All face-to-face classes at UTC were completed online for the remainder of the spring 2020 semester. Ample resources are available to support faculty, students and staff making use of online platforms to complete course work and other work, and information on how to access them is listed at the “Resources” menu below.
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Message from the Chancellor
In coordination with the UT System, UTC is making plans to be fully operational with students returning to campus for face-to-face classes this fall. All modifications made to the schedule, policies, and practices will be aligned with CDC and American College Health Guidelines.
A detailed plan to bring staff and faculty back to campus, the “Campus Reintegration Plan,” will be forthcoming from HR. A summary of the highlights of the Campus Reintegration Plan follows this message. We anticipate that different divisions/units of the campus will initiate reintegration at different times depending on the operational needs of that particular division/unit.
Our 2020 Task Force, co-chaired by Dean Robert Dooley and Dr. Richard Brown, is charged with developing creative ideas/solutions for UTC to continue to provide a high-quality educational experience in a safe and healthy manner as we return to offering instruction on campus.
Each of you have risen to the challenges that COVID-19 has presented. None of us can predict the future, and I appreciate your resilience and commitment to moving us forward as we plan for the Fall Semester.
Campus Reintegration Plan Summary
UTC will implement a 3-phase reintegration to campus plan in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and Governor Lee’s Executive Order-30. The plan will establish standards that allow employees to return to their areas of in-person engagement in the work setting in a manner that strives to protect their health and the health of the community.
Currently, we are planning Phase 1 to begin sometime in mid-May to mid-June. The commencement of reintegration will vary by campus unit and division. The operational needs of each division will determine the effective date for each phase and will be based on CDC guidelines, government official guidance, and monitoring the health and safety of our campus community.
Overview of Phases
Phase 1: Incrementally reintegrate personnel into the workplace who cannot effectively work from home, whose positions are needed to prepare for return to full operations in Fall 2020 or those who would prefer to be in the office to maximize productivity. Approximately 15-25% of campus occupancy is anticipated but may vary by division based on operational needs. Each supervisor will work with individual staff to incorporate personal situations such as health risk factors and childcare into divisional plans.
Phase 2: Continue to reintegrate personnel to increase unit capacity and functionality. Establish alternative scheduling, alternative workplace design and refine workspace habits to enable social distancing and hygiene. Approximately 50% of campus occupancy is anticipated but may vary by division based on operational needs.
Phase 3: Return to standard operations with full staff necessary for operational needs while continuing to utilize remote work arrangements to the extent feasible, alternative scheduling, and other measures to maintain flexibility, resiliency and prevention of illness.
Key Strategies for Phased Reintegration
- Staffing: Increase on-site staffing incrementally to support operational needs.
- Innovation: Continue and expand innovative workplace practices, design and scheduling.
- Hygiene: Incorporate CDC-recommended hygiene practices into cultural norms.
- Health Monitoring: Monitor health to ensure the well-being of our campus community.
Full details of UTC’s Campus Reintegration Plan will be forthcoming, and we will continue to prioritize communication and transparency throughout this process.
–Chancellor Steven R. Angle
Latest Updates
Commencement
Spring 2020 commencement ceremonies will take place at the following dates and times in August:
Friday, Aug. 7, 2:30 p.m. EDT: Graduate Student Commencement
Saturday, Aug. 8: Undergraduate Student Commencement
- 9 a.m. EDT: College of Arts and Sciences and College of Engineering and Computer Science
- 1 p.m. EDT: Gary W. Rollins College of Business and College of Health, Education and Professional Studies
More information will be shared as it is available, including on options for students unable to participate in August.
Student refunds
Refunds of portions of meal plans, housing and parking fees for eligible students will be processed starting April 1. Details, including a schedule of refund amounts, are here.
The Bursar’s Office recommends all students set up an ACH refund account if they have not already done so. Students should follow the instructions by logging in to their My Mocs Net account, then:
Click on the Money tab> Click on Go to My Account> Click on Refunds on top right of the page
Then follow instructions to set up an ACH refund account.
Campus services
University Center: Effective Saturday, April 4, open 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday only. While administrative offices inside the University Center are physically staffed 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on those days only, staff are reachable by phone or email from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The University Center building is closed Monday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Aquatic Recreation Center: Closed through the end of spring semester.
Library: Closed. Online resources for students.
University Health Services: Operating remotely, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Students with physical health questions or not feeling well can reach UHS by phone at 423-425-2266.
Maclellan Gym and Sports Complex: Closed.
Mocs Dining (Food Service): Effective Saturday, April 4, campus dining operations are limited to the locations operating in the West Campus Housing Building—POD and Dippers. Food service is available in those locations from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.
Mocs Express Shuttle (CARTA): Mocs Express Shuttle Service is suspended. Students can ride the city’s CARTA bus service for free using their Mocs cards.
Mocs Print and Mail Services: Operating 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday – Friday. All operations are housed in the Mail Center in the Administration Building on Palmetto Street. The Library Copy Center is closed.
Faculty and Staff
All campus buildings now require “security card access.” Each full-time university employee should have an official UTC ID with card access capabilities to his or her workplace. If you’re a full-time employee who doesn’t have an I.D./access card, call the University I.D. Card Office/MOCS CARD at 423-425-2218 for service. Access to interior doors and spaces remains unchanged. Call UTC Police at 423-425-4357 for access assistance or with questions. Please do not prop doors open.
Health and Safety
Faculty, staff and students are encouraged to continue practicing social distancing along with other recommended habits to avoid viral illness, including frequent hand washing or use of hand sanitizer, cleaning or disinfecting high-touch surfaces and staying home if you are sick.
- Wash your hands. Often. Thoroughly.
- Avoid close contact with people who appear to be sick.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
- Cover your cough and/or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces with a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing. If soap and water aren’t available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
International Travel Restrictions
All outgoing, university-related international travel is suspended. This includes travel related to teaching, research or grant activity, internships, conferences and presentations, performances and athletics.
The U.S. State Department raised its global travel advisory to level four, its top-tier warning on Thursday, March 19. The announcement is a recommendation, not a requirement, but curtailing personal international travel is strongly encouraged. If you are currently overseas and will be returning in the coming weeks, you must follow all guidelines issued by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Domestic Travel Restrictions
Along with international travel, the University also has suspended indefinitely all non-essential, domestic, University-related business travel.
Be mindful of personal domestic travel and bringing visitors to campus. Other parts of the country have declared states of emergency as they work to contain COVID-19. Be sure to follow CDC recommendations and your health care provider’s guidance if you experience viral symptoms, especially if you have traveled recently.
We will continue to monitor the spread of the virus and adhere to guidance from the Tennessee Department of Health, CDC, the World Health Organization and other authorities. In conjunction with these professional partners, we will continue to make decisions we believe will best protect the health of the campus community.