The events of the past few days have added a whole new layer of turmoil to our present state of pandemic. Racism, injustice and violence have infected our society in a way much worse than any virus can.
Like many of you, the last couple of months I’ve been “attending” church services virtually. Yesterday’s service from the Washington National Cathedral featured a very moving sermon from the Episcopal Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, in which he said that in addition to the COVID-19 viral pandemic, we are also suffering from a pandemic of the human spirit. We have failed to love our neighbor as ourselves, and have failed to see each and every one of us as a child of God.
Sometimes seeing everyone as a child of God and loving your neighbor can be a difficult thing to do, and we have all failed at this from time to time. With self-isolation and quarantine being our way of life the past couple of months, our fear of the virus can become a fear of each other.
I support our students, faculty, staff and alumni who are taking part in peaceful protests and pray for their safety. Let us work together to stand up for what is right and to be a voice for justice and peace. Let us be strong in our conviction and careful in our actions. There are people who want to divide us. We are much stronger together.
The unofficial start of summer is upon us as we enter Memorial Day Weekend. I hope you are able to enjoy your loved ones as much as possible and in a safe way as we continue to navigate these unprecedented times.
Life in the time of COVID-19 has been transforming in an unexpected way and we all continue to adapt to this new reality. Evolving times call for different approaches and bring about change. Change also is an opportunity to pause, examine and evaluate our current situation and press the reset button.
As we shift to achieve long-term strategic goals, I am announcing the reorganization of Career Services, the Police Department and Human Resources to follow common models in use at other colleges and universities.
Career Services will become a part of Development and Alumni to foster mentoring programs, grow employment opportunities for our students and promote to our students the value of active alumni participation and stewardship.
Our Police Department’s mission is to safeguard persons and property through preparedness and vigilance. The safeguarding of persons and property aligns with the operations and maintenance function that is overseen by the Vice President for Administration and CFO. Beginning June 1, the Police Department will report to Mark Ellard.
With Dr. Jennifer Miles’ recent resignation announcement and upcoming departure, and the recent changes to Title IX regulations, we are aligning Compliance and Human Resources with the General Counsel. Effective June 1, Karen Clay will oversee those areas and will be the Interim Title IX Coordinator. Also effective June 1, Jessica Harpole will be our Interim VP for Student Affairs/Dean of Students.
Additionally, a tremendous amount of work has taken place by our Campus Renewal Taskforce and its working groups as we look at both summer and fall operations. They will be issuing a Summer Renewal Plan and will provide an Office Operating Plan template that can be used for each office to identify how to begin our next phase of operations as the Safer at Home order expires. The safety and well-being of our university community will remain our highest priority as we continue these efforts.
Congratulations and thank you for seeing us through this spring semester. I’m proud of the way you adapted to our changing circumstances and proud of our students who persevered and saw their way through. Well done, everyone!
I want to make sure that you know that while we may be physically apart, together we are working diligently to plan how we can continue our efforts in a manner that is safe and healthy for our campus community. Our Campus Renewal Taskforce will be focused on our efforts for the summer semester this next week, and then looking at fall semester operations for the remainder of this month. More information about this taskforce and the work they are doing will be found at https://www.muw.edu/renewal At the same time, the IHL Restart taskforce will be developing criteria and recommendations for all of our Mississippi public universities to use in determining our steps forward to operations.
Our current Safer@Home order remains in effect through May 25. Not knowing what comes after that as far as state directives, I want to assure you that we will move forward cautiously. I have seen your responses to the Human Resources survey about employee wellness concerns, and am conscious of the level of anxiety many have about their own health and their family’s well-being. I share those concerns.
Remember that one of the employee benefits available to you is the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), http://www.muw.edu/hr/employees/benefits#EAPWL Up to three counseling sessions are available at no cost to the individual through the EAP, and you may also find assistance through the EAP Work-Life program.
Now is the time to revisit, reevaluate and revise, if necessary, the temporary remote working agreement you entered in March with your supervisor. Discuss with your supervisor how you can continue under that plan or perform your work safely while meeting the goals and objectives of your department.
I look forward to the day we can safely come together and celebrate our students and our collective efforts on their behalf.
In the midst of all of this, we are also paying close attention to the new regulations and guidance on Title IX, and will be developing plans for our full compliance with the changes that go into effect August 14, 2020.
I know that’s a lot to absorb. Thank you for your support of our students. Stay safe, stay healthy, and please, share your thoughts and concerns as we form our plans for moving forward.
Governor Reeves has replaced the State’s “Shelter in Place” order with a “Safer at Home” order that will go into effect at 8:00 Monday morning, April 27 and be in place until Monday, May 11.
This change will not result in an adjustment to our current campus operations.
All W employees are essential – and we want you to be safer at home as much as possible. Some critical duties need to be fulfilled on campus. Different duties may be critical given a certain time – such as end of semester, end of month and pay days. When working remotely is not an option, employees should follow CDC recommendations.
Thank you – and Stay Safe!
Nora Miller President, Mississippi University for Women
We have made it to the last week of classes for the Spring semester! Let’s hang in there and finish strong!
This has been a semester like none of us have experienced before – and Spring commencement will be like none before, either. We will have a virtual commencement ceremony that will post on Saturday, May 9 – one week later than the original ceremony would have been held. We will have a traditional commencement – with graduates, faculty, friends and family participating virtually. A program for that ceremony will be sent to our graduates in advance. Each graduate’s name will be called – and this is where you can break all the rules of protocol! I encourage each graduate to express themselves by wearing whatever it is you want to wear. Caps can be decorated to your heart’s content! Family and friends – being socially distant of course – can cheer, chant, holler and let the air horns blow! Be sure and take pictures of your individual celebration and share with us!
Our hope is that this pandemic will end, and that we will be able to gather to celebrate both spring and summer graduates on Saturday, August 1st. These plans will be according to whatever CDC guidance will be in place at that time. We probably won’t shake hands – but graduates will be able to walk across the stage, get their diploma covers – and grab a magnolia from a mag chain that we will have on the stage. Stay tuned for more word on this.
We are working with IHL, with the other universities in our system, and with various professional higher ed organizations to plan how we can use the federal CARES Act funds to provide funds to assist students and to prepare the University for the time ahead. We are awaiting more guidance from the Department of Education but we are gathering information from multiple sources.
Summer courses will continue to be held on-line or through alternate delivery methods. On-line orientation sessions will soon be happening.
No one knows what re-opening for normal operations will look like. Again, we will be working with IHL and the other universities in our system to develop criteria that will be used to determine when and how we phase in this reopening. We are fortunate that we have a 13:1 student faculty ratio to begin with, so social distancing might be accomplished here a little easier.
Campus looks empty right now – but we actually have a lot going on! We are planning for the new year. We are implementing new academic concentrations that in sports management, non-profit advocacy, non-profit management. The BA in Political Science has been converted to a BS in Political Science and the BS of in Family Studies has been renamed to the BS Science in Family Science.
The Grounds crew has been busy pruning bushes, trimming trees and keeping our campus beautiful. Facilities and custodial staff have been able to access areas that are normally occupied during the day to do work to prepare for our return. Taylor and Keirn are GONE – and before long the rubble that remains – along with the temporary fencing around that area will be gone, too. The ground will be prepared for the construction of the new Culinary Arts building.
I hope you and your families are staying safe and healthy. Check back on our website often – and make plans to join us in the celebration as we welcome the newest members of the Long Blue Line.
Nora Miller, President, Mississippi University for Women
This is an extraordinary time. Please know that The W is dedicated to making this semester as positive an experience as possible, as we all work together to process the impacts of COVID-19 on our students, faculty, staff and community.
We are closely following information about the federal legislation, the ‘‘Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act’’ or the ‘‘CARES ACT” that has been passed to provide support as we face this crisis. At this point, we have not received firm guidance on how those funds will be received, or how we can administer the funds that are designated for emergency student grants.
As a public institution, we are working closely with the Commissioner of Higher Education, the staff at the Institutions of Higher Learning, and the Mississippi Attorney General’s office for guidance on the appropriate handling of room and board charges paid by students who chose to return home to complete the rest of the semester online. As soon as we receive this guidance, we will work to determine the appropriate refunds or credits to apply to student accounts.
We know that this is a difficult time for everyone, and we are committed to you and your education. We are continuing to provide assistance through the Student Emergency Fund for the remainder of the semester.
Thank you for your patience. Please, follow the CDC recommendations for your health and safety.
Nora Miller, President, Mississippi University for Women
Update April 3, 2020 – President Nora Miller has released a video message on the latest regarding the Coronavirus pandemic.
It’s Friday, April 3, and it has been a little over 3 weeks since the first COVID-19 case was reported in Mississippi, and we’ve had two full weeks of all classes going to online and alternate delivery. The dress code has certainly relaxed! I want to thank everyone who worked to make that switch happen. It has been an adjustment for many of our faculty and students. Students, remember that online resources are available within Canvas on the Tutor-Me tab, The writing center is available through Google, Skype, or at muwrites@muw.edu Our counselors are available to provide tele-counseling, and the Student Emergency Fund continues to provide financial assistance. If you are struggling, please let someone know so that we can connect you to resources. The W community cares!
Governor Reeve’s Executive Order for Statewide Shelter-in-Place goes into effect at 5 p.m. today. In accordance with that order, The W will further reduce our employees’ physical presence on campus for the next 2 weeks. What does this mean for us? The students living on campus will continue to have meals provided for carry out. Non-residential students may come to campus to use the 24/7 lab in the library, to take advantage of the wi-fi hotspot that has been installed on the south side of Eckford Hall. All students, faculty and staff must show their W ID to enter campus, and wear their ID while on campus.
Faculty and staff are able to come to campus to perform essential functions – but we want you to stay at home as much as possible. Remote work may look and feel very different from our usual tasks and routine. I want to encourage supervisors to be creative and find things that you and your employees can do from home. Reading materials related to improving your work performance or learning more about your field is one way you can come back to work even more valuable than you are now. Check the library’s online resources, your professional associations websites, etc. Read The Chronicle of Higher Education online. And, most importantly, take care of yourselves. Get outside to get some fresh air and enjoy the springtime. Check out Campus Rec’s Facebook workouts. Keep in touch with your co-workers and with people you know who live alone. Take advantage of the Employee Assistance program.
We will get through this—we are resilient. We care. Now…STAY AT HOME!
Nora Miller President, Mississippi University for Women
Update March 27, 2020 – President Nora Miller has released a video message on the latest regarding the Coronavirus pandemic.
It has been a little over 2 weeks since Mississippi had its first reported case of COVID-19, and one week since our last update. This week has ZOOMED by for so many of us – as we have all put Zoom to the test for classes, meetings and conferences.
So far, the only confirmed case of COVID-19 in our campus community is that of an on-line only student who self-reported the case to us. There was no exposure to campus.
We have an amazing faculty, staff and administrators who came together to put classes and resources online. I encourage everyone to check our COVID-19 webpages regularly for new information, and to submit questions to covid19info@muw.edu in the case something is not addressed on those pages.
We remain open for business – in a new virtual world. Employees who can work remotely are doing so – and those essential employees who are reporting to work are following CDC guidelines. We are all adjusting to this new order, and adjusting to how this impacts our home lives, too.
We are limiting vehicular access to campus to students, faculty, staff, those here on university business or here to help a student. To help identify who belongs on campus, we are asking everyone to wear their W IDs.
We currently have 73 students who have remained in the residence halls. Carry-out meals are provided to these students. Social distancing is the new norm for us all.
Homecoming 2020 has also gone virtual – with it’s own Facebook page for our alumni to share their memories and pictures from Homecomings past. We look forward to the return of in-person celebrations – but we are thankful for the many ways we remain connected.
Please, follow the advice from the CDC and the State Department of Health and stay safe!
Nora Miller President, Mississippi University for Women
President Nora Miller and SGA President John Jacob Miller answer questions from students, faculty, and staff regarding The W’s response to COVID-19.
What kinds of concerns are you hearing from our students?
Our students have expressed many concerns and we want them to know that we were hearing them and know that their concerns are valid. Some of the main concerns we here resolved around all of the unknown factors that will come into play over the rest of the semester. Many students don’t know how to take online classes, what services will be available to them, and there are even some questions revolving around food insecurity. We are taking every one of these concerns seriously and are communicating with University offices and developing plans to address each one.
What is SGA doing to engage students in light of social distancing?
SGA understands the importance of social distancing and are encouraging all students to take their health seriously at this time period we still represent every student and strive to make sure their needs are met. We’re taking every effort to keep lines of communication open and to ensure students know their voices are heard and valued. We have had students reach out to The Facebook page, SGA officers, the senators, and myself personally. We want students to know that we are available my email, phone, email, the SGA Facebook page, FaceTime, and zoom.
What will the SGA campaign and election process look like this year?
So, the SGA election process will be a little bit different this year Due to the necessary social distancing protocols we have in place. Thankfully, students will be able to vote using canvas again this year, so students will not face any undue stress to vote. The campaigning process will look much different as students will not be on campus as they normally would. We will be encouraging social media advertising and will work with the candidates to discuss hey zoom candidate forum come on other options.
In addition to instruction, we are also able to provide a number of other services online – tutoring, library resources, counseling services – even on-line workout routines from the Owls Nest. Are there other things that we could do to support students online?
Going forward, understand that communication is vital to the success of our students. Now that our setting has changed, we will be pushed to explore new avenues of communication and learning. And I think that all of us, students – faculty, staff, and administration – will need a little grace in the coming weeks. We will all be faced with new circumstances we could not have planned for, so be kind. We will undoubtedly find new challenges and hardships we could not have anticipated, and we will work to resolve them together.
What would you like to say to any student that feels upset as a result of the necessary social distancing measures?
I understand the stress, grief, and perhaps even anger that you are feeling. I know how upsetting it is to lose things you cherish because of a situation you cannot control; I feel the same way. I never imagined this would be the capstone of my senior year and studies here at The W. But we find ourselves in an unprecedented situation comma and thus we must face it with unprecedented action. And while it hurts to miss the traditions like mag chain and homecoming that we love so much, that was never what The W was about. We are an institution of our people, and the health and safety of our people is what is most important, now and always. By sacrificing this time, you have helped combat the unmitigated spread of this global pandemic in our community, and all over the world.
Has the academic calendar been modified?
To allow students maximum flexibility to adapt to their new learning environment and to account for the loss of an instructional week due to the extension of spring break, students may now withdraw or drop a Full or Accelerated Term course until April 24 (previously April 9). Students may now also drop or withdraw without receiving a grade of WP or WF for Accelerated Term II until April 9 (previously March 24).
Many of the places that students utilized to take proctored exams are now closed, and other proctor sites charge fees that weren’t included in our course fees. How is this being addressed?
As a result, courses may not require a proctored examination to complete course requirements unless doing so is required to meet a licensure standard. This is effective for the remainder of the Spring 2020 semester in all courses, regardless of the course’s initial delivery method. Courses that began as face-to-face may consider their students twice authenticated due to their physical presence in the face-to-face portion of the course earlier in the semester. Existing online courses that have yet to perform their second authentication may choose from other authentication methods that are no-cost, low-stress, and low-technology.
Many students are upset or anxious as a result of the Coronavirus and the necessary prevention methods taken by the University. What steps are you and the administration taking to address these concerns?
It’s perfectly natural for us all to be upset and anxious in this time. We are asking everyone first to take a deep breath and let it out. There are resources available – such as tele-counseling. Campus Recreation is posting “Owls in the Nest” workouts on Facebook. These are great ways to deal with stress and exercise helps to boost your immune system.
Communication is going to be the key to everything. If a student is having trouble accessing materials, let your faculty member know that. If you’re not sure who to ask about something, email COVID19info@muw.edu and your email will be forwarded to the appropriate office to get an answer for you.
What steps is the University taking to protect the campus community and proactively anticipate and address student concerns?
We are limiting access to campus so that we are exposed to few people. Cleaning has been stepped up. We are sharing CDC and Mississippi Department of Health materials and following their guidance. The student emergency fund can provide limited assistance to students. Student Life/SGA has provided links to resources and direct aid for students.
How do you think this pandemic will affect MUW going forward? How do you think this will impact commencement and the campus environment next year?
On a positive note, I think this will move us to more online delivery of services and to improve the workflow of processes. We will be more adept at providing instruction through online delivery and other remote methods. And we will have a greater appreciation for each other and for being able to come together.
We have already announced that our May commencement and related events will be postponed until it is safe to have large gatherings again. What that will look like, or when it can be – we just don’t know. We ask for your input in how to do this.
Update March 19, 2020 – President Nora Miller has released a video message on The W’s response to the COVID-19 outbreak.
One week ago, Mississippi reported its first confirmed cases of COVID-19. As of this morning, we have 50 reported cases. Our world has changed quite a bit this past week. We have a new-found appreciation for soap, hand sanitizer, disinfectant, toilet paper, and well-stocked grocery shelves. As we move into this next week, our campus looks and feels very different. All of our classes have moved to an on-line or alternate learning environment, most of our residential students have moved out, and in and in accordance with the Governor’s Executive Order 1458, many of our offices are maintaining a virtual existence.
These changes have come about quickly – and our response has changed rapidly as we continue to adapt. We started off recommending that students living in the residence halls return to their permanent address, now we are urging those remaining students who have a safe place to go to, to do so. The communal aspect of student housing makes the community transmission of disease much more likely. Believe me, we love you and hate to see you go – but we are concerned for your health, and the health of our students who DON’T have an alternative.
Social distancing has become the new norm. Here are some changes that have been made:
All perimeter drive through gates have been secured, only access with a vehicle is through the main entrance. Upon entering the front gate, the gate dispatcher will ask for university ID.
If someone needs an ID, the MUW PD office will remain open MON-FRI, 8a-5p, and can have an ID made. Some students may need to have an ID made to access the 24/7 lab in the library.
To help limit contact and exposure the university is only allowing faculty, staff, and students on campus during this time. Those not affiliated with the university will be allowed onto campus if they are here to conduct university business or they are here to assist with the needs of a student on campus.
Residence Halls are not allowing the residents to have guests in the residence halls.
What hasn’t changed:
Our faculty will continue to provide the best quality academic instruction for the remainder of the semester – but in a different format.
Food service continues for our students, and is open for faculty and staff
The Campus Health Center remains open to our residential students and any faculty or staff who are maintaining a physical presence on campus. Their hours are 8:00 until noon, Monday through Friday .
We continue to provide counseling, tutoring, and library resources – in a virtual environment
We are a safe place. University Police are here on campus 24/7.
We have to comply with state purchasing and property guidelines, and donor restrictions still apply to foundation funds.
We care for and about each other.
Our alumni, local churches and others have stepped up and offered assistance to students who may need additional help because of COVID-19. Offers have included meals, donations, and paid internships. One way to help, is by donating online to the MUW Foundation, designating our Student Emergency Fund.
For meals or other assistance offers, contact Student Life at (662) 329-7350.
Please, stay safe, practice good health hygiene, check our COVID-19 Response website regularly, and email questions to covid19info@muw.edu Take care!
Nora Miller President, Mississippi University for Women
