The University of Mississippi

Office of the Chancellor

Letters from the Chancellor

Pathways to Equity: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Institutional Strategic Plan 2021-2026

Letters from the Chancellor

Dear students, faculty and staff,
 
Earlier this semester, we launched our new five-year strategic plan for diversity, equity and inclusion called “Pathways to Equity.” Many of you attended the Diversity Summit, where the plan was unveiled. I’m grateful for your attendance and your ongoing commitment to our pursuit of an equitable living, learning and working environment for all.
 
As members of our campus community, please take time to read the plan and engage with those in your area who can help you learn more about your role in advancing the goals of the plan. Every college, school and administrative division is developing plans for their respective areas, so there are ample opportunities for continued involvement and input.
 
As an institution of higher education, we are committed to providing a world-class education and opportunities that are open, accessible and affordable. “Pathways to Equity” serves as a foundation for how we further embrace this institutional responsibility. It offers a roadmap to address challenges and disparate outcomes at all levels of our campus community so we can ensure that everyone can participate fully and thrive at the University of Mississippi. 
 
We can all take pride in how “Pathways to Equity” is action-based, driven by a commitment to equity, data-driven and reflects best practices. A fundamental aspect of the plan is how it was developed to address equity and diversity at the university level as well as within schools, colleges and administrative units.
 
I’d like to thank those who helped make this plan a reality, especially Dr. Shawnboda Mead and the dedicated team within the Division of Diversity and Community Engagement. Their work will have a significant impact on how we foster a stronger university climate that goes further in valuing every individual and promoting respect. “Pathways to Equity” will help us make positive and lasting change so all are able to thrive intellectually, socially and culturally. 
 
Sincerely,
 
Glenn F. Boyce
Chancellor

Update about the Office of the University Ombuds

Letters from the Chancellor

Dear faculty, staff and graduate students,

Paul Caffera will resume his responsibilities as the University Ombuds, effective immediately. I look forward to him once again serving the UM community.

I want to thank William W. Berry III, Montague Professor of Law in the University of Mississippi School of Law, for his service as Acting University Ombuds since December.

As I shared in a previous message, the university is committed to maintaining this important function on our campus as a neutral, independent and informal place to seek assistance voluntarily to bring forth and resolve campus-related concerns.

Sincerely,

Glenn F. Boyce

Note of gratitude on National Employee Appreciation Day 2021

Letters from the Chancellor

The strength behind the red and blue: Faculty and Staff, today and all year long, we celebrate and thank our employees! National Employee Appreciation Day, March 5, 2021, The University of Mississippi

Dear faculty and staff,

Thank you! Two simple words, but filled with so much meaning, especially today on National Employee Appreciation Day 2021. We were motivated to share this note of gratitude with our faculty and staff because you inspire us. On a daily basis, we have a front-row seat to how our university is fueled by your commitment to serving our students, our state and our future.

We commend you for the dedication, talent and hard work you bring to your roles year-round. It is impressive, but not surprising, because at the University of Mississippi, our people are the foundation of our caring culture and our successes. Because of you:

  • We infuse excellence into all our endeavors.
  • We prepare people on their path to their true potential.
  • We create indelible experiences and enduring connections.

We are the Red & Blue because of you!

Your incredible commitment and selfless service to the university reflects the greater mission we all believe in: to build a better world through higher education. Your efforts are the backbone of how we will continue to do this and cement our legacy of excellence. Thank you — we are all truly grateful for your many contributions and extraordinary service.

Sincerely,

Senior Leadership Group

Chancellor signature

Glenn F. Boyce
Chancellor

 

Noel's signature

Noel Wilkin
Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs

 

Keith Carter signature

Keith Carter
Vice Chancellor for Intercollegiate Athletics

 

 

Josh Gladden signature
Josh Gladden
Vice Chancellor for Research and Sponsored Programs

 

Steven Holley signature

Steven Holley
Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance

 

Shawnboda Mead signature

Shawnboda Mead
Interim Vice Chancellor for Diversity and Community Engagement

 

Charlotte Parks signature

Charlotte Parks
Vice Chancellor for Development

 

 

Charlotte Fant Pegues signature
Charlotte Fant Pegues
Interim Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs

 

Kirk Purdom signature

Kirk Purdom
Executive Director of Alumni Affairs

 

Perry Sansing signature

Perry Sansing
Interim General Counsel and Special Assistant to the Chancellor for Governmental Affairs

 

James Zook signature

Jim Zook
Chief Marketing and Communications Officer

Update on Campus Guidance and Protocols

Letters from the Chancellor

Dear students, faculty and staff,

In light of the new state and local orders issued this week, we have reviewed our guidance and protocols and are issuing the following updates.

The university will continue to require all people to wear a cloth face covering or mask for the rest of the Spring 2021 semester in classroom settings and office settings. In addition, masks continue to be required while traversing public spaces in residence halls, dining facilities, the Student Union, Campus Rec, retail spaces and other on-campus facilities. We continue to promote good hand hygiene and distancing protocols for indoor spaces.

In outdoor areas of campus, social distancing of at least six feet continues to be strongly recommended as well as wearing a mask when you cannot maintain distance unless the protocols for the outdoor venue differ.

The implications of the orders for off-campus student events will be forthcoming and will be communicated directly to Registered Student Organizations.

Our community has done a tremendous job of adopting and adhering to our university protocols to limit spread of the virus, and those protocols continue to work effectively. We look forward to getting vaccines on campus to administer to faculty, staff and students, which may offer future opportunities to reevaluate our approach.

Sincerely,

Glenn F. Boyce
Chancellor

Fall 2021 Announcement

Letters from the Chancellor

Feb. 26, 2021

Dear students, faculty and staff,

We have seen a return this semester of much of the vibrancy and vitality for which our campus is beloved and so well-known.

As we look ahead, priority registration for Fall 2021 begins on April 12. We will offer the Fall 2021 semester as a full in-person, campus experience. We will continue to monitor the health and safety of our campus community and adapt if necessary to government orders and public health guidance.

The growing adoption and distribution of multiple vaccines against the COVID-19 virus enables us to plan for a full resumption of in-person classes for Fall 2021 and fully return our campus to pre-COVID-19 operations. As we remain committed to doing all we can to operate similar to Fall 2019, we will monitor the distribution of the vaccine closely as well as other relevant indicators.

While we do not have an update yet regarding summer session and intersession, we are working on that now and hope to have an update for you soon. As we shared earlier, we look forward to hosting the Class of 2021 and Class of 2020 for in-person Commencement ceremonies on consecutive weekends in early May. Full details about Commencement can be found here.

Thank you again for all of your efforts and contributions to our campus community, and for your continued commitment to keeping our campus safe and healthy. Like you, I’m very excited and looking forward to returning fully to the academic, operational and campus atmosphere that we all know and cherish. We will continue to share updates, and I encourage you to monitor our COVID-19 website for more information.

Sincerely,

Glenn F. Boyce
Chancellor

Message to students regarding Spring 2021 events

Letters from the Chancellor

Dear students,

As we settle into the rhythm of the spring semester (despite this week’s weather disruptions), I’m excited to share information below about the wide range of current events and activities, how you can stay plugged into campus life and our next steps for expanding engagement opportunities safely for the remainder of the semester.

We’re so proud of the way our students have found creative ways to host events while following our campus protocols. We now have more than 380 registered events scheduled across our campus this semester, and we expect to add many more before the term ends. We’ve already had our first Flagship Friday, Welcome Week on the Student Union Plaza and are looking forward to Engagement Week featuring our registered student organizations, free food and giveaways. You can see the entire list of registered student events in The ForUM.

Events and activities are an incredibly important part of campus life, and I’m committed to the university doing all we can to help you make the most of your college experience through this period. I’m grateful to you, our students, for all that you have done to help us navigate this pandemic to date. We appreciate your continued patience and commitment to do your part to protect all in our community.

Sincerely,

Glenn F. Boyce
Chancellor
Expanding Events and Activities for the Spring Semester
In January, we shared that we would monitor our COVID-19 positivity rate for the first month of the semester to inform decision-making about future on- and off-campus activities. We must follow public health guidance and current executive and local orders in effect for the respective venue, and that requires good information to understand the health status of our community. Please note that all events are subject to approval and changes may occur based on our positivity rate.On the Events page of our COVID-19 website, you will find the positivity rate framework that we will follow for the remainder of the semester. The framework outlines conditions that must be met to host events, based on a series of thresholds for the positivity rate. Also, on the Events page (and in the snapshot below), you will find the minimum requirements for all events and activities regardless of venue (university-managed and non-university-managed) for the current positivity rate.

 

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES
  1. SOCIAL DISTANCING: Social distancing must be maintained at all times (indoors and outdoors).
  2. CAPACITY: Must adhere to COVID capacity limitations and regulations currently in effect for that space or venue (consult current executive orders, city restrictions, etc.).
  3. MASKS: Cloth face coverings or masks required at all times except when actively drinking or eating (indoors and outdoors).
  4. FOOD:

    •  Lower Risk Requirement: Food allowed if served while seated and adhering to dining restrictions.
    •  Moderate Risk Requirement: Food services Grab and Leave only.
  5. EVENT MONITORS: Minimum of three designated Event Monitors present.
  6. ATTENDEE LIST: Attendee list provided to Ole Miss Student Union (OMSU) or Fraternity & Sorority Life (FSL) at least seven days in advance. Only current students and/or organization advisors will be allowed to attend.
  7. REGISTRATION: Activities must be registered in ForUM. Activities prior to March 11 must be registered ASAP. Activities on or after March 11 must be registered at least 15 business days in advance.
  8. NON-UNIVERSITY-MANAGED VENUES: Additional requirements must be met for non-university-managed venues. See the activities protocols and parameters for full details.

 

Q: When and how can we start registering events?
You can start now! Activities must be registered through The ForUM. Events prior to March 11 need to be registered ASAP. Events on or after March 11 must be registered 15 business days in advance as outlined by standard Union procedures. The latest updates for Registered Student Organizations (RSOs) regarding protocols for events and activities for this semester can be found here. If you have questions, email union@olemiss.edu.Q: When can we start having events?
Events and activities can be submitted now and will be reviewed by OMSU or FSL staff for adherence to the requirements outlined for this semester. Staff will do their best to be flexible with requests so that events and activities can proceed.Q: What kind of events and activities can we have?
Events and activities can be hosted as long as the specified requirements are met and it is submitted through the appropriate channels.Q: Can we have off-campus events outside of Oxford and Lafayette County?
Non-university-managed venues must be reviewed and approved by the Ole Miss Student Union or Fraternity and Sorority Life. At this time, group travel outside Lafayette County is prohibited unless a waiver is obtained through the Event Registration process.Q: Can we do events in shifts?
Yes, organizations can schedule up to two shifts of maximum capacity for each shift. Additional details about how shifts must be managed is posted on the Events page.Q: Why can’t we just do things like we used to?
We know this is a lot to sort through as we navigate new and creative ways of gathering and holding activities. We also know this is not college life before COVID-19, but it is more open than we could be in the fall. It is important that we recognize the pandemic does not mean that we can’t do the things that we used to do before COVID-19, it just means we need to do them differently. Take, for example, college sports. COVID-19 didn’t mean we didn’t get to cheer on Lane Kiffin, Matt Corral and our football team. It just meant we had to do so with fewer people in the stadium, with masks on and social distancing. The same holds true for student activitiesQ: Why does the asymptomatic testing matter?
Our Asymptomatic Testing Program is an important part of this strategy. We understand that some people who are infected with the virus don’t exhibit symptoms, yet they can spread illness to others. Understanding the positivity rate among those who do not have symptoms is an important tool to help us protect our community. Your participation in testing is essential — more testing does not equate to more positives, so please do your part to stop misinformation that students should not get tested because it will drive up the positivity rate. The more students who are tested, the larger the pool for calculating the rate. Please participate in the testing program and encourage your classmates and friends to do so.Q: How do we know what the university’s current positivity rate is?
Each Friday, the university updates its COVID dashboard based on the previous week’s positivity rate. The rate measures the percentage of positive RT-PCR tests performed during the prior seven days through the Asymptomatic Testing Program.Q: How can RSO and FSL Leadership better understand how all this will work?
Details will be shared soon for a Zoom panel session for RSO and FSL leadership to review this process and get questions answered.Q: How can I find out what events are occurring on campus?
Q: Do you have questions about your event?
As you plan events/activities or social gatherings, please consult the Event Registration resource page for answers to many common questions. If you still have questions, contact the OMSU staff at union@olemiss.edu.