MARTIN -- The University of Tennessee Interim President announced on Twitter that in-person classes are suspended for the rest of the semester in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. Students won’t return to the classroom until the Fall 2020 semester.
UT Interim President Randy Boyd said in a news release that he hopes to “avoid further disruption for our students, faculty and staff.” Boyd said commencement ceremonies will not be held in May with each campus looking at new options.
The University of Martin Chancellor Dr. Keith Carver sent an email shortly after the tweet was published.
"We will continue to communicate throughout this period so that faculty, staff and students know the latest information," said Carver.
In addition to the continued suspension, Carver had additional updates.
Non-commuter students will receive an email about their on-campus housing. Students who have moved out will not return. Regular student employees will not work for the rest of the spring semester unless approved by a Chancellor's Cabinet member. Federal work-student students don't report for work, but they will be paid up to the maximum eligibility.
Carver advised students to follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's guidelines for events and gatherings. According to CNN, the CDC recommends postponing events with 50 or more people.
All UTM-sponsored study abroad programs with departure dates prior to June 1 remain cancelled. While classes are online and social distancing is encouraged, the main campus and centers will remain open for this extended time. Maymester classes will be offered online. Non-essential business travel is not allowed; other travel will be reviewed.
Details will be announced later about refunds and fees. Decisions about summer school, new student orientation and the fall semester will be announced later this month.
UTM remains open for business and will continue normal business operations during this time. Officials ask that faculty and staff practice social distancing while on campus.
"The safety and wellbeing of our UT Martin community remain our top priorities during this challenging situation," said Carver. You can get the latest information at utm.edu/coronavirus.
There are no confirmed cases in UT students.
According to WKRN, as of Sunday, there were 39 confirmed cases in Tennessee. The breakdown by county is as follows:
- Davidson County: 17
- Williamson County: 14
- Shelby County: 2
- Rutherford County: 1
- Hamilton County: 1
- Jefferson County: 1
- Knox County: 1
- Sullivan County: 1
- Campbell County: 1
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