Rust College ready for new year

Rust College is gearing up for in-person operations and activities for the fall semester with COVID-19 guidelines in place.

Dr. Ivy R. Taylor begins her second academic year as president, and she has released the “Bearcats Return Stronger: Campus Reactivation Plan.”

“COVID-19 will continue to impact all of us as we move forward with our daily lives, but we will not let it defeat us,” she said in the president’s overview portion of the campus reactivation plan. “Our goal is to ensure we put measures in place that will help reduce the risk and spread of COVID-19 on campus and in the community.”

Residence halls open for new students August 13-15.

Residence halls open for returning students August 19. The first day of classes is August 23.

“The exciting part about this year is the possibility of returning to many of our normal campus events and activities,” Taylor said. “Last year’s Miss and Mr. Rust College coronation was taped in a studio and broadcast via RC-TV2 and YouTube. I am really excited about the idea of enjoying inperson events with students again and returning to our Rust College traditions.”

Based on recommendations of the Mississippi Department of Health and Center for Disease Control (CDC), masking and social distancing will be required on campus.

Rust College does not mandate the COVID-19 vaccine for anyone, according to the campus reactivation plan. However, the college is encouraging, based on CDC guidelines, that all students, faculty and staff be vaccinated before the fall semester. Vaccinations will be offered on campus Monday, Aug. 16.

Rust has also established guidelines as far as weekly COVID-19 testing, for those not vaccinated, and quarantining if a student, faculty or staff member tests positive.

“We highly encourage students, faculty and staff to get vaccinated prior to returning to campus,” Taylor said in the president’s overview portion of the campus reactivation plan.

At this point, she expects enrollment to be similar to last year, more than 600 students.

“Our enrollment is still a moving target as we continue to receive new information about the continued pandemic,” Taylor said. “We are aggressively communicating with prospective and returning students about enrolling at Rust this fall.

“Our enrollment has unfortunately been declining for a few years now, and the pandemic has led to many families hesitating about on-campus living. Our new vice president for Enrollment Management arrives shortly and will be focusing on increasing enrollment.”

Rust College will have new faces on the faculty and staff, with a few vacancies left to be filled.

“We still have a few openings to fill but we are confident that we have the necessary personnel in place to deliver a quality academic experience for our students, as well as ensure a safe and welcoming campus life environment,” Taylor said. “Our new HR manager is working to fill all remaining vacancies.”

The Rust College president thanks the community for its support.

“As we transition into a new era of the COVID-19 pandemic, there remains opportunities for cautious community involvement,” Taylor said. “We look forward to working in partnership with the community to help our students during what will be a thought-provoking academic year as the college continues to work to equip and inspire students for excellence and service in the community and throughout the world.”

She invites the community to help welcome students back to campus and Holly Springs in these suggested ways:

• Display welcome signs in business, store and shop windows or out front;

• Offer student internships;

• Offer students merchandise discounts (certain percentage off for Rust College students);

• Food pantry donations;

• Clothes closet donations;

• Financial gifts to the college can be donated online at www.rustcollege.edu or call 662-252-8000, ext. 4913.