To the University community,

Good afternoon.  Like you, I am trying to adjust to our new daily routine not only during the work/school week but also during our weekends.  Not being able to have family time at the park, friends over for dinner, studying with classmates, gathering at our respective places of worship, or simply picking up groceries at the local market have affected all of us in different ways.   With that, it is my hope that each of you are staying safe and healthy - protecting yourselves and each other. I look forward to the day when we can again enjoy a sense of normalcy in our daily lives. 

To keep you informed as we continue to deal with the impact of COVID-19 on our university, I would like to share a brief update regarding some of the actions recently taken relative to the operations of the university. 

PASS-FAIL GRADING OPTION

After consultation with and approval by faculty representatives, the following decision has been made:

• We will offer students enrolled during the Spring 2020 semester the choice to “opt-in” to a Pass-Fail grade scale for most courses.
• Details about the implementation of the Pass-Fail option for Spring 2020 will be included in next week’s communications from the Offices of the President and Provost.

ALL SUMMER SESSION CLASSES TO BE OFFERED REMOTELY

• No on-campus courses will be offered in Summer 2020. Only online or remote options will be available.
• Please be reminded that registration for summer courses starts on April 6.

REMINDER: OUR POLICY ON EMPLOYEE PAY

• As you know, the majority of our classified and administrative staff began working remotely on March 23. We will extend that plan through May 10.  In order to follow CDC guidelines, as well as recommendations from the local, state and federal governments. we continue to reduce the number of individuals who are physically working on campus.
• Whether working remotely, working on campus as an essential employee, or unable to work remotely or on campus; all employees will continue to be paid.  Human Resources will reach out shortly with specifics on how employees should report their time through May 10. 

MTSU, RUTHERFORD COUNTY SCHOOLS TO RESCHEDULE HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATIONS

• MTSU and Rutherford County Schools jointly announced Friday, April 3, 2020, that high school graduation ceremonies set for May 2020, in MTSU’s Murphy Center will be rescheduled, if public health guidelines and facility availability permit.

SUSPENSION EXTENDED OF ON-CAMPUS EVENTS

• We have extended the suspension of on-campus events through July 31.

ASSISTANCE FROM THE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION

• Our University was established with the central mission of preparing educators within our state. While none of us could have imagined what education would look like at this moment, we want to remain true to our central mission of preparing educators.

• To assist parents as they seek to support their children’s education during this time, our College of Education (COE) is offering some assistance. A new podcast series “Classroom in Your Living Room,” created by our College of Education faculty members, Drs. Robyn Ridgley and Connie Casha, and hosted by COE staffer Trisha Murphy offers some creative ideas and best practices.  You can find their podcast sources with Apple, Google and Soundcloud (soon coming to Spotify).

SPECIAL THANKS TO ALL OF OUR EMPLOYEES

• I am aware of and would like to recognize the considerable sacrifices and generosity of our faculty and staff, particularly those who are working remotely and using personal equipment to support our ongoing operation of the university.  Please know that I am personally grateful for each of you.

Your commitment to our University is extremely gratifying and I am honored to lead such a remarkable community. 

Sincerely,

Sidney A. McPhee

Sidney.McPhee@mtsu.ed