UMO Extends Spring Break and Plans for Online Classes

MOUNT OLIVE-In a memo dated March 12, 2020, and addressed to all University of Mount Olive faculty, staff, and students, Interim President Dr. Ed Croom announced that the University is extending spring break through Friday, March 20, 2020 as it monitors the COVID-19 virus. The memo further indicated that starting March 23, all seated courses will move to an online delivery mode until further notice. At this time, the campus will remain open and operational during the extended spring break and during the online delivery process. All adult and graduate program courses will continue as planned in the online format.
“We have been monitoring the COVID-19 virus situation for the past several weeks,” Croom stated. “Although we have had no cases reported involving the UMO community, we are fully aware of the need to be proactive in implementing steps to keep the entire UMO community as safe as possible.”
In another safety move, the University is canceling all events booked by third party reservationists for a three-week time period. All University campus activities and events, including departmental events, lecture series, professional meetings, chapel, club meetings, and student activity events are being canceled until further notice. In an effort to limit exposure from outside community members, the University is restricting community access to the cafeteria, Pope Wellness Center, and Moye Library.
“We are in on-going discussions with Conference Carolinas in regards to our athletic programs and sporting events,” said Dr. Dan Sullivan, Senior Vice President for Student Affairs and Athletics. “We anticipate additional directive from the conference later today on how we will proceed with scheduled athletic events. This is a fluid situation and we continue to monitor and adapt University operations with the help of all available government resources.”
“This situation is very unfortunate and continues to change daily,” Croom said. “Part of our mission is to serve the mind, body and soul of the entire UMO community. The actions being implemented are our attempt to fulfill our cause. Let’s continue to pray for God’s direction and healing as we move through the next several weeks and months.”
The most current information and directives can be found at https://umo.edu/coronavirus/.

The University of Mount Olive is a private institution rooted in the liberal arts tradition with defining Christian values. The University, sponsored by the Convention of Original Free Will Baptists, has education service centers in Mount Olive, New Bern, Wilmington, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, Research Triangle Park, and Washington. For more information, visit www.umo.edu.