Recent guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has changed COVID safety protocols across the nation. At the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, the following changes to campus safety protocols are effective immediately:
- Fully vaccinated people can participate in indoor and outdoor activities, large or small, without wearing a mask or social distancing.
- Fully vaccinated people will not have to participate in routine testing.
- Classrooms will continue to require social distancing in the summer terms.
- At this time, face masks are still required in some campus locations. Read below for details.
- The CDC encourages those not vaccinated to wear masks outside when social distancing is not possible and to wear masks inside buildings except when in private spaces such as in their individual offices.
- The University will consider a person fully vaccinated two weeks after receiving the second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or two weeks after the single dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
- UTC will continue to offer vaccines, routine testing, quarantine procedures and contact tracing.
Students, faculty, staff and affiliates who are symptomatic for COVID-19, regardless of vaccination status, should report COVID symptoms via the COVID-19 Notification Form if they may have been exposed to COVID-19 to determine next steps.
For people unable to have the vaccine for whatever reason (medical or for religious reasons), UTC will address their status on a case-by-case basis to ensure their safety on campus either in the classroom or workplace. The final process for these cases is still being developed.
UTC will continue to consider guidance from the CDC, Tennessee and Hamilton County departments of health. Immunized people should feel comfortable being on campus. UTC will keep protocols in place for the safety of people on campus who are not immunized. Regardless of vaccine status, anyone can choose to wear a face mask.
Face Masks Still Required in Some Locations
Per the CDC guidance, fully vaccinated people do not need to wear a face covering or practice social distancing on campus, indoors or out.
The CDC has outlined limited exceptions, including health care facilities and public transportation where masks will continue to be worn by all, no matter the vaccine status.
At this time, the following UTC locations and services still require face masks:
- University Health Services
- Counseling Center
- Children’s Centers at Brown and Battle
- MOCS Shuttle
- Summer camps with children under the age of 12 in attendance
Those who will be involved in these services should continue wearing masks.
Face Masks Available on Campus
A limited supply of disposable face masks are available in specific locations across campus. Use this campus map to see all available locations.
Updated May 24, 2021
Frequently Asked Questions
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Are any campus facilities or services still requiring face masks at this time?
Per the CDC guidance, fully vaccinated people do not need to wear a face covering or practice social distancing on campus, indoors or out.
The CDC has outlined limited exceptions, including health care facilities and public transportation where masks will continue to be worn by all, no matter the vaccine status.
At this time, the following UTC locations still require face masks:
- University Health Services
- Counseling Center
- Children’s Centers at Brown and Battle
- MOCS Shuttle
- Aquatics and Recreation Center (ARC)
- Summer camps with children under the age of 12 in attendance
Those who will be involved in these services should continue wearing masks.
If you are not fully vaccinated, you should wear a mask and practice social distancing for your own protection. View CDC guidance on how to protect yourself and others.
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How does/is UTC permitted to identify who is vaccinated?
At this time, we may ask for proof of COVID vaccination/immunizations for someone to be waived from:
- Routine testing
- Move-in testing
- Quarantine following a known exposure if asymptomtic
- Testing following a known exposure if asymptomatic, with some exceptions for specific settings (communal/congregate living)
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Are measures in place to require or enforce mask wearing by people who are unvaccinated?
We are relying on students and employees to do the right thing by wearing masks if they are not fully vaccinated.
Please remember that anyone can wear a mask no matter their vaccination status.
If you are not fully vaccinated, you should wear a mask and practice social distancing for your own protection.
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Is proof of vaccine status required to be exempted from a routine test?
All University students and employees will continue to be subject to the University’s routine testing requirements during the fall 2021 semester, unless they are exempted from them.
Individuals who voluntarily provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination/immunizations may be exempted from routine testing. Individuals who wish to provide proof of their vaccination/immunization may submit their information to University Health Services through its secure online portal Medicat.
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Does UTC recognize any religious exemptions for wearing a mask or getting a vaccine?Religious exemptions are based on the fact that vaccinations conflict with religious tenets and practices. The student must submit a signed statement stating this. If they are under 18, a parent or guardian must sign the statement.
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Do students/employees follow the same process as before in notifying of non-compliance by sending complaints to specific offices?
Yes.
Non-compliance with COVID-19 related provisions should be reported to:
- Students: Office of Student Conduct.
- Employees: Office of Human Resources
- Contractors: contract administrator or the Office of Procurement and Contract Services
- Visitors: UTC Police
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Is there a point when UTC can unilaterally lift the mask mandate for all people on campus without regard for vaccine status?Currently, there is no campus-wide mask mandate. There is a recommendation that those who are not vaccinated continue to wear masks. University officials continue to closely monitor guidance from the CDC, state and local health departments. University officials continue to review the evidence for best practices regarding safety measures and inform the administration accordingly. The campus community will be informed if the situation changes.
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Is UTC requiring unvaccinated people to wear masks outside on campus?
The University is following the guidance provided by the CDC which says it is safe for unvaccinated people to walk, run or bike outside with members of their household and attend small outdoor gatherings with vaccinated family and friends but that unvaccinated individuals should mask when attending small gatherings with unvaccinated and fully vaccinated people.
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Are masks required? Encouraged?
The CDC encourages those who have not been vaccinated to wear masks outside when social distancing is not possible, and wear masks inside buildings unless inside a private space such as their office by themselves.
At this time, the following UTC locations still require face masks:
- University Health Services
- Counseling Center
- Children’s Centers at Brown and Battle
- MOCS Shuttle
- Aquatics and Recreation Center (ARC)
- Summer camps with children under the age of 12 in attendance
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How does UTC make decisions when changing protocol?
University leadership is guided by the CDC, Tennessee Department of Health and Hamilton County Health Department.