Contact: Sasha Steinberg
STARKVILLE, Miss.—This fall semester will be unlike any other at Mississippi State, and the state’s leading university is committed to providing a safe and welcoming environment to help new and returning Bulldogs on their paths to success.
“The start of a new academic year is always the most exciting time on campus, and we remain focused on helping our students successfully transition to a new term,” said MSU Vice President for Student Affairs Regina Hyatt. “Whether they are joining us here in Starkville or online from home, we are very glad to assist students in getting connected and finding the resources they need to achieve their academic and personal goals.”
Hyatt said the university’s Safe Return Task Force has developed a Comprehensive Health and Safety Return Plan for students and employees. The success of that plan, she said, will very much rely on the entire Bulldog family’s participation in the university’s Cowbell Well campaign. The new initiative encourages seven wellness behaviors—wearing a face covering; cleaning your hands often; observing physical distancing; staying home if you feel sick; sanitizing surfaces; practicing self-care; and completing the daily screening. For more, visit www.msstate.edu/cowbellwell.
MSU also has been making adjustments to fall events to ensure students have an enjoyable campus experience while adhering to health and safety guidelines, Hyatt said.
As part of MSU’s 15th annual Dawg Days event series, incoming freshmen and transfer students will participate in various free activities over a two-week period. This year’s program was extended by one week to enable smaller groups of students to participate in accordance with physical distancing guidelines. Hyatt said a variety of accommodations are being made, including some events being offered more than once and some taking place outdoors instead of indoors.
“Our goal is to keep students healthy and safe while providing them creative ways to connect and have fun,” she said. “We will continue to update the Dawg Days website at www.dawgdays.msstate.edu so we encourage students to visit that site regularly for the most current information.”
MSU’s academic and event calendars can be viewed at www.msstate.edu/calendars.
Learn about MSU’s Division of Student Affairs at www.saffairs.msstate.edu.
MSU is Mississippi’s leading university, available online at www.msstate.edu.