University News
Winter Weather and University Closure
The Oxford campus of the University of Mississippi will be closed Thursday (2/18) and Friday (2/19) due to the winter weather impacting the region and travel conditions on roadways. Face-to-face, hybrid, and remote classes will continue to be conducted virtually where possible throughout the week. Instructors will contact their students with additional guidance and details.
Employees who are able to telecommute are encouraged to do so throughout the week. Supervisors and employees are asked to connect to make determinations based on any extenuating circumstances, such as power outages, lack of internet and others. Additional guidance for faculty and staff regarding telecommuting, meetings and events can be found here.
Any additional changes made to the campus schedule will be posted at emergency.olemiss.edu. Messages may also be sent using RebAlert, email, and Twitter (@RebAlert).
Asymptomatic Testing Canceled This Week
Due to winter weather and the resulting closure of the UM Oxford campus on Thursday (2/18) and Friday (2/19), the university’s Asymptomatic Testing this week is cancelled. Testing will resume next week at the University-Oxford Depot on the following regularly scheduled days:
- Monday and Tuesday from 1–5 p.m.
- Wednesday from 8:30 a.m.–12 noon
To schedule your test for next week:
- Text “2020” to 833-991-3009 OR click on this link.
- Complete the Testing Intake Form
- You will receive a confirmation # to present at the testing site
- Show up with your University-affiliated ID any day, any time during testing hours that week.
Visit the Asymptomatic Testing page for additional information.
Dining Services
Dining Services continue to operate to serve on-campus residents. Rebel Market will be open from 10 a.m.–1:30 p.m. and 3:30–8 p.m. The Towers Grill at Martin and Stockard residence halls will be open from 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Visit the Dining Services website for the most up-to-date information.
Athletics
Ole Miss men’s basketball home game vs. LSU and Ole Miss women’s basketball game at Arkansas, both scheduled for Thursday, have both been postponed.
University Health Services
Due to flooding caused by a broken water pipe, University Health Services will be closed Thursday and Friday. Employees and students with scheduled appointments will receive a call or email to reschedule. We appreciate your patience.
Oxford-University Transit — OUT Bus
Due to treacherous road conditions, OUT buses will not be running Thursday, Feb. 18. Visit the OUT website for additional updates.
Virtual Teaching During Weather Disruptions
During weather disruptions, faculty face uncertainty about whether it is possible to teach. Guidelines from the Office of the Provost encourage teaching remotely where possible while campus remains closed. Please see these tips from Keep Teaching.
University COVID-19-related News Stories
- COVID-19-linked brain disorder compels victim to tell his story
- Music Department partners with orchestra for remote recording
Other Things to Know
CDC news and resources
Mississippi news and resources
- The Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) reported the following information for COVID-19 in Mississippi for Feb. 16: 684 new cases, 23 new deaths and 112 long-term care facilities outbreaks.
- Update on the Oxford Vaccination Site located at the National Guard Armory
- Oxford Dine-In Curbside Pick-up & Delivery Options for Hot Food (The Local Voice)
- MSDH confirms the first case of a COVID-19 variant strain in a Mississippi resident
- The state continues offering COVID-19 vaccination appointments at MSDH drive-thru sites based on the number of vaccines allocated to Mississippi each week by the federal government. Appointment availability and scheduling can be completed through one of the following:
- MSDH COVID-19 Vaccination Drive-Thru Scheduler application
- COVID-19 Vaccine Call Center: 877-978-6453 or 601-965-4071
National news stories and other resources
- The U.S. Chamber of Commerce launched the COVID-19 Vaccines Digital Resource Center to help business leaders and associations navigate vaccine questions.
- When Can I Be a House Guest Again? (NYT)
On the lighter side
- Snow Days, Snow Bear (Memphis Zoo)
- 52 Places to Love in 2021 (NYT)
- Smaller Cakes, Shorter Dresses, Bigger Diamonds: The Pandemic is Shaking Up the $73 Billion Wedding Industry (The Washington Post)
- The Detail that Unlocks the Mona Lisa (BBC)
- I’m not jumping first (BBCearth Instagram)
Quick links
- UM Vaccine Information Page
- UM COVID-19 Daily Symptom Checker
- UM confirmed COVID-19 cases among employees and students
- UM COVID-19 Dashboard
- MSDH Free COVID-19 Testing for faculty, staff and students
- Information for Students and Families
- Information for Faculty
- Information for Staff
- SAA-sponsored Student Activities Around Campus
- Frequently Asked Questions
- City of Oxford Upcoming Events