Update from Chancellor Keith Carver:
Dear University Community,
UT System Interim President Randy Boyd announced today that all in-person delivery of classes will be moved online for the remainder of the 2020 spring semester. As a result, classes at the University of Tennessee at Martin will continue to be taught online through the end of April. We will continue to communicate throughout this period so that faculty, staff and students know the latest information. In addition, plans for alternative UT Martin commencement ceremonies will be announced later.
In addition to this decision, here is important information that we want everyone to know:
· University housing – An orderly move-out from university residence halls is being planned. The university will provide more detailed instructions in a follow-up email and communications directly with students and families.
· Student Workers – Regular student employees will not be able to work for the remainder of the 2020 spring semester unless for an essential service approved by a Chancellor’s Cabinet member. Federal Work-Study students do not report for work but will be paid up to the maximum payment eligibility.
· University events – Events should follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines. Intercollegiate athletics competitions are suspended for the remainder of the 2020 spring semester.
· Study abroad – All UT Martin-sponsored study abroad programs with departure dates prior to June 1 remain cancelled. We will reach out to students directly to determine next steps.
· Research facilities – While we have moved classes online, and are taking significant steps to encourage social distancing, the main campus and centers will remain open for this extended time.
· Refunds and Fees – Details will be announced later about refunds and fees.
· Maymester – All Maymester classes will be offered online.
· Summer School – Decisions about summer school will be announced later this month.
· New Student Orientations and Fall Semester – Decisions will be made later about Summer Orientation & Registration events and the start of fall semester.
· Travel – Non-essential business travel is not allowed; other travel will be reviewed case by case.
UT Martin remains open for business and will continue normal business operations during this time. We ask that faculty and staff practice social distancing while on campus. In some cases, this may continue to mean simply shifting meetings to Zoom settings; for others it may include making arrangements for telecommuting when appropriate.
As I’ve said many times, the safety and wellbeing of our UT Martin community remain our top priorities during this challenging situation. New challenges are bound to arise during the coming days, weeks and months, but we will emerge stronger on the other side of this crisis. We will continue to offer updates, and you can find the latest information at http://www.utm.edu/coronavirus.
Keith S. Carver
Chancellor
