About UM

The University of Mississippi, affectionately known as Ole Miss, is the state's flagship university. Included in the elite group of R1: Doctoral Universities - Highest Research Activity by the Carnegie Classification, it has a long history of producing leaders in public service, academics and business. Its 16 academic divisions include a major medical school, nationally recognized schools of accountancy, law and pharmacy, and an Honors College acclaimed for a blend of academic rigor, experiential learning and opportunities for community action. Recognized among the nation’s most beautiful, Ole Miss' main campus is in Oxford, which is routinely acknowledged as one of the country's best college towns.

History

When it chartered the University of Mississippi on February 24, 1844, the Mississippi Legislature laid the foundation for public higher education in the state. The university opened its doors to 80 students four years later, and for 23 years was Mississippi's only public institution of higher learning. For 110 years, it was the state's only comprehensive university.

Diversity

The University of Mississippi embraces its public flagship mission of inspiring and educating our diverse and vibrant community where all individuals are able to intellectually, socially, and culturally thrive through transformative experiences on our campus and beyond. In fulfillment of this mission, we demonstrate the following commitments to diversity, equity and inclusion:

• Diversity is an affirmation of the intersecting individual, social and organizational identities that make our community vibrant and transformational. We commit to openly increasing, embracing and recognizing the full spectrum of diversity at all levels of our institution.
• Equity is directly addressing the social, institutional, organizational and systemic barriers that prevent members of marginalized groups from thriving in our community. We commit to be both proactive and responsive in mitigating barriers so that all members of our institution are able to reach their full potential.
• Inclusion is actively and intentionally creating a welcoming campus where all individuals feel they have a supportive and affirming space to learn, grow and engage. We commit to fostering a campus environment that fully supports, values and engages the intersectional identities of every member of our community.

Libraries

The University of Mississippi libraries, which include the main J.D. Williams Library and the Science Library, house nearly 4.43 million volumes of books and journals. They also provide access to more than 214 electronic databases, 135,210 electronic journals and 814,143 electronic books. The J.D. Williams Library boasts several noteworthy features: for example a world-renowned Special Collections Department which includes the papers of significant Southern authors, Mississippi Civil Rights Movement leaders, the Blues Archive, Modern Political Archive and Southern Media Archive, as well as the national library of the accountancy profession.

Technology

Web-based services provide instant, 24/7 access to vital information, enabling students to apply for admission, register for classes, check grades, pay bills and submit class assignments online. Students and faculty have access to millions of library materials via the Internet. Each residence hall room includes a direct connection to the campus network as well as wireless service, and many public areas on campus provide wireless service.