Social Distancing - UTC Updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Social distancing is the practice of maintaining at least six feet between yourself and others. It is a tool to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and is required of everyone on campus, whether indoors or at large outdoor spaces such as Chamberlain Field.

Summary

Formats, locations and timing of fall classes have changed to encourage social distancing and help protect the health and safety of everyone on campus.
In-person classes are limited to no more than 30 people to allow for social distancing. For some larger sections, that may mean rotating schedules will be in place: a selection of students will attend in person, while the remaining students will attend virtually, alternating over class meeting times.
Stickers and signage have been placed across campus to remind students and faculty about social distancing.

Classroom Size

The maximum number of people allowed in a classroom is 30. Some classes with more than 30 students enrolled will be scheduled so that no more than 30 students are in a classroom at a time.

In larger classrooms, straps have been placed on seats to prevent their use and ensure social distancing.

For almost all face-to-face classes, students and faculty are expected to maintain six feet of social distance and wear face masks while in the classroom, with some closer contact allowed for short periods (again, while wearing a mask). Room capacities and course schedules have been set to permit classes to meet these safety guidelines.

For some specialized disciplines or classroom experiences, limited exceptions will permit students to work in closer proximity to each other. Within these exceptions, additional safety protocols should be in place, including health checks and extra room/equipment cleaning.

Common Areas

All University facilities will be open for student use, with common areas and furniture configured to ensure appropriate social distancing.

Dining Areas

Dining Services has reconfigured each dining area to enable appropriate social distancing.

Face masks are not required while eating, but diners must eat only in designated dining locations. When not eating, patrons must wear face masks while in any UTC dining facility and whenever social distancing is not possible.

Campus Housing

Campus Housing will encourage social distancing during fall move-in. Students can bring a maximum of two guests to help with move in. Students and guests must wear face masks while on campus. Elevators, doors and stairs will be labeled as entrances or exits. Only one family should use an elevator at a time. Volunteers will help with parking but will not be permitted to assist with moving belongings.

All residents must follow signage that marks entry and exit. Common areas such as lounges and meeting rooms have been reconfigured to help maintain social distancing. Students are asked to avoid congregating in groups of 10 or more.

All residents are to maintain social distancing and wear face masks when not in their personal residence inside residence halls.

Fraternity/Sorority Life

All UTC students, regardless of their membership in a fraternity or sorority, are held accountable to the Student Code of Conduct. In addition, Fraternity and Sorority Life is a department within the UTC Office of Student and Family Engagement that supports these organizations. Leaders from all Greek organizations are required to attend meetings with UTC staff throughout the semester, and these will include discussions on COVID-19 guidelines and expectations for chapters.

As with all student activities, all fraternities and sororities are required to adhere to the University’s overarching guidelines for social distancing, the number of people allowed to gather, room capacities and mask-wearing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will social distancing be required in large, outdoor spaces such as Chamberlain Field?

Yes. The University requires all members of the campus community to maintain appropriate social distancing and to wear face masks wherever social distancing is not possible.
Will large-capacity lecture classes happen and, if so, how do students practice social distancing?

Most face-to-face classes will meet with no more than 30 participants in a room, including the instructor. For large-capacity sections, this may mean a rotating schedule in which a selection of students attend in person on a given day of the week while the remaining students attend virtually, either through synchronous or asynchronous instruction.
How will social distancing work in face-to-face classes?

For almost all face-to-face classes, students and faculty are expected to maintain six feet of social distance and wear face masks during class, with some closer contact allowed for short periods of time (wearing masks). Room capacities and course scheduling support these safety guidelines.

In some disciplines or classroom experiences, limited exceptions will permit students to work in closer proximity to each other. Within these exceptions, additional safety protocols should be in place including, but not limited to, health checks and additional room/equipment cleaning.
Will students be able to have study groups or will study groups be allowed in common areas if social distancing is being enforced?

Study groups of no more than four in which social distancing measures and mask use are practiced are not currently discouraged. Common areas in the library and across campus are being reconfigured to accommodate social distancing requirements.