News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
About 10,000 Tennessee Tech students return to Cookeville as the spring semester starts Tuesday.
Chief Communication Officer Karen Lykins said with a successful fall semester, no major COVID changes have been made.
“We are very comfortable with our safety protocol,” Lykins said. “Masks are still required. We have social distancing guidelines in place, and we have a lot of signage on campus to make sure that our students, faculty, staff, visitors a like, all are very clear about the expectations about safety protocols on campus.”
Lykins said students will see a mixture of different classes. 31 percent being in-person, 42 percent hybrid and 27 percent completely online.
“It is a comfort with knowing what to expect from your classes and knowing what you are signing up for,” Lykins said. “We’ve learned a lot in the fall about how to get that information out quicker to students. A tremendous flexibility given by faculty who have done a great job in transforming their classes to a class that can be in-person, or it can be adapted for someone who may have to quarantine.”
Lykins said based on registration numbers, the university expects a flat enrollment from fall to spring. Lykins said spring break and class schedules have also remain unchanged.
Lykins said the theme for the upcoming semester focuses on, “Moving Forward.”
“It’s about learning those very important lessons,” Lykins said. “It is about keeping our students safe. Our faculty and staff, everyone that works there safe and healthy but to always find ways to move forward to make sure we are giving students the college experience they deserve and expect.”
