To the University community,

As of today, there have been no confirmed cases of COVID-19 on campus. However, there have been several decisions made today as MTSU responds to the rapidly evolving novel coronavirus situation (COVID-19):

ON-CAMPUS FUNCTIONS AND ACTIVITIES

On-campus educational functions proposed after Monday, March 23, that I deem essential to the goals and objectives of the University – and meet social-distancing guidelines that will be forthcoming – may be permitted.

As you know we have canceled all on-campus events through Sunday, March 29. Beginning Monday, March 30, I will review requests for limited, non-educational gatherings on campus, subject to the same social-distancing guidelines, and may approve on a case-by-case basis.

STUDENTS EMPLOYED BY MTSU

Many of our students depend on their on-campus jobs to support themselves financially. With that in mind, during this period, we will take action to protect student employees from losing their anticipated wages from student worker MTSU on-campus jobs (this does not apply to jobs on campus where the student is being paid by agencies other than MTSU, such as food services). More details will be forthcoming on this.

CLASSIFIED AND ADMINISTRATIVE EMPLOYEES

It is vitally important that we do not introduce this virus into our workplace. Therefore, employees who are feeling ill should not come to work. I am directing supervisors to be flexible and open to requests from staff members with concerns about their health and wish to seek alternate work arrangements, such as working from home. Also, if an employee is feeling sick, or is concerned about their safety, supervisors are authorized to allow them to use earned sick leave, then annual leave. If a staff member has exhausted both sick and annual leave, our Human Resources Services will be issuing guidance on how that employee might be accommodated.

SPRING BREAK EXTENSION

Next week’s extension of Spring Break is to be treated just as the regular Spring Break when it comes to academic work — no assignments, no quizzes, no student participation expected, and so on. This applies to all courses, including those already online.

FURTHER GUIDANCE ON TRAVEL

The Division of Business and Finance will issue guidance shortly on matters related to expenses and reimbursement regarding cancelled travel or conferences.

We are sharing these updates with you to provide assurance that our university is working hard to make our campus safe and protect our community. We are in an unusual and unprecedented situation and I appreciate your understanding and patience as we work through these difficult times. We also remind all to check our website, www.mtsu.edu/coronavirus, for updates and resources.

Sincerely,
Sidney A. McPhee
President
Sidney.McPhee@mtsu.edu