MU and KU enforce mask policy for returning students in the fall

After the decision to continue in-person classes for the fall semester, both the University of Missouri-Columbia and the University of Kansas has announced Thursday that they will be requiring students to wear face masks while indoors in class, according to reporting by KMBC.

University of Missouri System President and Interim MU Chancellor Mun Choi confirmed the decision in a news conference after a UM System Board of Curators meeting Thursday, according to KMBC. Choi said that the university will provide face shields for instructors as well.

In regard to the other three campuses under the UM System, Choi said details on whether those campuses will have the same requirements for its students will be decided in accordance with local health officials.

KU Provost Barbara Bichelmeyer announced Thursday that the decision will be effective immediately for its students and staff for both the Lawrence and Edwards campuses.

The KU policy office is in the process of drafting new personal safety requirements for the Lawrence campus and the Edwards Campus in Overland Park for as long as the COVID-19 pandemic conditions persist, Bichelmeyer said in a report from KMBC.

The policy will likely be in effect for the next academic year as the pandemic continues to affect KU’s operations, Bichelmeyer continued, and will go through the required university policy review and approval procedures. She also mentioned that further public health policies are being finalized and will be released in the coming days.