Advisories, Messages and Updates

Below is a running list of communications sent from Montana Western regarding COVID-19 with the latest update at the top and the oldest at the bottom.

  • COVID-19 Protocols Adjustment
    This message was sent to all UMW faculty, staff, and students. As the number of active COVID-19 cases continue to trend downward in Beaverhead County, and in response to recent guidance […]
  • Upcoming On-Campus COVID-19 and Flu Vaccination Clinics
    This message was sent to all UMW faculty, staff, and students. The next free, on-campus vaccination clinics for COVID-19 and Flu will be held this week on Thursday, January 27 […]
  • Montana Western COVID-19 Guidelines for Spring Semester
    This message was sent to all Montana Western Faculty, Staff, and students. The University of Montana Western is committed to providing high-quality instruction and a safe environment for students, staff, […]
  • Masks Continue to be Required in Indoor Instructional Spaces
    Masks Continue to be Required in Indoor Instructional Spaces This message was sent to all Montana Western faculty, staff, and students by Chancellor Reid. In my message at the end of […]
  • Community COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics to be Held on Campus in December
    Community COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics to be Held on Campus in December This message was sent to all students, faculty, and staff.  The Beaverhead County Public Health Department will host three […]
  • Update on Testing Options & Next On-Campus Vaccination Clinic: Nov. 4th
    Update on Testing Options & Next On-Campus Vaccination Clinic: Nov. 4th This message was sent to all UMW students, faculty, and staff. We wanted to share with you some updates […]
  • Masks Continue to be Required in Indoor Instructional Spaces
    Masks Continue to be Required in Indoor Instructional Spaces This message was sent to all UMW students, faculty, and staff. In my message at the end of Block One regarding […]
  • Free On-Campus COVID-19 Symptomatic Testing for Students Available Next Monday & Tuesday
    Free On-Campus COVID-19 Symptomatic Testing for Students Available Next Monday & Tuesday This message was sent to all UMW faculty, staff, and students. Please find below the available COVID-19 testing […]
  • Free On-Campus COVID-19 Symptomatic Testing for Students is Available
    Free On-Campus COVID-19 Symptomatic Testing for Students is Available This message was sent to all UMW faculty, staff, and students. Please find below the available COVID-19 testing options that are […]
  • On-Campus COVID-19 Testing Available for Students Starting Next Week and Vaccination Clinic on Sep. 30
    On-Campus COVID-19 Testing Available for Students Starting Next Week and Vaccination Clinic on Sep. 30 This message was sent to all UMW faculty, staff, and students. We wanted to share […]
  • Masks Continue to be Required in Indoor Instructional Spaces
    Masks Continue to be Required in Indoor Instructional Spaces This message was sent to all UMW faculty, staff, and students. In my message last week regarding the mask requirement in […]
  • Masks Now Required in Indoor Instructional Spaces at UMW
    Masks Now Required in Indoor Instructional Spaces at UMW This message was sent to all UMW faculty, staff, and students. As the fall semester progresses at Montana Western, we have […]
  • Labor Day Weekend
    Labor Day Weekend This message was sent to all faculty, staff, and students. The University of Montana Western’s COVID-19 Safety Taskforce and Student Affairs Office would like to ask you […]
  • Enter COVID-19 Vaccination Sweepstakes to Win a $500 Scholarship or $5,000 Financial Assistance Package!
    Enter COVID-19 Vaccination Sweepstakes to Win a $500 Scholarship or $5,000 Financial Assistance Package! This message was sent to all faculty, staff, and students. We hope you are having a […]
  • Reducing the Risk of COVID-19
    Reducing the Risk of COVID-19 This message was sent to all faculty, staff, and students. As we begin the fall semester at Montana Western, we are excited for a return […]
  • COVID-19 Guidelines Reminder and Syllabus Language
    COVID-19 Guidelines Reminder and Syllabus Language This message was sent to all faculty, staff, and students. The UMW COVID-19 Taskforce would like to remind/inform you of the following items: The […]
  • Montana Western COVID-19 Guidelines: 2021-22
    Montana Western COVID-19 Guidelines: 2021-22 This message was sent to all faculty, staff, and students. The University of Montana Western is committed to providing high-quality instruction and a safe environment […]
  • COVID-19 Update for Summer
    Montana Western Faculty, Staff, and Students, We wanted to share with you some reminders and helpful information for the summer at Montana Western: As many of you are aware, last […]
  • COVID-19 Memo from Commissioner Christian
    Dear UMW Faculty and Staff, Please see memo (COVID-19 Update 5.14.2021)  from the Commissioner Christian notifying the Montana University System about “sunsetting” the Healthy MUS Planning Guidelines effective immediately. UMW […]
  • Application for Additional Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds
    Montana Western Students, The application to apply for additional Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds (HEERF II) is now open for students enrolled in the Summer 2021 semester. If you have experienced extraordinary […]
  • COVID-19 Vaccination Incentive Program
    Montana Western Students, Starting this week, the State of Montana will be offering incentives to students who have gotten their COVID-19 vaccination.   Below is the information regarding the timeline […]
  • COVID-19 Testing and Vaccination Options During the Summer
    Montana Western Students, Faculty and Staff, We wanted to let you know about the options for both COVID-19 vaccinations and COVID-19 testing during the summer: COVID-19 Vaccinations in Dillon:  Vaccines […]
  • Campus Message – April 29, 2021
    Montana Western Students, Faculty and Staff, Tomorrow, April 30th, 2021, the Beaverhead County Public Health Department (BCPHD) will be hosting their last community vaccination clinic at the National Guard Armory located at 1070 […]
  • Campus Message – April 26, 2021
    Montana Western Students, Faculty and Staff, On Friday, April 30th, 2021, the Beaverhead County Public Health Department (BCPHD) will be hosting their last community vaccination clinic at the National Guard Armory located at 1070 […]
  • Campus Message – April 22, 2021
    Montana Western Students, Faculty, and Staff, Tomorrow, Friday, April 23rd, 2021, the Beaverhead County Public Health Department will be hosting a vaccination clinic at the National Guard Armory located at […]
  • Campus Message – April 19, 2021
    Montana Western Students, Faculty and Staff, On Friday, April 23rd, 2021, the Beaverhead County Public Health Department (BCPHD) will continue hosting their vaccination clinic at the National Guard Armory located at 1070 […]
  • Campus Message – April 15, 2021
    Montana Western Students, Faculty and Staff, Tomorrow, Friday, April 16th, 2021, the Beaverhead County Public Health Department will be hosting a vaccination clinic at the National Guard Armory located at […]
  • Johnson & Johnson Vaccine Pause
    Montana Western Students, Faculty and Staff, Many of you may have seen the news this morning that the CDC and FDA issued a recommendation to states to suspend use of […]
  • Campus Message – April 13, 2021
    Montana Western Students, Faculty and Staff, On Friday, April 16th, 2021, the Beaverhead County Public Health Department (BCPHD) will continue hosting their vaccination clinic at the National Guard Armory located at 1070 […]
  • Safeway Vaccinations – April 12, 2021
    Montana Western Students, Faculty and Staff, Wednesday, April 14th, 2021, Safeway Pharmacy will be hosting a clinic for the Johnson and Johnson vaccine. The clinic is open to everyone 18 […]
  • Campus Message – April 8, 2021
    Montana Western Students, Faculty and Staff, Tomorrow, Friday, April 9th, 2021, the Beaverhead County Public Health Department will host a vaccination clinic at the National Guard Armory located at 1070 Montana […]
  • Vaccine Scheduling – April 8, 2021
    Montana Western Faculty, Staff, and Students, We invite you to stop by The Cup from 11:00 am – 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 8th to make a vaccine appointment for Friday’s […]
  • Campus Message – April 5, 2021
    Montana Western Faculty, Staff and Students, We will not have on-campus COVID-19 Rapid Testing for students on Tuesdays, Thursdays, or Fridays continuing this week. Students, you can still get tested […]
  • Vaccinations Available at this Week’s Clinic at the Armory
    Montana Western Students, Faculty and Staff, This Friday, April 9th, 2021, Beaverhead County Public Health (BCPH) will begin hosting their vaccination clinics at the National Guard Armory located at 1070 […]
  • Campus Message – April 1, 2021
    Montana Western Faculty, Staff, and Students, Tomorrow, Friday, April 2nd, the Beaverhead County Public Health Department (BCPHD) will host the next Community COVID-19 vaccination clinic from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 […]
  • Campus Message – March 30, 2021
    Montana Western Faculty, Staff and Students, The Beaverhead County Public Health Department (BCPHD) will host the next Community COVID-19 vaccination clinic this Friday, April 2nd, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 […]
  • COVID-19 Vaccine Availability – March 25, 2021
    Dear Campus Community, Beaverhead County Public Health just announced on their Facebook page that they have appointment openings for tomorrow’s clinic, and they would like to fill that up. They […]
  • Campus Message – March 24, 2021
    Montana Western Faculty, Staff and Students, The Beaverhead County Public Health Department (BCPHD) will host the next Community Phase 1B and 1B+ COVID-19 vaccination clinic this Friday, March 26th, from […]
  • Campus Message – March 18, 2021
    Montana Western Faculty, Staff, and Students, As a reminder, the Beaverhead County Public Health Department WILL NOT be hosting a vaccination clinic on campus tomorrow, Friday, March 19th. The vaccination clinics […]
  • Governor Announces all Montanans 16+ will be eligible for Vaccination starting April 1st
    Montana Western Students, Faculty, and Staff, As you may be aware, Governor Gianforte announced today that all Montanans 16 and older will be eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine starting April 1st, […]
  • Campus Message – March 16, 2021
    Montana Western Faculty, Staff and Students, The Beaverhead County Public Health Department WILL NOT be hosting a vaccination clinic this week on campus. The vaccination clinics will continue next Friday, March […]
  • Campus Message – March 11, 2021
    Montana Western Students, Faculty and Staff, Tomorrow, Friday, March 12th, the Beaverhead County Public Health Department will continue to host the weekly community COVID-19 vaccination clinics for Phase 1B and 1B+ recipients, from 11:00 a.m. […]
  • Campus Message – March 9, 2021
    Montana Western Faculty, Staff and Students, The Beaverhead County Public Health Department (BCPHD) will host the next Community Phase 1B and 1B+ COVID-19 vaccination clinic this Friday, March 12th, from […]
  • Campus Message – March 4, 2021
    Montana Western Faculty, Staff, and Students, Beginning on March 8, 2021, Montana will expand Phase 1B vaccine eligibility, referring to this as Phase 1B+. This expansion will lower the qualifying age and […]
  • Governor Gianforte Expands Vaccine Distribution to Most Vulnerable Montanans With Phase 1B+
    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 2, 2021 Contact: Brooke Stroyke, Office of the Governor Governor Gianforte Expands Vaccine Distribution to Most Vulnerable Montanans With Phase 1B+  HELENA, Mont. – Governor Greg Gianforte […]
  • Campus Message – March 2, 2021
    Montana Western Faculty, Staff and Students, The Beaverhead County Public Health Department (BCPHD) will host the next Community Phase 1B COVID-19 vaccination clinic on Friday, March 5th, from 11:00 a.m. […]
  • Campus Message – February 25, 2021
    Montana Western Students, Faculty and Staff, Tomorrow, Friday, February 26, the Beaverhead County Public Health Department will continue to host the weekly community COVID-19 vaccination clinics for Phase 1B recipients, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 […]
  • Campus Message – February 22, 2021
    To the University Community, Beginning this week on Friday, February 26, the Beaverhead County Public Health Department will continue to host weekly COVID-19 vaccination clinics for Phase 1B recipients. Phase 1B recipients include: Persons […]
  • Campus Message – February 19, 2021
    Montana Western Students, Faculty and Staff, Beginning on Friday, February 26, the Beaverhead County Public Health Department (BCPHD) will be hosting Community COVID-19 vaccination clinics every Friday from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on […]
  • Campus Message – February 16, 2021
    To the University Community, We would like to remind everyone that face coverings continue to be required on our campus, unless an individual has a medical exemption from their healthcare professional. Please […]
  • Campus Message – February 11, 2021
    Montana Western Students, Faculty and Staff, Tomorrow, Friday, February 12, the Beaverhead County Public Health Department will be hosting a third COVID-19 vaccination clinic event for Phase 1B recipients. On-Campus REMINDERS:  The south half of […]
  • Campus Message from Chancellor Weatherby – February 11, 2021
    To the University Community, I would like to thank each of you for your efforts in continuing to help us to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Please continue to follow […]
  • Campus Message – February 9, 2021
    To the University Community, Thank you all for continuing to do your part in mitigating the spread of COVID-19. We appreciate each and every one of you for following the guidelines […]
  • Campus Message – February 4, 2021
    Montana Western Students, Faculty and Staff, Tomorrow, Friday, February 5th, the Beaverhead County Public Health Department will be hosting a second COVID-19 vaccination clinic event for Phase 1B recipients. On-Campus REMINDERS:  The south half of […]
  • Campus Message – February 2, 2021
    Montana Western Students, Faculty and Staff,   Thank you for doing your part in keeping our campus safe by continuing to commit to the Bulldog Way. By wearing face coverings, social distancing, washing […]
  • Campus Message – January 28, 2021
    Montana Western Students, Faculty and Staff, Tomorrow, Friday, January 29th, the Beaverhead County Public Health Department will be hosting a COVID-19 vaccination clinic event for Phase 1B recipients. As a reminder, the south half […]
  • Campus Message – January 26, 2021
    Montana Western Students, Faculty and Staff, Please find below some helpful information and reminders: BARC Parking Lot Closed on Friday   On Friday, January 29, Friday, February 5, and Friday, February […]
  • COVID-19 Vaccination Information from Beaverhead County Public Health
    Montana Western Faculty, Staff and Students, Please find below information on the Phase 1B COVID-19 vaccinations that Beaverhead County Public Health will be conducting starting on January 29th. Phase 1B […]
  • Campus Message – January 22, 2021
    Montana Western Students, Staff, and Faculty, The University has purchased COVID-19 mitigation kits for students, staff, and faculty for the spring semester. Our “Healthy Bulldog Kits” include:   a disposable forehead […]
  • Campus Message – January 19, 2021
    Montana Western Students, Faculty and Staff, Thank you for continuing to wear masks over both your mouth and nose, practicing social distancing, washing and sanitizing your hands, and using surface disinfectants […]
  • Campus Message – January 14, 2021
    To the University Community, As a friendly reminder, please continue wearing your face coverings/masks on campus. COVID-19 spreads through respiratory droplets and masks are a barrier that help to prevent these […]
  • Campus Message – January 11, 2021
    Montana Western Students, Welcome back! As we begin the Spring Semester, we would like to remind you all of a few precautions to take to help keep everyone healthy: Wear […]
  • Campus Message – January 7, 2021
    To the University Community, For your information, and because some of you have asked about Montana’s COVID-19 vaccine plans, we are providing the recent press release below from the Governor’s […]
  • Campus Message from Chancellor Weatherby – January 7, 2021
    To the University Community, Yesterday, the Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education issued guidance (please see the attached memo) to the campuses of the Montana University System to begin […]
  • Campus Message – January 5, 2021
    Montana Western Students, We hope you all enjoyed your winter break and we are excited to welcome you back to campus. The spring semester begins on Monday, January 11th, 2021. We […]

More communications further down.

COVID-19 Information & Resources

As world health officials response to the novel coronavirus outbreak, the Montana University System is committed to keeping our students, faculty and staff safe and well-informed. As the situation evolves, we want to provide you with the most reliable and up-to-date sources of information for novel coronavirus health and travel updates:

Please follow prevention measures to keep yourself and your campus healthy:

  • Cover your cough or sneeze, ideally into your elbow and not into your hands.
  • Wash your hands frequently with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. Use sanitizing gels.
  • Avoid touching your face, especially eyes, nose, and mouth.
  • Stay home if you’re sick (seek medical attention if you feel it is becoming serious).
  • Avoid close contact with people who are ill.
  • Clean and disinfect surfaces that are frequently touched.
  • Get your flu shot. It’s not too late!
  • Campus Message – December 30, 2020
    Montana Western Students, As we prepare for your return for the spring semester which begins on January 11, we are taking the necessary steps to […]
  • Campus Message from Chancellor Weatherby – December 18, 2020
    To the University Community, I hope that you are enjoying a restful winter break and staying safe and healthy this holiday season. Yesterday, Commissioner of […]
  • Campus Message – December 15, 2020
    Montana Western Students, As a reminder, please continue wearing your masks, practicing social distancing, washing your hands/using hand sanitizers and disinfect surfaces regularly. Thank you […]
  • Campus Message – December 8, 2020
    Montana Western Students, We hope you are all enjoying your first week of winter break. If you decide you must travel over the break, we […]
  • Campus Message – December 4, 2020
    Dear Montana Western Students, Faculty and Staff, We wanted to remind you that there are counseling services and mental health resources available during the winter […]
  • Campus Message – December 1, 2020
    Montana Western Students, As we finish the semester and move into the winter break, we wanted to thank you for all of your efforts and […]
  • Memo from Commissioner Christian – November 23, 2020
    Dear All, Please see the attached memo from Commissioner Christian. I echo his gratitude for your hard work and persistence and wish you a restful holiday. […]
  • Campus Message – November 23, 2020
    Montana Western Students, This Wednesday, November 25th, is the last day we will be offering FREE Symptomatic Rapid COVID-19 testing for students before the semester ends. If you are […]
  • Campus Message – November 17, 2020
    Montana Western Students, The University is still offering FREE Symptomatic Rapid COVID-19 testing for students Monday through Friday from 11:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. in the garage of the […]
  • Campus Message – November 16, 2020
    Montana Western Students, In less than two weeks, you will depart for the Thanksgiving holiday and shortly after, the Fall 2020 semester will come to […]
  • Campus Message – November 13, 2020
    Dear All, As you may be aware, the number of COVID-19 cases in Montana and Beaverhead County has increased, as has the number of positive […]
  • Campus Message – November 9, 2020
    To the University Community, Due to the increase in positive COVID-19 cases across Montana, in our county, and cases associated with our campus, we want […]
  • Campus Message – November 5, 2020
    Thank you to all Montana Western students who submitted an application requesting emergency funding through the federal CARES Act. At this time, Montana Western has […]
  • Campus Message – November 2, 2020
    Montana Western Students, We hope you all had an enjoyable and safe Halloween and we thank you for all of your help in stopping the […]
  • Campus Message – October 23, 2020
    Montana Western, Due to all your hard work and efforts, the number of COVID-19 cases associated with our campus has decreased. We would like to […]
  • Campus Message – October 21, 2020
    Montana Western Students, We wanted to let you know that there are still funds available through the federal CARES Act- students looking for additional emergency […]
  • Campus Message – October 16, 2020
    Montana Western Students, The University will be offering Symptomatic Rapid COVID-19 testing starting Tuesday, October 20th from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the garage of the Dean […]
  • Campus Message – October 13, 2020
    LET’S HELP SLOW THE SPREAD OF COVID IN OUR COMMUNITY: UPDATE ON MITIGATION EFFORTS  Through Friday, October 23, Montana Western’s enhanced mitigation efforts will remain […]
  • Campus Message – October 4, 2020
    LET’S HELP SLOW THE SPREAD OF COVID IN THIS COMMUNITY:  CHANGES IN UNIVERSITY OPERATIONS FOR THE WEEK OF OCTOBER 5.  On October 2, Beaverhead County […]
  • Campus Message from Chancellor Weatherby – September 29, 2020
    To the University Community, I would like to take a moment to remind everyone that face coverings, worn over the nose and mouth, continue to be required […]
  • Campus Message – September 24, 2020
    Dear Montana Western Students, As a reminder, please continue wearing your masks over your mouth and nose, practicing social distancing, and using hand sanitizers and surface […]
  • Campus Message – September 17, 2020
    Dear Montana Western Faculty and Staff, Governor Bullock announced yesterday a new statewide effort to report COVID-19 cases within Montana schools as part of the […]
  • Campus Message – September 17, 2020
    To the University Community, We would like to inform you all that as of yesterday afternoon, there are 4 active cases of COVID-19 in Beaverhead […]
  • Campus Message – September 16, 2020
    To the University Community, As part of our collaborative COVID-19 mitigation efforts, the Beaverhead County Public Health Department (BCPHD) is now posting Montana Western associated […]
  • Campus Message – September 14, 2020
    Winds can bring smoke from wildfires burning in California, Oregon and Washington into Montana. Residents and visitors in Montana are encouraged to check air quality […]
  • Press Release – September 11, 2020
    The University of Montana Western is pleased to announce the hiring of two temporary staff positions to assist UMW in its COVID-19 mitigation efforts. These […]
  • Campus Message – September 9, 2020
    Montana Western Students, We hope you all had an enjoyable Labor Day holiday weekend. Whether you spent time around others or explored the great outdoors, […]
  • Campus Message – September 9, 2020
    Montana Western Students, If you are expecting a refund check, please stop by the Business Services Office if you are in Dillon. If you need […]
  • Campus Message – September 3, 2020
    To all Montana Western students expecting a refund for this semester, We wanted to share with you how to see if a refund has been […]
  • Campus Message from the Dean of Students – September 3, 2020
    Dear UMW Students, I want to thank you for the responsible behaviors I continue to see across campus: mask wearing, social distancing and use of […]
  • Campus Message – August 28, 2020
    Montana Western Students, Thanks for doing your part to keep our campus safe by committing to the Bulldog Way by wearing face coverings, social distancing, and […]
  • Campus Message – August 27, 2020
    Montana Western Students, Thanks for doing your part to keep our campus safe by committing to the Bulldog Way by wearing face coverings, social distancing, and […]
  • Campus Message – August 26, 2020
    Montana Western Students, Through the federal CARES Act, the University of Montana Western is able to offer financial assistance to students in need. Montana Western […]
  • Campus Message – August 26, 2020
    Dear Montana Western Students, If you haven’t yet picked up your free Healthy Bulldog Kit, which includes hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes and a cloth mask […]
  • Campus Message – August 25, 2020
    To the University Community, In addition to the Bulldog Way defining steps we each need to take to stop the spread of COVID-19, including wearing face […]
  • Campus Message – August 24, 2020
    Welcome to the first day of classes for the fall semester! We want everyone to come to campus with the mindset that Montana Western, and […]
  • Campus Message – August 23, 2020
    Dear Montana Western Students, We are excited to have you back on campus for classes starting tomorrow! We wanted to let all students living off […]
  • Campus Message from the Dean of Students – August 19, 2020
    Hello Montana Western Students, In just a few days, you will be back and we are so excited for your return. I would like to […]
  • Campus Message from Vice Chancellor Reid – August 17, 2020
    Dear Montana Western Faculty, Staff and Students, Please find attached a brief UMW COVID-19 Safety Training document that we are asking each of you to review on […]
  • Campus Message from the Dean of Students and Director of Student Success – August 12, 2020
    https://www.umwestern.edu/it-services/Sent on Behalf of the Dean of Students and Director of Student Success: Student Services/Resources at UMW Dear Montana Western Students,  We have been preparing […]
  • Campus Message – August 5, 2020
    To the University Community,  We are preparing for the return of our students to campus and taking the necessary steps to continue keeping our community […]