SUMMER SESSIONS
Will summer 2020 courses meet in person or online?
No face-to-face classes will meet during the Long Term (May 13-Aug. 4) and First Short Term (May 13-June 23) of summer. Students who have enrolled in face-to-face classes for the Long Term and First Short Term will be automatically enrolled in an online section of the same course if one is offered. A decision on instructional format for Summer 2020 Second Short Term (June 24-Aug. 4) courses will be announced soon.
What about summer 2020 session fees?
The Online Support Fee will be assessed only on Distance Campus courses in the Summer 2020 term. For all other courses this summer, the Online Support Fee will not be assessed. All other tuition and mandatory fees will be required as usual during the Summer 2020 term. Detailed fee schedules for both traditional undergraduate and graduate student fee assessments and distance student fee assessments can be found on the Bursar’s Office webpage.
Also, the University is fully prepared and glad to assist any Summer 2020 students who may need help preparing for online instruction—from equipment to tech support to how-to training. Students should use the form they will find here to report any equipment needs they anticipate with taking online courses.
What UTC degree programs are offered via Distance Campus (instruction is some combination of web-based, videoconferencing or off-campus)?
- BSN Nursing: RN to BSN (Registered Nurses Only)
- DNP Nursing (Online)
- DNP Nursing Admin. Systems
- EDD Learning and Leadership (Hybrid)
- Leadership Doctorate
- MBA Business Administration: Professional Business Analytics (Online)
- MBA Business Administration: Business Analytics
- MBA Business Administration: Finance
- MBA Business Administration: Healthcare Administration
- MBA Business Administration: Human Resources
- MBA Business Administration: General
- MBA Business Administration: Executive (Hybrid)
- MED Elementary Education: Elementary Education (Online)
- MS Computer Science (Online)
- MS ENGR: Automotive (Online)
- MS Engineering Management: Construction Management (Online)
- MS Engineering: Chemical (Online)
- MS Engineering: Civil (Online)
- MS Engineering: Electrical (Online)
- MS Engineering: Mechanical (Online)
- MS Engineering Management (Online)
- PB ENGM: Fundamental of Engineering Management (Online)
- PB ENGM: Leadership and Ethics (Online)
- PB ENGM: Quality Management (Online)
- PB ENGM: Construction Management (Online)
- PB ENGM: Project and Technology Management (Online)
- PB Public Administration: Non-Profit Management Certificate (Online)
- PHD Learning and Leadership
COMMENCEMENT
What is the status of rescheduled spring 2020 commencement?
Due to increasing concerns about COVID-19 and mass gatherings, UTC Leadership announced on July 7 the cancellation of spring 2020 commencement ceremonies that had been rescheduled for August.
COURSE CREDIT
Can spring semester 2020 students choose to receive “satisfactory / no credit” grades instead of letter grades for courses?
Yes. This option is being made available in response to expressed student concerns about disruptions due to COVID-19 response. While satisfactory/No Credit grading may be an attractive option to some students, it is not the best option for every student.
Satisfactory/No Credit grading can impact a lot of other areas—such as financial aid eligibility or graduate school admission. Be sure you make an informed decision and that you’ve talked to your academic advisor.
Undergraduates have until April 21 to request Satisfactory/No Credit grading. Graduate students must petition their graduate programs by April 21. Details on what’s at stake and what can be impacted by choosing Satisfactory/No Credit grading, instead of receiving letter grades, is here: https://blog.utc.edu/coronavirus/2020/03/27/satisfactory-no-credit-grading/
For more FAQ on the Satisfactory/No Credit Grading Option:
Click here.
VETERANS/MILITARY-AFFILIATED STUDENTS
Where can I find answers to questions about COVID-19 and the impact on VA Educational Benefits?
A compilation of related information can be found here.
You can also email the Office of Veteran Student Services at: vss@utc.edu
FEES
What about summer session 2020 fees?
In collaboration with UT System colleagues, UTC leadership has decided that the Online Support Fee will be assessed only on Distance Campus courses in the Summer 2020 term. For all other courses this summer, the Online Support Fee will not be assessed. All other tuition and mandatory fees will be required as usual during the Summer 2020 term.
Detailed fee schedules for both traditional undergraduate and graduate student fee assessments and distance student fee assessments can be found on the Bursar’s Office webpage.
Also, the University is fully prepared and glad to assist any Summer 2020 students who may need help preparing for online instruction—from equipment to tech support to how-to training. Students should use the form they will find here to report any equipment needs they anticipate with taking online courses.
Will portions of fees for campus housing, meal plans or other fees be refunded to affected students?
Yes. Refunds of portions of meal plans, housing and parking fees for eligible students began to be processed on April 1. Details, including a schedule of refund amounts, are here.
How will students get refunds?
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.
Are financial resources available for students and their families struggling with real hardship?
UTC leadership is investigating every possible avenue for expanding student financial aid options, including advocating for increased financial aid for students at the federal and state levels and through the Tennessee Higher Education Commission. UTC also is initiating a fundraising campaign through the UC Foundation, and the University is setting aside additional dollars to develop an enhanced scholarship fund to assist students.
The Denise and Tim Downey Student Emergency Fund has limited dollars for students with emergency needs. To request funds, fill out an application.
To donate funds, click this link: Denise and Tim Downey Student Emergency Fund.
How can I help students facing financial challenges?
Give to “Taking Care of Our Flock,” is the name of a just-launched campaign for contributions to the Denise and Tim Downey Student Emergency Fund. The Downeys established the fund in 2019 to provide limited emergency funding for UTC students facing monetary hardship. The fund helps with unexpected student expenses, like essential academic needs, last-minute airline tickets and one-time, non-recurring medical costs—expenditures that could force a student to have to forego academic studies.
“Taking Care of Our Flock” is the result of UTC alumni and friends who asked how they could help upon learning that students wouldn’t return to campus during the COVID-19 pandemic.
More on the campaign and how to contribute are here: https://bit.ly/2Jiz9wn
TEXTBOOKS
How do I return rental textbooks or sell my purchased textbooks back to the UTC Bookstore at the end of the semester?
Students who have physical rental books will be given a free UPS label (sent to the email address the student used to create his or her rental account) to return ship books to the Bookstore at the end of the semester. All rented textbooks are due on the last day of exams, but students who have exams on the final day can return ship textbooks the following day (postmarked April 29, 2020). Buyback periods will be extended once students return to campus to ensure they can continue to sell books back. The UTC Bookstore also is providing free shipping for all items on its website to ensure students can get what they need.
LIBRARY ACCESS
Since the UTC Library is not open for in-person use, how do I find out what’s available online?
Complete information about the library’s online resources is at the following link: https://blog.utc.edu/coronavirus/2020/03/27/online-library-services-and-materials/
If you need something not listed at that link, you can chat with staff, email library@utc.edu, contact your academic departmental liaison or call the library at 423-425-4501.
ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
How are international students able to satisfy English language proficiency requirements under current circumstances?
UTC is now accepting the fully online Duolingo English Test as a means of prospective international students demonstrating English proficiency. Prospective students applying for fall 2020 may use this test, with undergraduate applicants required to score at least 85/160 and graduate applicants required to score at least 100/160. Applicants to graduate programs already accepting applications for Spring 2021 may also submit Duolingo English Test scores at this time. More information about this exam:www.englishtest.duolingo.com
STUDENT HEALTH
How can students make use of University Health Services (UHS) and mental and physical health resources?
Students with physical health questions or not feeling well can reach UHS by phone at 423-425-2266 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
For mental health concerns, UTC Counseling Center services are available remotely to students from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information, call 423-425-4438 during weekday business hours or visit the UTC Counseling Center website.
If you’re in Chattanooga and have an urgent medical need that can’t wait until the next business day, visit the UHS website for suggestions of urgent care centers in Chattanooga.
If you’re in Chattanooga and have a medical emergency, call:
- 911—From your phone if off campus
- Campus Police—423-425-4357(HELP) or by using a blue or red phone on campus
In the event of a mental health crisis, these national resources are available 24/7:
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
- Crisis Text Line: 741-7412
- Trevor Lifeline (LGBTQ): 1-866-488-7386
REPORTING TRAVEL OR POSSIBLE COVID-19 SYMPTOMS
What kind of reporting is required about recent travel or possible COVID-19 symptoms?
It’s imperative that every member of the campus community understand and adhere to requests for self-reporting COVID-19-related information and expectations of administrators for notifying University officials when a student or employee shares COVID-19 related information. Instructions for notifying University officials of absences or travel associated with COVID-19 are outlined below:
Managing COVID-19-Related Absences
If a UTC student or employee reports:
(1) having been asked to self-observe, self-monitor, or actively monitor symptoms compatible with COVID-19;
(2) having been in close contact with someone with COVID-19;
(3) having had direct contact with someone infected with COVID-19; or
(4) having symptoms compatible with COVID-19,
- then students should officially notify the University by submitting the online COVID-19 Absence/Travel Form. Upon notification, Student Affairs will collaborate with University Health Services and Emergency Services to determine appropriate next steps.
- then employees should officially notify the University of the COVID-19-related absence by informing the employee’s immediate supervisor of the need for leave in accordance with departmental communication expectations. The employee’s supervisor should then notify his or her next level of administration and give notice to the UTC Office of Human Resources via the online COVID-19 Absence/Travel Form. Upon notification, Human Resources will make contact with the supervisor to confirm appropriate next steps and notify UTC Emergency Services of confirmed COVID-19 diagnoses or suspected case/exposure when applicable.
CAMPUS VISITS
Are campus tours for prospective students canceled?
Campus tours of any type are suspended until further notice.
TRANSPORTATION
Is the (CARTA) Mocs Express Shuttle still running?
No. The Mocs Express was suspended at the end of March. Students can ride the city’s CARTA bus service for free using their Mocs cards.
CAMPUS DINING
Where is on-campus food service available?
Mocs Dining (Food Service) is operating solely 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.
EVENTS
Where can I find out if a UTC event may have been canceled or postponed?
A dedicated webpage has been created that lists the current status of an event, whether it has been canceled (will not take place at a later date), rescheduled (a new date has been set) or postponed (a new date not yet set but will be soon). This webpage, which includes events on-campus and UTC-sponsored, off-campus events, is here: https://www.utc.edu/about/events/index.php
FACULTY AND STAFF
Where can faculty and staff find guidance on various employee concerns?
Click here for the most recently updated Employee Guidance FAQ.
What about employees whose circumstances make telecommuting necessary?
Telecommuting arrangements for UTC staff are being made on a case-by-case basis. Talk with your supervisor for more information.