Bringing Our Community Back Together

Speaking for the entire Executive Leadership Team (ELT), we are grateful to all UTC faculty and staff for everything you have done over the past year, under difficult circumstances, to keep our students on track to graduate, support our campus community, and keep our campus safe and healthy. I am excited that we can begin to bring our entire campus community back together for the collaboration and energy that make the UTC experience special.

With anyone over the age of 16 eligible to be vaccinated, and with vaccines increasingly available, planning for Fall 2021 is underway.  As previously announced, we will resume full on-campus operations in Fall 2021. Our UTC community has done an incredible job of supporting our students, and each other, through the pandemic. Thanks to each of you for your commitment to putting students first through creativity, compassion, and flexibility. We are proud of your efforts and all we accomplished under unprecedented circumstances.

Each Vice Chancellor is developing a phased plan for all faculty and staff to return to campus well in advance of Fall Semester 2021. Plans will be complete before the end of April 2021. We anticipate staff to return to campus by July 1, 2021 and faculty to be back August 2, 2021.

As we navigated the pandemic, we have learned many things about ourselves and our operations. Several people have asked if they will be allowed to continue telecommuting. At this time, we believe a return to a full on-campus presence and operations is in the best interest of our campus community and those we serve. However, opportunities for telecommuting arrangements as an exception to a full on-campus return to work may be available if approved by the appropriate Vice Chancellor. Comprehensive campus guidelines regarding consideration of telecommuting arrangements are available here.

Health and Safety Measures

We encourage members of our campus community to get the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible. You can find information about vaccine offerings on campus, as well as a vaccine appointment locator tool for off-campus appointments, here.

While the University of Tennessee does not require proof of vaccination, the choice not to be vaccinated will not exempt an employee from working on campus. Receiving the vaccine is the best way to protect yourself, even if someone around you may not be vaccinated.

We will continue to follow the guidance of our campus health professionals and maintain necessary health precautions. Specific guidance for Fall 2021 will be available later in the summer, but the campus community should anticipate continued mask requirements and other precautions. Current campus guidance is available on our website.

Again, thank you for all you have done and continue to do to help our students succeed and our community prosper. Together, we engage students, inspire change and enrich community.