Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)

University of Mississippi

Official University Messages

10 Things You Need to Know for Fall 2020

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All students have an essential role to play in slowing the spread of the coronavirus. All day, every day. On-campus and off-campus.

Dear Students,

Let me get right to the point – we need your help. The entire student body has an essential role to play in slowing the spread of the coronavirus. All day, every day … on campus and off campus – students are expected to follow campus protocols and public health best practices. Hold yourself and your peers accountable to slow the spread of COVID-19 on our campus and in our community by following these steps for a safer fall 2020:

  1. Wear a mask! Properly wearing a mask (covering both the nose and mouth) is vitally important both on and off campus. The university requires students, employees and visitors to wear a face mask or cloth face covering in all indoor spaces on campus. Masks are also required outside when social distancing can’t be maintained. If your mask is reusable, wash it! Students who forget their mask may pick one up at the Student Union, the J.D. Williams Library or the Welcome Center.
  2. Avoid parties and large gatherings. I know, it’s college, but there will be time in the future to gather with friends. If you socialize with a large group now, you may infect another person’s parent, family member or someone with a compromised immune system. You may unintentionally infect your closest friends. Consider how your actions can harm others when you make decisions about off-campus activities. And remember, current executive orders for social gatherings are 10 people indoors and 20 people outdoors, but mask wearing and social distancing is still essential.
  3. Use the Daily Symptom Checker before heading out every morning. The symptom checker and many other COVID-19 resources are available on our COVID-19 website.
  4. Call Student Health if you test positive. Students must report positive tests to Student Health at 662-915-7274. The anonymity and confidentiality of persons with COVID-19 will be protected during this process. Student Health will collaborate with the Mississippi Department of Health for contact tracing.
  5. All students must complete the Campus Ready Student Module, found in Blackboard under “Courses,” by Sunday, Aug. 23. This training module outlines required safety measures and how students can protect themselves and others.
  6. All students are strongly encouraged to visit the COVID-19 Student Action Response Tier webpage, which details the expectations for conduct and behavior as well as potential disciplinary referrals for students and residents who do not meet these expectations. The behavior regulations apply to students and residents both on and off campus, student organizations, events and activities on and off campus, and when riding transportation provided by the OUT and university entities.
  7. Hold yourself and your friends accountable to help stop the spread of COVID-19. All students are invited to take the voluntary “Are You Ready?” Pledge to act with our community’s health and safety in mind. The pledge was written by University of Mississippi student leaders to unite the UM family in the fight against COVID-19. Take the pledge here!
  8. Keep Learning! The Keep Learning website provides advice, resources, points of contact for academic questions, and strategies for successful remote learning, whether you’re studying on or off campus. Student Zoom Stations are available for students on campus who need a place to Zoom for an hour or two for a remote or hybrid course. These spaces are designed for students to bring their computer and sit at a desk/table to Zoom for a course. They are not designed as study stations, but rather as a place to join a Zoom call for a course while on campus. A list of spaces with the number of Zoom stations available is listed below. Students may also use the Wi-Fi in the Grove and other outdoor spaces, or in some classrooms/buildings that may not be occupied. Students should remember to follow all safety protocols while Zooming, including wearing a mask and physical distancing.
    • Tad Smith Coliseum (20 spaces)
    • Yerby Lobby Area (22 spaces)
    • Lamar 208 (8 spaces)
    • Lamar 315 (8 spaces)
    • Hume 113 (9 spaces)
    • Bondurant E114 (5 spaces)
    • Bondurant 116W (10 spaces)
  9. Get involved! Check out the ForUM, where you can find unique activities that are both virtual and in person. You can also head to Whirlpool Trails for a walk or enjoy the new state-of-the-art South Campus Recreation Center.
  10. Care packages are available to everyone on campus! Pick up your free care package, which includes a mask, hand sanitizer, gloves and health information Monday, Aug. 24 through Wednesday, Aug. 26 between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. at any of the following locations: UM School of Law, Business Row, Student Union, Lamar Hall and the Lyceum Circle.

Be safe. Be responsible.

Charlotte Fant Pegues, Ph.D.
Interim Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs

Are you campus ready?

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Are you Campus ready?

Dear students,

We are now just weeks away from the start of the fall semester and a new academic year. In the 28 years that I’ve been with the University of Mississippi, the Fall 2020 semester is sure to be like no other. Some of us are curious, and maybe a little anxious, about what our campus will look like, while others are counting down to the start of classes. To get a jumpstart on life as an Ole Miss student in the time of COVID, I want to provide you a few handy checklists.

 

START DEVELOPING YOUR “CAMPUS READY” HABITS NOW

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Get comfortable with the Daily Symptom Checker

 

  • Make it a daily habit to check your health status and symptoms, even if you feel healthy. The purpose of this self-checker is to help you know whether you need to seek appropriate medical care.
  • If you develop symptoms or don’t feel well, please stay home and contact your local healthcare provider right away for guidance.

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Practice social distancing

Line drawing of two figures standing apart, text says social distance at least six feet.

  • Inside your home: Avoid close contact with people who are sick. If possible, maintain at least six feet between a person who is sick and other household members.
  • Outside your home: Maintain at least six feet of distance between yourself and people who don’t live in your household.
  • Remember: Wearing a face covering is NOT a substitute for social distancing.

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Wear a face mask or cloth face covering

Line drawing of girl with long hair wearing a face mask, text says wear a mask.

  • The university requires students, employees and visitors to wear a face mask or cloth face covering in all indoor spaces on campus and outdoors when social distancing is not feasible. In the next few weeks, the university will share information about university-provided reusable, cloth face masks.
  • As part of your countdown preparations, start the practice of wearing a mask for extended periods now. In addition to the university’s requirement, the City of Oxford requires everyone to wear a mask or face covering in businesses and restaurants other than while dining.
  • Find a mask that is comfortable for you and covers both your nose and mouth. Follow CDC guidelines for wearing face coverings correctly.

Blue check mark

Practice good hand hygiene

Line drawing of a hand under a water faucet. Text says, Wash hands often with soap for 20 seconds, or use hand sanitizer.

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after you have been in a public place or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.

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Update your cell phone number in myOleMiss (in Contact Information under My Profile)

 

  • Now more than ever, we want to be able to communicate with you in a timely manner.

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Complete the student training module via Blackboard

 

  • In the next two weeks, we’ll launch a COVID-19 training module that all students are required to complete before returning to campus

PACKING FOR THE FALL SEMESTER? MAKE SURE TO INCLUDE THESE ITEMS

  • a thermometer to take your temperature daily,
  • a supply of masks or face coverings that you can wear comfortably for an entire class or longer, and
  • plenty of hand sanitizer — we suggest keeping a bottle in your backpack or purse at all times.

Please remember that Oxford is a small town and certain products may be in short supply, such as hand sanitizer and cleaning supplies, when students return.

TO OUR NEWEST STUDENTS

In Student Housing, procedures are in place for the health and safety of all on-campus residents this year, including social distancing protocols; plexiglass barriers at all front desks; frequent sanitizing of public spaces, traditional hall bathrooms and high-touch surfaces; and, providing hand sanitizer in each lobby. Fall move-in will be August 15-21, and masks must be worn during move-in. Staff will be on-site to assist and answer questions. Student Housing will share additional details through direct communication to all 2020-21 residents.

CAMPUS LIFE CHECKLIST

  • Get involved. Check the status of services, events, activities, and programs across campus. Be sure to check out the videos from Virtual Involvement Week, which feature panels from various student organizations as well as leadership opportunities and campus activities.
  • Campus Recreation facilities and programs opened on July 13 and will be available this fall in accordance with state and local orders. Students can visit the Campus Rec website to learn about facility hours and access, program offerings, and participatory experiences.
  • Student employment opportunities will be available as departments across campus, such as Campus Rec, will hire for staff positions.

We encourage all students to watch this video for answers to top-of-mind questions or review our Campus Ready Plan to familiarize yourself with health and safety protocols for our return. In addition, be on the lookout early next week for more important information to help our community stay healthy.

NOW, DO YOU THINK YOU ARE READY?

If there is one thing to take away from this letter, it is this: It is essential to our success this fall that each student practice the health and safety protocols adopted by the university. If we act responsibly on and off campus, work together (while six feet apart!), wear masks, and practice good hand hygiene, we can combat COVID-19 on our campus. We are eager for your arrival, and we’re here to help. Can’t wait to see all the ways you are going to help make this a wonderful year at Ole Miss!

Hotty Toddy!

Charlotte Fant Pegues, Ph.D.
Interim Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs

Return to Campus Plan for Fall 2020 – Alumni

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July 9, 2020
 
Dear alumni,
 
I hope this letter finds you healthy and well. I’m writing to share information about our “Campus Ready” plan that outlines changes to campus operations for the Fall 2020 semester. While our campus operations and academic protocols might not affect you directly, we recognize that there is great interest in how the university is navigating these very challenging times. In that spirit, we wanted to provide the summary below as well as share links to the plan and other relevant information.

 

While it is as comprehensive of a plan as possible to date, it remains a work-in-progress and will continue to be updated as additional campus protocols are finalized, the pandemic unfolds and updated public health recommendations become available. We remain focused on preserving the on-campus experience, but COVID-19 has forced us to rethink everything we do.

 

We recognize there are questions that we are not able to answer yet, including the impact on events in the fall like football and other sports, tailgating, Homecoming as well as other campus and social events. Throughout the pandemic, we have learned that each day brings new data and information that influences decision making at every level. As information and decisions are refined and finalized, we will continue to share those with our university community. Stay well, and we hope to see you soon.

 

Sincerely,

 

Glenn F. Boyce
Chancellor

 

 

Overview of Return to Campus Plan for Fall 2020

To help prevent the spread of COVID-19 while returning to in-person operations, the university is implementing new protocols and expectations for everyone on campus, a modified academic calendar, new forms of course delivery, mandatory training for employees and students, daily symptom checks and COVID-19 testing and tracing.

 

The university’s guiding principles continue to be preventing the spread of the virus and safeguarding the community; resuming on-campus learning while prioritizing safety and well-being; fulfilling the university’s core mission of education, research and service; and enabling students to maintain academic progress toward their degrees. 

 

The parameters and protocols include maintaining six feet of physical distancing and practicing proper hand hygiene. Face masks or cloth face coverings will be required at most times by faculty, staff, students and visitors, including at all times while indoors and in the presence of anyone else, and while outdoors where maintaining the required six feet of physical spacing is not feasible. 

 

The Fall 2020 semester will begin as scheduled on Aug. 24 with the last day of classes on Nov. 17. Final exams will be held Nov. 18-24. This was done in an effort to mitigate the potential spread of the virus, account for other health threats during the winter and acknowledge the likelihood of increased travel during fall holidays.

 

Classroom capacities will be reduced to comply with CDC and national public health recommendations. This will necessitate some courses to be taught in-person or through a blend of in-person and online instruction, while others will be offered remotely or fully online. The “Campus Ready” plan also includes specific guidance about events, student housing, dining services, fraternity and sorority life, the Student Union, campus transportation and more.

 

The “Campus Ready” plan was developed in alignment with government orders and public health recommendations from the Safe Return order of Gov. Tate Reeves’s reopening plan, the City of Oxford’s Serving Oxford Safely recovery plan, the IHL Safe Start Task Force, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH), and the American College Health Association (ACHA).

 

Quick Links

Return to Campus Plan for Fall 2020 – Parents and Families

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July 9, 2020
 

Dear parents and families,

We hope all of our Ole Miss families have had a good summer so far and that this letter finds you healthy and well. On campus, we have had a busy summer with planning and preparations for the countdown to Fall 2020. I’m writing to share information about a message we sent to faculty, staff and students on June 30 to share the “Campus Ready” plan that outlines changes to campus operations for the Fall 2020 semester.
 
As parents and families, we know you have a great interest in the university’s planning and preparedness during these challenging times. Foremost, we want you to know that every aspect of the “Campus Ready” plan is focused on preventing the spread of the virus to safeguard our community. We have done this in alignment with government orders and public health recommendations from the Safe Return order of Gov. Tate Reeves’s reopening plan, the City of Oxford’s Serving Oxford Safely recovery plan, the IHL Safe Start Task Force, 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 “Campus Ready” plan will be updated as additional campus protocols are finalized, the pandemic unfolds and new information and updated public health recommendations are made available. In the plan, you will find extensive information on student responsibilities ranging from the expectation to wear a face mask or cloth face covering to how courses will be delivered. Below you will find links to topics most relevant to your student.
One area in particular I’d like to highlight is how social distancing guidelines will impact the classroom experience. In order to comply with public health recommendations of maintaining six or more feet from others, we have to reduce the capacity of classrooms and other learning spaces. This means that courses will be offered in four different delivery modes — you can read detailed descriptions of these delivery modes here.
 
Regardless of the delivery method this fall, I want to emphasize that students will continue to learn from outstanding faculty and will participate in amazing academic programs. The University of Mississippi is one of the best values in higher education, and our faculty are working hard to ensure that courses this fall are valuable and provide the same student outcomes, whether they are offered in a remote format or a face-to-face format. And all of our programs will continue to meet the accreditation standards and prepare students for their next educational experience or a career in their chosen field.
 
As we work hard to maintain a healthy campus environment this fall, we are very appreciative of your support in understanding what is expected of our students as outlined in the “Campus Ready” plan and in emphasizing the importance of compliance. If we cannot achieve full compliance with the protocols across our entire community and the university experiences prolific spread of the virus, we will have no choice but to scale back on-campus operations and take more strict measures to prevent further spread. If all members of our community do their part to prevent the virus from spreading, our level of activity on campus can be greater.
 
We know it is a lot to take in, but we are here to answer your questions, and we will be here to support your student through all of it this fall.
 
Stay well and Hotty Toddy!

Glenn F. Boyce
Chancellor

Campus Ready: Return to Campus Plan for Fall 2020

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June 30, 2020
Dear faculty, staff and students,
This message marks the release of the university’s “Campus Ready” plan that outlines how we will operate for the Fall 2020 semester. The plan is the product of extensive and exhaustive planning efforts designed to resume daily operations and return to instruction on campus safely. As a result, this message is lengthy and backed by additional supporting documentation in an effort to share with you what is known now and identify what remains to be determined.

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