As we continue to prioritize safety while monitoring the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on our University and surrounding communities, Mississippi Valley State University will continue a phased approach to instructional methods and the returning of MVSU students to campus in the Spring 2021 semester.
Beginning Monday, January 11, 2021—our first day of classes for the Spring 2021 semester—learning and instruction will be 100% online for the first three weeks. Following the first three weeks, we will reassess the environment due to COVID-19 and make modifications to instructional methods as determined, including beginning to phase in-person instruction and enhancing various services, such as increased library accessibility and student activities with significant restrictions in place.
Students residing in one of our residence halls can still check-in based on the date and time already established in their housing notice. However, since classes will now be 100% online for the first three weeks, students may delay their arrival.
For us to prevent a possible "uptick" of the virus on the campus as we begin the Spring 2021 Semester, MVSU will REQUIRE all campus residential students to provide a current COVID-19 status statement BEFORE being allowed to check into a residence hall. Residents may attain approval to check into the residence halls in two ways:
1.Students can take a COVID-19 test that will be administered on-campus, and the results will be made available to you within 30 minutes of testing. The Office of Residence Life will contact you to arrange your move-in date and time.
- Students whose test results are negative will be provided written documentation of such and allowed to check into their residence halls.
- Students whose test results are positive will have two options: (1) they can be accommodated in the on-campus housing designated for isolation and will be required to remain there for 10 days, or (2) they may return home to spend the isolation period of 10 days before they are allowed to move into their residence hall.
- Students who test positive for COVID-19 will be provided with opportunities to complete all coursework online for the time they are in isolation.
- Students who are unwilling to be tested will not be allowed to check into the residence halls.
OR
2.Students coming to the campus to check into the residence halls for the Spring 2021 semester in January may be allowed to forego the on-campus COVID-19 test if they:
- Can provide documentation that they have had a negative COVID-19 test within five days of their arrival back to campus. The document must be a written test result from an authorized testing agency, clinic/hospital, or healthcare provider.
- Can provide a medically documented statement saying why they cannot or should not be tested.
- Are within the THREE months of a positive test result following the 10-day isolation period. The Mississippi State Department of Health reports, “Persons who have tested positive for COVID-19 do not need to isolate or get tested again for up to 3 months.”
Commuting students and those with an intermittent need to come to the campus are also asked to get COVID-19 testing to ensure a safe and healthy campus for us all. You are asked to stay home if you have symptoms or are sick and contact your medical provider for evaluation.
As MVSU's operations expand and students begin to return to campus, the University will continue to monitor and assess the potential spread of the virus closely and adjust its existing policies and procedures as necessary and according to the Mississippi State Department of Health CDC guidelines.
The health and well-being of students, faculty, and staff is our highest priority, and we appreciate your patience and flexibility as we continue to navigate through these unprecedented times.
For more MVSU COVID-19 related news and updates, visit www.mvsu.edu/coronavirus-response.