The COVID-19 outbreak has presented unprecedented challenges for The University of Missouri-Kansas City, as well as for all of higher education. We are committed to maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our UMKC community, visitors and constituents. We recognize that the threat from COVID-19 is not over and continues to affect our community in multiple ways, including how, when, and where we are able to host events.

The university has created this document to provide a framework for re-imagining our fall events both on and off campus. It will assist event organizers in determining which events should be hosted either in person, virtually or in a hybrid model (both in person & virtual elements). The goal is to assist the university in balancing the value of events with the need to mitigate the potential for transmission of COVID-19.

Campus and community event organizers should understand the current city, state, and federal laws. Regularly reviewing the guidance of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and city of Kansas City, MO is strongly advised. We also understand that we may need to adjust these strategies based upon our regional disease patterns; therefore, the approaches included in this plan are temporary and may be modified as new information is available and/or be replaced with better ideas as they are identified and verified by the healthcare community.

We appreciate your patience as we work together to keep our university functioning during unprecedented circumstances.

Policy Scope:

This policy applies to all indoor and outdoor events held on University Property as well as University-sponsored events held off university property, and supplements any venue specific policies. An Event is a planned gathering of 10 or more people. For purposes of this policy, an Event does not include regularly-scheduled class sessions; Kansas City Athletics practices and sporting events; or gatherings held by telephone, video conference or other “remote” or “virtual” platform.

University property includes any university-owned, operated, leased or maintained property, including all of the buildings and grounds of the UMKC campus or any building or ground otherwise within the direction and control of UMKC.

This policy is in addition to any other policy that may apply to an Event, including but not limited to UMKC’s Major Events policy.

Event Expectations:

• Participants are required to wear a face covering at all indoor meetings and events. Face masks may be temporarily removed when actively eating or drinking while seated.

• Message to participants not to attend if they are feeling unwell, including cold or allergy like symptoms.

• Increase ventilation for larger events by opening doors and windows.

• Events may proceed in person at full capacity without food or beverage.

• Large scale events that are serving food will be limited to 50% capacity of the venue where hosted.

• Events held off campus will follow university guidelines as well as local city and state guidelines.

• Campus space requests from external organizations that do not have a campus affiliation will not be accommodated at this time.

Recommendations:

• Consider distributing pre-packaged food at the end of your event as guests depart to utilize full capacity of the venue and to reduce the removal of face masks.

• Consider removing food and beverage altogether from your event.

• Consider hosting your event in a hybrid model (in-person and virtual) to accommodate individuals who are not comfortable attending in person.

• Stay up to date on CDC and local guidelines related to COVID-19.

Useful Links:

KCMO COVID-19 FAQ | KCMO.gov - City of Kansas City, MO

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) | CDC