Official University Messages

[Read more…] about Return to Work on Campus Overview

May 19, 2020

Dear students, faculty and staff,

With the Spring 2020 semester now behind us, we look to the summer and the planning necessary for the Fall 2020 semester. In that light, I’m writing to share an update on planning efforts underway to guide the university as we continue to navigate the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

[Read more…] about Message about Future Planning Task Force

May 5, 2020

Dear Resident,

We hope you and your family have been safe and healthy. While we could not have anticipated your time in Student Housing would be cut short, we truly hope you enjoyed your experience living on America’s most beautiful campus this year. We appreciate your patience, understanding and cooperation over recent weeks as we continue to keep the health and safety of our community at the forefront of our planning and decisions.

We have established a detailed plan for Spring 2020 checkout based on three priorities:

1. Maintain the health of our students, guests, and staff by adhering to guidelines set forth by the CDC and the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) regarding social distancing and large group gatherings.
2. Provide you with recommendations for ways in which you can be prepared prior to your arrival on campus for Spring 2020 checkout.
3. Make the checkout process as easy as possible given the current circumstances.

Checkout Procedures

You will need to schedule your checkout date and time. Appointments are available in two-hour increments from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. CDT from Monday, May 11 through Sunday, May 31. A limited number of students will be able to select each appointment time in keeping with CDC guidelines of limiting the number of people in a single area at one time.

You will be permitted to enter the residence hall only during your confirmed appointment time. Only you and two additional guests will be permitted. Overnight stays are not permitted.

To schedule a checkout appointment

1. Log-in to the Student Housing Portal (where you completed online forms and your application).
2. Choose “Spring 2020 Checkout” from the top red menu bar.
3. The Appointments page will appear and default to the first available day of appointments. Use the calendar drop-down options or the day-to-day scrolling option located under “Please book an appointment for yourself” to search for your preferred day and time. (Note: If your preferred day or time is not listed, that means no appointments are available at that time.)
4. After selecting your appointment, scroll to the bottom and click the “Save & Continue” button to confirm your time. You will receive an email confirmation of your appointment, sent to your Ole Miss Gmail. If you do not receive a confirmation email, please log back into the portal to finalize any items.

*IMPORTANT: The Student Housing Portal has a limit to the number of students that can be logged in at one time. If you receive an error message, please be patient and check again at a later time to select your checkout appointment.

To change your checkout appointment

1. Log-in to the Student Housing Portal
2. Choose “Spring 2020 Checkout” from the top red menu bar.
3. The Appointments page will appear and you will see your current appointment information under “My Appointments.” Click on the “Cancel” button next to your current appointment and click “Ok” to confirm you want to cancel.
4. Select a new appointment time and click “Save & Continue” to confirm your new appointment time. You will once again receive an email confirmation, sent to your Ole Miss Gmail.
5. Appointment times can be changed up to one (1) hour before your confirmed time.

At the time of your checkout

• Bring no more than two (2) additional people. Please follow CDC guidelines and do not bring anyone who has a compromised immune system, has been in contact with anybody who may have tested positive, or who has exhibited COVID-19 symptoms within 14 days of your appointment.
• Per CDC and MSDH guidelines, students and guests will need to wear masks or similar face coverings— including homemade masks, scarves, or bandanas.
• Go directly to your building. Access to the building and your room will be provided on your Ole Miss Student ID starting at your appointment time. Please do not arrive earlier than your appointment time. If you arrive early, please remain in your car in the parking lot until your allotted time when you can move closer to the building and to a loading zone.
• Please use the hand sanitizer that will be available in all residence hall lobbies.
• Maintain a safe social distance of at least 6 feet from others who are in the building at the same time as you. Please do not share the elevator with anyone except those with you.
• Take all personal belongings you want from the room to your vehicle and dispose of all trash/perishable items in outdoor dumpsters.
• Remove one (1) Express Checkout form from your door and fill it out, ensuring all sections are complete. It is important that your writing on this form is legible so that we can verify you have checked out. The Express Checkout form will indicate you give permission to Student Housing to dispose of any personal items left in the room.
• Turn in your Express Checkout form to the drop box located at the front desk of each building (for Northgate residents, the RH1 front desk).
• Parking and University Police will be on hand during this time. As long as you are not parked in an illegal parking space, you will not receive a parking ticket.

If you have a compromised immune system, are sick, or cannot return to campus

You can submit a request for someone else to retrieve personal belongings and checkout on your behalf. A Student Housing staff member will be in contact with you to provide further instruction. For any questions about having someone retrieve personal belongings and checkout on your behalf, please email housingrl@olemiss.edu.

For students who are not planning to return to campus to claim their belongings, or students who wish to contract with a company for packing, shipping, or storage options, information and next steps will be posted on the Student Housing website. The packing/shipping, or storage option will be at the expense of the student, and students will contract with the vendor directly.

Recommended Preparations

• Bring your Ole Miss Student ID with you at your scheduled appointment time. This will be used to access your building and room.
• Wear a mask or similar face covering—including homemade mask, scarf, or bandana for each person coming to campus. Nobody will be permitted inside a residence hall without a mask/face covering.
• Be prepared with boxes, tape, and other moving supplies. These items may not be readily available in Oxford.
• Bring a dolly, handcart, or furniture mover to aid in removing large or heavy items.
• Please arrive at your scheduled appointment time and remove your belongings as quickly as possible to remain within your appointment window. Appointment times have been carefully developed to ensure a safe number of people are in each building at one time. Arriving early or staying after your appointment time places everyone in jeopardy.

Contacting Student Housing

Student Housing may experience a high volume of questions and calls during this time. All efforts will be made to respond as quickly as possible; however, responses may be delayed. Student Housing can best be reached through email at housing@olemiss.edu or by calling (662) 915-7328.

We appreciate your patience and cooperation as we work together through this unprecedented event. The University of Mississippi’s highest priority is the health and safety of our students and campus community and, for this reason, a great deal of time and consideration has gone into the planning for Spring 2020 checkout. Our hope is to make this process is smooth and safe for everyone.

Student Housing

April 29, 2020

Dear students, faculty and staff,

The upheaval wrought by the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the daily rhythms of a typically spectacular spring in Oxford, and we feel the impact of all that we are missing. However, more than six weeks into life with virtual operations, the impact of the virus on our nation and the world demonstrates why this upheaval was unavoidable. Our students and faculty have made the most of the past six weeks amid the disruption, and I wish you all the best as you prepare for final exams next week.
[Read more…] about Update on university operations during COVID-19

Apr 20, 2020

Dear University of Mississippi community,

The university remains committed to doing all it can to honor our graduates in person when it is safe for us to come together as a university community. And while we aren’t able to gather in the Grove and at other beautiful venues on our campus right now for traditional pomp and circumstance, we could not let our originally scheduled Commencement Day pass without recognizing the incredible achievements, character and spirit of this class of graduates. [Read more…] about Update on plans for celebrating our graduates