Faculty and Staff Information
Helping faculty through the impact of coronavirus
Classes will remain in an online delivery methodology through the spring 2020 semester and summer sessions. To the maximum extent possible, employees will continue to work from remote locations through at least May 31, 2020. Supervisors are required to notify their appropriate Vice-President of those staff who are required to report to campus for their work assignments.
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Remote Work Procedures & Contact Info
Faculty and staff will continue to work from remote locations through at least May 31, 2020. During the upcoming month, leadership will provide direction on how university operations will proceed during the month of June. These decisions will be guided by the work of a new ETSU Future Operations Workgroup led by Dr. David Linville, executive vice provost for academics and health. The workgroup will create and provide recommendations and plans to senior leadership on transitioning our academic, campus, and business operations from our current remote status in a way that is safe for students, faculty, staff, and visitors.
As our lives and daily routines continue to change in response to the Covid-19 outbreak, the Office of Administration would like to express appreciation and support the ETSU family. For weeks staff have been preparing and adjusting to the extraordinary circumstances in which we find ourselves. It is our desire that as many employees as possible be supported to work remotely. Please note the following information:
HUMAN RESOURCES
We strongly encourage every employee at ETSU to work remotely if at all possible. Human Resources has suspended all existing telecommuting and VPN access policies and has developed new broad and flexible protocols to accommodate remote work for most employees. The PERSONNEL OPERATING PROTOCOL can be found at: https://www.etsu.edu/human-resources/documents/covid19_staffplan.pdf.
Contact Information: hr@etsu.edu phone: 423-439-4457
FACILITIES OPERATIONS
Operations is continuously adjusting staffing and procedures to address cleaning and safety in our facilities. Additionally, we have contracted with outside vendors for various needs to address disinfecting.
Contact Information: nelsonjs@etsu.edu phone: 423-863-5767
CAPITAL PLANNING
The Office of Capital Planning is working with the State Architect and other state entities to address transitioning bidding procedures to an electronic format. Workflow related to the multitude of capital projects is being adjusted to continue planning, design, and construction as appropriate.
Contact Information: baileyle1@etsu.edu phone: 423-676-1475
PUBLIC SAFETY
Public Safety will maintain 24 hour service and availability. New services such as camera patrol, engagement protocols, and response procedures have been implemented.
Contact Information: tiptonlm@etsu.edu phone: 423-439-6900
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
Emergency Management has been coordinating and communicating with emergency response officials and state officials to train and prepare for various issues. Staff is available for online training and to answers questions or concerns.
Contact Information: worleyp@etsu.edu phone: 423-439-6114
ATHLETICS
ETSU Athletics is cooperating and communicating with officials from the NCAA, Southern Conference, and the University. At this time, competition, recruiting, and spring practices are cancelled. Athletics staff is focused on support of our student-athletes and planning efforts to assist the University with critical functions and communication during the outbreak. Staff will be available to assist other units with various functions.
Contact Information: athleticsdirector@etsu.edu phone: 423-439-4343
Thank you for all of your hard work, flexibility, and patience during this time. None of us have every issue resolved or every question answered, but we will work together to serve our students, faculty, staff, and the community.
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Teaching Resources
When moving a course to remote/online delivery quickly, please consider the basic principles of online instructional design. You can access these through the Center for Teaching Excellence.
D2L is the university’s Learning Management System hosted in the cloud. It can be used by instructors to post and distribute course content such as syllabi and handouts; to communicate with students via discussion boards, announcements, and email messages; to collect student work and assignments; to assess student learning through quizzes and online assignments; and to grade assignments. A D2L site already exists for every course at ETSU which the instructor may need to populate with instructional material. Please see this reference site for a quick start using D2L.
Zoom (https://etsu.zoom.us) is a videoconference and audioconference software hosted in the cloud that enables communication across many mobile devices, desktop computers and video-enabled classrooms. Zoom allows for face-to-face interaction, and even breakout rooms for small group discussions. For example, it is possible for a faculty member to host a class discussion using only a cell phone equipped with a camera.
More Help with Zoom and D2L Remote Instruction Guidelines Create Your Plan Moving Content Online
For online accommodations for students with disabilities, please reference https://www.etsu.edu/students/ds/online-accommodation.php . For more information or questions, please contact Mary Little, Director of Disability Services.
Central support from the Information Technology Services is available from the ITS Help Desk at 423-439-4648. The Center for Teaching Excellence is also available for teaching pedagogy questions at 423-439-8661.
Student resources overview
Dr. Stephen Marshall, chair for the Department of Media and Communication, has recorded a video overview of ETSU's COVID-19 response website to connect students with available resources and information. This video is available to share on D2L: https://youtu.be/S70461s8gAM
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Technology Resources & Software
Helpful Technologies
ITS has put together a website with resources related to remote content delivery, remote access to campus, technologies to assist with communication, zoom conferencing and other information to help you do your job while away from campus.
Technology Resources & Software
The ITS Helpdesk is available to continue support of faculty, staff and students. Find their contact information and hours at the website.ETSU outdoor WiFi available
Although access to ETSU buildings is limited at this time, outdoor WiFi locations are available. Students can connect to ETSU WiFi from their personal vehicles at the following parking locations on the ETSU campus:1. Carillon/Bell Tower parking areas between Gilbreath Hall and Burgin Dossett.
2. Parking lot at 902 Maple Street
3. Southwest corner of the Parking GarageThese locations are also marked with a blue circle on this campus map:
While connecting to the ETSU WiFi, please follow the Center for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines for social distancing. Also, please remain in your vehicle while using WiFi.
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Library
Sherrod Library
The Sherrod Library building is closed until further notice. However, all Sherrod Library services and collections are available online at https://libraries.etsu.edu/
Research help is available remotely via:
✉ Email: refdesk@etsu.edu
💬 Chat: https://libraries.etsu.edu
📅 Zoom: https://libcal.etsu.edu/appointmentsResearch help hours:
May 8-17
Monday-Friday: 8 a.m to 4:30 p.m.
Saturday-Sunday: ClosedSERVICES
24/7 off-campus access to electronic resources
Databases, articles, ebooks, and streaming media remains available via OneSearch, A-Z Databases, and Course and Subject Guides, email, and Library service FAQs
Electronic delivery of interlibrary loans (articles, chapters, other digital media)
Training and support to integrate library’s electronic collections into D2L
Digital Commons repository for student and faculty e-portfolios, posters, papers, and other digital works
Due dates on all currently checked out library materials have been extended to May 8
For questions please email refdesk@etsu.edu or call 423-439-4307 or 1-866-542-3878 (1-866-LIB-ETSU).
ETSU students enrolled for Summer or Fall 2020 will have the due date on checked out library materials extended to July 15, 2020. This includes interlibrary loan items. ETSU employees will also have due dates extended to July 15, 2020 unless contacted by the library to resolve special cases.
Book Return
Most ETSU campus buildings are closed but you can come onto campus to return books to Sherrod Library.
From the front entrance doors, turn to the left and walk 28-30 steps and you will find yourself at the 24/7 book returns on your right. The book return slots are built into the side of the building, and they are secure for your return of all library books.
If you need to mail books back to the library, send to:
Sherrod Library, AskUs Desk
ETSU
PO Box 70665
Johnson City, TN 37614 -
Research
Institutional Review Board (IRB)
Office for the Protection of Human Research Subjects and the ETSU IRBs are fully operational. All IRB email addresses continue to be monitored with the same or greater frequency. IRB staff will be available via phone and email during normal business hours. We want to assure the research community that our primary concern is the safety of our researchers and research participants while also preserving the scientific integrity of research protocols. For more information, please visit https://www.etsu.edu/irb/covid-19-info-for-research.php.
Information regarding ORSPA site for grantees: https://www.etsu.edu/research/orspa/federal_agency_guidance_in_response_to_covid-19.php
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Health Related Questions and Answers
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What should I do if I am sick?
If you experience fever, cough, or difficulty breathing and you have had contact with a confirmed COVID-19 patient and/or traveled from a location with a CDC Level 3 or Level 2 travel notice within 14 days of the onset of illness, stay home and contact your health care provider or the University Health Center at 423-439-4225 (Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.) or after-hours at 1-888-915-7299.
Individuals with symptoms of COVID-19 including fever, cough, and shortness of breath may also contact the Health Department at 423-979-4689 for screening and further information on testing sites.
Do not go to a health care facility before you have called your provider.
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What measures can I take to help keep the work environment healthier?
To minimize the spread of illness, everyone should follow these everyday preventive actions recommended by the CDC:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces with a disinfectant. Spray surfaces that cannot be wiped with a disinfectant.
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Is the University Health Center open?
The ETSU University Health Center is open and still providing services for the ETSU community. If you are a student, staff, or faculty member and would like to see one of our providers, there are several options to choose from.
Do you want to be seen in person? You can schedule an appointment during clinic hours:
M/W/F noon-4 p.m.
Tues/Thurs 10 a.m.-2 p.m.We are also offering Virtual Telehealth visits for those who are not in Johnson City or prefer not to come in. These virtual visits can either be conducted over the phone like a phone call or it can be on a computer/laptop or camera capable cell phone. The latter provides both an audio and visual component, so you can see and speak with one of our providers in the comfort of your own home.
We are currently offering virtual behavioral health appointments, in person and virtual sick visits, immunizations, TB tests, etc.
For more information, please visit the University Health Center website or call 423-439-4225 during our clinic hours.
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What support services are available if I feel concern or worry about the COVID-19?
Students may contact the ETSU Counseling Center at 423-439-3333 or visit them on the third floor of Nell Dossett hall. The Counseling Center is open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday. Bucs Press 2 provides counseling support by phone and is available 24/7 by dialing 423-439-4841 and pressing 2.
The BucsCARE website is another resource for students. BucsCARE lists offices and campus resources in various categories. Student referrals can be made by submitting a CARE Report.
The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a resource for faculty and staff members who need counseling support and referral to other resources. Assistance is available 24/7 by calling (855) 437-3486.
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Travel Restrictions
Domestic Travel
As part of our ongoing efforts to monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and to protect the health of the campus community, East Tennessee State University has made the decision to extend the suspension of all outgoing university-related domestic travel through June 15, 2020. All outgoing university-related international travel is suspended until further notice.
- Local travel associated with everyday operations of the university, including blanket travel, will continue.
- Vehicular travel outside a 50 mile radius, with the exception of other ETSU campuses, requires supervisor approval and should be limited to activities that are absolutely necessary and cannot be rescheduled or conducted remotely.
Do the travel restrictions apply to personal travel?
This suspension is applicable to university-related domestic travel and international travel and does not apply to personal travel plans.
What are the self-quarantine requirements if I have traveled?
When considering personal travel, follow the most current guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which include self-quarantine guidelines when traveling to and from certain areas.