Spring Break Student Safety

Important Message - March 10, 2020

Dear Students,

The University of Southern Mississippi is taking measures to help protect our students and our campuses from the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19).  This is a critical public health issue; we urge you to take it seriously and read this message in its entirety.

We strongly recommend that you do not travel this year for Spring Break.  If travel is unavoidable, we ask that you register your travel plans in case the University needs to contact you.

Register Personal Travel (Student)

You should be aware that upon your return, you may be required to self-isolate for 14 days, given the rapidly changing circumstances.

We urge you to use the utmost caution when planning any type of travel.  Students should consider their own health status and reports for specific travel destinations before making plans for personal travel, recognizing that the status of Coronavirus in the United States continues to change.  Students are also encouraged to consider health, age, and medical conditions that may impact family members and others with whom they may interact when they return.

Residence halls will remain open during Spring Break for students who live on campus.

The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to the virus. Based on the recommendations of healthcare providers, preventive actions to help limit the spread of respiratory diseases include:

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
• Follow CDC recommendations for using a face mask. Face masks should be used by people who are ill to prevent the spread of the disease to others and for healthcare workers who are taking care of ill patients.
• Wash your hands often with soap & water for at least 20 seconds OR use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.

Regardless of your Spring Break plans, we want you to be healthy, stay connected, and continue to learn. Make good choices, take care of yourself and others, and use common sense.

Each of us has a responsibility to do our part to keep our University community safe.  Join me and other members of our Golden Eagle family in continuing to read all official communications regarding this issue and act accordingly.

With so much information on social media and in the news, I understand that you may be feeling anxiety and stress.  Please be aware that rumors and inaccurate information are spread easily on social media, and you should rely on official University updates for the most accurate and timely information. We encourage you to frequently visit the University's official COVID-19 website for official updates.

For questions, please contact the Dean of Students office at 601.266.6028.

 

Dee Dee Anderson, Ed.D.

Vice President for Student Affairs