Updated 3:34 p.m. Wednesday, June 24, 2020
Continue to check this page for the latest updates regarding COVID-19-related changes. All information is subject to change based on health regulations and COVID-19 activity in each community where SBU operates a campus. These plans are developed in consultation with guidance from local health departments.
Due to continued developments in the COVID-19 outbreak within the United States, Southwest Baptist University moved all course delivery online for the June summer term (June 1-25). Course delivery methods for July session courses (June 29-July 23) have been made based on local guidance for each campus. See the MySBU portal for more information.
Housing is available for Bolivar students during the July term. Contact Michelle Martin at (417) 328-1885 for more information.
Southwest Baptist University is planning for in-person instruction on all campuses for the Fall 2020 semester and beyond. This page will be updated throughout the summer with additional information regarding protocols for a safe and healthy fall semester on all SBU campuses. Here is a summary of the plan with additional details in the FAQ below.
Semester start and end dates remain the same, but classes will meet on Labor Day and the previously scheduled Fall Break dates. Course instruction moves online after Thanksgiving Break, and students are not required to return to campus. This is designed to limit the amount of student travel and thus potential exposure to COVID-19.
Significant dates throughout the semester include:
Our goal is in-person, in-class instruction. We are planning for as many courses as possible to meet in classrooms where appropriate physical distancing is possible. In cases where physical distancing is not possible, we have developed options for a combination of in-person and online class sessions. In all cases, a majority of the instruction will be in-person.
Extra health and safety measures being taken on all campuses for Fall 2020 include:
In consultation with the local health department, we have protocols to determine when quarantine is necessary. We prefer for students to travel home during any necessary quarantine period, but we have a designated on-campus, limited-space facility for potential quarantine use. Additional information regarding residence hall, cafeteria and chapel protocols will be released in late July.
All sports will operate with a reduced competition schedule in accordance with NCAA and GLVC rules and guidelines. All decisions related to athletics, including dates for athletes returning to campus, will follow NCAA and GLVC guidance as it becomes available.
Our goal is in-person, in-class instruction. We are planning for as many courses as possible to meet in classrooms where appropriate physical distancing is possible. In cases where physical distancing is not possible, we have developed options for a combination of in-person and online class sessions. In all cases, a majority of the instruction will be in-person.
For students on the Bolivar campus, the last two weeks of the semester will be all remote learning. Students on the Mountain View, Salem and Springfield campuses will receive information later this summer regarding the final two weeks of their semester.
We strongly recommend each student bring a personal computer for completing coursework in between in-person class sessions and completing remote coursework during the final two weeks of the semester. The University recommends the use of a Windows PC or Apple computer. A Chromebook may not be the best choice for many disciplines.
However, computer labs will be open for use by students who do not have a computer. Cleaning supplies will be available for students to clean computers before and after use.
The SBU Campus Store inside the Goodson Student Union is open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday-Thursday with increased safety measures and operational changes. Some changes include limited guest access, one-way aisles, closed textbook section with counter service, masks and gloves for all team members, continuous cleaning, and physical-distancing reminders. The number of guests in the store at one time is limited.
Curbside service also is available. For more information, call (417) 328-1530.
The store will resume regular hours of 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. beginning on August 3. Curbside service will continue to be available.
Anyone planning personal travel should monitor carefully the U.S. Department of State and CDC travel warnings, health notices and advisories prior to and during any travel. For current information, visit the CDC Traveler Information page.
Self-quarantine guidelines for COVID-19
Off-campus, 14-day self-quarantine is required for any student, faculty or staff member who has:
These individuals will not be allowed to return to residential housing, offices, or to be on campus during the 14-day self-quarantine period. The self-quarantine period is your personal responsibility.
We are still accepting students for our fall and summer classes, and financial aid is still available. Applications can be submitted online at any time.
SBU understands getting transcripts and/or taking the ACT/SAT is a struggle right now. To assist, SBU is temporarily moving to test optional and self-reported high school GPA for all admission. However, to potentially improve academic scholarship eligibility, students may elect to take the online CLT test.
Please contact your admissions counselor if you have questions or concerns.
If you have a question not answered above, please use this form to ask SBU.
Residents of Polk County, Missouri may use the Community Connections Resources Helpline by calling (417) 777-7411. This helpline is a resource for those needing help finding supplies or connections, or who have questions about living needs. It is not an information line for COVID-19.
Through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF), Southwest Baptist University has received $1,150,794 in funding to provide emergency financial aid grants for students experiencing financial hardship as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. Funds will be awarded to eligible students on all four campuses who have demonstrated the greatest need as determined by the FAFSA. In the initial round of distributions, Southwest Baptist University identified a pool of 1,537 eligible students who have been adversely affected by the COVID-19 related disruptions to normal campus operations.
Each student will receive $725.
Additional eligibility for a second round of emergency relief funds will require an application process. Details will be posted when available.
Checks will be mailed each Thursday. You must have completed the agreement process (explained in the next question) by 3 p.m. Tuesday for the check to be mailed Thursday of that week.
Students are directed to go to the Self-Service link in their mySBU portal to electronically sign the agreement listed below. More information will be posted on the portal and emailed to eligible students to their SBU email address.
"By electronically signing this agreement, I agree to the following statements:
I acknowledge I am accepting CARES Act funding to assist with expenses incurred from food, housing, course materials, technology, transportation, health care, childcare, or other related expenses as a result of the disruption of campus operations due to COVID-19 in the 2020 Spring semester.
Furthermore, I certify I meet the following eligibility criteria: I am a degree-seeking student who was enrolled in the Spring 2020 semester with at least one seated course prior to March 13. I submitted a 2019-20 FAFSA and was eligible to receive Title IV aid."
Please confirm your mailing address is correct on the User Profile section of Self Service (located in your mySBU student portal). If you need to make changes to the address where your check will be sent, please email the updated address to: registrar@SBUniv.edu.
If you have questions about accepting these funds or your eligibility to receive funds, please contact the Financial Aid Office at finaid@SBUniv.edu.