Forging Ahead

The Alcorn community took great strides during the pandemic, and those efforts continue. We must be vigilant and do our part as reported case numbers fluctuate. Remember, individual actions and personal responsibility will continue to be critical to maintaining a safe and healthy campus environment. We continue to urge all faculty, staff, and students to get vaccinated and boosted.

Face coverings are not currently required, but are strongly encouraged particularly in indoor settings, such as classrooms and shared office environments. If you feel sick, please stay home. Follow guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH). Please be reminded that testing is available locally as well as in the Rowan Hall Health Services Center.

Do Your Part! Being part of the Alcorn Family means keeping ourselves safe, looking out for one another, and keeping our campus community strong, working, and learning. This obligation falls to each of us. Take an active role and personal responsibility by modeling the best practices and helping keep the Alcorn community safe from the spread of COVID-19 and its variants.

“Stay Alert” Should the need arise, we are prepared to reinstate prudent measures to address evolving health conditions. We remain committed to utilizing layered prevention strategies and adjusting our protocols. Thank you for your continued patience and understanding as we all work together to navigate this next phase of the virus in our community thoughtfully and pragmatically.

Fall 2023

In line with guidance from the CDC, MSDH, Alcorn State University continues to adjust its posture, recognizing the endemic modality of COVID-19. The University will continue to closely monitor COVID-19 and other health threats locally, nationally, and globally. Our priority remains to ensure a safe and healthy campus environment for all students, faculty, and staff.

Quick Links

COVID Resources

Employees

If you have COVID-19, you can spread the virus to others. There are precautions you can take to prevent spreading it to others: isolation, masking, and avoiding contact with people who are at high risk of getting very sick.

  • Contact your supervisor to discuss work related matters. Supervisors aware of positive cases in the work area should work with Human Resources to ensure appropriate leave policies are followed.
  • For additional employment-related COVID-19 guidance, employees should contact the Office of Human Resources at [email protected].
  • Complete the Faculty/Staff Self-Report Portal using the above link.

Students

If you are a student and test positive or have been exposed to COVID-19, take precautions to prevent spreading it to others: isolate, mask, and avoid contact with others, especially those at risk of getting sick.

  • Students should promptly notify all instructors of any reason for their absences. Students should follow the Pre-Pandemic Standard for missed classes.
  • Students who miss class for any issue requiring a doctor’s visit, including COVID-related issues, must present documentation to have it counted as an excused absence.
  • Complete the Student Self-Report Portal using the above link.

Vaccinations and Testing

If you need to schedule a vaccination, booster, or COVID-19 test, the Mississippi Department of Health’s website lists testing sites and vaccine sites in Mississippi. Additional information is available on the MS State Department of Health (link above) COVID-19 Resource Center website.

COVID-19 testing is available on campus at the Rowan Hall Health Services Center.

STAYING SAFE ON CAMPUS

ACADEMICS

  • Classrooms: Classrooms will operate at normal “Pre-Pandemic” capacities and configurations.
  • Calendar: The academic calendar will reflect normal modes of operation, including traditional holidays.

ATHLETICS AND EVENTS

  • Athletic Venues: All athletic venues will continue to operate at full capacity.
  • Campus Events: There is no limit to the number of attendees at campus events, beyond those set by designated campus safety officials.

TRAVEL

  • Domestic Travel: Domestic travel restrictions are no longer in place.
  • International Travel: Requests for international travel must still be approved. For more information on what to do before and after international travel, read the international travel guidelines.
  • Study Abroad: Study Abroad programs have resumed, although some offerings may be limited based on regional public health scenarios.

CAMPUS HOUSING, DINING, AND TRANSPORTATION

  • Campus Housing will operate at normal “Pre-Pandemic” capacities and configurations. Physical distancing is no longer part of CDC guidance.
  • Students living within a 4-hour drive from campus are expected to isolate at home. On-campus isolation rooms are limited and will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis. Therefore, students will be responsible for their off-campus isolation location if rooms are unavailable.
  • Campus Dining will operate at normal capacity.
  • All university transportation services will operate at normal capacity.

The University’s top priority in all decisions is the campus community’s health, safety, and well-being. As scientific knowledge of the coronavirus continues to evolve, the COVID-19 pandemic changes over time, and government and public health officials issue new orders and guidance. The University will update procedures and plans as needed. The University will follow all state and federal orders. In addition, it will adhere to guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state and local public health to ensure the safest possible on-campus environment.