Return to Campus. You Have Questions. We Have Answers.

The University is providing reusable masks to all employees and students, along with reusable microfiber cloths, spray disinfectant, and no-touch thermometers to campus departments.

• A mask is a face covering that fits snugly against the side of the face; completely covers the nose and mouth; is secured with ties or ear loops; includes multiple layers of fabric; allows for breathing without restriction; and can be laundered and machine-dried without damaging or changing its shape.
• Appropriate masks or face coverings include disposable single-use paper masks with ear loops or ties, gaiters, balaclavas, and bandanas.

No, the current recommendation is that face shields do not serve as an adequate barrier against aerosolized particles escaping into the air.

Masks or face coverings are required inside all campus buildings, including classrooms, labs, offices, and common areas such as hallways, stairways, elevators, restrooms, and other shared spaces. Masks or face coverings and social distancing also are highly recommended when outdoors.

• Campus signage will indicate that a mask is required in all buildings.
• Departments will have disposable masks available for anyone coming into an office without a personal mask.
• If a visitor refuses to wear a mask, they should be asked to set up a telephone or virtual meeting with the individual whom they came to see.

The University will provide departments with disposable masks for employees who forget to bring theirs. Academic and administrative departments will have some disposable masks on hand for individuals who forget their masks. Masks can be purchased at MTSU's Phillips Bookstore in the Student Union.

University departments will have disposable masks available for campus visitors not wearing face coverings.

ALL employees, including supervisors, MUST WEAR a mask inside any campus building, except in private offices. Failure to do so could result in disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment.

Departments will provide faculty with additional masks for students who come to class without one, but students should not expect the University to supply them with daily masks. Students should arrive to class prepared.

• Faculty should attempt to deescalate the situation by inviting the student to pick up their things and to meet them outside the classroom. The faculty member should ask the student to put on a mask. If the student does, both may return to the classroom. If the student refuses, they should be asked to leave the building.
• Faculty should report the student to the Office of Student Conduct (mtsu.edu/student-conduct or 615-898-2750).
• If the student refuses to wear a mask and will not leave the building, faculty may either dismiss the class or call University Police (615-898-2424 from any phone or 911 from a campus phone)

The department chair or program director will ensure that your courses are covered.

• In a socially distanced classroom setting with all participants being six feet apart and wearing face coverings, the current Tennessee Department of Health view is contagion risk is low and no quarantines of classroom participants are necessary.
• However, in a non-socially distanced classroom without face coverings, Tennessee Department of Health officials will work to quarantine close contacts.

Students wishing to move their classes from on-ground to online or remote after the semester begins and after the Drop/Add period will need to consult with their instructors and advisor. Students who anticipate this possibility should enroll in online/remote options.

Classrooms are being equipped to stream classes live as well as record for later viewing.  For classes where recording may not be appropriate, instructors will provide alternate materials. A Videos link appearing in the navigation bar for every course in D2L will provide recordings of all class meetings.

Yes. Students with COVID-related health issues should inform their instructors as soon as possible of the situation to arrive at the best solution.

Changing Incomplete and Withdrawal policies is not under discussion. Students who become ill should inform their instructor and/or advisor of the situation to determine the best solution.

Neither MTSU Policy 311 nor 311-A Class Attendance addresses this possibility. Students should discuss any change in family circumstances that impacts attendance with their instructor and/or advisor.

Students whose degree plans require internships, teaching residency, or clinicals should discuss plans for these courses with their instructor/advisor/program director.

As part of our True Blue community, faculty, staff and students may suggest that others abide by policy or report violators as appropriate (i.e., to Human Resources or the Office of Student Conduct).

Faculty are not required to hold in-person office hours this semester. Departments will provide appropriate spaces for in-person meetings when necessary. If faculty and students talk outside the classroom, masking and social distancing policies apply.

MTSU Policy 311-A Attendance Policy Amendment accounts for face-to-face/ on-campus absences due to COVID-19. If a student is ill and cannot be present for a synchronous remote class, they should contact their instructor.

Yes.

You may ask for documentation verifying a visit with a healthcare professional, but you may not require such documentation (see Policy 311-A IV.D).

Please notify your department chair so that arrangements can be made to cover your classes. Please also complete the COVID-19 Reporting Form so that Student Health Services can keep an accurate count of University cases

MTSU’s large computer labs—BAS S137, KOM 350/351/360, Adaptive Technology Center (Walker Library Room 174), and Walker Library computer lab—as well as other smaller labs scattered throughout campus will be available. They will have reduced capacity because of required social distancing.

Although it is everyone’s personal responsibility to stay sanitized and to care for fellow students (and the University’s equipment), assistants in larger labs will clean computers in high-use areas every hour. For departmental labs with no assistants, computers will be cleaned daily.

Chromebooks and hotspots will be available for students to check out at the beginning of the fall semester on a first-come, first-served basis. An email will be sent to all students with specific instructions on the process.

Contact the Disability and Access Center (dacemail@mtsu.edu or 615-898-2783).

If specific software beyond the basics is required for a class, you should provide your students with instructions within the course on how to access the software. MTSU continues to work with Adobe’s parent company to secure Creative Cloud for students who need it for classes. We hope to have it available by the start of classes.

• Classrooms are being equipped to stream classes live as well as record for later viewing. For classes where recording may not be appropriate, instructors will provide alternate materials.
• A Videos link appearing in the navigation bar for every course in D2L will provide recordings of all class meetings.

Changing Incomplete and Withdrawal policies is not under discussion. Students who become ill should inform their instructor and/or advisor of the situation to determine the best solution.

Yes.  Students who fail to follow all social distancing protocols, including wearing masks and maintaining six feet of distance, may be reported to the Office of Student Conduct.

• Do not go to class.
• Separate yourself from other people.
• Monitor your symptoms.
• Contact the Nurse Triage Line at Student Health Services at 615-494-7745 to report your symptoms and receive instructions about what to do next. 

Yes, but you need to have a Partners in Education (PIE) agreement on file with MT One Stop (mtonestop@mtsu.edu or 615-898-2111).

According to MTSU Policy 311-A Class Attendance, while an instructor may request a doctor’s note, you are not required to provide one.

No, you are not required to attend a remote class if you are ill. Students should evaluate their ability to learn remotely in such a situation and act accordingly.   

Report the behavior to Student Conduct at mtsu.edu/student-conduct. Select “COVID-19 Non-compliance.”

Contact Counseling Services (615-898-2670) for a telehealth or in-person screening. Short-term individual and group counseling services are available. Counseling Services also offers Self-Help Exercises for Dealing with COVID-19.  

• Stay home and do not go to work.
• Notify your supervisor of your absence.
• Separate yourself from other people; monitor your symptoms.
• Contact your health care provider about what to do next.

You may refer them to the MTSU COVID-19 Infoline at mtsucovid19@mtsu.edu or 615-396-9355.

Please see Policy 825-A COVID-19 Illness (mtsu.edu/policies/ personnel/825-A.php).

• Stay home and do not go to work.
• Notify your supervisor of your absence.
• Separate yourself from other people; monitor your symptoms.
• Contact your health care provider about what to do next.

• According to the Tennessee Department of Health, in a socially distanced classroom with all participants being six feet apart and wearing masks, the contagion risk is low and no quarantine of classroom participants is necessary.
• If the setting, however, is a non-socially distanced classroom without masks, Tennessee Department of Health officials will work to quarantine close contacts.

You may refer them to the MTSU COVID-19 Info line at mtsucovid19@mtsu.edu or 615-396-9355.

 Please see Policy 825-A COVID-19 Illness (mtsu.edu/policies/ personnel/825-A.php).

• Campus computer labs will be open for students along with various locations in Keathley University Center and the Student Union. Students will need to check the schedule of availability for spaces that also are being used as classrooms.
• In addition, wireless connectivity is being installed in some parking lots for students to use while in their car.
• Walker Library will be open but with limited occupancy. You can see the live occupancy numbers and library operating hours at library.mtsu.edu/reopening.

• The campus moved to Phase 3 operations on Aug. 3, which means all offices are open and services are available. However, there may be modifications for safety reasons.
• All operating hours will be posted at building entrances and on their websites. For lab hours, students should consult their instructor or the lab manager.
• MTSU’s Phillips Bookstore is open and applying safe practices for staff and customers. They also will order materials for you online with free shipping and curbside pickup.

Vending will be available when the buildings are reopened.

The Campus Access fee for parking services is part of the Program Services Fee. This fee will be required of all students as it is used to maintain roads, sidewalks, lighting, and other parts of the campus, as well as make payments on previous debt in these areas.

• Occupancy will be reduced to 50% capacity.
• Shields have been installed to protect drivers and passengers during loading and unloading.
• All occupants, including drivers, are required to wear masks.
• All buses will be completely wiped down/sanitized at the end of each shift.

Faculty are not required to purchase a parking tag if you will not be on campus in Fall 2020; however, if you need to come on campus and park anytime between 7 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. M–F, you will need to either purchase a $2.00/day parking pass or park and pay at a meter. Should you wish to secure faculty parking beginning in January 2021, the cost will be pro-rated.