Morningside Health Update: Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Morningside College is closely monitoring the emerging public health concern involving the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). This page was last updated on Tuesday, March 31 at 11:27 a.m.

Fast Facts

Morningside College Status of Operations

View information on the status of operations at Morningside College in regard to COVID-19.

Morningside classes will be moved online for the remainder of Spring Semester 2020.
Residence halls will close at noon on April 8, 2020. Students should refer to an email they received on March 25 for details and instructions.
Campus business offices remain open and operational, though a number of employees are working remotely to help stop the spread of COVID-19.
Online graduate and bachelor’s completion coursework will proceed as scheduled.
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) has canceled the 2020 spring sports season. Details known at this point can be found here.
All college-sponsored international travel is suspended through July 31, 2020, and all study abroad students from Morningside are being recalled to the United States.
Following the recommendation of the CDC, Morningside asks all faculty, staff, and students to refrain from hosting any events or gatherings of more than 50 people.

Information for Students & Families

All undergraduate coursework has been moved online for the remainder of Spring Semester 2020.
Residence halls will close on April 8 at noon. See this campus update for details.
Online graduate and bachelor’s completion coursework will proceed as scheduled.
Both the undergraduate and graduate commencement ceremonies have been postponed to August 8, 2020, at the Orpheum in Sioux City. Details will be sent by email in the coming weeks.
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) has canceled the 2020 spring sports season.
Students who are scheduled for active learning experiences such as student teaching, internships, etc. should report to those sites unless otherwise directed.
Following the recommendation of the CDC, Morningside asks all faculty, staff, and students to refrain from hosting any events or gatherings of more than 50 people.
Students or parents with questions or concerns, or who wish to report a COVID-19 related illness should contact Karmen Ten Napel.

Information for Faculty

If you are ill, please stay home. Be sure to communicate with your supervisor. Individuals in at-risk groups should also communicate with your supervisor if alternative arrangements are necessary.
Following the recommendation of the CDC, Morningside asks all faculty, staff, and students to refrain from hosting any events or gatherings of more than 50 people.
Faculty and staff are encouraged to use conference calls or WebEx to conduct college business. We will be sharing additional training and information soon to assist you in making these adjustments to your work.

Information for Staff

Morningside intends to run all normal operations. A number of staff will be encouraged to work remotely to help stop the spread of COVID-19.
If you are ill, please stay home. Be sure to communicate with your supervisor. Individuals in at-risk groups should also communicate with your supervisor if alternative arrangements are necessary.
Following the recommendation of the CDC, Morningside asks all faculty, staff, and students to refrain from hosting any events or gatherings of more than 50 people.
Faculty and staff are encouraged to use conference calls or WebEx to conduct college business. We will be sharing additional training and information soon to assist you in making these adjustments to your work.

College-Sponsored Travel

In alignment with the recommendation by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morningside is suspending all upcoming college-sponsored international travel through July 31, 2020 for students, faculty, and staff. This includes all upcoming international May Term trips and summer study abroad programs.
In an abundance of caution, Morningside is also recalling the study abroad students in the Netherlands and Spain after the decision by the U.S. Department of States to issue a Global Health Advisory Level 3.
If you are a student who will be impacted by these cancellations, please watch your email for additional information regarding refunds, etc.

Athletics & Campus Events

The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) has canceled the 2020 spring sports season.
Following the recommendation of the CDC, Morningside asks all faculty, staff, and students to refrain from hosting any events or gatherings of more than 50 people.
Morningside’s 36-hour annual giving event, Morningside Madness, that was scheduled to take place March 18-19 is postponed. Morningside Institutional Advancement will send out details once a new date has been selected. If individuals wish to make a gift now, you may do so here.
The Spring Regional Choir Tour on March 25-28 is canceled.
Both the undergraduate and graduate commencement ceremonies have been postponed to August 8, 2020, at the Orpheum in Sioux City. Details will be sent by email in the coming weeks.
Additional cancellations and updates will be posted here. Check back frequently.

Campus Visits / Admissions

In alignment with local school districts, Morningside will suspend face-to-face campus visits and visit events from Wednesday, March 18 through Easter, Sunday, April 12. We will be offering online information sessions in the coming weeks (watch social media and your email). Additionally, counselors are available to talk one-on-one or with families by phone or email. Contact admissions here.

Commencement Ceremonies

Both the undergraduate and graduate commencement ceremonies have been postponed to August 8, 2020, at the Orpheum in Sioux City. Details will be sent by email in the coming weeks.

Dining Services & Residence Life

In accordance with the Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds' State of Public Health Disaster Emergency, Sodexho has modified dining services to be offered to-go only. Dining services will maintain normal operating hours, but students should get their to-go meal and follow guidelines related to social distancing.
Residence halls will close on April 8, 2020, at noon.
Guests who are not resident students are not allowed at this time, with the exception of individuals who are there temporarily to assist students who choose to move out.

Health Services

Campus health services are open and operating normally for students who plan to remain on campus.
If you believe you may have been exposed to COVID-19 and/or are showing symptoms, you are encouraged to CALL campus health services or your health provider to discuss next steps.
In an attempt to accommodate students during this time of change, Morningside Personal Counseling services are now offering tele-counseling appointments in addition to in-office counseling sessions. These tele-counseling appointments will be done via video chat instead of in-person. If you have any questions about this new appointment option, please feel free to contact Bobbi Meister via email or phone.

Additional Information

Campus Updates

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