Maroon MEMO: Employee News (Mississippi State University)

Mississippi State University President Mark E. Keenum discusses academic and training partnerships with guests from Keesler Air Force Base. The officials were on campus July 31 to learn more about the university’s focus on cybersecurity, meteorology and the new Bachelor of Applied Science degree program. In addition to their meetings with Keenum, Keesler officials also met with other university experts and toured various MSU research centers. PHOTO: Beth Wynn | Public Affairs

Mississippi State, ParkMobile partner to provide contactless parking options for campus visitors
ParkMobile, the leading provider of smart parking and mobility solutions in the U.S., announced last week the launch of service on Mississippi State University’s campus in Starkville. Visitors on campus will be able to use the ParkMobile app to pay for parking at over 12,000 spaces around campus. With the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, campus leaders are encouraging visitors to use the app instead of the pay stations or traditional visitor passes. “Mississippi State is a highly innovative university and we are excited to partner with ParkMobile and offer our community a convenient way to pay for campus parking right on their mobile device,” said Jeremiah Dumas, executive director of transportation.

Sara Evans offering two showtimes for Aug. 22 concert at MSU Riley Center
Individual tickets are on sale for two shows by country superstar Sara Evans on Aug. 22 at the MSU Riley Center. Structural Steel Services and 970KK radio will present the concerts beginning at 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Meticulous safety measures will be in place to protect against the spread of COVID-19. The new rules, among other things, limit seating to 50% capacity and require concertgoers to wear masks at all times inside the Riley Center. Evans, a favorite with Meridian audiences, was originally scheduled to perform April 18. The pandemic forced the postponement of that appearance.

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.

S.M.A.R.T. passengers required to wear face coverings
The Starkville-Mississippi State University Area Rapid Transit -- known as S.M.A.R.T. -- is requiring that all passengers in the local community and on campus wear face coverings, as of July 6. Ridership capacity will remain at 19 passengers plus the driver, and all buses will continue to be disinfected on a daily basis. “SMART has continued to offer transportation services throughout the pandemic and ridership has continued to climb on our city routes,” said Executive Director of Transportation Jeremiah Dumas. “Given the continual and growing demand for transportation services and the continual threat of COVID-19, we think it is in the best interest of our riders and our drivers to require everyone utilizing our services to wear a mask and, within our capacity guidelines, practice social distancing while on our vehicles.”

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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Moving forward as one Bulldog family: MSU prepares to welcome students for fall semester
The upcoming 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 look forward to assisting students in getting connected and finding the resources they need to achieve their academic and personal goals.”

Instructional guide supports faculty with resources for innovative teaching methods
Educators across the country have adjusted to new teaching formats during the coronavirus pandemic, and as they look ahead to soon returning to in-person classrooms, the need for flexible teaching methods continues to be at the forefront of discussion among universities nationwide. Mississippi State’s Online Education Task Force is helping faculty implement a variety of teaching approaches. Brent Fountain, task force chair and associate vice president for academic affairs, said the group -- comprised of deans, department heads, faculty and student representatives -- has worked with key campus partners to simplify access to helpful resources and state-of-the-art technologies.

Campus road closures and traffic flow modifications in place this week
To maximize safety as students return to campus this week and move in to university residence halls, Mississippi State is modifying traffic flow plans for the week of Aug. 10-15, including some road closures. Faculty, staff, students, parents and campus visitors should click here to reference this map to view how their campus routes may be impacted and plan accordingly. University leaders have modified student residential move-in plans (MVNU2MSU) this year to incorporate additional precautions as part of MSU’s Fall 2020 Comprehensive Health & Safety Return Plan.

Census Bureau shortens deadline from Oct. 31 to Sept. 30, sounding alarm for Mississippi
Mississippi is responding to a surprise decision announced Aug. 3 by the U.S. Census Bureau to shorten the census deadline by one month, from Oct. 31 to Sept. 30. State leaders said the shortened schedule eliminates a crucial time for door-to-door census workers to follow up with those who have not yet responded in an effort to get a more complete count for the state. “I challenge everyone in the Mississippi State University family to register and ‘be counted’ for the census,” said Mississippi State University President Mark E. Keenum. “An accurate census count puts Mississippi in line for the maximum return of federal investment back into our state for things like highways, education, and healthcare. Mississippians truly can’t afford not to register for the census.”