Better Together - Fall 2021 Plan
Due to the highly contagious nature of the COVID delta variant and the increase of positive cases in Kansas City, Missouri, we have implemented the following protocols. Additional protocols are available on MyKCAI or below.
- Mask requirement indoors for all individuals regardless of vaccination status
- Wylie Dining and Café Nerman will be closed to visitors
- Residential floors are restricted to BMRH residents only. No outside guests are permitted in the building.
Additionally, to help decrease the number of students gathered at any time and reduce cross-departmental in-person activity, KCAI is implementing the following plan for fall courses:|
Foundation Courses
- All Foundation studio courses (FOUN 100) will be taught in-person in the Foundation or Foundation North studio buildings.
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All History of Art I (HRT 1001) and History of Art II (HRT 1002) and Writing Seminar (WRS 1001) courses will be taught in-person in multiple locations on campus to allow for distancing.
Upper-Division Courses
- Studio courses for upper-division students (sophomores, juniors and seniors) will be taught in-person.
- All History of Art I (HRT 1001) and History of Art II (HRT 1002) and Writing Seminar (WRS 1001) courses will be taught in-person in multiple locations on campus to allow for distancing.
- Upper-division Liberal Arts courses will be taught online.
The college will keep monitoring COVID with the goal of returning to in-person Liberal Arts courses for all students as soon as possible.
If you have questions, email responseteam@kcai.edu.
COVID Dashboard
KCAI will track confirmed COVID cases amongst our campus community and report positive cases via the dashboard below. The dashboard will be updated weekly on Friday.
New Weekly COVID Cases
Updated on Friday, September 10rd
Students
1
Employees
1
BMRH Residents (included in student total)
0
Total COVID Cases
Students
5
Employees
3
BMRH Residents (included in student total)
4
COVID-19 Campus Policies and Protocols
KCAI is committed to providing a safe and healthy learning, living, and work environment.
While the COVID-19 pandemic presents a threat to the well-being of the KCAl community, we have put protocols in place to mitigate the risk. KCAI follows the guidance of the Center for Disease Control (CDC), the Kansas City, MO health department, as well as campus information to make decisions regarding health and safety protocols related to COVID-19.
Public health is a social covenant
- The effectiveness of public health safety is contingent upon the participation of everyone.
- Being vaccinated, washing hands, wearing a mask and safe distancing, all translate into improved health and safety for all campus community members.
- Stay home when you don’t feel well.
KCAI is strongly encouraging every student, faculty, and staff member to get vaccinated prior to coming to campus this Fall.
Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF)
Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund III, American Rescue Plan
The Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund III (HEERF III), authorized by the American Rescue Plan (ARP), was signed into law on March 11, 2021, and provides $39.6 billion in support to institutions of higher education to serve students and ensure learning continues during the COVID-19 pandemic. Emergency funds available to institutions and their students under all emergency funds total $76.2 billion.
Kansas City Art Institute, on May 23, 2020, signed and returned to the Department the Certification and Agreement and the assurance that the institution has used, or intends to use, no less than 50 percent of the funds received under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students. A supplemental grant award notification (GAN) was received from the Department on January 19, 2021, that included the HEERF II Funds. Another supplemental GAN was received on May 15, 2021, that included HEERF III funds.
KCAI has been awarded $1,107,828 in student financial aid funding under HEERF III. Following the guidelines set forth by the US Department of Education, these funds will be distributed as emergency financial grants. As designated by the Department of Education, KCAI is required to prioritize grants to students with exceptional financial need, such as those who receive Pell Grants. Students’ financial needs will be determined by the FAFSA; however, students are not required to have completed the FAFSA or be eligible for Title IV funding to receive a grant. KCAI will distribute these funds as widely as possible.
The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 has also allowed institutions of higher education to make financial aid adjustments for any individual who has experienced financial hardship due to COVID-19, which may include loss of employment, income, or undue financial burden.
HEERF III FAQs and Distribution Plan
HEERF II Archived Information
The Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF II) provided funding to colleges and universities for emergency student grants. The purpose of the money is to award emergency financial aid grants to students for specific expenses. Student grants may be used for any component of their cost of attendance, emergency costs that arise due to Coronavirus, etc. with examples including tuition, food, housing, healthcare (including mental health), and childcare.
KCAI has received $420,333 in student financial aid funding. Following the guidelines set forth by the US Department of Education, these funds will be distributed as emergency financial grants. As designated by the Department of Education, KCAI is required to prioritize grants to students with exceptional financial need, such as those who receive Pell Grants; however, we plan to distribute these funds as widely as possible. Students’ financial needs will be determined by the FAFSA.
Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Reporting for HEERF II
HEERF I Archived Information
The federal CARES ACT provided funding to colleges and universities for emergency student grants. The purpose of the money is to award emergency financial aid grants to students for specific expenses that are a direct result of the disruption of campus operations due to the coronavirus.
Policies and Procedures and HEERF Student Aid Public Reporting
Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Reporting for HEERF I
Archived Messages about KCAI’s Response to COVID-19
March 26, 2020 Update
March 21, 2020 Update
March 18, 2020 Update