Operations Update for Fall 2020
Dear ETSU community,
Each day, we are faced with choices that could impact the health of our loved ones,
our children, our community and ourselves. We are all doing the best we can to understand
what is happening around us and to make decisions to help keep one another safe. As
a university, we have made decisions to limit our on-campus presence, implement face
covering and physical distancing requirements all in an effort to prioritize the health
of the people who make East Tennessee State University a wonderful place to learn,
work and live. In early June, the Future Operations Workgroup provided recommendations
that outlined a process for university functions to resume on the ETSU campus by July
1 in a way that ensured a safe return for our students, faculty and staff while continuing
our work within the institution’s teaching, research and service missions. The workgroup
created a framework that included various stages in which the university would operate,
and the determination of the appropriate stage of operation would be based on the
current landscape of the COVID-19 pandemic at that given time.
Following spring break in March, the university operated in Stage 1, whereas all teaching
was offered online and the majority of staff worked from remote locations. By mid-June,
ETSU transitioned into Stage 2, as some employees began returning to their offices
and working on rotational schedules while other staff continued their roles in remote
locations. During this time, the ETSU Board of Trustees supported the decision to
maintain tuition and fees at current rates with no increases for the 2020-21 academic
year.
The fall 2020 semester begins in two weeks, and in the upcoming days students will
begin moving into our residence halls. ETSU will remain at Stage 2 for the start of the semester, but we are making modifications
to this framework. Highlights of this Modified Stage 2 structure include:
Reductions in the number of on-ground courses have been made in order to lower the population density on campus, particularly during peak times. This fall, more than 80 percent of courses will be offered online. Some course competencies must be taught on-ground; however, accommodations will be made for those students who have on-ground courses but are not able to be present on campus. Changes to course delivery have been driven by faculty working alongside chairs, deans and the Provost. Whether students take courses online or on-ground, faculty are committed to providing the safest learning environment and the highest academic quality for our students.
ETSU is reducing the density within its residence halls. To maximize the health of our students, Housing and Residence Life will convert all residence hall spaces to single bed occupancy this fall. This applies to those who will reside in Carter Hall and some Carter Hall Apartments, Davis and Luntsford apartments, and Clement, Governors, and West halls for the fall semester. Students reassigned to a single room will only pay the amount of their original assignment and those who had already selected a private room will be charged the double room rate.
Indoor meetings or gatherings greater than 15 people and not associated with academic coursework are prohibited without special exception from the appropriate vice president. In addition, our policy remains in effect that requires face coverings be worn in classrooms and other public spaces as well as in outdoor areas where a physical distance of six feet cannot be maintained between persons.
In order to reduce density within offices, supervisors are encouraged to continue allowing employees to work on rotational schedules and from remote locations. Our Office of Human Resources has provided guidelines for supervisors and employees to use in making determinations about working from remote locations. You can view those guidelines here.
Details of our Modified State 2 framework are available here and the Bucs Are Back website. Because people come first at ETSU, the health and safety of students, faculty and
staff remains our highest priority. These decisions have been greatly informed by
the institution’s COVID Medical Team, which has been charged with evaluating and providing advice to ensure that campus
planning for the fall semester is based on current medical, federal, and state guidelines
and best practices.
Another academic year is about to begin, and during the upcoming months the lives
of more than 14,000 will be transformed. I thank each of you for your patience during
these uncertain times and for your commitment to our mission.
Sincerely,
Brian Noland
President