x
Breaking News
More () »

UT & most local colleges & universities transitioning to online classes

It's all an effort to stop the spread of COVID-19.

As efforts continue to stop the spread of the COVID-19 strain of the coronavirus, colleges and universities across the country have transitioned to online learning for a time to keep students, faculty, and staff safe.

Here's the list we have of local colleges:

UT Knoxville

UT Knoxville in-person classes have been suspended after spring break starting March 23 for the remainder of the spring semester. UTK is switching to on-line instruction when classes resume.

Students have been told not to return to campus and to stay at home during this time. 

Officials said information and tech support was able to secure additional laptops and Wi-Fi cards for students and continues to accept requests for technology to assist students with remote learning. Students who need to check out devices should submit their request to OIT at forms.utk.edu/tech-request

“Our top priority is the health and safety of our students. We are taking this preventative measure with all of our campuses that provide face-to-face instruction out of an abundance of caution.”

Student workers who want to continue working will still have jobs. Chancellor Donde Plowman has asked supervisors to be creative and utilize student employees remotely. Students are to contact their immediate supervisor for an assignment.  

Traditional commencement ceremonies in May will not be held, and each campus is looking at alternative commencement options. All campus tours and undergrad admissions events have also been canceled from March 16 to April 5.

The university required all students to move out of the residence halls for the remainder of the semester except for those who have no other place to go. It is providing prorated reimbursements for housing and dining fees.

RELATED: Some K-12 schools closed for weeks due to coronavirus concerns

RELATED: University of Tennessee suspending in-person classes starting March 23 due to coronavirus concerns

RELATED: Tennessee now reporting 18 cases statewide, including one case in Knox County

Clarence Brown Theatre - suspended rehearsals and upcoming performances until the University opens again

"As a unit of the University, the Clarence Brown has been directed to suspend rehearsals and upcoming performances until the University opens again. When that will be is not entirely clear at this moment. We hope sometime in April, but certainly not before then."

Athletics have been suspended.

Carson-Newman University

C-N suspended classes on Monday, March 16 and Tuesday, March 17 before moving all lecture courses online the following day. 

"Because the health and well-being of our students, faculty and staff, is paramount, we have taken preventative measures to reduce their risk to COVID-19," said University President Charles A. Fowler. "We will ask the Lord for wisdom and direction to walk well through these challenges while caring compassionately for everyone in our community."

The campus community and families can find the latest updates on the Carson-Newman Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information webpage: cn.edu/covidupdates

RELATED: Coronavirus outbreak closes Kentucky college for remainder of year, leaving seniors without traditional graduation

RELATED: List of cancellations, closings in Knoxville and East Tennessee due to coronavirus concerns

Roane State Community College

Roane State is extending spring break for students through March 22. On March 23, classes will resume in an online format through at least March 29. Campuses will be open to essential personnel only during this time. 

All campus events between March 16 and March 29 have been canceled.

"The health and safety of our students, faculty, staff, their families, and the broader communities we serve are the top priority. We will continue to monitor guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as this situation evolves," according to a post on Facebook.

Visit www.roanestate.edu/coronavirus for the latest.

Maryville College

MC will extend Spring Break for one week to give officials more time to assess the situation and make appropriate plans. Residence halls will remain closed throughout this time period and students had to vacate their rooms by noon Mach 16. They will work with students who are not able to leave.

The college will not be closed for those two weeks, so faculty and staff should report to work if they are not sick.

The college has resources for student and faculty at this link.

LMU

Lincoln Memorial University has transitioned to online-only classes and will stay that way the rest of the semester. Students have been requested to move out of the residence halls and go home if possible. They can register to remain on campus if they can't get home. 

All university events are canceled and most facilities will be closed.

Also, the university will not hold any commencement ceremonies for the spring semester. Degrees will be conferred on candidates who have completed degree requirements.

University-sponsored travel has been suspended.

 You can get more information here.

RELATED: Here's how to stay healthy and enjoy life instead of staying at home during the pandemic

RELATED: What experts say about how COVID-19 affects children & pregnant women

RELATED: Knox Co. Health Dept: Start practicing "social distance" now

ETSU

East Tennessee State University will move to online-only classes starting March 23 through at least April 9. 

Experiential learning experiences such as student teaching, service learning, clinical rotations and internships will continue.

Students should stay home after spring break and resume classes online from their permanent residence, but they may apply for an exemption to remain on campus.

University officials are exploring options that may allow potential credit or prorating for unused portions of housing and meal plans if face-to-face courses do not resume for the spring semester.

You can get more info here.

Walters State

Walters State Community College is moving to online instruction through March 22. Students should check eLEARN and their college mail accounts for further updates.

“This decision was made to protect our students, our employees and the communities we serve,” said Dr. Tony Miksa, president of Walters State.

“Students and faculty were scheduled to return from spring break on Monday. Making this decision now greatly reduces the chance of someone returning to campus as an unknown carrier and sharing the virus.”

Pellissippi State

Pellissippi State will move online for the rest of the semester and postpone commencement, the university announced on Thursday.

In a statement, the university said it made the decision was made based on CDC recommendations which urge people to not gather in a group greater than 10 people.

"We know this is not the semester you imagined. It is not the semester we imagined. But we will get through this together," Wise said in an email to faculty, staff and students.

Pellissippi State also said college events through May 11 have been canceled, effective immediately. Spring commencement and the Nursing pinning ceremony, originally planned for May 10, will be postponed until a later date, but will be held in person when it is safe to do so.

Although classes are moving to an online format for the rest of the semester, at least one computer lab on each campus will continue to operate its normal hours, the university said in a statement. There will be a reservation system put in place after the college's extended spring break ends March 29 to ensure that there are no more than 10 people in a lab at one time. 

The same is true for classes that need to hold labs on campus to complete the semester. Instructors may meet with nine or fewer students in a lab while practicing social distancing measures of leaving at least 6 feet between individuals

Tusculum University

Tusculum University leaders have decided to convert all three locations on online teaching effective Monday, March 16. In addition, the South Atlantic Conference, of which Tusculum is a member, has voted to cancel all athletic practices and games for the remainder of the 2019-20 academic year.

After a student tested positive on Friday, March 20 -- the university said it would also be closing residence halls and instructing nonessential personnel to work remotely. 

Tennessee Tech

Tennesee Tech is extending spring break through March 27, transitioning to online classes on March 30.

Housing will be available upon request to students who need to remain on campus.

Get more info here.

Lee University

They will transition to online learning until at least March 30.  Offices, dorms, and dining services will be open throughout this two-week period for those who depend on them. But there will be no group meetings, classes, chapels, or other gatherings. 

MTSU

The university is extending spring break by one week, through Sunday, March 22, to prepare for the remote delivery of instruction beginning Monday, March 23, and continuing until further notice.  

Before You Leave, Check This Out