The University of Mississippi

Office of the Chancellor

Letters from the Chancellor

All university employees required to be vaccinated against COVID by Dec. 8

Letters from the Chancellor, Welcome

To all faculty, staff, and student employees,
 
As a major research university, the University of Mississippi receives federal contracts from the U.S. government.  At present, the university is performing work on more than $91 million in active federal contracts.
 
The IHL Board voted earlier today to direct all universities to comply with the terms of an Executive Order issued last month by President Biden on “Ensuring Adequate COVID Safety Protocols for Federal Contractors.” The order requires all federal contractors, such as the university, to comply with the Safer Federal Workforce Task Force’s “COVID-19 Workplace Safety: Guidance for Federal Contractors and Subcontractors.” The task force guidance requires all employees, including graduate and undergraduate student employees, working on or in connection with a federal contract to be vaccinated, and also requires all employees working in a covered contractor workplace to be vaccinated. The definition of the covered contractor workplace as outlined in the task force guidance is broad and covers all buildings and spaces on campus.
 
Time is limited to get vaccinated by deadline
In order to comply with the Executive Order and task force guidance, all University employees (including faculty, staff, graduate and undergraduate student employees) must be fully vaccinated by Dec. 8, 2021.  The task force defined the term “fully vaccinated” as two weeks after receipt of the second shot of a two-dose series, or two weeks after receiving a single-dose vaccine.  Therefore, an employee who is not fully vaccinated at this time needs to receive the first shot of the Moderna vaccine by Oct. 27, the Pfizer vaccine by Nov. 3, and the appropriately timed second dose or the Johnson & Johnson one-dose vaccine by Nov. 24 in order to become fully vaccinated by the deadline.
 
Providing proof of vaccination
Employees must provide the university with proof that they have been fully vaccinated. In the coming days, employees will receive information on how to upload proof of COVID-19 vaccination for validation.
 
Accommodations will be provided to those who are not able to be vaccinated due to a disability or medical condition, or because of a sincerely held religious belief, practice, or observance.  Information on how to make this request will be forthcoming.
 
Those who have not provided the required proof of vaccination by Dec. 8, or who have not received an approved accommodation for the reasons cited above, will be placed on an unpaid leave of absence until they provide proof of vaccination. Employees who have a timely filed pending accommodation request as of Dec. 8 will be placed on paid leave pending resolution of their request. Employees who have not provided proof of vaccination or have not received an accommodation by Jan. 3, 2022 (unless the request is still pending review) may be separated from employment.
 
How to get vaccinated
Vaccines are widely available in Oxford from multiple providers. You can locate providers at vaccines.gov. Any fees associated with COVID vaccination are covered by insurance. In order to facilitate compliance with the Executive Order and task force guidance, the university is offering free COVID-19 vaccines at clinics on Oct. 26, 28, 29, and Nov. 2, 3, 9, 17, 19 and 30.  These vaccines are offered for free to all faculty, staff, and students. Visit the university’s coronavirus vaccination page for information on clinic dates and times.
 
Additionally, University Health Center Pharmacy on the Oxford campus offers free Johnson & Johnson and Pfizer vaccines any weekday from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. on a walk-up basis. Anyone 18 and older is eligible for the J&J vaccine, and anyone 12 and older is eligible for the Pfizer vaccine. Call (662) 915-5279 or email c19@olemiss.edu for questions.
 
Thank you in advance for your patience and cooperation on this critical matter for the university.
 
Sincerely,
 

Glenn F. Boyce
Chancellor

Celebrating and Honoring Don Cole and Larry Martindale

Letters from the Chancellor, Welcome

Dear students, faculty, and staff,

What a glorious day at the University of Mississippi! In an inspiring and rousing ceremony held earlier today, we marked the introduction of the newly renamed Martindale-Cole Student Services Center by honoring two extraordinary members of our university family — Don Cole and Larry Martindale.

Martindale and Cole cutting the red ribbon in front of the Martindale-Cole building

In the ever-changing life of a flagship university, historical milestones present moments that illustrate who we are as an institution and what we stand for. Sometimes, the significance is revealed only after the moment has passed. At other times, we are blessed to recognize the magnitude of the moment as it is happening. Today’s renaming is one of those moments for our beloved university.

Our arrival at this moment was forged through two divergent paths. One is the 50-year dedication of Dr. Donald Cole, who served this university as a student, professor, and administrator and was a tireless and fearless advocate for diversity, equity, and students from all backgrounds.

The other is the commitment of the original namesake of the building, Mr. Larry Martindale, a distinguished alumnus from Atlanta, a former Ole Miss basketball player and longtime university supporter. During a campus visit, Larry was inspired to ask how he could help the university to project the powerful diversity he witnessed on campus.

The convergence of their stories, resulting in the renaming of the Martindale-Cole Student Services Center, serves a uniting and noble purpose in the life of our university. At its core, this renaming is a testament to two esteemed and courageous individuals, how they have helped to shape this place as a welcoming university, and how their investments of time, talents, and treasure will ensure that we continue to be a university where everyone succeeds. I encourage you to learn more about the remarkable and inspiring stories of these two men.

We’re so pleased that generations of current and future students will continue to have Dr. Cole’s example shaping their education. This tribute ensures his journey will always be remembered, will always be on display, and will always be celebrated by our university.

Sincerely,

Glenn F. Boyce
Chancellor

Message from Chancellor Boyce about Hurricane Ida

Letters from the Chancellor

Dear alumni and friends,

As the Gulf Coast region bears the brunt of Hurricane Ida and its aftermath, we know many members of our Ole Miss family and their loved ones live in areas of our state and beyond that have felt the wrath of this powerful storm. We are deeply concerned and want to let you know that our thoughts and prayers are with everyone in the impacted areas. You are a highly valued member of our university community, and your safety and well-being are of utmost importance to us.

As always, the university stands ready in your time of need — please do not hesitate to reach out by responding to this email if we can assist you or your family in any way during this time. It is in our most trying times that our strength lies in our ability to take care of each other. I know Ole Miss Rebels everywhere will display an overwhelming outpouring of love and support because it is a hallmark of the Ole Miss family to rally when people need support the most.

My sincere hope is that you and your loved ones are safe and did not experience any impact. Today, and in the days to come, please know that our thoughts will continue to be with you and all those affected.

Sincerely,

Glenn F. Boyce
Chancellor

Hurricane Ida Message from Chancellor Boyce to Faculty and Staff

Letters from the Chancellor

Dear faculty and staff,

As our state braces for the impact of Hurricane Ida, I know many in our campus community have family, friends, and loved ones in the path of this terrible storm. Please know that we are thinking of everyone in the impacted areas and are hoping that the storm will move through with as little damage as possible. Here is a link to a letter that I sent to our students this morning. In your classrooms, programs and services you may have students who are from impacted areas. If you have any students reach out to you for assistance, please feel free to refer them to vcstudentaffairs@olemiss.edu. Over the days to come, please stay safe and weather aware. And, please let us know if there is anything we can do to support you or your family during this time.

Sincerely,

Glenn F. Boyce
Chancellor

Hurricane Ida Message from Chancellor Boyce

Letters from the Chancellor, Welcome

Dear students,

As the Gulf Coast region faces the impending landfall of Hurricane Ida, we recognize that many in our university community and their loved ones will be impacted. We are deeply concerned and want to let our students, faculty, staff and alumni know that our thoughts and prayers are with all those who will be affected. The safety and well-being of the members of the Ole Miss family are of utmost importance and concern to us.

Please know we are here in this time of need and you can email vcstudentaffairs@olemiss.edu if we can assist you in any way. I know Ole Miss Rebels everywhere will display an overwhelming outpouring of love and support because it is a hallmark of the Ole Miss family to rally when people need support the most.

While Oxford is far removed from the coastal areas expected to feel the greatest impact of the storm, we may experience severe weather early this week as the remnants of the hurricane move inland. University and local authorities will keep close tabs on any local impact, so please stay alert for any severe weather updates.

As always, the university stands by ready to help in any way we can.  Our thoughts will continue to be with all those impacted in the days to come.

Sincerely,

Glenn F. Boyce
Chancellor

Fall 2021 Message from Chancellor Boyce

Letters from the Chancellor, Welcome

Dear students,

We’re so glad that you’re back! The start of a new academic year is here, and all the anticipation and energy that comes with it. Even though our campus is a spectacular sight, this place is transformed when all of you step onto campus. And this semester, we can be thankful that we are all back together. I know that these trying times can prompt a range of emotions from excitement to apprehension. At the same time, we’re ready for a great year of in-person classes, a slate of exciting athletic seasons, and a wide range of life-changing experiences and opportunities. And, of course, we are eager for our highly celebrated and beloved Ole Miss traditions like the second-to-none tailgating in The Grove, the “Holy Grail” for college football fans.

Whether you are a first-year student exploring campus for the first time, a sophomore or junior settling into a groove, or a senior with a few classes left to tackle, I know the year ahead will be defined by discovery, friendship and fun as well as the caring and kindness that permeates our campus culture. As always, I urge all of you to make personal wellness a priority by maintaining a balanced lifestyle. If you find yourself overextended or overwhelmed and feel the need to talk to someone about your physical or mental health, visit the Wellness Center or reach out to a faculty member, academic advisor, or the staff in the University Counseling Center. And be sure to tap into the countless academic support resources that are here to help you stay on track in your degree program and excel in all of your academic endeavors.

While we’re eager to put the challenges of the past year behind us, we’re still navigating the impact of COVID-19, including the Delta variant. It is why we are starting the semester with a temporary mask mandate. I wish we didn’t have to do this, but we have a responsibility to respond to the pressing situation at hand. I encourage you to review the Campus Plan for this fall.

The good news is that each of us can do our part to promote a healthy community. I’ve said it before (many times!), and I will say it again: Get vaccinated! Vaccination is our most direct path out of this. You can get vaccinated on campus quickly and easily. Thank you to all those who have already done this for yourself, your loved ones and your community. Those who are not vaccinated should expect to remain subject to increased public health protocols even after we get past this current spike in cases.

College is an amazing time in which you will work hard and play hard. There is no time like the present to be yourself, focus on your studies, and get involved. I’m really looking forward to all the ways each of our students will succeed this year and contribute to the vibrancy of our campus atmosphere. As we press forward together, I want to thank you for doing what it takes to be caring, kind, and compassionate to one another. Together, let’s make this year the most tremendous year yet for our campus.

All my best,

Glenn F. Boyce
Chancellor