Arkansas Tech University remains committed to face-to-face classes and activities as it prepares for the beginning of the fall 2021 semester.
“We are excited to welcome our returning and incoming students to campuses in Russellville and Ozark for the beginning of a new academic year,” said Dr. Robin E. Bowen, ATU president. “Leaders at all levels of the university — faculty, staff and students — have worked diligently over the summer months to prepare academic, co-curricular and social experiences that will facilitate the pursuit of knowledge, personal growth and career preparation while simultaneously re-connecting our university community.”
The first day of classes for the 112th academic year at Arkansas Tech will be Wednesday, Aug. 18. The last day to late register, add courses or change sections for fall 2021 at ATU is Tuesday, Aug. 24.
Arkansas Tech will conduct its fall 2021 operations under the ATU COVID-19 Management Plan, which was developed to align with current local, state and national legislation, including guidance and best practices from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) and the American College Health Association (ACHA). The guidelines in the ATU COVID-19 Management Plan are applicable to all students, faculty, staff and visitors at ATU.
“Our new COVID-19 Management Plan accounts for the medical and scientific advances that have taken place over the past 18 months and allows Arkansas Tech to be more adaptable to evolving circumstances,” said Bowen. “I encourage members of the university community to read the document closely for any factors that affect them and their daily routines. Please know that this is a living document. As changes to the ATU COVID-19 Management Plan are made, we will make proper notifications.”
As part of the ATU COVID-19 Management Plan, face coverings will be mandatory inside all Arkansas Tech University buildings effective Thursday, Aug. 12, and continuing until further notice. ATU students, faculty, staff and guests will be required to wear face coverings regardless of their vaccination status when indoors in a congregational setting, including classrooms, meeting rooms, building lobbies and hallways. Faculty and staff members who are alone in their offices and students who are in their residence hall rooms and on-campus apartments will not be required to wear face coverings.
When possible, individuals should maintain at least 6 feet of space from other individuals to meet social distancing recommendations.
ATU students, faculty and staff who have COVID-19 symptoms, who have been exposed to COVID-19 or who have been tested for COVID-19 should report this information to the ATU Health and Wellness Center by completing the online reporting form located at www.atu.edu/hwc or calling (479) 968-0329.
Arkansas Tech employees and students are encouraged to be vaccinated for COVID-19.
“Medical and scientific experts who have reviewed data and outcomes continue to report that becoming fully vaccinated against COVID-19 is the best protection from serious illness, hospitalization and death associated with the virus,” said Bowen. “It is our responsibility to provide a safe learning and working environment and our preference to do so in a face-to-face environment throughout the fall 2021 semester and beyond. I believe that is also what our students want. Our best path to achieving that goal is to continue increasing the number of ATU students, faculty and staff who have been vaccinated.”
Members of the ATU community who wish to become vaccinated against COVID-19 will have opportunities to do so at the beginning of the fall 2021 semester.
The Arkansas Department of Health will provide Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccinations to ATU faculty, staff and students from 2-4 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 16, on the north lawn of Doc Bryan Student Services Center and 2-4 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 17, on the west lawn of Chambers Cafeteria.
There will be an additional ADH COVID-19 vaccination event for ATU faculty, staff and students from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 18, on the west lawn of Chambers Cafeteria. The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine will be available on Aug. 18 and ADH will return at the appropriate time to provide a second dose to participants.
More information about COVID-19 vaccines is available at www.atu.edu/pandemicrecovery.
Additional provisions of the ATU COVID-19 Management Plan are accessible at www.atu.edu/pandemicrecovery/managementplan.php.
The process of applying for admission to Arkansas Tech and enrolling in classes for fall 2021 begins at www.atu.edu.
