With the recent reports of Coronavirus outbreaks across the country, East Tennessee State University has announced that the university is taking necessary action should the university shift to online classes as other schools across the country have already done.
On Tuesday, Wilsie Bishop, senior vice president for academics, emailed faculty and staff to warn about potential changes to current classes due to the outbreak.
“In the event the University suspends face to face classes for some period of time this semester, all faculty need to make preparations over the next week to deliver courses using our university-wide online learning tools – primarily D2L and Zoom,” Bishop said in the email.
Bishop also told faculty and staff that “laboratory, clinical performance and other experiential” courses will be determined individually by colleges. Faculty and staff will also likely continue reporting to campus, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations, Bishop wrote.
Shortly after, Joe Sherlin, vice president for Student Life and Enrollment, emailed ETSU students to let them know the situation is being monitored by the university and special task forces are meeting daily to monitor and decide on any potential university action.
On Wednesday, Sherlin emailed students again and cautioned that moving on-ground classes to online could happen with new developments in the outbreak locally. Sherlin also cautioned students to take necessary materials like textbooks and laptops with them over break and to familiarize themselves with online resources like D2L.
“Our faculty understand that the possibility exists that in-person classes may be moved online and are planning accordingly,” Sherlin wrote.
Tuesday, NCAA leadership decided to limit crowds at both the men’s and women’s upcoming NCAA tournaments to only essential staff and limited family attendance.
The Southern Conference champion ETSU men’s basketball team will play in the tournament. On the decision, Coach Steve Forbes said, “It’s really sad for the players, fans, and everyone involved with this great tournament, but we must do what’s best for their health and safety. It’s a historical time that has warranted a historical decision.”
ETSU will learn Sunday who and where they will play as the NCAA Selection Show will be broadcast on CBS at 6 p.m.
Reports of COVID-19 have been confirmed all across the state, totaling to seven cases in Tennessee so far. On March 10, WJHL reported a confirmed case of COVID-19 in Sullivan County. The Tennessee Department of Health conducted a lab test that came back positive.
According to the Bristol Herald Courier, Dr. Stephen May, medical director for the Sullivan County Regional Health Department, it’s “not reasonable to assume there are other cases” in the region due to the patient placing himself in self-isolation. At this time, there have been no confirmed cases of COVID-19 at ETSU.
ETSU President Brian Noland released a message concerning the university’s measures to keep campus safe.
In Noland’s message, he said, “This is not a time to panic.”
ETSU has released a “Coronavirus FAQ” to help students with their concerns. To avoid getting sick, the CDC encourages people to wash their hands as often as possible, to avoid touching their faces, to stay home when they are sick and to regularly clean and disinfect shared spaces.
Guidance has stemmed from the CDC, the Tennessee Department of Health and the Washington County Health Department.
Other precautionary measures include suspending all out-going, university-related international travel from March 9 to June 15. ETSU’s International Programs are working closely with students on all suspended study abroad plans. Additionally, on Wednesday evening, ETSU President Brian Noland emailed the ETSU community to announce that “all outgoing university-related domestic travel” would be immediately suspended until June 15.
Many students have traveled internationally for study abroad programs, and the university has remained in contact with these students to ensure their safety. Travelers returning from Level 2 or 3 CDC travel notice areas will not be allowed to return to ETSU campus and facilities until they complete a 14-day self-quarantine and show no sign of symptoms.
ETSU has not restricted any domestic travel, though the university encourages everyone to be mindful of areas with confirmed cases of COVID-19, to self-regulate their health and to report to a primary healthcare physician with any symptoms.
According to the World Health Organization, those with mild cases of COVID-19 recover in about two weeks and those with more severe cases may take three to six weeks to recover.
ETSU Director for Communications Amanda Mowell encourages “students to work with their professors and keep communication at what their comfort level is and other extenuating circumstances students might have.”
Mowell said the university is taking additional measures to keep “high stakes areas” clean, such as the D.P. Culp Student Center and the CPA. She also said additional hand sanitizer stations are being installed around campus.
In light of the harassment some Asian people have suffered across the nation, Mowell emphasized ETSU’s focus on safety and diversity.
“ETSU is an institution where students come to converge and are treated with dignity and respect … to make sure ETSU remains a safe place for everyone on campus,” Mowell said.
For the latest updates regarding the university response, visit etsu.edu/coronavirus.
