Spring 2022

Spring 2022 COVID Policies (Updated January 4, 2022)

With changing guidance from the CDC and the rapid increase of COVID cases due to the Omicron variant, it’s necessary to revisit our campus policies as we prepare for classes to begin next week. While we’re encouraged that Omicron seems to produce fewer severe cases among those who are fully vaccinated, it is more contagious than previous variants and still has the potential to cause serious sickness. In addition, we’re aware that a significant number of students and some staff and faculty across both campuses are still unvaccinated. Therefore, we will be adopting the following policies:

Students:

SHOULD NOT RETURN TO CAMPUS IF SICK.
Return only after completing 5-day isolation and receiving a negative test on or after Day 5 after receiving a positive test.

SHOULD NOT RETURN TO CAMPUS IF EXPOSED TO COVID-19.
Return only after completing 5 days of quarantine and receiving a negative test result on or after Day 5 after exposure.
- Should bring masks to campus, preferably a supply of KN95 or KF94 face masks for personal use in case of sickness or COVID-19 exposure.
- Should be vaccinated if not already.
- Should get a booster shot.
Masks will be required as followed for all students, faculty, and staff. This policy goes into effect Wednesday, January 5, and will be in effect through the end of January. The Senior Leadership Team will monitor the local and on-campus situation and federal guidelines throughout January and may extend or eliminate the mask policy after January 31.

Masks will be required as follows:
- In classrooms and other instructional spaces, including hallways of academic buildings.
- In chapel.
- In the main first-floor lobbies of Tennessee campus dorms (public areas), but not in living areas/private rooms of dorms or apartments.
- In the offices of faculty and staff while holding meetings or working together. Faculty and staff do not need to wear masks when working alone in their offices.
- In the Gally/Commons while waiting in line and serving yourself food; you should wear your mask until you sit down at your table.
We will communicate this mask policy to off-campus guests. Faculty may wear face shields while they are teaching.
The University has updated quarantine and isolation policies which are compliant with CDC guidance, with modifications appropriate to the high-density living and learning community of the campus. Students and employees who test positive for COVID-19 or are reported contacts of COVID-positive individuals will be provided with guidance specific to their circumstances.

Resident students who need to isolate due to a positive test result or quarantine due to being a close contact:
- Isolation housing will be provided on campus.
- Quarantine housing may be provided in the student’s own room.
Students may isolate or quarantine in their own homes if they so choose.