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

image for Reporting Suspected or Confirmed COVID-19 cases

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.

image for Face Coverings Required

Face Coverings Required

ETSU requires the use of face coverings indoors for everyone. The COVID-19 policy on face coverings applies to both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals.

More information is available here.



 

Announcements

 

ETSU Maintains Mask Policy, Vaccine Requirements for Some Employees in Order to Preserve Federal Funding - November 16, 2021

As COVID-19 case numbers begin to rise again in our region, it is imperative that we remain vigilant in preventing the spread of this persistent and devastating disease. Over the past few weeks, ETSU and universities across the country have been working to gain clarity around the varied state and federal regulations related to preventing the spread. 

Read More

Coping with the Impact of COVID-19 - September 27, 2021

For more than eighteen months, the COVID-19 pandemic has challenged our resilience.  Waves of uncertainty, stress, and grief have become commonplace in our classrooms, our offices, and our homes. The surge of the Delta variant has tested our courage as we worry over loved ones who exhibit the merest sign of illness. It has tested our faith as we watch members of our community fall seriously ill or pass away in unimaginable numbers. Resources are available to help you navigate these difficult times.

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.

 

Share