Filed Under: President's Post

To the University community,

These fluid and unpredictable times are also very stressful for many of us. While I am aware you are being bombarded with messages regarding COVID-19 preparations from multiple sources, I feel it is important that I continue to keep you informed about how we are managing the University during this most crucial period.  As of today, the campus has no confirmed cases of COVID-19 and I continue to meet daily with my executive team to address matters related to the operation of the University.

CLASSES RESUME

• On Monday (3/23), classes resume with remote delivery of instruction.

BOOK RENTALS FROM PHILLIPS BOOKSTORE

• All books rented from Phillips Bookstore may be returned to Phillips anytime between April 6 through the end of the semester.
• All students who rented books from MTSU’s Phillips Bookstore will receive an email, sent to their MTSU email account, with a FREE shipping label to return their books to the bookstore. The reminder emails with the label will generate mid-April. 
• In addition, it is our understanding that our new Philips bookstore provider, Barnes and Noble College, is taking extra efforts to help ensure students are equipped to learn wherever they are as we move forward in this unprecedented circumstance.  Barnes and Noble has joined VitalSource and leading publishers in providing free access to eTextbooks through the remainder of the Spring term. More information about this initiative can be found at this site. 
• Specific questions may be directed to Natalie Karousatos, sm8348@bncollege.com, with name, email, and phone number, and she will work with you directly.

RETURNING BOOKS TO WALKER LIBRARY

• There is an external book return located in the wall of the library on the east side of the building facing the Bragg Lot available 24/7.
• Library material may be mailed using this shipping address: Middle Tennessee State University; James E. Walker Library; 1672 Greenland Dr.; Murfreesboro, TN 37132-0002.

SPECIAL VIDEO EPISODES ON COVID-19 PREPARATIONS

• On the University’s Facebook page, you will find premiere brief video-only programs about our COVID-19 response. These shows, which we call “Stay On Course,” premiere at noon Tuesdays and Thursdays on MTSU’s main Facebook page during the emergency.
• You can also see archived episodes on the University’s YouTube page, including today’s show with Dr. Tyler Henson, director of the MT One Stop; Tuesday’s show with University Provost Dr. Mark Byrnes and last week’s show with Dr. Deb Sells, our vice president for student affairs.

RESIDENCE HALLS/DINING AND CLOSED BUILDINGS

• Our residence halls remain open and MT Dining is operating “grab-and-go” service out of McCallie’s.
• Closed for now: Our child care center at the Womack Lane Apartments; Campus Recreation (but not Student Health Services and the Campus Pharmacy); James Union Building; and the Student Union. 

NO RESERVATIONS FOR FUTURE CAMPUS EVENTS

• Reminder: All on-campus events are cancelled until further notice. 
• Student Unions and Event Coordination teams will not accept any future reservations for event space until further notice.

A reminder that you should frequently check our webpage, www.mtsu.edu/coronavirus, for updates.

Thanks for all you do for our University. Keep teaching, keep learning and stay on course.

Sincerely,

Sidney A. McPhee
President
Sidney.McPhee@mtsu.edu