University News
Johnson & Johnson Vaccine Administration Update
In an abundance of caution and following guidance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the university suspended its administration of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine on campus this week. All appointments involving the J&J vaccine scheduled for this week were canceled.
As of April 12, 6.8 million doses of the J&J vaccine have been administered in the United States. The CDC & FDA are reviewing data involving six reported U.S. cases of a rare and severe type of blood clot in individuals after receiving the vaccine. Right now, these adverse events appear to be extremely rare. If you have any specific concerns you would like to discuss, please call Student Health (662-915-7274) or Employee Health (662-915-6550), or your primary healthcare provider.
Guidance About Vaccination Status
Current guidance considers an individual’s vaccination status protected health information. As a result, individuals should not be asked about vaccination status. The university continues to encourage everyone on campus to follow protocols for the spaces in which they work or study to prevent the virus from spreading. If the protocols for a particular space are unclear, please email c19@olemiss.edu. University officials will continue to follow developments and guidance on vaccination status and disclosure.
Upcoming Dates for Free Asymptomatic Testing
The university will continue offering free asymptomatic testing for the final two weeks of April. For the week of April 19, testing is available at the University-Oxford Depot on the following days and times:
- Monday, April 19: 1-5 p.m.
- Tuesday, April 20: 1-5 p.m.
- Wednesday, April 21: 8:30 a.m.-12 noon
To schedule your test, text “2020” to 833-991-3009 OR click on this link
University COVID-19-Related News Stories
- Jackson Free Clinic gives vulnerable patients shot at COVID-19 vaccine
- University offers on-campus and online summer camp options for K-12
- Digital production showcases stage, screen talents of UM students
Student News
Academic Support Programs
Academic Support Programs offer the following services to students:
- academic consultations
- note-taking advice
- test-prep strategies
- freshmen student coaches
- study skills workshops
- quiet study areas (8 a.m.–5 p.m.)
Visit the office in Johnson Commons East or online.
Library Hours During Finals
- April 18, 12 noon-12 midnight
- April 19-22, 7:30 a.m.-12 midnight
- April 23, 7:30 a.m.-10 midnight
- April 24, 12 noon-10 midnight
- April 25, 12 noon-12 midnight
- April 26-29, 7:30 a.m.-12 midnight
- April 30, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Upcoming Events
For additional events and activities, check out registered student events in The ForUM.
- April 15: SAA Fair Day
- April 15: Intramural Laser Tag
- April 15: OFF to the Drive-In: “Roll Red Roll”
- April 16: Sushi-Rolling Class
- April 16: Sigma Nu Charity Bowl 7v7 Flag Football Tournament
- April 16: Ole Miss Student Dance Presents: Relentless
- April 16: Flagship Friday Movie Night
- April 16: American Cancer Society Night of Hope
- April 16: OFF to the Drive-In: “Get On Up” and “42”
- April 17: UM Film Festival
- April 18: Theatre Oxford’s annual 10-Minute Play Contest and Festival
- April 20: Plant with a Purpose
- April 20: Mental Health at Swayze Field
- April 21: Tie-Dye and Good Vibes
- April 22-May 16: Pop Up Oxford
- April 24: Grove Bowl
Faculty and Staff
Wellness Benefit for Faculty and Staff
RebelWell and the Division of Outreach partnered with BurnAlong to offer eligible faculty and staff members an additional platform to manage many aspects of wellness (including nutrition, mindfulness, and sleep) while staying connected to co-workers, colleagues, friends and family. RebelWell and the Division of Outreach are taking care of the cost of BurnAlong for you and up to four members of your friends and family. Create your account today to take advantage of this benefit. For more information, visit this page or email rebelwell@olemiss.edu.
UM Museum 2021 Summer Camps
The UM Museum is offering fun-filled outdoor summer camps for children with the following protocols:
- All “Summer Camp: Outdoors!” sessions will be held outside.
- Masks are to be worn by teachers and students at all times.
- Class sizes have been decreased to help with social distancing.
- Students and teachers will practice social distancing.
- Snack service has been discontinued. Parents who wish to send their child with a snack and drink may do so, keeping in mind we continue to maintain a nut-free environment.
- Each camp member will receive an individual artbox with individual art supplies.
- Summer Camp teachers and staff are responsible for deep cleaning before and after each program, as well as ensuring proper CDC policies and procedures are followed during all of our museum programs.
For more information, visit this page.
Other Things to Know
CDC News and Resources
- Joint CDC and FDA Statement on Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 Vaccine
- Frequently Asked Questions about COVID-19 Vaccination
- Post-COVID Conditions
- Health Equity in Action
Mississippi News and Resources
- MSDH reported the following information for COVID-19 cases in Mississippi as of April 13:
- 275 new cases, 3 new deaths and 19 long-term care facilities outbreaks.
- Mississippi Vaccination Report as of April 14: 1,495,833 total doses administered; 890,180 people receiving at least one dose; 647,387 people fully vaccinated; and 1,784,175 vaccine doses distributed.
- Vaccination appointments for 16- and 17-year-olds at free drive-thru sites: Parents can now schedule an appointment online for those under 18. A parent or guardian must accompany them to their vaccination appointment. (MSDH)
- ‘A saving grace’: How escaping to nature helped these Southerners cope with the pandemic (Clarion Ledger)
- Summer camps return across Mississippi (Daily Journal)
National News Stories and Other Resources
- How epidemiologists are planning to vacation with their unvaccinated kids (NYT)
- The woman who laid the groundwork for mRNA vaccines (NYT)
- The time has come to start training the pets for your return to work (CNN)
- New York ends requirement to quarantine for international travelers, but recommends they still do so. (NYT)
On the Lighter Side
- Nothing cuter than a bucket of puppies (Good News Network)
- 7 ancient sites some people think were built by aliens … they weren’t (National Geographic)
- New photo of the Veil Nebula shows incredible detail (PetaPixel)
- Top 10 Species Discovered in 2020 Include a Harry Potter Snake and Desert-Dwelling Broccoli (Good News Network)
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
Studies and Surveys
- College Student COVID-19 Impact Survey: The university is collaborating with researchers at Columbia University on a national College Student COVID-19 Impact Survey to understand how the pandemic has affected undergraduate students’ health and decisions-making. For more information and to take the online survey: https://www.collegecovid19impactstudy.com/