In an effort to be proactive, the University of Mount Olive is calling a temporary, two-week pause in face-to-face instruction effective at 5 PM on September 22 through October 2, 2020. The University is calling a pause to all formal team activities as well. The announcement comes as result of a recent increase in positive COVID-19 cases at the University. It is the first major increase since the University began face-to-face instruction on August 25.

UMO President Dr. Ed Croom said in an email to faculty, staff, and students, “The goal for this pause is to mitigate the spread of the virus on campus.”

While University housing will remain open and dining services will be available in a to-go only format, UMO leadership is encouraging all students, who can, to go home. “It is critically important for students, who go home or remain on campus, to practice all COVID-19 protocols and reduce social interactions,” said Croom.

According to Croom, to reduce the spread of the virus, all instruction will be delivered in a virtual format during the 10-day time span. Traditional classes will resume their hybrid format on Monday, October 5th.

The University maintains a running dash board of positive cases and quarantined individuals on its COVID-19 website to remain transparent to the UMO community and the larger Mount Olive community.