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

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Vaccine Challenge

The best method to protect yourself and our community from COVID-19 is to get vaccinated, if you are eligible.

Join the ETSU Vaccine Challenge! Eligible students may choose to complete an entry form to be included in raffles to win prizes such as a $2,000 tuition scholarship, designated parking spot, ETSU swag, and more!

Eligible faculty and staff may choose to complete an entry form to be included in a drawing for six $2,500 awards!

Learn more and complete the Vaccine Challenge Entry Form at etsu.edu/vaccinechallenge. 

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Reporting Suspected or Confirmed COVID-19 cases

Report suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19 not diagnosed/treated by University Health Center to the ETSU Office of Environmental Health and Safety:

*If University Health Center treated/diagnosed you, their staff will contact the ETSU Office of Environmental Health and Safety.



 

Announcements

 

Special Update: COVID-19 Safety Measures - September 20, 2021

Over the past month, it’s been incredibly exciting and reinvigorating to see students return to campus. However, the academic year has not been without its early challenges. With the COVID-19 Delta variant’s rapid spread throughout our region and the nation, we must continue to be diligent in following health and safety precautions.  Below you will find information and links from our Bucs Are Back website that address some of the frequently asked questions that have been raised recently. 

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The Ultimate Guide to Campus Resources - August 20, 2021

The fall 2021 semester has arrived.  Yesterday, I had the honor of meeting several of our new students and their family members as they were moving into our residence halls.  It is so wonderful to be back together again, in-person, as One ETSU, as we begin this new year.

With the COVID-19 Delta variant spreading rapidly throughout our region and the nation, we must continue to be diligent in following health and safety precautions.  Below you will find information and links from our Bucs Are Back website that address some of the frequently asked questions that have been raised.

Read More

Announcing the ETSU Vaccine Challenge - August 12, 2021

 

In less than two short weeks, classes begin for the fall term. We want all of you to know that the quality of your experience and safety of our community are our highest priorities. To ensure success as we return to a full on-ground experience this fall, we are encouraging all medically-able faculty, staff, and students who have not already done so, to get vaccinated against COVID-19. As part of this appeal, we are pleased to announce the ETSU Vaccine Challenge.

Read More

 

 

Operation Status

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.

To protect the health and safety of students, faculty, staff and visitors, face coverings are required in most indoor settings. The emergency policy on face coverings applies to those who have been vaccinated, as well as those who have yet to receive the vaccine.

Highlights of Stage 4 Operations

  • Return to primarily on campus instruction.
  • Employees primarily working on campus.
  • ETSU requires the use of face coverings indoors for everyone (both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals).
  • 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.

 

As students, faculty and staff prepare to return to classrooms, offices and activities there will likely be more questions.  Updates will be provided to the ETSU Community via email and published on the Bucs Are Back website.  

STUDENTS

With the COVID-19 Delta variant spreading throughout our region and the nation, we must continue to be diligent in following health and safety precautions. Students are required to wear face coverings indoors and highly encouraged to wear face coverings 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

Frequently Asked Questions

 

EMPLOYEES

With the COVID-19 Delta variant 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 required to wear face coverings indoors and highly encouraged to wear face coverings in outdoor settings when physical distancing is not possible. The COVID-19 policy on face coverings applies to both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals. 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

 

Frequently Asked Questions

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 requires the use of face coverings indoors for all campus visitors and highly encourages visitors to wear face coverings in outdoor settings when physical distancing is not possible. The COVID-19 policy on face coverings applies to vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals.

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.

 

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