FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 5, 2020
PULASKI, Tenn. – Martin Methodist College (now the University of Tennessee Southern) has instituted a test-optional admissions process in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to Tyler Cox, Vice President of Enrollment, high school seniors who have not taken their ACT or SAT tests are still eligible for admissions to UTS (formerly MMC), even if they lack scores for this current application cycle for fall enrollment. The Admissions Office will place more emphasis on the overall student through other points of evaluation, like grade point average, prior assessments, extracurricular activities and recommendations. “We value the whole person more than a single measure like the ACT; high school seniors have had a hard spring semester, and UTS (formerly MMC) does not want to make it any harder. Thus, we have figured out a way to help these seniors in the college admissions process,” Cox said.
Cox added that though the recruitment process may look a little different this summer, UTS (formerly MMC) is open and happy to host campus tours for students and their families. “Right now we are hosting in-person tours, as well as virtual visits. For families who come to campus, we ask that they wear masks on their campus tours. They are able to meet with coaches, financial aid, business office representatives, as usual, though we have a modified schedule and some restrictions in place. Of interest to many families,
financial aid is still available. And the new graduate program in Criminal Justice is accepting applications currently. In many ways, it’s business as usual,” Cox said.
According to Dr. Judy Cheatham, Provost, classes and classroom instruction have also been modified based on health and safety recommendations. Students will have the regular face-to-face instruction, but they also may have some classes taught in a hybrid manner (with a class meeting face to face half the time, and the other half taught virtually), or on-line. “We pride ourselves on our one-to-one connections on campus—students and faculty, students and coaches, students and campus life. Through months of planning as well as additional training and new technology, we are able to offer several different options for students in classes in the fall. Classrooms have had extra chairs and desks removed, physical distancing and polycarbonate barriers have been implemented, even restrooms have been modified. However, students will find that tutoring, advising, library services, the UTS (formerly MMC) clinic, campus life will all be available. And for first-year students for whom face-to-face instruction is so important, we
are able to provide that while still being flexible enough to support the needs of students who for whatever reason would prefer virtual classes.”
Dr. Cheatham added, “As a campus, this whole shift to doing things a little differently will take a lot of over-communication, but that will also provide more opportunities for students to engage with the college community, even if some of that engagement is virtual.” “Ironically,” Cheatham continued, “we are launching two new majors this fall—Public Health Education and Cyber Security. We had no idea about this global pandemic as we conceptualized those two new majors, but graduates of both
programs will certainly be in high demand in the workforce because of this situation.”
UTS (formerly MMC) is excited to welcome the Class of 2024 at the 151st opening of the school year, September 10, 2020. For those who would like more information about Admissions to UTS (formerly MMC), please contact Tyler Cox at 931-424-2015, tcox@martinmethodist.edu.
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