To the University Community,

As you’re aware, the Montana University System Healthy Fall 2020 Task Force has been working over the past six weeks to develop a blueprint to guide colleges and universities as we develop plans for a safe return to campus life this fall.

The Task Force is releasing its comprehensive handbook of guidelines today, which is now available by clicking this link: https://mus.edu/coronavirus/MUS-Healthy-Fall-2020-Planning-Guidelines.pdf

While our Montana Western team is already well into our preparations for fall semester, the new handbook provides us with system-level recommendations and protocols to help guide our work.

You are welcome to review the handbook, which is posted on the Montana University System (MUS) website. However, please keep in mind that the handbook is a high-level blueprint on which we will base planning specific to Montana Western.

While the handbook does not offer specific details on Montana Western, it demonstrates the intensive, high-level planning that is underway to facilitate a safe return to our campus and our other MUS campuses.

As noted in the handbook, the guidance released today is the result of extensive research and discussion, with feedback solicited from experts across the MUS as well as a broader population of employees, students and administrators across the system. The guidelines have been crafted with, and reviewed by, officials from the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services. Click here to view the official press release about the handbook of guidelines from the Healthy Fall 2020 Task Force.

As the planning process continues at the campus level, please know that we will provide you with more detailed information as it becomes available.

Wishing you well,
Chancellor Beth Weatherby