University News
New subcommittee added to Future Planning Task Force
As part of the university’s Future Planning Task Force, a new Public Education and Awareness Subcommittee is forming to promote and drive adoption of the operational parameters and protocols needed to protect the health and safety of all members of the university community and its visitors.
The subcommittee includes academic and campus administrators and faculty members with relevant fields of expertise, Student Affairs program leaders, Marketing & Communications professionals and leaders from student organizations. The subcommittee is co-chaired by Natasha Jeter, assistant vice chancellor for wellness and student success, and Jim Zook, chief marketing and communications officer.
University COVID-19-related news stories
- In response to COVID-19, many UM graduate programs waive admission test requirements
- UM offering virtual team-building sessions
- Obstacles can’t keep UMMC’s Class of 2020 from crossing the finish line
- UMMC tests 15,000 for COVID-19, expands testing to other groups
Students
Other Things to Know
Gov. Tate Reeves has issued additional executive orders related to COVID-19:
- May 22: Executive Order 1487 allowing school sports training programs to resume and outdoor parks to reopen with limitations
- May 22: Executive Order 1488 extending the “Safer at Home” order until Jun 1
On May 21, the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning passed a resolution stating the Board’s intention that all eight public universities resume traditional operations on their campuses in Fall 2020.
UMMC and MSDH are hosting mobile COVID-19 sample collection sites. The appointment-only testing is free of charge. Anyone experiencing symptoms related to COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, who wants to be tested must first undergo a free screening from a UMMC clinician through the C Spire Health UMMC Virtual COVID-19 Triage telehealth smartphone app. Those without a smartphone can call 601-496-7200.
- May 28: Carriere, Pearl River County Health Dept.
- May 28: Starkville, Oktibbeha County Safe Room
- May 29: Jackson, New Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church
- May 30: Lucedale, George County Fairgrounds
- May 30: Carthage, Red Water Facility Building
- June 1: Dekalb, Kemper County High School
- June 1: Sardis, Fred’s
- June 2: McComb, Pike County Health Department
Oxford Film Festival presents the 5th Virtual Film Fest Week (May 22-29)
On the Lighter Side:
- Interested in learning how to knit your own socks, make cheese or grow medicinal herbs during your home quarantine? You’re not alone. The New York Times shares an article about “How-To Books for an Age of Insecurity.”
- J.K. Rowling, author of the Harry Potter series, is publishing installments of a new fairy tale in hopes of easing the burdens of lockdown on young readers.
- Pizza Hut is giving away 500,000 free pizzas to celebrate the class of 2020.
There are university studies and surveys underway that welcome your participation. Below is information how you can learn about them and participate.
- Measurement of COVID-19 Health Impact (MOCHI): uofmississippi.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_4O5zfNRsjf0zF65