UTC coursework goes online March 23

 

In response to growing concern about coronavirus (COVID-19) and its possible effect on the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga campus, UTC will suspend face-to-face classes as of Monday, March 16.

The week of March 16 will be used to migrate face-to-face courses to online instruction platforms. Online courses will officially start the week of March 23, and plans call for the resumption of normal operations Monday, March 30.

“The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga is committed to protecting the health of our students, faculty, staff and the Chattanooga community and help slow the potential spread of the novel coronavirus in Tennessee,” said Chancellor Steve Angle. “At the time of this announcement, there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Hamilton County or on this campus. At the same time, we want to ensure the continuity of our teaching, research and outreach missions.”

Students are asked not to return to the University from March 16 until March 30. Some students cannot go home for a variety of reasons, ranging from the status of the coronavirus in their hometowns or their home countries to the fact that the UTC campus is their only home. Students who face such circumstances will be able to stay in their residence housing at the University.

Housing and food service will be provided for students who will remain on campus through automatic waivers that will be granted to international students, student-athletes and select other student groups. Access to campus facilities from March 16 through March 28 will be determined and communicated as soon as possible. Modified food service will be provided by Aramark.

Students who need to retrieve personal belongings from campus housing will be allowed to do so; details will be forthcoming.

Residence halls are scheduled to reopen on Saturday, March 28. The remainder of the student body should not to report to campus until face-to-face classes resume on Monday, March 30. If circumstances change, updated information will be provided.

Until March 16, all scheduled events presented by the University and outside entities will go forward as planned. A decision on events later than March 16 will be announced as soon as possible.

Faculty and staff will report to work as usual during the two-week period beginning Monday, March 16. Further details for faculty about online instruction will be shared by Provost Jerold Hale.

In addition to restrictions on international travel announced earlier this month, UTC is suspending indefinitely all nonessential, domestic, University-related business travel.

 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.

Additional updates will be provided as they are available at www.utc.edu/coronavirus.