Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the university’s “Campus Ready” plan has relied on public health recommendations and direction from local, state and federal governing bodies. As the pandemic and those recommendations have evolved, our response and planning has been and will continue to be driven by the following guiding principles:
- Mitigate the spread of the virus to safeguard our community,
- Provide an on-campus learning, residential and working environment that prioritizes the safety and well-being of the campus population,
- Fulfill our core mission of education, research, and service, and
- Enable our students to maintain progress toward earning their degrees.
The university’s Future Planning Task Force continues to rely on guidance and recommendations from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH), and the American College Health Association (ACHA).
The biggest differentiating factor from our original “Campus Ready” plan to this update for Fall 2021 is the prolific availability of effective, safe and free vaccines. The opportunities and mechanisms for individuals to take the necessary precautions to prevent getting COVID and from having significant health consequences continue to be widely available and accessible, including on campus and in Oxford. The university continues to monitor the health and safety of our campus community and adapt, if necessary, to comply with government orders and public health guidance. The “Campus Ready” plan will be updated as needed.