MSU to conduct campus-wide test of locks during December drill
STARKVILLE, Miss. Mississippi State’s Crisis Action Team will test the ability of the university’s Starkville campus to centrally lock all electronically controlled exterior doors as part of an emergency preparedness drill on Monday, Dec. 21 at 1 p.m.
The drill tests the emergency response skills of top administrators, building managers, and key decision makers during a practice scenario and training session.
MSU Emergency Manager Brent Crocker said he expects the drill to last approximately one hour.
“The test will centrally lock all electronically controlled exterior doors or utilize our building managers to manually lock mechanical hardware,” said Crocker. “However, building occupants will still be able to exit their buildings. Card access will still be functional, so those with card access can still enter. MSU building managers and operators will receive additional university communications r
Julie Jordan named MSU’s chief research officer
Julie Jordan (Photo by Russ Houston)
STARKVILLE, Miss. Julie Jordan has been named Mississippi State’s vice president for research and economic development, MSU President Mark E. Keenum announced Dec. 9.
Jordan has served in the role on an interim basis since July 2019, providing leadership for the Office of Research and Economic Development, strategic vision for the university research enterprise, and administrative oversight of research centers and institutes.
“Dr. Jordan brings incredible focus, innovation and continuity to our university’s already very robust research activities,” Keenum said. “After a national search that attracted highly competitive candidates for this important position, I have a renewed confidence in Julie’s ability to lead our university to the next level as Mississippi’s longtime leading research institution. I am sincerely grateful to our search committee for their service.”
MSU announces additional details for start of spring semester
Citing an abundance of caution, Mississippi State University announced Dec. 10 that the start of Spring 2021 semester classes will be slightly postponed from Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, to Monday, Jan. 11, 2021, as MSU continues to monitor the impacts of COVID-19 on public health and safety.
Additional noteworthy dates include: Residence Hall move in will begin on Thursday, Jan. 7, at 2 p.m. instead of Saturday, Jan. 2. Drive-thru COVID-19 testing will be available on Thursday, Jan. 7, Friday, Jan. 8, and Monday, Jan. 11 for students at the Longest Student Health Center. Orientation for incoming spring students will be held virtually on Thursday, Jan. 7.