Dear Students,

Last month Dean Brown shared with you some of the ways Millsaps is planning to keep our campus safe as you return in August. We are finetuning these plans as the summer continues, seeking input from our partners at the University of Mississippi Medical Center on how to make our classroom, public, and living spaces safe while still supporting the vibrant community life we love. Dean Brown is currently finalizing a comprehensive communication concerning all aspects of campus life and engagement for the fall that should be ready in the next few days.

The safety of our students, faculty, and staff is a priority, and while we very much hope to see everyone in person in August, we realize that may not be possible for everyone. A small percentage of our courses are being offered exclusively online for the health and safety of our faculty members. You will see additional safety precautions put in place to protect faculty and staff who are present on campus, including the requirement that we all wear masks when in public spaces. If, as a student, you do not feel comfortable returning to campus because of your health or the health of one of your loved ones, Millsaps will support you by offering options for you to continue your learning remotely this semester.

Please read the FAQs about the possibilities for your academic experience this fall below and if your concern isn’t covered, reach out by emailing care@millsaps.edu.

Sincerely,

Keith Dunn, Ph.D.
Provost and Dean of the College

I’m concerned about my health or the health of my family members. How can I take all of my classes online this fall and live off campus, and how does that impact my tuition and financial aid?

Email care@millsaps.edu and notify us of your decision by August 10. We will help you connect to your professors before the semester begins so that you can have a successful start from day one.

Your tuition and fees will remain the same, and you will not be charged room and board. Your merit aid will be adjusted consistent with the college’s financial aid policy.

What happens if I get sick during the semester?

Email both care@millsaps.edu and your professors and notify us that you will be opting to participate online.  If your illness is prolonged, suspected, or identified by your healthcare provider to be COVID-19, you should notify care@millsaps.edu, and we will help you notify your professors that you will be online for an extended period of time.

When you are cleared by your healthcare provider or the Wesson Health Clinic to return to class (written documentation will be required), notify care@millsaps.edu, and we will work with you and your professors on the transition back into classroom learning.

How will I know if one of my courses is being taught online-only? 

When you check your course schedule in Major Portal, you will see “Online-only” listed in the location column where you would typically see Christian Center, Olin, Sullivan-Harrell, etc.

Are there any special preparations I should make for this semester? 

If you are planning on returning to campus for in-person instruction: you still may become ill and need to be isolated or quarantined in a dormitory where you engage in classes remotely.  We strongly recommend that you come to campus with your own laptop capable of accommodating your course needs.   You will still have access to campus wifi, but the computer labs will not be accessible if you fall ill or are suspected to have COVID 19.

If you are planning on completing your instruction from home, remotely: you are responsible for creating a learning environment to support your success. Please be sure you have reliable access to the technological infrastructure (computer and internet) that you will need to complete your coursework and a schedule that is flexible enough to accommodate any synchronous components required by your courses.

What happens if one of my professors becomes ill or must be isolated or quarantined during the semester? 

If a faculty member feels well but must self-isolate because of suspected COVID19 exposure, they will continue to teach their courses remotely.  If a faculty member becomes unable to continue teaching due to illness, they will temporarily turn their course over to a designated replacement instructor.  Students will be notified by care@millsaps.edu that this transition is occurring. During this time, the course may occur in an online-only format.