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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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.

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Vaccine Information

There is still an opportunity to receive the COVID-19 vaccination on the campus of East Tennessee State University:

  • ETSU Health will offer the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine on June 2, 3, 4, 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, 25 from 2:30-4:30 p.m.
Click here for more information about the vaccine clinic.


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Temporary Telecommuting Policy

ETSU Policy PPP-73 (Telecommuting Policy Statement for Non-Faculty Employees) has been modified to permit a Vice President/Dean to approve temporary telecommuting for non-faculty employees on a case-by-case basis. More information available at etsu.edu/hr.

 

Announcements

 

ETSU Health Offering COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics

May 18, 2021

There is still an opportunity to receive the COVID-19 vaccination on the campus of East Tennessee State University.
 

  • ETSU Health will offer the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine on Saturday, May 29, from 10 a.m. to noon.

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COVID-19 Response: Emergency Policy on Face Coverings Lifted

May 17, 2021

Given the recommendations recently released by the CDC, ETSU is lifting its emergency COVID-19 policy on face coverings that was put into place last year.   In continued accordance with CDC guidelines, students, faculty, staff and visitors to the university who have been fully vaccinated (two weeks past their final vaccine dose) are not required to wear face coverings, and also are not required to observe physical distancing.  As noted by the CDC, persons who have not been fully vaccinated should continue wearing face coverings and following physical distancing guidelines.

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Temporary Telecommuting Policy

May 10, 2021

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.

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 transitioning its operations to Stage 4 with Modifications with full implementation expected by July 1. 

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 Modified Stage 4

  • Return to primarily on campus instruction.
  • Employees primarily working on campus.
  • Face coverings not required for fully vaccinated 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 (No earlier than June 15, 2021).
  • Athletic competition permitted.

 

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

STUDENTS

Students who have been fully vaccinated (two weeks past their final vaccine dose) are not required to wear face coverings, and also are not required to observe physical distancing.  As noted by the CDC, persons who have not been fully vaccinated should continue wearing face coverings and following physical distancing guidelines. Any member of the university community who has been fully vaccinated but wishes to continue wearing a face covering is encouraged to do so.   

For fall 2021, ETSU students can expect face-to-face instruction. This includes labs, experiential courses and learning experiences in the community (with select limitations).  Registration is open and classes are available to view in Goldlink. Residence Halls will return to double occupancy with sufficient space for students in quarantine or isolation. Students who qualify or receive APS, Regular or Federal Work Study (RWS or FWS), Graduate Assistants,  and Graduate Tuition Scholarship can expect to fufill work requirements on campus. Large university events and student activities will be permitted. Additionally, graduate and undergraduate students will be permitted to participate in research activities.







Resources for Returning Students

Resources for New Students

  • Registration: Open for Summer and Fall 2021
  • Graduate Students: Thesis and Dissertation information; workshops and professional development opportunities
  • Financial Aid
  • Housing: Variety of options available; Residence Halls returning to double occupancy in Fall 2021
  • Dining: Meal plans available
  • Student Activities and Organizations (SAO): Student groups may meet in-person with appropriate social distancing measures in place
  • CPA: Open with appropriate physical distancing and enhanced safety measures in place
  • Study Abroad: Select programs permitted (no earlier than June 15, 2021) 
  • Counseling Center: In-person and virtual options available



Frequently Asked Questions

 

EMPLOYEES

While some employees continue to work remotely, a significant number have already returned to campus for work. As ETSU begins its transition to Modified Stage 4 Operations, supervisors should begin communicating with employees currently working remotely to develop a plan to return to campus no later than July 1, 2021. In some cases, employees may continue to work remotely. 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.

Faculty and staff who have been fully vaccinated (two weeks past their final vaccine dose) are no longer required to wear face coverings, and also are not required to observe physical distancing.  As noted by the CDC, persons who have not been fully vaccinated should continue wearing face coverings and following physical distancing guidelines. Any member of the university community who has been fully vaccinated but wishes to continue wearing a face covering is encouraged to do so. 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.




Resources for Faculty

Resources for Staff

  • Travel: Outgoing domestic travel is permitted beginning May 15, 2021. 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)

 

Frequently Asked Questions

VISITORS & COMMUNITY

ETSU is transitioning to Stage 4 Operations with Modifications and has resumed in-person university events, as well as festivals, camps and conferences. Visitors who have been fully vaccinated (two weeks past their final vaccine dose) are not required to wear face coverings, and also are not required to observe physical distancing.  As noted by the CDC, persons who have not been fully vaccinated should continue wearing masks and following physical distancing guidelines. Anyone who has been fully vaccinated but wishes to continue wearing a face covering is encouraged to do so.  

Resources

 

Individual Responsibility

As members of the ETSU community, each of us has 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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