ETSU COVID-19 Response
People come first at East Tennessee State University. The COVID-19 pandemic has required adjustments to university procedures and operations in order to safeguard the health of our students, faculty, staff, and campus. ETSU remains dedicated to providing the safest learning environment without sacrificing the high quality education our students expect and deserve.
Important Information
Announcements
MEMORANDUM TO STUDENTS: COVID-19 Safety Protocols for Spring 2022 - January 11, 2022
The Stay Safe Bucs website (formerly “Bucs are Back”) will continue to serve as our primary portal to provide information to keep the ETSU community safe and communicate updates regarding policy changes.
To help you prepare for the new semester, we have outlined several resources to help answer commonly asked questions and provide direction regarding key protocols and procedures.
MEMORANDUM TO FACULTY AND STAFF: COVID-19 Safety Protocols for Spring 2022 - January 11, 2022
As we prepare to resume in-person classes and the start of the spring semester, we are faced, yet again, with combatting another dangerous variant of COVID-19. The Omicron surge has battered our hopes that we might leave the struggles of the past two years behind. We are tired. We are frustrated. But we must not give in to the temptation to surrender. Instead, we must resolve to stay strong and fight this wearisome and perilous pandemic together.
To help you prepare for the new semester, we have outlined several resources to help answer commonly asked questions and provide direction regarding key protocols and procedures.
- Operation Status
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ETSU Responds to COVID-19
In March 2020, 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.
What’s happening now?
ETSU is operating in Stage 4.
Our ability to successfully operate in this stage is predicated on improved numbers, vaccines being more widely available, and individuals being committed to following the safety measures in place on campus.
Highlights of Stage 4 Operations
- Return to primarily on campus instruction.
- Employees primarily working on campus.
- ETSU encourages the use of face coverings indoors and in outdoor settings when physical distancing is not possible
- Laboratory and on campus experiential courses permitted.
- Experiential learning in the community with few limitations.
- Residence Halls return to double occupancy.
- Research and service activities continue.
- Large university events permitted.
- Domestic travel permitted.
- Select International travel permitted.
- Athletic competition permitted.
Updates are provided to the ETSU Community via email and published on the Bucs Are Back website.
STUDENTS
With COVID-19 variants spreading throughout our region and the nation, we must continue to be diligent in following health and safety precautions. Students are encouraged to wear face coverings indoors and in outdoor settings when physical distancing is not possible. The University Health Center offers free COVID-19 testing. Any student who has tested positive or may have been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19, should call 423-439-7785 for guidance on any quarantine requirements. ETSU strongly encourages all individuals to get the COVID-19 vaccine unless prevented from doing so due to complicating health factors. The vaccine is widely available across the region.
Resources for Students
COVID-19 Information
- Graduate Students: Thesis and Dissertation information; workshops and professional development opportunities
- Financial Aid
- Housing
- Dining
- Student Activities and Organizations (SAO): Student groups may meet in-person with appropriate social distancing measures in place
- CPA: Open with enhanced safety measures in place
- Study Abroad: Select programs permitted
- Counseling Center: In-person and virtual options available
- Disability Services
- University Health Center
- Academic Advising
- Tutoring
- BucShot, Campus Shuttle
- Bucky's Food Pantry
- ITS Help Desk
EMPLOYEES
With COVID-19 variants spreading throughout our region and the nation, we must continue to be diligent in following health and safety precautions. ETSU faculty and staff members are encouraged to wear face coverings indoors and in outdoor settings when physical distancing is not possible. Additionally, individuals should not ask a person’s COVID-19 vaccination status or use information about a person’s vaccination status to make decisions about participating in classroom or workplace activities.
The Office of Human Resources, with guidance from the Senior Leadership Team, has modified ETSU Policy PPP-73 (Telecommuting
Policy Statement for Non-Faculty Employees) to permit a Vice President/Dean to approve
temporary telecommuting for non-faculty employees on a case-by-case basis. The approval
process and procedures are defined in the emergency policy, Temporary Telecommuting Arrangement for Non-Faculty Employees. To help address the burden of the COVID-19 pandemic on employees and their families,
ETSU is implementing a procedure through which all employees may be eligible for up
to seven (7) additional days of COVID-19 Leave, effective September 1, 2021 through
June 30, 2022.
Resources for Faculty
Resources for Staff
- Travel: Outgoing domestic travel is permitted. Select outgoing university-related international travel is permitted
- Research: Lab and field research activities permitted; Graduate and undergraduate student participation permitted
- Teaching Resources: labs, experiential courses and learning experiences in the community permitted (with select limitations)
- ETSU Center for Teaching Excellence
- COVID-19 Leave Parameters
- PPP-73: Telecommuting Policy Statement for Non-Faculty Employees
- FAQ: Temporary Telecommuting for Non-Faculty Employees
- Travel: Outgoing domestic travel is permitted. Select outgoing university-related international travel is permitted
- COVID-19 Leave Parameters
VISITORS & COMMUNITY
ETSU is operating in Stage 4 and has resumed in-person university events, as well as festivals, camps and conferences. Capacity restrictions for in-person events have been lifted. A safety plan is required for any ETSU event accommodating more than 300 persons. (standard practice in place prior to COVID-19 pandemic)
ETSU encourages the use of face coverings indoors and in outdoor settings when physical distancing is not possible.
Resources
Individual Responsibility
As members of the ETSU community, each of us has the responsibility to 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 COVID-19 pandemic. 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 work 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.