MTSU President announces plans to expand remote working for staff to scale down on-campus personnel

Below is a copy of MTSU President Sidney McPhee’s message to campus today about moves to increase remote working for administrative staff and to further scale down the presence of on-campus personnel beginning Monday as coronavirus/COVID-19 precautions continue. Details are below.

To the University community,

A significant challenge the University faces as a result of the COVID-19 situation is balancing the need to comply with state and federal officials to limit personnel in the workplace with our need to protect University operations. While this will cause us to limit or adjust some of the services we offer, we want to position MTSU to continue to thrive as we come out of this crisis.

Plans for Employees Working Remotely

• Effective Monday, March 23, 2020, the University will implement a plan for the majority of our classified and administrative employees to work remotely.
• The provost, vice presidents, division heads and supervisors have developed plans for their respective areas and are communicating with their employees.
• Those plans will be implemented through Sunday, April 5, and may be extended if deemed necessary.

The University Remains Open

• There will be some functions or duties that will require employees to remain on campus. Supervisors will reach out to employees in those areas starting today with expectations and further details.
• We will continue to provide essential services, such as public safety, public health and, for our students in the residence halls, on-going oversight and dining services.
• As previously announced, we will begin remote delivery of instruction on Monday.

Thank you for your patience and understanding. With these proactive measures in place, I believe once public health officials are comfortable with declaring “business as usual,” we will be ready to provide our University community with a safe environment where learning and service will continue at the highest level.

Sincerely,
Sidney A. McPhee
President