Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)

University of Mississippi

Wednesday, November 18, 2020 COVID-19 updates

University News

Ole Miss Bookstore hours of operation
Current hours: Monday–Friday, 7:30 a.m.–6 p.m. and Saturday 12–5 p.m.
Nov. 25: 7:30 a.m.–2 p.m.
Nov. 26–27: Closed
Nov. 28: Game time vs. Miss. St. will determine hours
Nov. 30–Dec. 11: Monday–Friday 7:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Dec. 5, 12, 19, 25, 26: Closed
Dec. 14–18: 7:30 a.m.–3 p.m.
Dec. 21–24: 10 a.m.–3 p.m., patio entrance and exit
December 28–31: 10 a.m.–3 p.m., patio entrance and exit
Jan. 1, 2 and 9: Closed
Jan. 4–15: 7:30 a.m.–5 p.m.
Jan. 16: Regular hours resume
 
Parking during the winter break and holidays
While administrative offices are open between Nov. 30–Jan. 19, all parking rules and regulations will still be enforced with the following zone exceptions:
  • Park-N-Ride (faculty/staff or student), Student Residential (East, West, Central, South, Campus Walk and Residential Garage), Pavilion Garage, and Commuters permits will be allowed to park in any student zone (residential or commuter).
  • Faculty/staff will be allowed to park in student residential and commuter designated areas.
  • All vehicles parked on campus will still require a parking permit.
Email parking@olemiss.edu with any questions.
 
Transportation update
Park-N-Ride Services Suspended During the Winter Break: The Gold, Silver, and Bronze Lines will not run Nov. 30–Jan. 19. When the Park-N-Ride services are not running, Park-N-Ride permit holders (faculty/staff or student) may park in any student area of campus including student residential and commuter zones. 
City Buses and the Campus Shuttle Rebel Blue Line: The city bus lines, including the Yellow, Green, Red (North and South), Blue (East and West), Hathorn Express, and Old-Taylor Road Express lines will operate on a reduced schedule.  Please visit the OUT Website for details. The campus shuttle line, Rebel Blue, will not operate Nov. 30–Jan. 19. 
South Oxford Center Connector Shuttle: The SOC shuttle will not operate Nov. 30–Jan. 19.  SOC permit holders (faculty/staff or student) may park in any student area of campus including student residential and commuter zones.
 
University COVID-19-related news stories

Student News

Final exam FAQs
Check out the FAQs about final exams that are posted on the Keep Learning site:
  • Where can I study on campus?
  • I’m really stressed. Where can I get help?
  • What if my final exam is delivered in a different modality?
  • What happens if I have to miss my final exam because I’m sick, quarantined, or experiencing an emergency?
  • What if I have 3 or more final exams on the same day?
Final exams testing support and spaces
The Testing Center is available to assist any student or faculty member with questions about finals. Please email detl@olemiss.edu or call 662-915-1267. Additionally, appointments are available to take remotely proctored finals at the Jackson Avenue Center for any student who would like to have a “test environment” or would like to ensure their laptop and/or Internet connection. Visit the Testing Lab site to make an appointment for lab usage.
Study spaces
College of Liberal Arts classrooms and public spaces are available for individuals or group study sessions during final exams. Lamar Hall floors 1-4 will be open for studying Nov. 17–23 from 7 a.m.–midnight. Grove-side entrance doors only will be open. There will always be security on duty at the building entrance, with several security personnel roaming the halls. 
The J.D. Williams Library will observe the extended hours of: 
  • Monday–Thursday: 7:30 a.m.–10 p.m.
  • Friday: 7:30 a.m.–5 p.m.
  • Saturday: 12 noon–5 p.m. 
  • Sunday: 12 noon–8 p.m.
Staying healthy during exams (Tips from RebelWell)
Finals are a stressful time for students. You are so busy studying and trying to do your best on the exams that you may find yourself pulling all-nighters, loading up on caffeine, skipping meals, and eating junk food. In order to concentrate and perform at your best, your body needs optimal fuel and rest. Check out five tips from RebelWell to keep a healthy mind and body during finals week.
Returning home for the holidays
As students prepare to return home for the holidays, we encourage the following guidance:
  • Tighten your circle of “close contacts” prior to travel,
  • Know the prevalence of COVID-19 at your final destination,
  • Wear a mask consistently,
  • Use hand sanitizer, and
  • Get tested for COVID-19 before leaving to return home.
    • Keep in mind that a negative test is not a license to end other preventative measures such as mask wearing and physical distancing.
Isolation and quarantine space
The Department of Student Housing will continue offering isolation and quarantine spaces to on-campus residents after classes end and through the holiday break. Please contact Student Housing for more information.

Faculty and Staff

Free online holiday decorating class
Get ready to Deck the Halls with fun ideas for designing holiday wreaths, trees, and centerpieces. 
Date: Dec. 2 and 3
Location: Online via Zoom
Time: 12:00 p.m. (CST)
Instructor: Griffin R. Stroupe
Cost: Free
Limited to the first 250 registrants. Zoom link will be provided approximately 2 hours prior to session start time. Classes are intended for participants who are at least 18 years old. Classes are livestreamed but are not recorded and not available after the end of the class session. Live captioning provided upon request. See more information and how to register here.

Other Things to Know

Gov. Tate Reeves issued Executive Order 1530 to extend Executive Order 1525 and Executive Order 1527 until December 11, 2020, and amended the list of counties impacted by Executive Order 1527.
 
On Nov. 17, Dr. Thomas Dobbs of the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) provided an updated COVID-19 Isolation Order and a new COVID-19 Quarantine Order requiring a 14-day quarantine period from last exposure for all household contacts to a person with COVID-19.
 
Marshall’s Mississippi Zoom Tour: An Interview with Dr. LouAnn Woodward (Mississippi Today)
 
CDC confirms masks also protect the wearer, outlines which ones are most effective (Yahoo!)
 
Coronavirus Vaccine Tracker (NYT)
 
Covid Winter Is Coming. Could Humidifiers Help? (Wired)
 
Coronavirus Restrictions and Mask Mandates for All 50 States (NYT)
 
U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation presents Path Forward Special Edition: A Conversation with CDC Director Dr. Robert Redfield on Nov. 19 from 2—3 p.m.
 
On the Lighter Side
 
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