Face Coverings Required in Instructional and Healthcare Settings
Effective as of Feb. 14, 2022, the university requires face coverings only in instructional areas and healthcare settings, regardless of vaccination status. This includes classrooms and other academic spaces like laboratories, studios and testing centers as well as healthcare settings such as University Health Services.
Face coverings will not be required in other public spaces such as residence halls, libraries, dining facilities, the Student Union, Campus Recreation facilities, retail spaces, offices, conference rooms or extracurricular activities held in indoor on-campus spaces.
For additional details, read the message from Chancellor Glenn Boyce.
Students Apply Now for HEERF III Funds
Limited funds remain to be awarded through the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund III (HEERF III) for the Spring 2022 semester — students APPLY NOW for financial aid assistance related to COVID-19. University of Mississippi students should complete the application form (you must be a student to access this form). Visit this page for details about eligibility and requirements.
Updated Guidance for Events and Extracurricular Activities
University departments and registered student organizations (RSOs) may arrange events, gatherings and extracurricular activities and are encouraged to consult these suggestions and recommendations when hosting events and activities on campus and off-campus:
- If feasible, encourage individuals to maintain social distancing when indoors and outdoors. In particular, physical distancing is recommended for indoor events and extracurricular activities (capacity of space should allow for 6 feet distancing or 3 feet distancing for classroom-style seated events).
- Food service recommended to be grab and go or served; not buffet style.
- List of attendees is recommended to assist with potential contact tracing.
- Transportation: Masks required per CDC guidance (vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals).
Registered Student Organizations (RSOs) must submit their in-person events (all in-person meetings, programs, events and activities) through The ForUM and must comply with the University of Mississippi’s event registration policy https://union.olemiss.edu/about-event-registration/
For additional information, visit this page.
Free COVID-19 Testing at Depot
Get a free COVID-19 PCR testing at the University-Oxford Depot on campus by texting “2020” to 833-991-3009 OR clicking on this link: http://86borders.com/l/68415e8f. Testing is offered Monday through Friday, 3-7 p.m., and Saturdays, noon-4 p.m.
Featured FAQ: With the updated face covering requirement on campus as of Feb. 14, can I ask visitors to wear a mask while meeting in a private office? Yes, faculty and staff may require face coverings for visits to their private offices.
News Stories and Resources
- Choosing Your COVID-19 Booster Shot (CDC)
- Self-Testing Videos: Manufacturer instructions for doing rapid COVID-19 tests (CDC)
- Hal’s St. Paddy’s Parade & Festival returns March 26 after COVID hiatus (UMMC)
- Mississippi public schools finally getting reprieve from omicron’s wake (Clarion Ledger)
- Oral antivirals could tackle COVID cases in Mississippi (Oxford Eagle)
- You think you had COVID during the omicron wave but aren’t sure. You still have ways to find out (Seattle Times)
- When moms get vaccinated during pregnancy, babies get protection too, study shows (NPR)
COVID-19 Data
- MSDH reported the following information for COVID-19 cases in Mississippi (as of Feb. 15):
- 1,062 new cases, 75 new deaths and 197 long-term care facilities outbreaks.
- Mississippi Vaccination Report (as of Feb. 15):
- 3,696,272 total doses administered; 1,723,729 people receiving at least one dose; and 1,502,479 people fully vaccinated.
- Lafayette County: 71,625 Total Doses Administered; 29,425 People Fully Vaccinated, 54% of Total Population Fully Vaccinated.
Quick Links