Team and work groups

Our continued response

Composed of medical experts, university leaders and public health officials, the Incident Command team meets daily with the President of the University of Missouri, Mun Y. Choi, to facilitate Mizzou’s ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This team looks at a range of data and anecdotal information, including:

  • Rate of increase in positive cases
  • Evidence of transmission to the wider community
  • Capacity to test
  • Capacity to isolate and quarantine
  • MU Health Care’s capacity to treat intensive cases and PPE availability
  • MU community’s compliance with protocols

This comprehensive, multifactorial approach enables Incident Command to recommend strategic actions and keeps the university’s response proactive.

Designing the plan

In May 2020,  President Choi announced seven work groups guided by our medical experts and key university leaders from MU’s schools and colleges, MU Health Care, Mizzou Athletics, Operations and the UM System.

 

Work groups chart

(Click on the graphic to enlarge)

 

Seven work groups are working with the executive team on the Show Me Renewal plan. The groups are academics, research, student affairs, facilities, athletics, communications and testing, tracing and quarantining.

Executive team members

  • Mun Y. Choi, president of the University of Missouri
  • Latha Ramchand, provost and executive vice chancellor for academic affairs
  • Mark Diedrich, director of UM System office of emergency management
  • Matt Martens, associate provost for academic programs
  • Mark McIntosh, vice chancellor for research and economic development
  • William Stackman, vice chancellor for student affairs
  • Jim Sterk, director of athletics
  • Gary Ward, vice chancellor for operations
  • Kamrhan Farwell, vice chancellor for marketing and communications and chief marketing and communications officer
  • John Middleton, professor, College of Veterinary Medicine, and MU Faculty Council chair
  • Steve Whitt, chief clinical officer of MU Health Care
  • Scott Henderson, assistant director of MU Student Health Center
In total, 135 individuals strategized and planned across the wide spectrum of functions and operations necessary to safely engage in the university’s education, research, outreach and economic development missions.
For more detailed reports from the work groups’ initial plans, see the links in the boxes below:

Academic

The Academic work group is evaluating in-person and remote teaching options, as well as international, graduate and professional programs.

Academic workgroup information

Research

The Research work group is examining lab management and safety strategies for researchers in addition to guidelines for human subjects and animal care.

Research workgroup information

Student Affairs

The Student Affairs work group is evaluating options for on-campus and off-campus housing, as well as safe practices for student activities, Greek life, MizzouRec and the Disability Center.

Student Affairs workgroup information

Communication

The Communication work group is creating and updating the Show Me Renewal website, as well as providing educational information on the coronavirus pandemic and MU’s response.

Communication workgroup information

Facilities

The Facilities work group is evaluating cleaning and disinfecting protocols throughout campus, as well as operations for campus dining services and student unions.

Facilities workgroup information

Athletics

The Athletics work group is evaluating protocols for safely resuming athletic practices as well as resuming competition.

Athletics workgroup information

Testing, Tracing and Quarantining

The Testing, Tracing and Quarantining work group is evaluating quarantine protocols, antibody testing and contact tracing, as well as collaborating with local and state health departments.

Testing, Tracing and Quarantining workgroup information