COVID-19 Updates/Return to Campus Plan

Return to Campus Plan

As we prepare to resume face-to-face classes and open our campus this fall, the health and safety of our students, faculty, staff, and visitors, remains our highest priority.

Many hours of planning and discussions have guided the Return to Campus guide for the College of Arts & Sciences to help us navigate this pandemic. The decisions and procedures are complex ones and are subject to change due to the fluidity of the situation.

Please know that the administration has been working to make the best decisions for a safe fall semester. This guide doesn't answer everything yet, but it gives us a start. We are still working on more decisions and procedures.

We are so excited to welcome you this fall and have been working diligently to prepare for your return.

Key Strategies:

The university will have safety and health protocols in place, such as social distancing, face masks, and testing.
An overarching focus on cleaning, disinfecting, training, and communicating will continue throughout the fall semester and beyond.
Face coverings will be required in all buildings by students, faculty, and staff.
Procedures are in place to manage students needing to quarantine/isolate.
The university will provide educational signage to be placed throughout buildings.
Wildcat Care Kit, which will include one cloth face mask, hand sanitizer, and other items, will be distributed to all students.
The university will monitor the current COVID-19 situation and implement changes when necessary and will communicate this information to the campus community.
The recommendations outlined in this document were developed using the most current information available at the time; however, the existing COVID-19 situation will require flexibility and ongoing university adjustments.

Return to Campus Plan

Frequently Asked Questions

If you're searching for additional information quickly, we've compiled the most helpful frequently asked questions below.

See All Frequently Asked Questions

Will masks be required?
What to expect for move-in day?
This year will look a little different this year due to the precautions that we are taking for COVID-19. Below are instructions to help make the check-in process quick and easy.
Steps for a successful check-in:

If a student is driving his/her vehicle or if a student is riding with a parent, please drive in front of Vera Low Center for Student Enrichment (VLOW) and stay in the car. If a parent has an extra vehicle, please park in the football stadium parking lot until check-in is complete and ready to move into the dorm.

When instructed, drive around to the back of the building to receive your COVID-19 screening (temperature check and questionnaire).

After screening, return to the front of VLOW and park in a parking spot. Go to the line under the tents to get your Wildcat Care Package, confirm your housing assignment, and further instructions.

If you need to finish financial aid, meet with the business office, etc., you will be directed to those offices first before you can move in.
Move-in Dates/Times
Friday, August 7 – Returning Students
Saturday, August 8 – Transfer and Freshman students

Move-in times will be on a staggered schedule based on last name.

9:00 – 10:00am – A-F last names
10:00 – 11:00am – G-L last names
1:00 – 2:00pm – M-R last names
2:00 – 3:00pm – S-Z last names

Only two adults per student are allowed in the dorm to help move in. Temperature checks will be given before entering the dorms.
What do I need to bring?
Will I need to be tested?
The University will monitor the need for testing of students, faculty, staff, and guests. This may include testing before arriving on campus, upon return to campus, or during a student’s or employee’s time on campus.
Students from or who have recently traveled to hotspot areas, as defined by state and/or federal authorities, may be asked to either obtain COVID-19 testing or undergo an appropriate quarantine upon arrival on campus.
What to expect for classes?
Our primary goal in preparing classes for the fall is to enhance safety for students, faculty, and staff. We’re evaluating risk based on the number of students, room size, and nature of the course. We will have fewer students in a classroom and on campus at the same time. To accomplish that:

• Each classroom will be given a total “COVID Capacity.” Classes may move to larger venues, may be delivered online, or may be hybrid.

• Hybrid courses may mean classroom instruction on one day and online instruction on the alternate day.

• In the case of in-person instruction being halted or canceled due to increased transmission, hybrid and online class formats will be utilized.

• Students should be prepared for shifts to alternate means of instruction, including online instruction, at any point during the semester.

• Students should check their portal and Bethel emails frequently for notifications on class time or day changes due to delivery methods.
What to expect for quarantine?
Asymptomatic
- The student will be encouraged to go home for a 14-day quarantine, if possible.
- If a student is unable to go home, then he/she will be asked to quarantine in the dorm room
- for 14 days.
- Food will be delivered to the student’s room.
- Housing will check on the student.
- During the quarantine period, the student will be responsible for contacting his/her professors regarding alternative methods for receiving and submitting coursework.
Symptomatic
- The student will be encouraged to go home for a 14-day quarantine, if possible.
- If a COVID-19 positive student is symptomatic and needs care, he/she will move to the dorm floor designated.
- Food will be delivered to the student’s room.
- Housing will check on the student.
- During the quarantine period, the student will be responsible for contacting his/her professors regarding alternative methods for receiving and submitting coursework.
If a student in a residence hall tests positive for COVID-19, the other students in that pod will be asked to quarantine for 14 days.
What to expect for Chapel?

July 9, 2020

Updated Dates*

July 31 - Football, Cheer, Cross Country move-in
August 7 - Volleyball, Men's & Women's Soccer move-in
August 7 - Returning students move-in
August 8 - Freshmen move-in
August 8 - Movie on the lawn
August 10 - Classes begin
September 7 - Labor Day
October 8 -11 - Fall break
November 13 - Classes end
November 16 - 20 - Final exams
November 21 - Graduation

*These dates are subject to change at any time.

Coaches will be in contact with athletes regarding specific details on returning to campus. International students, please contact Jane Campbell at campbellj@bethelu.edu for more details about fall classes.

If you are planning to live on-campus, move-in will be on a staggered schedule based on last name. Residence Life will soon provide updated information regarding your room assignment and specific day and time to move in. Juniors and seniors can request to live off-campus by filling out a request form by emailing housing@bethelu.edu.

June 16, 2020

Bethel University will resume in-person classes for the fall semester, with the university taking necessary safety precautions to protect students, faculty and staff from COVID-19.

Classes at the McKenzie, Tenn. campus will begin Aug, 10, a week earlier than usual, with the semester to end before Thanksgiving on Nov. 20. Fall graduation is scheduled for Nov. 21.

“While some of our programs and services may look different, we are grateful to welcome students back to campus for fall 2020 and excited for our new students to begin their journey at Bethel with an on-campus experience,” Bethel President Walter Butler said.

The university is continuing to work on logistics, and teams are in place to develop plans for campus dining, residence life, classroom space, housekeeping and other essential matters.

“The goal is to restore as much of the face-to-face experience as possible while taking measures to prioritize the health and safety of our students, faculty and staff. We will continue to practice safety measures recommended by the Centers for Disease Control as well as the state and local health departments,” Butler stated.

COVID-19 Cases | Fall 2020 Term

Tests
Positive Tests
Negative Tests
Pending Results

*NOTE: The numbers above reflect the McKenzie, TN campus only. The Carroll County Department of Health is the official reporting agency for COVID-19 in the city of McKenzie, TN.

COVID-19 Updates/Return to Campus Plan

Return to Campus Plan

Frequently Asked Questions

Will masks be required?

What to expect for move-in day?

What do I need to bring?

Will I need to be tested?

What to expect for classes?

What to expect for quarantine?

What to expect for Chapel?

COVID-19 Cases | Fall 2020 Term