Mississippi Valley State University’s adminstration is evaluating how to continue providing students with educational opportunities for the fall semester.
“While I am very optimistic and hopeful about our return to in-person, on-campus operations, the fall 2020 semester will commence following recommended guidelines and best health practices,” Dr. Jerryl Briggs, MVSU president, said in a statement released Thursday.
The university has shifted classes online and other methods of remote learning for the remainder of the spring semester and will offer summer courses exclusively online in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Earlier this month, the university announced that it would hold a virtual graduation ceremony May 9 on its Facebook and YouTube pages.
In anticipation of a return to normal operations, Briggs said he’s working to assemble an MVSU COVID-19 Recovery Committee, composed of select administrators, faculty, staff and student representatives.
The committee will prepare contingency plans detailing how MVSU can move foward in the fall, make specific recommendations based on insights from sub-groups and the state Institutions of Higher Learning’s newly assembled Safe Start Task Force, which has been tasked with crafting a system-level plan for starting and completing the fall semester in the safest and most effective way possible.
Two administrators from each of the state’s eight public universities have been appointed to the task force. MVSU representatives include Chief of Staff and Legislative Liaison Dr. La Shon Brooks and Chief Financial Officer Joyce Dixon.
“I remain very optimistic and hopeful that we will be fully open and operating this fall. I truly understand the value of the on-campus experience and what it means for not only our university but the community at large,” Briggs said.
He said he’s also appreciative of the dedication and support shown by the university’s community.
“While our current circumstances are unprecedented, I applaud our faculty, staff and students for the hard work and sacrifices they’ve made to ensure that we all finish the semester strong,” Briggs said.
To stay updated on MVSU COVID-19 related announcements, visit mvsu.edu/coronavirus-response.
