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Thinking Out Loud: How MU prepares for the school year

Shane Epping/MU Disability Center

As thousands of students arrive in Columbia soon for the new school year, much work must happen behind the scenes to prepare. On this week's Thinking Out Loud host Darren Hellwege visits with a range of staff from University of Missouri departments whose work impacts and is impacted by the student experience at MU.

First in this week's Thinking Out Loud, Darren talks with Captain Brian Weimer of the University of Missouri Police Department about how MUPD is preparing for a new school year, and their responsibility for keeping the campus and its occupants safe.

Darren also visits with Frankie Minor, Director of MU's Residential Life. Minor and his department have the complicated job of arranging on-campus housing for thousands of students who arrive in Columbia over the next few days.

We also hear in this program from Barbara Hammer, Director of MU's Disability Center. We learn more about how the University is working to make education more accessible for people with all sorts of disabilities.

Finally, hear an excerpt from Darren's interview with Michelle Froese, the Assistant Director of Strategic Communications at the University of Missouri's Student & Auxiliary Services. She talks with Darren about The Mizzou Store, where students get textbooks and Tiger fans can buy Mizzou gear.

Disabilitysvc.mp3
Here is an extended segment of Thinking Out Loud host Darren Hellwege's interview with Barbara Hammer, Director of the University of Missouri Office of Disability Services.
mizzoustore.mp3
Michelle Froese, Assistant Director of Strategic Communications at the University of Missouri's Student & Auxiliary Services talks with Darren about preparing The Mizzou Store for returning scholars in search of books and Mizzou gear.
MUPD.mp3
In an extended interview, Darren talks with Captain Brian Weimer of the University of Missouri Police Department.
reslife.mp3
Finally, here is an extended interview Darren did with Frankie Minor, University of Missouri Director of Residential Life about the preparation that goes in to having housing ready by this week for thousands of new and returning students.

Hear new episodes of Thinking Out Loud each Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. on KBIA.

"The Voice Of Columbia," Darren Hellwege has hosted NPR's “Morning Edition” for over 35 years on KBIA. He also hosts programs on Classical 90.5 FM.
Trevor is a former KBIA announcer and producer. Trevor has - since 2019 - worked to preserve life stories through his business, The Recollection Agency. He also produces the Missouri history podcast Mo' Curious.
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