See the newly updated COVID-19 Update Page on the university website for the latest information.
University News
Ole Miss Bookstore
Beginning Thursday, March 19, walk-in customers will not be accepted at the Ole Miss Bookstore. Phone orders will be accepted for Café items, including coffee, convenience items and pre-packaged food items only. Orders may be picked up at the register at the patio door. Online orders for textbooks, supplies, and apparel with free shipping will continue to be processed. https://ole-miss.bncollege.com/shop/ole-miss/home, bookstore@olemiss.edu, 662-915-7137 / 662-915-5893
O.U.T. Bus Service
Effective Wednesday, March 18, O.U.T. bus services (Oxford’s public transit system, and a partnership among the city, county and university) have been reduced to a Saturday schedule/service level.
The Red Line SOUTH is the only line that currently stops at Baptist Memorial Hospital. From campus, this requires the rider to transfer from the Red Line NORTH, boarding at the Union, and then transferring to the Red Line SOUTH at the Old Armory bus stop.
O.U.T. has implemented MDOT/CDC recommended deep cleaning practices on the bus fleet which include daily disinfection with hospital grade products. Hand-sanitizers have been installed on all buses for use by riders. Bus drivers have masks, gloves and additional sanitizer options for their use. Posters with appropriate CDC guidance are displayed in all buses.
Visit https://olemiss.edu/parking/ or call 662-915-7235 for more information.
UM Libraries: Keep Teaching, Keep Learning Services
UM Libraries is supporting teaching and learning needs with online resources and services through the University of Mississippi Libraries homepage. The chat service, Ask a Librarian, is available online Monday-Thursday 9am-5pm and Friday 9am-1pm. Contact umladmin@go.olemiss.edu or 662-915-7091 with any questions.
Gertrude C. Ford Center Performance and Event Updates
Information regarding performance and event changes or cancellations are listed below.
- March 17 – An Evening with Bruce Hornsby has been rescheduled for December 4, 2020. Tickets purchased for the original date will be valid for the new date.
- March 18 – It’s Time: Oxford Film Fest screening has been postponed. For updates, check the Oxford Film Festival website, email info@oxfordfilmfest.com or call 877-560-3456.
- March 19 – Thacker Mountain Radio Hour has been canceled.
- March 19 – Pump Up The Volume for the Oxford Film Festival has been postponed. For updates, check the Oxford Film Festival website, email info@oxfordfilmfest.com or call 877-560-3456.
- March 21 – The 2020 Friendship Ball has been postponed. This event will be rescheduled. Tickets purchased for the original date will be valid for the new date.
- March 23 – LOU Symphony Orchestra has been canceled.
- March 27 – Conference for the Book Children’s Book Festival has been canceled.
- March 29 – BEAUTIFUL: The Carole King Musical has been canceled, but the Ford Center is working to reschedule this musical for next season. Patrons who purchased tickets will receive a refund from the Box Office in a timely manner.
Events planned for April are being reviewed and updates will be posted. For additional questions, contact the UM Box Office at 662-915-7411 or visit www.olemissboxoffice.com.
Students
Graduate Writing Center Online Appointment Availability
The Graduate Writing Center will continue to offer online appointments beginning Monday, March 23. In compliance with the University of Mississippi’s precautionary response to COVID-19 (Coronavirus), the Graduate Writing Center will only offer online consultations until further notice, and all face-to-face workshops will be rescheduled at a later date. Please visit this link to register or access the online appointment calendar. Hour-long appointments are available Sunday-Friday. Email gwc@olemiss.edu with any questions.
Faculty and Staff
Status of Zoom
The university’s latest Zoom purchase has been fully processed and there are enough licenses in stock to serve administrative units. Departmental leadership is asked to consider carefully how many licenses their units need. Over the next few weeks in particular, requests to upgrade will be prioritized to serve faculty upgrades for instructional purposes. Contact zoom@olemiss.edu. See also: https://elearning.olemiss.edu/elearning-tool-review-zoom-video-conferencing/
Pharmacy Health Services
Pharmacy Health Services, located inside the V.B. Harrison Health Center, will continue to operate normal hours and deliver to faculty and staff on campus, as requested. For more information, visit healthcenter.olemiss.edu/pharmacy or call 662-915-5279.
Printing and Creative Services
Beginning Wednesday, March 18 and until further notice, Printing and Creative Services has suspended normal business hours and is working by appointment only. For all requests, please email printing@olemiss.edu with detailed information, including name and call-back number, and someone will be in touch. We will continue to offer design and printing services. Timeframes and turnaround times will be extended to accommodate our temporary status. If you need to pick up a completed order, please schedule a time to do so by emailing printing@olemiss.edu.
OTHER THINGS TO KNOW
At the City of Oxford Board of Aldermen meeting on Tuesday, March 17, the following resolution was unanimously passed by the Board. The resolution took effect at 6 a.m. on Wednesday, March 18 and will be valid for 15 days.
- Section 1: Effective immediately and for a period of 15 days unless extended by Motion and Order of the governing authorities of the City of Oxford, all restaurants shall only serve food using drive-through, curbside (only) pick-up, or delivery methods, and shall not allow the use by the public of interior or exterior common dining or bar facilities.
- Section 2: The Mayor may order the closing of all retail liquor stores and the discontinuance of the sale of intoxicating liquor and/or beer;
- Section 3: The Mayor may order a general curfew applicable to such geographical areas of the municipality, or to the municipality as a whole, as he or she deems advisable, and applicable during such hours of the day or night as he or she deems necessary in the interest of the public safety and welfare, with such curfew only to remain in effect for a period not to exceed five days, or an earlier date of rescission as may be ordered by the Mayor;
- Section 4: The Mayor may issue such other orders as are necessary for the protection of life and liberty.
Move On Up Mississippi Offers Assistance to Families Affected by COVID-19 moveonupms.org/COVIDhelp, COVIDhelp@moveonupms.org, 662-234-9300
Treasury pushes tax payment deadline back 90 days due to coronavirus https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/17/politics/irs-extends-tax-payment-deadline-coronavirus/index.html
Why is social distancing so important? This viral ‘Scrubs’ clip will explain — The Today Show https://www.today.com/popculture/why-social-distancing-so-important-viral-scrubs-clip-will-explain-t176106