A message from Dean Mangum

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville is working hard to prepare for the fall 2020 academic semester and our return to campus. Covid-19 introduces a number of uncertainties about the on-campus student experience. It also has increased anxiety and stress among many. The “new normal” on campus, at least for the short to medium term, will include facial coverings, social distancing, enhanced facilities cleaning and calls for greater personal hygiene. As a community of Volunteers, we are striving to tackle the challenges with creativity, compassion, and flexibility.

In the Haslam College, the faculty and staff are committed to continuing to provide a world-class education and opportunities for personal and professional development. COVID has not altered our commitment or resolve. While this fall might look a little different in terms of the mixture of in-person and online classes and student experiences, we look forward to engaging with you to provide an enriching, best-in-class college experience.

We hope that the information included here will help answer questions you might have. Additional resources regarding the fall experience can be found on the University’s Covid-19 website. If you have questions that are not addressed in the materials that follow or which are referenced, please contact us.

Academic Calendar

While no change has been made to the first date of classes for the fall (August 19), the academic calendar has been modified to help reduce student travel. The changes will help limit the potential for travel-related spread of COVID-19 while meeting number of instructional days requirements, accreditation and federal aid guidelines.

Modifications Made
Classes will be held on Labor Day (September 7) and the days formerly scheduled for fall break (October 8 and 9).

There will be no face-to-face classes or exams after Thanksgiving break. Students will not need to return to campus after the Thanksgiving Day holiday. Any remaining exams after that break will occur online.  

• August 19—November 24: Classes in session
• November 30–December 1: Study days
• December 2 –9: Finals (online)

Preparing for the fall semester.

1. Students, faculty, and staff must wear face coverings on campus. 
2. Social distancing means keeping space—about six feet—from other people as much as possible. 
3. Required daily self-screening.
4. Cleaning and disinfecting - Everyone has a role in keeping spaces clean. 
5. New vaccination requirements.
 

Course Schedules and Formats

Changes to class times and locations will encourage social distancing.

Students who want to adjust their schedule should wait until July 13, after all changes are finalized, because any changes made before July 13 may not be included in your final schedule. Advisors will be available to assist you, and you will have plenty of time to make changes before the semester starts.

Schedule Changes
The purpose of the changes is to encourage social distancing, a crucial strategy for a safe on-campus experience this fall.

• Times: The time between classes has been extended to 25 minutes. Class meetings are spread out more during the day and into the evenings.
• Locations: Room changes have been made to maximize use of larger classrooms for face-to-face courses and to meet the needs of hybrid classes.
• Formats: Classes will be face-to-face, hybrid (a combination of face-to-face and online), and online.

Course Format Options
Course formats will include hybrid options, which blend face-to-face and online.

• Face-to-face: Students go to class meetings in person.
• Hybrid: Students meet in person part of the time with some portions of the class taught online. Depending on the class, the online portion may be synchronous or asynchronous.
• Online synchronous: Students meet online as a group, typically through live video, at a set time.
• Online asynchronous: Students complete the course online, working on their own schedule within course deadlines and possibly teaming up with their classmates.

Learn more details about class formats.

Academic Success Programs
Academic success programs such as individual and group academic coaching, academic advising, tutoring, academic and career workshops, study groups, etc. will be delivered both in person and online.

Visit the Academic Success Center website.

Common Questions

The need for physical distancing and the resulting limits on the number of seats in existing classrooms results in more than a normal number of classes being taught through remote learning technologies. Starting July 13th, students will know how their various courses will be delivered. In anticipation of questions you may have, the Haslam College of Business has put together this FAQ. We will update this page with additional questions and information.