Editor’s note: Following today’s issue, the university’s COVID-19 newsletter will be published only as-needed until further notice. It is our hope that there will no longer be a need for this publication; however, we remain committed to keeping the campus community updated on information relevant for our students, faculty and staff.
An Appreciation from Provost Wilkin
When we moved off campus in March 2020, the importance of communicating with our community became a top priority. There was an overwhelming amount of COVID-19 response information to communicate, and there also was a need to help guide people to all types of information: information about the campus, information about recent events, government guidance, news on cases, news on vaccines, news about events, testing information, etc.
Lisa Stone, Director of Strategic Communications in University Marketing & Communications, proposed what is now the COVID-19 newsletter. It started as a daily email newsletter early in the pandemic, then evolved into a weekly newsletter that has kept our community informed and connected to this day. It includes sections tailored for faculty, staff, and students and is emailed to everyone across campus. It has been a key mechanism to keep our community connected.
It was an incredible amount of work to curate the information, ensure accuracy, and seek out news, videos, or blogs that were not just about COVID-19. Lisa was the driving force, the curator, the researcher, the writer, and the editor. I was amazed at the amount of information that she was able to find and include that also served a key purpose to uplift, distract, or simply make us laugh. I cannot fully express the appreciation that I have for the tireless and persistent effort she exerted to make this happen.
On the occasion of the last COVID-19 newsletter, I hope you will join me in saying THANK YOU, Lisa! Thank you for being there for us week in and week out.
Sincerely,
Noel E. Wilkin, Ph.D.
Provost & Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs
University News
Make Your Vaccine Plan
The university continues to encourage all faculty, staff and students who have not yet scheduled a vaccination appointment to do so using one of the following options:
- MSDH COVID-19 Vaccination Drive-Thru Scheduler application
- COVID-19 Vaccine Call Center, 877-978-6453 or 601-965-4071
- Local Vaccination Providers
- Visit VaccineFinder.org to identify vaccination providers nationally
Stop by for help with scheduling a vaccine appointment!
Ole Miss student pharmacists will be posted across campus over the next two weeks to help anyone find and schedule a local vaccine appointment, or answer questions about the vaccine. Stop by one of these locations for help or questions:
- Thursday, April 29, 11:30 a.m-1:30 p.m. in the lobby of The Inn at Ole Miss
- Monday, May 3, 11:30 a.m-1:30 p.m. on the patio of the Jackson Ave. Center
- Wednesday, May 5, 9:30-11:30 a.m. in the John W. White shop (Facilities Management)
Please email c19@olemiss.edu with questions.
University COVID-19-Related News Stories
Students
Ole Miss Bookstore Rental Returns and Book Buybacks
Ole Miss Bookstore rental returns and book buy backs will take place April 26-May 7. Students must show their student ID to participate in buyback. For updated information on rental returns and book buybacks from the Ole Miss Bookstore, visit this page for information on how to return books free by shipping via UPS.
Extended Hours at UM Libraries During Finals Week
UM Libraries hours during Finals Week are listed below. Remember: Face masks must be worn properly in the library buildings at all times.
J.D. Williams Library
April 29: 7:30 a.m.-12 midnight
April 30: 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
Science Library
April 29: 8 a.m.-8 p.m.
April 30: 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Upcoming Events
For additional events and activities, check out registered student events in The ForUM.
- April 22-May 16: Pop Up Oxford
- April 30: Historic Double Decker Bus Tour
- May 1: 2021 Commencement Convocation
- May 1: Tunes Around Town
- May 7: Historic Double Decker Bus Tour
- May 8: 2020 Commencement Convocation
OFF to the Drive-In
- April 30, 7:20 p.m. — “The Princess and the Frog”
- April 30, 9:40 p.m. — “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom”
- May 1, 7:30 p.m. — “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom”
- May 2, 7:20 p.m. — “The Princess and the Frog”
Faculty & Staff
Presentation on College Students’ Decision-Making During COVID-19
You can now view the presentation delivered April 16 by Drs. Larkin McReynolds and Lawrence Amsel of Columbia University to the University of Mississippi on preliminary findings of the “National College Student COVID-19 Impact Study.” This work has been supported by members of the UM Department of Psychology, Disaster Sciences Interdisciplinary Minor, Disaster Resilience Constellation, and the Chancellor’s Wellness Challenge.
Other Things to Know
CDC News and Resources
- CDC Recommends Use of Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine Resume
- Safer Ways to Celebrate Spring Events and Holidays
- Fully Vaccinated Adults 65 and Older Are 94% Less Likely to Be Hospitalized with COVID-19
Mississippi News and Resources
- MSDH reported the following information for COVID-19 cases in Mississippi as of April 27:
- 334 new cases, 5 new deaths and 28 long-term care facilities outbreaks.
- Mississippi Vaccination Report as of April 28: 1,669,274 total doses administered; 943,276 people receiving at least one dose; 769,013 people fully vaccinated; and 1,926,505 vaccine doses distributed.
- MS Health Alert: MSDH Recommendations for Utilization of Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 Vaccine Doses
National News Stories and Other Resources
- Vaccinated Americans don’t need masks outdoors in small groups or when biking and running, the C.D.C. says. (NYT)
- Anxious? Here are simple things to do to help ease back into socializing at the office (CNN)
- Six vaccinated medical experts reveal their summer travel plans (MSNBC)
- E.U. Set to Let Vaccinated U.S. Tourists Visit This Summer (NYT)
On the Lighter Side
- CNBC’s Shepard Smith is rolling up his sleeves for science, for family, for traveling… and for being in a stadium, cheering on his Ole Miss Rebels
- LEGO Fan Festival comes to Jackson for first time (WAPT)
- Snoozing Baby Panda (NatGeoTravel Instagram)
Quick Links