Bucs Are Back

ETSU releases plans to return to campus

As we prepare for Bucs to return to our campus for the fall 2020 semester, we recognize that the COVID-19 pandemic will require adjustments to procedures and operations, such as the academic calendar and course formats. These changes are being made to safeguard the health of our students, faculty, staff, and campus.

 

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Policy on Face Coverings

All members of the ETSU community, including visitors, are required to wear face coverings in public spaces. Click here to learn more about the COVID-19 Policy on Face Coverings.

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Course format changes for fall 2020

In light of the current COVID-19 climate, ETSU deans, chairs and faculty are updating course formats for fall 2020 as needed. Click here to learn more.

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Bucs Are Back: Frequently Asked Questions

A list of Frequently Asked Questions is now available to help our ETSU community learn more about:

  • Academic Courses and Calendars
  • Face Coverings
  • Cleaning
  • Human Resources
  • Student Life
  • Health

 Revised Academic Calendar for Fall 2020

August 24 First day of classes
September 7 - Labor Day ETSU will be open and classes will be held
October 12-13 - Fall Break ETSU will be open and classes will be held; Fall Break will be rescheduled to Thanksgiving week
November 11 - Veterans Day (observance) ETSU will be open and classes will be held
November 20 Last day of in-person classes (November 21 for Saturday classes)
November 23-27* ETSU will be closed for Fall/Thanksgiving Break
November 30-December 4 Classes will continue remotely (online)
December 5-10 Final exams will be offered remotely (online)
December 12 Commencement (Format of ceremony to be provided at a later date)

*Following the Fall/Thanksgiving Break (November 23-27) ETSU will be open and students will continue their classes remotely (online) through the end of the fall semester. 

 

What's Happening Now?

In March, ETSU moved all classes online and the majority of employees began working and maintaining services remotely. ETSU President Brian Noland formed the Future Operations Workgroup to develop recommendations for academics and services to return to campus. The workgroup released its report that includes a series of operational stages, 1-4, designed to address the need for loosening or restricting physical distancing measures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Stage 1 is similar to the spring 2020 semester with remote work and teaching and Stage 4 is the “new normal” with the least amount of restrictions. Details within each operational stage are recommendations and may be modified as necessary.

Read Future Operations Recommendations Report

 

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Summer 2020

ETSU operations have entered Stage 2, or the process of transitioning back to campus. Offices are open for in-person assistance during normal business hours. Remote access to campus services is also available.

All summer courses are being offered remotely as planned; however, some experiential learning opportunities may be offered in-person on a case-by-case basis.

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Fall 2020

The fall semester will begin as planned on August 24 with on-ground and online instruction offered, students living in residence halls, and employees working on campus with options in place for staffing rotations and/or remote work options to maintain physical distancing expectations.

The academic calendar has been revised so that on-ground classes will end November 20. After Thanksgiving Break (November 23-27) classes will resume remotely (online). Final exams will also be offered remotely (online).

What are the stages of operation as the ETSU community returns to campus?

  • STAGE 1 –  (similar to spring 2020)

    •  All campus instruction provided remotely using D2L and Zoom.
    •  Experiential learning in the community suspended.
    •  Residence halls minimally occupied.
    •  Employees working remotely.
    •  Research and service activities suspended with few exceptions.
    •  Limited campus access.
    •  University events canceled or postponed.
    •  Travel suspended.
    •  All Study Abroad and other international programs suspended.
    •  Athletic practice and competition suspended.

  • STAGE 2 – Current Operational Status

    • All campus instruction provided remotely using D2L and Zoom with few possible exceptions to allow on campus instruction in select courses requiring specialized equipment, clinical rotations, or other face-to-face learning.
    • Experiential learning in the community is possible on a case by case basis in partnership with community sites (e.g., clinical rotations, internships, externships, service learning) provided the host organization abides by appropriate safety standards.
    • Residence halls minimally occupied.
    • Employees working both remotely where possible, with some on campus, including options for staffing rotations within offices.
    • Research and service activities permitted with physical distancing and other safety measures.
    • No meetings or gatherings with more than 10 individuals.
    • All individuals must use face coverings when on campus.
    • Crowd control and waiting line measures in place to promote physical distancing (plexiglass at select service windows, spaced marks on floors).
    • Enhanced cleaning of public spaces.
    • Large university events canceled or postponed.
    • Festivals, camps, and conferences canceled or postponed.
    • Non-essential travel suspended.
    • All Study Abroad and other international programs for ETSU students suspended.
    • Athletic competition possible without spectators, limited practices or meetings based on guidance from the NCAA and Southern Conference.

  • STAGE 3 – Beginning Fall 2020

    • Faculty will identify courses, competencies, or experiences that can only be acquired in a face-to-face setting. These courses, competencies and experiences will be the first priority for using classrooms, teaching labs and other on-ground resources.
    • All other academic material will be offered in a hybrid format, to assure all students have an opportunity for both on-line and on-ground learning. Achieving a direct faculty-to-student interface, wherever possible, should be a priority, even if this can not happen at every regularly scheduled class session.
    • Laboratory and on campus experiential courses permitted with physical distancing and other safety measures.
    • Experiential learning in the community with select limitations.
    • Online instructional resources are used to address limitations with face-to-face instruction.
    • Residence halls occupied with significant efforts to limit face-to-face exposure.
    • Employees working on campus with remote work option available for those who identify an elevated risk of COVID-19 exposure to themselves or others in their household.
    • Research and service activities permitted with physical distancing and other safety measures.
    • All individuals expected to wear face coverings when on campus.

    • Crowd control and waiting line measures in place to promote physical distancing (plexiglass at select service windows, spaced marks on floors).
    • Enhanced cleaning of public spaces.
    • Select large university events possible with safety plans in place.
    • Outgoing university-related domestic travel is suspended with limited exceptions.
    • Outgoing university-related international travel is suspended.
    • Study Abroad and other international programs for ETSU students suspended.
    • Athletic competition possible based on guidance from the NCAA and Southern Conference.

  • STAGE 4 

    • On campus face-to-face instruction, limited physical distancing expectations.
    • Laboratory and on campus experiential courses permitted.
    • Experiential learning in the community with few limitations.
    • Residence halls occupied.
    • Employees working on campus with remote work option available with approval.
    • Research and service activities continue with appropriate physical distancing
    measures.
    • Large university events permitted.
    • Domestic and international travel permitted.
    • Athletic competition permitted.

 

Protecting the health of the ETSU community

 





Visit the Health and Safety Information page to learn more about cleaning protocols, COVID-19 testing, face coverings and travel restrictions.


 

Individual Responsibility

As Bucs return to campus through the summer and into the fall semester, each of us have the responsibility to protect one another. All faculty, staff, students and visitors are expected to adhere to the following guidelines:

  • Wear face coverings
  • Practice physical distancing
  • If you show symptoms or are exposed to someone who tests positive for COVID-19, contact the University Health Center to learn next steps for testing

 

Stay informed. Pay attention to campus communication such as:

  • Email messages sent to your ETSU address
  • D2L announcements from your instructors
  • Signs posted and displayed on campus with special instructions
  • ETSU social media accounts: Facebook Instagram and Twitter
  • ETSU News website
  • Install the ETSU Safe app on your mobile device


 

ETSU COVID-19 Response

East Tennessee State University is closely monitoring the outbreak of COVID-19. The safety and health of the ETSU community is our highest priority, and we take any threat very seriously.

We continue to follow the guidance of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Tennessee Department of Health and the Washington County Health Department. University officials continue to meet with Ballad Health, government leaders and public health officials to coordinate response efforts. 

We are committed to keeping you informed of any updates, further developments, or changes in operations.  Please check back to this website often for the latest information and announcements.

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