In an effort to minimize the spread of COVID-19 and protect our campus community and beyond, Morningside College will extend its current spring break for students for one week, through Sunday, March 22. Beginning Monday, March 23 through Wednesday, April 8, 2020, all undergraduate classes will be delivered online.

Additionally, the college is suspending all college-sponsored international travel for students, faculty, and staff through July 31, 2020, and recalling all study abroad students.

Morningside emphasizes that at this time, there are no known cases of COVID-19 on Morningside’s campus, in Sioux City, or in Woodbury County. The action Morningside is taking is merely in an abundance of caution for the health, safety, and wellness of our campus community.

Going forward, you can find Morningside information and other updates related to COVID-19 here. We also encourage you to continue accessing information related to COVID-19 from expert sources such as these:

College-Sponsored International Travel, Including May Terms & Summer Study Abroad

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.

Information for Students & Families

Classes are canceled for the week of March 16 as part of the spring break extension. Students are strongly encouraged to remain at their home/permanent residence next week; however, residence halls and dining services will continue be open and available to students who choose to be on campus. 

All Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) intercollegiate sports activities (including organized practices and competition) are suspended from March 16-April 5, 2020.

Students who are scheduled for active learning experiences such as student teaching, internships, etc. should report to those sites unless otherwise directed.

Sophomore registration will be postponed one week. More details will be forthcoming.

Classes will resume at Morningside on Monday, March 23. It is possible coursework will be moved to online at that time. Please closely watch your email for updates.

Information for Faculty

Faculty will be expected to return to work on Monday, March 16. During the week of March 16, faculty and staff will be working to prepare for the possibility of moving coursework online.

Please watch for additional information that will be coming to you from Vice President for Academic Affairs Chris Spicer.

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.

Information for Staff

Morningside intends to run all normal operations. Staff should report to work as scheduled during this period unless you are otherwise notified.

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.

Campus Visits

The college does intend to run all normal operations. Campus visits and visit day events will run as scheduled. If you wish to schedule or reschedule a visit, contact Admissions.

The upcoming Senior + Transfer Student Open House on Friday, March 20 will run as scheduled.

The event for South Sioux City seniors and families on Wednesday, March 18, has been canceled.

Campus Events
  • All Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) intercollegiate sports activities (including organized practices and competition) are suspended from March 16-April 5, 2020.
  • The South Sioux City Senior & Family Visit Night on Wednesday, March 18 is canceled.
  • The Piano Recital Series concert on Sunday, March 22 is canceled.
  • The Master Chorale Concert at First Congregational Church on Sunday, March 22 is canceled.
  • The Wright Lecture on Wednesday, March 25, is canceled.
  • The Spring Regional Choir Tour on March 25-28 is canceled.
Update on Semester in Italy

As of Thursday, March 12, eleven of the twelve Morningside students have returned to the United States and are under instruction by the Iowa Department of Public Health to self-isolate at their permanent residences.

The one student still in Italy is there with their family (who was visiting for spring break). That student and their family are scheduled to return to the United States together on Friday, March 13.

None of the Semester in Italy students have tested positive for COVID-19, nor have any of the students reported being symptomatic.

Going Forward

Be assured we intend to return to normal campus operations as soon as possible.

Morningside will continue to work closely with public health officials to determine the best course of action for the health, safety, and wellness of the campus community. 

Meanwhile, please rely on Morningside’s COVID-19 web page for the latest information and to educate yourself. The page will also house any additional announcements, changes, or event cancellations.

These are extraordinary circumstances, to be sure. We ask for the grace, patience, communication, and cooperation of our entire campus community as we work to determine the best course of action in the days and weeks ahead.

Media Contact:

Erin Edlund
Vice President for Marketing & Communication
Morningside College
712-274-5411
edlunde@morningside.edu