Photo with squirrel on the left and Logo on the right that reads: The Powder Blue in red and light blue

I’m not crying, we’re all crying.

Students walking wearing masks and waiving at the camera

Seniors bingo!

First of all, congrats to our seniors!! Hopefully you have four (or five?) years’ worth of memories to take with you wherever you go. So screenshot this bingo card, circle your boxes and post it to your IG stories! Don’t forget to post a blank one after it and tag your friends so they can do it, too.
Graphic that reads Ole Miss Seniors Bingo with a series of bingo selections in a grid format

Grad weekend 101 and 102

2021 Commencement is April 29-May 2 this year, and the following weekend is class of 2020 Commencement. Whether you’re graduating, not graduating or just trying to finish your finals next week, here are some things to know.

I will be: in town, but not graduating.
  • Plan for Oxford to be busy! Leave yourself more time for traffic and moving around campus.
  • If you don’t want to get caught in restaurant crowds, make sure to grocery shop or plan your meals ahead of time.
  • Take a day trip to Memphis, Sardis Lake or Wall Doxey State Park if you want to get out of town.
  • Congratulate your graduating friends! That’ll be you one day!

I will be: graduating! Waahooo!! Wait, my parents are coming to town, what are we going to do?
  • Allow extra, EXTRA time to get around campus and Oxford. You don’t want your family stressing on such a big day. Show them you’re ready for the real world by working out the details ahead of time.
  • When parking info is released, check where parking is allowed and make sure any ADA needs are taken care of. If you have multiple events, park close to your last event.
  • Make a list of your favorite local restaurants you want your family to try! We listed some good Oxford breakfast spots further down.
  • The Grove, the Vaught, Swayze, Rowan Oak – give your family (and yourself) a farewell tour of your favorite Oxford spots.
  • Different towns and states have varying COVID-19 restrictions, so make sure your guests are all on the same page.
  • Take it all in!! We’re so proud of you!
Student walking wearing a mask waving and holding a carton of chocolate milk
Commencement details
  • Morning convocation starts at 8 a.m. on Saturday, May 1. After 7 a.m., enter the Vaught on the Gertrude Ford side through gates 1-20.
  • What about germs? Each venue will be disinfected between ceremonies with ⚡electrostatic sprayers⚡ which is also why some venues may be locked until an hour before the ceremonies.
  • Masks or no masks? Wear them at all times at all indoor ceremonies and any time you’re not at your seat at outdoor ceremonies.
  • This is new: After you walk across the stage, you and your guests will leave the venue so you can take a photo with your mask off at an outdoor photo op station.
  • Will there be snacks? Water will be provided in the venues. Info about dining options on campus is further down.
  • You can return caps and gowns to the bookstore, the Jackson Avenue Center or to trucks in front of the Pavilion, the Tad Pad and the Ford Center. See this page for how to order and pick up your cap and gown.

How do I get tickets?
  • Watch this video for instructions about how to reserve your tickets.
  • Then see this webpage to actually reserve them and for more info. Remember, promo code = student ID number.
  • Make sure you reserve your tickets by Tuesday, Apr. 27, because...
  • On Wednesday, Apr. 28 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., students will be able to reserve some of the unclaimed tickets that others didn’t need.
  • Ceremonies will be livestreamed for people who can’t make it – that link will come later.
Women in park on blanket waiving at camera man from the distance
2021 Commencement bookstore hours
Friday, Apr. 30: 7:30 a.m-6 p.m.
Saturday, May 1: 7:30 a.m-6 p.m.
Sunday, May 2: 9 a.m.-6 p.m.

Finals and Commencement dining facilities hours
Monday-Wednesday, Apr. 26-28: all locations open regular hours
Thursday, Apr. 29: all locations open regular hours, except Cane’s (open 10 a.m.-2 p.m.)
Friday, Apr. 30: all locations open regular hours, except Freshii (open 11 a.m.-2 p.m.), Starbucks at the Library (open 7:30 a.m.-1 p.m.) and Cane’s (closed all day)
Saturday and Sunday, May 1 and 2: Rebel Market (10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. and 5-7 p.m.), Chick-fil-a (7 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday only) and Union restaurants (10 a.m.-4 p.m.)
Monday-Friday, May 3-7: Rebel Market, 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 8: Rebel Market (10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. and 5-7 p.m.), Chick-fil-a (7 a.m.-4 p.m.) and Union restaurants (10 a.m.-4 p.m.)

Exam notes

If you still need help, get in touch with your professor, your classmates, your smart cousin, anyone! If you have three or more finals in a day, you can email your instructor to reschedule your noon or 7:30 p.m. exam. However stressed you might feel during finals, don’t let it overtake you. 🥺 You’ll pull through and then it will be summertime. Hotty Toddy.
Silhoute of students outside the lyceum in shaded area
Studying on campus
Lamar Hall floors 1-4 in will be open for extended finals hours starting Friday. Enter through the Grove-side doors. One guard will be at the building entrance and security personnel will be roaming the halls. The Writing Center will also be open Sunday, Apr. 25, 3-9 p.m.

Full Lamar Hall schedule
Friday, Apr. 23: 5 p.m.-12 midnight
Saturday, Apr. 24 and Sunday, Apr. 25: 7 a.m.-12 midnight
Monday, Apr. 26 through Thursday, Apr. 29: 5 p.m.-12 midnight
Student wearing mask on her computer in the library
Finals library hours
Thursday, Apr. 22: 7:30 a.m.-12 midnight
Friday, Apr. 23: 7:30 a.m.-10 p.m.
Saturday, Apr. 24: 12 noon-10 p.m.
Sunday, Apr. 25: 12 noon-12 midnight
Monday, Apr. 26 through Thursday, Apr. 29: 7:30 a.m.-12 midnight
Reminder: wear a mask at the library.

Around Town: Breakfast Edition

Someone holding pancake and applying whipped cream
Whether you’re up late or woke up late, breakfast food is always a good idea. Here are some places around town to find some.

Beacon: Southern style, down-home breakfast (lunch and dinner too!) served in an old-school diner on North Lamar Blvd.

Big Bad Breakfast: A must-try Oxford favorite! Everything on the menu is SO YUM. The best grits, omelets and brûléed grapefruit – you can’t go wrong.

Bottletree Bakery: This classic Oxford staple serves fresh-baked bread and delicious breakfast right on the Square.

First Watch: This cute breakfast spot on South Lamar Blvd. is a lighter option that has traditional breakfast options and healthier dishes. Word on the street is they have delicious juices!

The Luv Shack: Italian during the week with New York-style bagels on Sunday morning that are beyond worth the wait!

Oxford Canteen: Known for amazing iced coffee and breakfast tacos any time of day. They also have a mural on the side of their building that’s the perfect photo spot!

THANK YOU, seniors!!

Our graduating seniors have contributed so much to Ole Miss, including a donation to the Center for Inclusion and Cross-Cultural Engagement as their senior gift. This gift supports the Inclusive Excellence Retention Fund, which helps with need-based academic expenses for Ole Miss students who promote diversity awareness, respect and acceptance. You can contribute to the senior gift here.

Student athletes out here working even after finals

Softball player sliding into base
Baseball is at home until May 4, y’all.
Thursday, Apr. 22, 7 p.m. vs. LSU
Friday, Apr. 23, 6:30 p.m. vs. LSU
Saturday, Apr. 24, 12 noon vs. LSU
Friday, Apr. 30, 6:30 p.m. vs. South Carolina
Saturday, May 1, 6 p.m. vs. South Carolina
Sunday, May 2, 12 noon vs. South Carolina
Tuesday, May 4, 6:30 p.m. vs. Arkansas State

Softball is at home through 2021 graduation.
Friday, Apr. 23, 5 p.m. vs. Auburn
Saturday, Apr. 24, 7 p.m. vs. Auburn
Sunday, Apr. 25, 1 p.m. vs. Auburn
Friday, Apr. 30, 6 p.m. vs. Central Florida
Saturday, May 1, 4 p.m. vs. Central Florida
Sunday, May 2, 1 p.m. vs. Central Florida

Track and field heads to the Maroon and White Invite in Starkville and the LSU invitational this weekend. The men’s tennis and the women’s tennis teams have NCAA Championships May 7-22. Men’s golf finishes out the last few days of the SEC Championship this week.

Announcements and reminders

Next Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, Apr. 26-28, are the last days of asymptomatic testing (ever?!). Sign up for an appointment here before you go home, especially if you’re not yet vaccinated.

This is the last issue of The Powder Blue for the semester! We’ll be back in the Fall, but you can always reach us at thepowderblue@olemiss.edu.

Events

Southern Studies Spring Documentary Showcase
Friday, Apr. 23, 12 noon
Online

University of Mississippi Gospel Choir 2021 Spring Concert
Saturday, Apr. 24, 10-10:45 a.m.
Student Union Ballroom

Mental Wellness Wednesday
Wednesday, Apr. 28, 10-11 a.m.
Online

Lavender Graduation
Thursday, Apr. 29, 4:30-5:30 p.m.
Student Union Ballroom

QPR Suicide Prevention Training
Contact Kimbrlei McCain at kamccain@olemiss.edu for info
Online

To the real MVP 🏆

Starship robot riding on two wheels under walk of champions
See past issues and subscribe to The Powder Blue here.

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Student contributors to The Powder Blue: Maddie Scales, Maren Martfeld and Malaurie Noble
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