Statements

Dear students, faculty and staff,

We are deeply saddened by the sudden passing of our colleague and friend, Jacqueline “Jackie” Certion. She truly made a difference in the lives of many students, faculty, staff and alumni. Quite simply, she made Oxford a better place and made us a better university. Her care and love for helping people and facilitating the success of others through advising and mentoring will be greatly missed.

A profile outlining Jackie’s influence and legacy will be coming out soon. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family during this difficult time.

Sincerely,

 

Glenn F. Boyce

Chancellor

We are saddened to learn that the much respected and beloved Gov. William Winter passed away last night. As a distinguished statesman and prominent University of Mississippi alumnus, his outstanding leadership and advocacy has shaped our state and university in countless ways. His enduring legacy lives on in the lasting impact of his accomplishments in advancing education, racial reconciliation, equality and numerous other areas. We extend our deepest condolences and prayers to his family and the entire state for this great loss.

Dear faculty, staff and graduate students,

I am pleased to announce that William W. Berry III, Montague Professor of Law in the University of Mississippi School of Law, has agreed to serve as Acting University Ombudsman while continuing in his role on the faculty.

Dr. Berry served on the Faculty Senate subcommittee that proposed the creation of the Office of University Ombuds. More specifically, he is passionate about the need for an independent, confidential office where faculty, staff and graduate students can seek assistance with campus-related concerns, problems, and disputes.

Dr. Berry brings to this role extensive experience in dispute resolution. Prior to joining the university faculty, he practiced law in Washington, D.C. for the firm of Shea & Gardner (now Goodwin Procter). As a faculty member, he has served since 2016 as chair of the university’s Academic Discipline Committee. One of his professional areas of expertise is labor and employment law, having taught a number of classes in those areas during his 13 years on the law school faculty.

I am grateful that we have a professional with the credentials, expertise and commitment to our community like Dr. Berry for this role at this time. His appointment is effective immediately.

As I mentioned in a letter earlier this week, the university values the Office of the University Ombuds, which provides faculty, staff and graduate students with a confidential, neutral, independent and informal place to seek assistance voluntarily in bringing forth and resolving campus-related concerns, problems or disputes. This office helps ensure that every voice at the University of Mississippi can be heard, without fear of loss of privacy, retaliation or retribution. The University is committed to upholding these principles and maintaining this important function on our campus.

Sincerely,

Glenn F. Boyce
Chancellor

Dear faculty, staff and graduate students,

I write to address a topic that has generated some discussion on campus recently. The University of Mississippi is not doing away with the Office of the University Ombuds. I am moving expeditiously to name an acting University Ombuds to serve on a temporary basis.

As noted on the university website, the Office of the University Ombuds provides faculty, staff and graduate students with a confidential, neutral, independent and informal place to seek assistance voluntarily in bringing forth and resolving campus-related concerns, problems or disputes. This approach ensures that every voice at the University of Mississippi can be heard, without fear of loss of privacy, retaliation or retribution. The university is committed to upholding these principles and maintaining this important function on our campus.

Sincerely,

Glenn F. Boyce
Chancellor

Today, we pause to express profound gratitude to the over 1,400 military-connected students at our university, and for all of our nation’s Veterans. They are heroes, and we honor them for all they put aside for the benefit of all Americans, in service to something larger than themselves. They lead by example in answering the call of duty, living with courage and making extraordinary sacrifices in the defense of freedom, liberty and peace.

Dear students, faculty and staff,

With the confederate monument relocated to the cemetery on campus, I want to share a brief update on the project and what remains to be done.

First, to reiterate and clarify a point from my July 14 message, we will not add headstones to the cemetery. The graves are too shallow to add headstones without the possibility of disturbing the remains, which would be inappropriate and I am not willing to do that.Read More