely […]

Feb 28 2020

January 30, 2020: Message from the Chancellor and the Provost Regarding the Coronavirus

Dear university community, Due to global concerns about the new coronavirus, the University of Missouri is prohibiting all university-sponsored travel to China, including trips that faculty and staff make with and without students. No new university-sponsored travel for faculty or staff will be approved to China until further notice. Any already approved faculty or staff […]

Jan 30 2020