Statement Regarding SEC Announcement

"We are excited about today's announcement by the SEC and look forward to safely welcoming the first wave of student-athletes back to campus beginning June 8. I want to commend Shannon Singletary and the rest of the Ole Miss Athletics planning subcommittee, which is comprised of medical professionals and a diverse group of university administrators, for their leadership and diligence in formulating our gating plan, which will work cohesively with the timeline established by the SEC. The subcommittee's priority is to protect vulnerable employees and students, and under the guidance of multiple experts, peer reviewed information, the CDC, MSDH and campus and local authorities, we will take a phased approach to reopening our department.

The student-athletes' initial return to campus will be dedicated to safely training and preparing for the 2020-21 campaign, and only those operations that are essential to that goal. This will include COVID-19 educational sessions; voluntary or required activities as allowed by NCAA; strength and conditioning; medical and rehabilitation treatment, and nutritional fueling operations. As Commissioner Sankey pointed out, we will be able to provide our student-athletes with better health and wellness education, medical and psychological care and supervision than our athletes would otherwise receive on their own.

The parameters our department will be following for the student-athletes' return will be in accordance with federal, state, local and university guidelines and restrictions. Campus preparations are being concluded now, and safety provisions will include:

Facility adaptations and operational restrictions
Screening process prior to arrival
Education and accommodations for employees and student-athletes
PPE and cleaning supplies
Workouts and training sessions that observe quarantine/isolation protocols
Testing program, including emerging antibody testing
Contact tracing
Hospital capability to treat all patients

For the rest of the athletics department that does not have direct contact with student-athletes, we will also have strict facility, operational and travel guidelines in place. Those staff who can effectively work from home will be the last to return to campus, and accommodations will be made for vulnerable employees.

As we enter this first wave of reopening measures, the athletics subcommittee will continue to provide leadership for next steps and increase its focus on external events and competitions on campus."
-- Keith Carter: Ole Miss Vice Chancellor for Intercollegiate Athletics

The University of Mississippi Athletics

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