After cancelling all in-person instruction through the summer last month, the University of Mississippi canceled all in-person programming on Thursday.

In a letter to Ole Miss faculty, staff and students, provost Noel Wilkin announced all in-person, on-campus programs would be canceled through Aug. 1 due to COVID-19. The decision includes all Ole Miss athletic and academic programs on the Oxford, Tupelo, Southaven, Booneville and Grenada campuses.

“While this was a difficult decision, this action is necessary to uphold our commitment to safety, health and well-being of our campus community,” Wilkin’s letter read. “We recognize that this decision presents disruptions and challenges for students, families, faculty and staff.”

The programs affected by the school’s decision includes summer camps, conferences, events and other experiences, according to Wilkin’s letter.

Online or remote experiences will be offered where possible. Details regarding those experiences will be provided from programs that can offer virtual experiences. Individuals who registered previously for canceled programs will receive direct communications from those programs.

On Wednesday, Ole Miss sent out information regarding how the University will proceed with orientation sessions for incoming students. Orientation for new students this fall will be delivered in a hybrid model. Programming, academic advising and other activities will be hosted virtually through the summer. In-person programming will be offered for students as they arrive on campus for move-in week and throughout the first week of classes.

On March 30, Ole Miss announced all summer school sessions would be conducted virtually or through other methods. That leaves the earliest date students could return to campus for in-person instruction is the fall semester, scheduled to begin on Aug. 24.

The 2020 Commencement ceremonies scheduled for May were postponed to an unspecified date on March 19 in an email from chancellor Glenn Boyce to faculty, students and staff.