MSU postpones start of 2021 spring semester
Mississippi State students will have a little longer break than expected before beginning the spring semester.
Due to coronavirus (COVID-19) concerns, MSU has postponed the start of the 2021 spring semester.
The spring semester classes were supposed to have gotten underway on Wednesday, January 6, but Mississippi State released that it will now be delayed to the following Monday, January 11, in an effort to ensure that no new COVID-19 infections are brought onto the campus.
MSU Executive Vice President and Provost David R. Shaw said that the university made the decision after the state began to see the number of new COVID-19 cases skyrocketing with more than 2,200 new cases reported.
“As we’ve repeatedly said, our primary responsibility is to safeguard our students, faculty, and staff during this health crisis,” Shaw said in a statement. “At this juncture, as COVID-19 is now a growing threat in Mississippi, this course of action is prudent and provides us the best opportunity to make the transitions necessary to most effectively balance our educational responsibilities as well. We know that with New Year’s Eve celebrations there is the possibility of additional exposures and infections. This delay will allow time for infections to run their course prior to students’ return to campus.”
This action is in keeping with guidance received from the Mississippi Board of Trustees of Institutions of Higher Learning, the U.S. Center for Dis
ease Control and Prevention, and the Mississippi State Department of Health.
Although classes are scheduled to resume on January 11, the university will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation and the state’s response in the coming days.
MSU encourages students, faculty, staff and their families to monitor the university’s official website, social media accounts, and to frequently check their email for updated information.