FAQs
COVID-19
General
Is Tennessee State University closed?
No. We will not be holding classes on-campus for the foreseeable future, quite possibly through the end of the semester. Classes have transitioned online Monday, March 16.
Has anyone in the TSU community been diagnosed with COIVID-19?
One case of COVID-19 has been reported among TSU students, faculty and staff. Appropriate communications as guided by the Tennessee Department of Health have occurred. For additional information regarding locations impacted by COVID-19 visit the CDC’s global map and the Tennessee Department of Health.
What will TSU do if there is a possible case identified among students, faculty and staff?
Should a case be positively identified, appropriate protocols will be enacted using CDC and Tennessee Department of Health guidelines.
How is TSU keeping students, parents, faculty and staff informed?
TSU is communicating regularly with the community through email, social media alerts and this website. Please continue to monitor all communications from the University.
- This site will continue to be updated with information about university operations, academic instruction, travel, meetings and events and other details.
- TSU has moved our classes on line. We will not be holding classes on-campus for the foreseeable future, quite possibly through the end of the semester. University events for the foreseeable future will be postponed, cancelled, or offered virtually.
- Please direct specific questions NOT addressed through these resources as follows:
- Staff: refer specific questions to your immediate manager or supervisor
- Faculty: refer questions to your department chair
- Students:
- If you need medical attention, contact Student Health Services at (615) 963-5295.
- Questions involving housing-related questions or roommate issues, student groups, general safety contact the Office of the Dean of Students at (615) 963-2154.
- For issues related to advising, credits, or course registration, contact your Association Dean (in the College) or Academic Dean (other Schools).
- Questions about accommodations because of physical or mental disabilities would go to Student Health Services at (615) 963-5295.
How is TSU Health Services involved in planning and response?
TSU Student Health Services teams have developed a response plan to help protect the health of patients and team members, and to quickly identify any patients that may have COVID-19.
Academic Instruction
Is TSU moving to online classes?
We have moved all classes online beginning Monday, March 16. We will not be holding classes on-campus for the foreseeable future.
How are we handling lab work, where research or experiments need to be carried out, if someone is ill?
Those responsible for conducting or directing research should seek guidance from the Office of the Vice President for Research and Sponsored Programs.
What is my individual college doing?
For all questions related to your specific college or program, please communicate with your Department Chair directly and continue to monitor communications from your college as well as this website.
Can TSU’s servers handle the extra load of all of these people being online at once?
The University is moving all classes online for the foreseeable future. As with any unpredictable situation, it is prudent to have a back-up plan (for example, recorded lectures) in case there are any issues. The University is able to help you explore which type of virtual instruction will work best for you.
Can professors/instructors cancel their classes and give students incompletes?
No. We have resources to help you convert your classes to make it possible for students to complete coursework.
How can professors/instructors support students they work with on an individual basis?
While we are not prohibiting one-on-one meetings at this time, we encourage you to convert meetings with students to phone calls, Zoom or Skype, and/or email. This is in line with the social distancing measures recommended to keep our community healthy.
Do professors/instructors still need to hold office hours?
Yes. Please hold virtual office hours. Potential virtual options include: email, chat with video functions in eLearn, and phone calls.
Can I require my class to be held synchronously (in the actual class time, but virtually)?
Yes. You do have the option to record your course and upload it to your learning management system so that students may access those materials at any time. This is especially helpful to students in different time zones. This is the recommended approach.
How should I accommodate a class that cannot easily be transitioned online, such as studio art or chemistry lab?
We recognize that creative and laboratory work can be difficult to transition to other formats. Please work with your dean’s office to determine options.
What kind of tech support do I get? Is it available evenings and weekends? Is there a chat line, or phone line I can call?
TSU is working as quickly as possible to make any and all resources available to you. You can email any concerns to academicaffairs@tnstate.edu and 615-963-7777.
Research
Events & Public Gatherings
All TSU events have been postponed or cancelled. Officials will continue to monitor to determine when events can be rescheduled. TSU officials will announce new dates once they become available.
Visiting & Touring the University
All in-person University admission tours and information sessions are cancelled until further notice. Please monitor communications from the University, as well as this website. You may also contact the office of Recruitment and Admissions at (615) 963-2594.
Travel Restrictions
What countries are designated warning level 3, and what does that mean?
The CDC maintains a current list of Warning Level 3 countries and advises all travelers to avoid all nonessential travel to those countries due to widespread concerns about local health conditions. The US Department of State issues Travel Advisories for individual nations. These assess local health, safety and security conditions. University-related travel to countries where the CDC has enacted level 3, or the State Department has enacted levels 3 or 4 is prohibited. Read the latest CDC travel guidance related to COVID-19. Faculty and staff who have exceptional reasons to travel to those countries may submit a petition to the Vice President for Academic Affairs’ office. International travel to restricted areas without an approved petition will not be reimbursed. Following its Policy on International Travels, TSU will cancel any TSU administered study abroad programs or other education abroad activities, even if already underway, at any location for which the CDC sets a Warning Level 3 or the State Department sets a Travel Advisory Level 3 or 4, and ask students in non-TSU administered programs and students who are in the location for other university related travel to depart.
The Tennessee Department of Health has issued guidelines for those returning from both Level 2 and Level 3 countries. The Office of International Affairs provides additional information on travel alerts, notices & warnings.
What countries are designated Alert Level 2, and what does that mean?
The CDC maintains a current list of Alert Level 2 countries and advises older adults and persons with chronic medical conditions to consider postponing nonessential travel to those countries due to sustained community transmission of respiratory illness caused by COVID-19. The Tennessee Department of Health has issued guidelines for those returning from both Level 2 and Level 3 countries.
What is the university’s advice for faculty or employees with plans to travel?
TSU urges faculty, staff, and students who have personal plans to travel either internationally or to affected areas in the U.S. to reconsider their travel and to take into account the possibility of travel delays, future quarantines, or prolonged self-isolation when returning from travel to the TSU and Nashville/Davidson County communities. In the event faculty, staff or students do engage in personal travel, please report such travel to the Human Resources office or, in the case of students, the Dean of Students. Please also report if you are experiencing any symptoms associated with COVID-19 upon your return from traveling. TSU encourages faculty and staff to share any travel plans with their department chair, dean, or manager to facilitate University assistance if the need arises.
Will students, faculty, or staff arriving from areas impacted by COVID-19 be isolated?
Students returning to Tennessee are expected to follow the guidelines of the Tennessee Department of Health and CDC regarding any mandatory quarantine or isolation procedures. Students, faculty, and staff are instructed to follow the CDC’s guidance for self-isolation if traveling from countries with widespread sustained transmission of COVID-19. Employees should contact the HR Department any questions about leave. Students returning from affected areas to other states should follow guidelines from their state's public health department.
Travelers from countries with CDC Level 3 Travel Health Notices may face restrictions upon entering the U.S. Any U.S. citizen returning to the U.S. who has been in Hubei Province in the previous 14 days will be subject to up to 14 days of mandatory quarantine, to ensure they’re provided proper medical care and health screening. This applies only to U.S. citizens who have been in Hubei Province in the past 14 days. Any U.S. citizen returning to the U.S. who has been in the rest of mainland China within the previous 14 days will undergo proactive entry health screening at a select number of ports of entry and up to 14 days of monitored self-quarantine to ensure they have not contracted the virus and do not pose a public health risk. Foreign nationals, other than immediate family of U.S. citizens and permanent residents, who have traveled to China within the last 14 days will be denied entry into the U.S. for this time.
I plan to undertake personal travel outside the U.S. What should I do?
TSU urges faculty, staff, and students who have personal plans to travel either internationally or to affected areas in the U.S. to reconsider their travel and to take into account the possibility of travel delays, future quarantines, or prolonged self-isolation when returning to the TSU and Nashville/Davidson County communities. The University strongly recommends not traveling to locations with CDC or State Department Level 3 alerts or higher. TSU encourages faculty and staff to share any travel plans with their department chair, dean, or manager to facilitate University assistance if the need arises. Be aware that even a country not currently experiencing an outbreak could suddenly be declared a high-risk area, posing risks of exposure, difficulty with travel, or immigration barriers upon return to the U.S. For more information, see the CDC travel information website.
When should I see medical attention?
If you have NOT travelled to a Level 2 or 3 area as defined by the CDC and have no symptoms, continue practicing good hygiene and hand washing (see How do I Protect Myself?). Learn more from the CDC’s list of Level 2 and 3 affected areas.
If you have travelled to a Level 2 or 3 affected area, have been in contact with someone who has been diagnosed with, or is suspected of having COVID-19, or are experiencing symptoms (fever, cough, or have difficulty breathing), please self-isolate until you are able to obtain medical advice, as follows:
- Students: Contact Student Health Services.
- Faculty and Staff: Contact your primary care physician via telephone or email.
- If you do not have a primary care physician you may call the Tennessee Department of Heath.
Employees with questions about leave can contact the HR Department.