COVID-19 Protocols
Effective Wednesday, May 18, 2022, face coverings are no longer required in instructional and health care settings, in addition to other public spaces.
Per CDC guidance, individuals with symptoms, a positive test, or exposure to someone with COVID-19 should wear a mask. Individuals may choose to mask at any time. View CDC Use and Care of Masks for more information.
All eligible students, faculty, and staff are strongly urged to get a COVID-19 vaccination and all applicable boosters.
Protocols last updated May 18, 2022
Community Standards
- Do Your Part: Follow Current Community Standards.
Community Standards last updated May 24, 2022
Prevention
- Get Your Vaccine and Your Booster
- Wear Your Face Covering
- Keep Your Distance
- Wash Your Hands
- Monitor Your Health
- Stay Home except to get medical care.
- Isolate Yourself from others.
- Call Ahead to Student Health Services at Moffitt Health Center or to your primary care physician.
- The University's COVID-19 Response Status has moved to Green, which means the University is operating under normal procedures on all campuses, teaching, and research sites.
- University of Southern Mississippi faculty have launched a free, online public course that assists in understanding COVID-19 and related pandemic topics. Each module is presented in a video format by a USM faculty member whose expertise and academic focus is on the given topic. Access the course.
- Eligible students may now apply for the laptop loan program, which is made possible
through the generosity of the USM Foundation as well as an allocation from CARES funding.
- Loaner laptops are available on both the Gulf Park and Hattiesburg campuses and must be picked up in person at the respective campus.
- Students must be enrolled full-time and have a valid USM ID. Priority will be given to students who have no technology available to them off campus.
- To request a laptop, log in to the online application with your USM SOAR credentials and complete the application.
- Laptops must be returned at the end of the current semester.
- For Students
- For immediate relief in managing stressors, try Eagle Cares.
- Student Counseling Services remains available to assist students who may be feeling anxiety related to COVID-19
or social isolation.
- Counselors are available remotely for students who are currently residing in Mississippi.
- Counselors will assist students who are currently residing out-of-state with finding resources where they are located.
- Students may call 601.266.4829 for assistance during normal business hours.
- For after-hours and weekend emergencies, call 601.606.4357.
- More information is available on the Student Counseling Services website.
- For Benefit-Eligible Employees
- USM’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP), GuidanceResources, has a Coronavirus (COVID-19) resources toolkit available online. Access instructions for benefit-eligible employees and their dependents are available on the Human Resources website.
- Remember, benefit eligible employees and members of their household have telephonic access to talk to a counselor, financial advisor or legal advisor: 800.272.7255.