John Alex Nunnery
Entertainment Editor
With almost 2,000 cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Mississippi, there is great anxiety over what will happen in the coming months. Students have already started the adjustment period for taking classes online and, for many, that means learning in a vastly different way. However, college students and faculty are left to ask what the virus means for the end of the spring semester and possibly the beginning of the fall semester.
“We just want everyone to know that we are behind you,” said Nora Miller, president of the Mississippi University for Women. “We’re going to be working with you; we realize the stress everyone is under, and if you have problems getting processes figured out, let us know, and we’ll try to make something happen.”
The campus is now almost completely under lockdown. Only those with a valid campus ID are allowed onto the grounds. Students who live far away and international students are still quarantining on campus during this time. All major facilities have cut their hours dramatically or closed altogether. All student jobs on and off campus have been officially discontinued now, with the exception of the few resident assistants who are still on campus.
“For those still on campus and otherwise: follow the guidelines and be responsible, our department is still working if you need help,” said Andrew Moneymaker, the director of Housing and Residence Life at MUW. “No one has dealt with a pandemic like this, but I hope we come back having as much energy from students living on campus as we have in the past. We want to put on some fun stuff for everyone.”
One of the biggest events effected by the virus is graduation. The 2020 class graduation ceremony is now postponed until further notice because of the health and safety risks it poses.
“When the CDC and the Mississippi Department of Health say it’s OK to have large gatherings again, we will do something,” said Miller. “We would like to have the same ceremony we’ve always had, but it depends on how many students are able to participate, but we’d like to hear how students would like to be honored.”
As the cases of the coronavirus continue to rise in the United States, federal and state authorities are stressing social distancing and urging everyone keep themselves healthy during this difficult time.
If students have any questions about COVID-19 the school email for inquiries and concerns is covid19info@muw.edu.