COVID-19 Response
COVID-19 Response
July 28, 2020
Message from the President: Fall 2020 Transition
Dear Students:
As we prepare to resume in-person classes and operations this fall, we are also carefully monitoring the continued increases in cases of COVID-19 across the state of Mississippi. To help ensure a successful transition, we are adjusting plans to allow a phased transition period before larger in-person course activities take place.
All classes will still begin as scheduled on Monday, August 17, but traditional lecture course work will be delivered remotely for the first three weeks of the semester, with in-person meetings for face-to-face and hybrid lecture classes beginning on Tuesday, September 8.
Do Your Part: Community Standards
USM’s Community Standards will be enforced for all in-person activities. I invite you to view and share this new video:
As a reminder, regardless of whether you will live on or off campus this fall, the University encourages you to self-isolate to the extent possible for 14 days prior to returning to campus, so that when you do return, you are doing so in a manner that is reducing the likelihood of a potential COVID-19 outbreak on our campuses. If you are sick, please do not return to campus, and notify the Dean of Students office of the delay in your anticipated arrival by emailing dosFREEMississippi.
The University will continue to do all that we can to limit the spread of COVID-19, while encouraging your academic success – we will continue to listen to public health experts and implement each measure they recommend. But our collective success is ultimately determined by you, our students. This fall, you must do your part. Your health and your family’s health depend on it. The health of your classmates depends on it. The health of the entire University of Southern Mississippi community depends on it.
Thank you for your commitment to your success and the success of The University of Southern Mississippi. Our University’s history is rich with stories of students, faculty and staff who have embraced challenge, persevered and succeeded. I know that you will once again rise above the significant obstacles before us.
To The Top – Together,
Rodney D. Bennett
President