FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 7, 2020

PULASKI, Tenn. – Martin Methodist College (now the University of Tennessee Southern) is pleased to announce that it will open the 2020 fall semester on September 8, the day after Labor Day. Students will participate in face-to- face classes until Thanksgiving and finish the very end of the semester at home.

“This schedule will help limit exposure by reducing the traditional travel back and forth from home during Labor Day, fall, and Thanksgiving breaks.” said UTS (formerly MMC) President Mark La Branche.

Residential halls will open, and plans for student life programming and athletic competition are moving forward. This fall, the academic programs will include the new master’s program in Criminal Justice and Bachelor of Science in Public Health Education.

“We will open in a safe manner using mitigation strategies for the health and well-being of the college community,” said Dr. La Branche.

With physical distancing recommendations likely to remain in place for the foreseeable future, UTS (formerly MMC) is leveraging its smaller class sizes to make decisions that will better promote the health and well-being of its students. Students, faculty, and staff will be instructed in and given the means to practice healthy behaviors to limit the likelihood of spread. The College is fortunate to have the faculty of the Travis School of Nursing to assist in these efforts.

The Martin Methodist Health Clinic is available to all students and personnel throughout the semester. In addition, regular and frequent sanitization will continue across campus.

The College Pandemic Response team constantly and consistently monitors state guidelines and CDC recommendations. A full schedule of opening activities will be provided at a later date.

The University of Tennessee Southern, formerly Martin Methodist College, is the newest member of the University of Tennessee System. Founded in 1870 , UTS offers (number of degrees) associate, baccalaureate and graduate degrees. UTS is located on an historic campus in Pulaski, among the beautiful rolling hills of southern Middle Tennessee. The University of Tennessee Southern is convenient to both Nashville (70 miles north) and Huntsville, Alabama (40 miles south).

Martin Methodist College
Susan Carlisle
Director of Publications and Website Development
scarlisle@martinmethodist.edu
(931) 424-4063/fax (931) 363-9867