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Need to Know: UT changes to dining, living on campus and more due to COVID-19

There are a lot of changes at UT this year. From dining to living on campus, we've got everything you need to know.

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — As students head back to school at the University of Tennessee this year, there will be a mix of virtual and in-person classes. 

UT students will see a lot of mask-wearing, social distancing, plexiglass, virtual classes and they will also need to reserve their spot in the dining halls.

ELATED: UT Dining announces changes to its reservation system Tuesday morning

Students living on-campus at UT will also see some changes when they return to the dorms.

Housing officials said that only other UT students will be able to visit at dorms, and there will be a limit to how many people can be in facilities like laundry and fitness rooms at once. They also emphasized that social distancing and hygiene will be important for all students living on-campus.

First-year students will also not be required to live on campus, officials said.

Students will need to sign up for a move-in appointment and will move in during a designated time, according to officials. Opportunities for appointments will be available until Aug. 19 for returning students, officials said.

"We have a very good plan in place to ensure that we keep our campus and our community safe, but we're also asking our students as a shared responsibility," Frank Cuevas said, Vice Chancellor for Student Life. "Let us know when you're feeling ill so that we can get you the medical attention."

Housing officials have also increased the frequency that public areas are cleaned inside university housing buildings.

Anytime a student leaves their room, masks will be required and inside residence halls, student workers will sit behind plexiglass shields. 

UT will also be testing all students who may have COVID-19 symptoms and it will set aside quarantine beds for on-campus residents. 

The University has a four part COVID-19 surveillance program, students and employees will have to fill out a daily health screening. 

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