On Thursday, ETSU announced all on-ground classes will move online as the university responds to COVID-19 concerns.
Courses will move online for three weeks, beginning March 23 to April 9. Resumed face-to-face coursework will be determined prior to April 9. University events scheduled until April 13 have been cancelled at this time.
The university has suggested students stay at their permanent residence after spring break, according to the ETSU announcement. Students unable to return home may apply for an exemption to remain on campus.
“With our students going home for spring break next week, the thought is after spring break for the next three weeks we will teach courses in an online manner,” ETSU President Brian Noland told the East Tennessean on Thursday after the university announcement. “We will assess the situation and make adjustments as appropriate, but our first and foremost priority is to ensure that university remains fully open and operating.”
Noland explained that the university is not closed. The library and Culp Center will remain open, and university employees will continue to work. Students in federal work study or university-funded work study jobs will not have to report to their positions. Any service requirements of these students to maintain their jobs or scholarships will be waived for the time lost.
Graduate assistants will be asked to continue to work, depending on their job responsibilities. Graduate assistantships with necessary on-campus duties may require students report to work.
“They’re going to come to work the same way we’re all coming to work,” Noland said.
Noland said the university, through this decision, is hoping to “mitigate the spread” of Coronavirus and “flatten the curve” between ETSU and the nation’s efforts.
Updates will be posted on easttennessean.com as they come available.
