Maroon MEMO: Employee News (Mississippi State University)

MSU President Mark E. Keenum speaks during a meeting of the university's COVID-19 Working Group in the Colvard Student Union last week. The group, which consists of campus leaders and key personnel, has been meeting while practicing social distancing guidelines to assess the COVID-19 threat and guide the university through changes dictated by the pandemic. For the latest university COVID-19 information and guidance, please visit www.msstate.edu/coronavirus. PHOTO: Logan Kirkland | Public Affairs

Looking for a way to help? Give to the MSU Student Relief Fund
The Mississippi State University community continually exhibits a great sense of responsibility and caring for enrolled students that make the land-grant institution such a special place. The MSU Student Relief Fund, built with private gifts, helps those members of the student body affected with day-to-day crises or like now, the impact to their daily lives posed by COVID-19. The Dean of Students' Office assesses needs and administers the fund for acute crises that may impact students’ ability to succeed academically. The funds have a direct impact on students in extenuating circumstances in order to help them achieve their academic success. The MSU Foundation accepts gifts year-round for the MSU Student Relief Fund. Contributions for this effort can be made online or by contacting the Annual Giving office at (662) 325-2466.

SMART announces route changes
As Starkville-MSU Area Rapid Transit continues to evaluate the best ways to protect transit riders and staff during the COVID-19 pandemic, service is being limited (one bus per route) to the following routes: Boardtown North, Boardtown South, Old Main, Highway 12, Sportsplex and Paratransit. Routes will run from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, and will be limited to nine passengers per bus. Routes will stop from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for cleaning and spraying of all buses. These changes are effective Monday [April 6].

Innovative studio-based Building Construction Science program earns accreditation
Mississippi State’s Building Construction Science degree program has received initial five-year accreditation from the American Council for Construction Education. “This great achievement could only have been reached with the methodical and thorough work of the Building Construction Science faculty in assessing the required student learning outcomes and collecting data required by the American Council for Construction Education,” said George Ford, program director. “The support of our Industry Advisory Board and the assistance provided by Tracey Baham in MSU’s Office of Institutional Research and Effectiveness was extraordinary.”

University waiving GMAT/GRE requirements for summer and fall graduate school applicants
Due to testing limitations related to the ongoing COVID-19 situation, Mississippi State is temporarily waiving GMAT and GRE testing requirements for students applying to the university’s graduate programs. “In addition to supporting our current graduate students, our Graduate School -- along with faculty and staff across campus -- is working to support prospective students as they navigate the admissions and enrollment process during this unique time,” said MSU Provost and Executive Vice President David Shaw. “We hope the waiver of these testing requirements will provide one less thing for prospective students to worry about. Our faculty and staff look forward to welcoming students as they begin new academic programs this summer and fall.”

Families find themselves unexpected homeschoolers
COVID-19 turned millions of families into homeschoolers who suddenly must decide how to structure learning for their students. Anita Webb, a Mississippi State University Extension agent in Scott County, said parents have a long list of questions about the long-term impacts of missing traditional school, including its impact on graduating seniors, state testing and the length of the academic year. “There are many things over which parents have no control, but there are also many things they can control for their kids,” Webb said. “Many young parents are creating extra art and craft opportunities for their children, and also getting their kids outside more to help with the garden or to go fishing or walking in the woods.”

Nutrition and exercise help older adults stay healthy
As people reduce trips to the grocery store to help slow the spread of the new coronavirus, older adults should pay special attention to what they put in their pantries. “As we age, we don’t need as many calories, but we still need the same amount of nutrients or more of certain nutrients,” said Qula Madkin, an Extension instructor of nutrition in the MSU Department of Food Science, Nutrition and Health Promotion. “Maintaining a nutritious diet helps our body systems work properly, including our immune system.” Exercise is also an important part of staying healthy. Regular physical activity helps decrease depression, boosts the immune system and improves strength and balance, said David Buys, health specialist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service.

Smoke-free policy enhances healthy environment
Mississippi State University is a smoke-free campus. Official policy prohibits the use of any combustible or vapor products anywhere on campus property including university buildings, university grounds, university vehicles, parking areas and sidewalks. The smoke-free campus policy is part of the university's commitment to creating a healthy environment for all members of the campus community. Use of cigarettes, e-cigarettes, cigars, pipes, hookah or other similar devices are prohibited by this policy.

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Mississippi State gives notification for all employees to shelter in place
In light of Executive Order No. 1466 signed by Gov. Tate Reeves requiring all Mississippi residents to shelter in place, all buildings on campus will be closed effective April 3 at 5 p.m. until April 20 at 8 a.m. with the exception of the Longest Student Health Center for emergency medical services and pharmacy services, Perry Cafeteria, residence halls housing students who remain on campus, the Wise Center for emergency veterinary services, and the U.S. Post Office located at MSU. The campus will remain operational, and all employees should continue to work from home to the extent possible. Classes will continue to be taught remotely. No employees should report to campus or an MSU facility unless notified by your supervisor to do so or unless approved by your vice president. Employees who must work on campus should practice social distancing, and no groups of 10 or more should gather at any time.

High Voltage Lab works to retrofit 550 ventilators for use in COVID-19 response
Mississippi State University researchers are working to convert over 550 ventilators from battery power to AC power so they can be used in the state’s medical response to the COVID-19 coronavirus. MSU’s Paul B. Jacob High Voltage Laboratory was contacted by the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning this week to discuss converting the battery-powered ventilators, which are designed to fill temporary needs in the aftermath of emergencies like hurricanes. “I am proud that our talented researchers can put their expertise to use as Mississippi continues the battle against COVID-19,” said MSU President Mark E. Keenum.

Director of University Health Services answering questions during online forum Tuesday
Mississippi State’s director of University Health Services will answer medical related questions submitted during an online community forum this Tuesday [April 7]. Dr. Cliff Story will be available to discuss the COVID-19 pandemic and address medical questions that may be submitted by viewers participating online. He is a university physician at MSU’s Longest Student Health Center, and is board certified by the American Academy of Family Physicians. The one-hour forum begins at 2 p.m. and may be accessed on Webex or via telephone.

Miller to share Mississippi Horse Park's success story with national Extension leadership conference online
The success of the Mississippi Horse Park will be shared with Extension professionals from across the country Monday [April 6] during the Joint Council of Extension Professionals’ Public Issues Leadership Development Conference, to be held online. Mississippi Horse Park Director Bricklee Miller is serving as a panelist during a virtual session on “Telling Your Extension Story - How to Stop Being the Nation’s Best Kept Secret.” The Horse Park is a partnership of Mississippi State University, the city of Starkville and Oktibbeha County and is a division of the MSU Extension Service.