University of Missouri board rejects mask mandate request

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) – The University of Missouri’s governing board has rejected a request from the university system’s president to enact temporary mask mandates on the Columbia campus.

Mun Choi, president of the University of Missouri system, asked the Board of Curators for a two-week mask mandate with classes scheduled to start next week amid a growing number of COVID-19 cases.

The vote happened on Tuesday. Curators said they were skeptical that the mask mandate would affect the increase in cases. The system currently recommends wearing masks.

Two private colleges in Columbia will start classes online because of a surge in COVID-19 cases.