Guiding Principles
The University of Memphis guidelines and protocols for responding to the COVID-19
pandemic will be rooted in safety for our employees,* students and for the greater
Memphis community while we continue the institution’s vital mission of education,
research and service. Protecting the health of the University of Memphis community
will require a longterm effort and commitment, cooperation, teamwork, understanding
and flexibility - values that our University community has shown in a multitude
of ways in recent months.
As knowledge and understanding of the COVID-19 virus continues to evolve, the University
is committed to doing its part to reduce community spread. Although 100% safety can
never be ensured, the University is taking necessary measures to maintain a safe environment
consistent with guidance from federal, state and local authorities. This Return to
Campus Plan is just one of many measures being implemented to meet that commitment.
THE UNIVERSITY’S PLANS FOR CONTINUING OPERATIONS AND INCREASING THE PRESENCE OF EMPLOYEES AND STUDENTS WILL BE GUIDED BY THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA:
The intentional effort by all employees to
exercise both personal and community responsibility
and create a culture that sustains
a healthy and safe on-campus environment.
Existing and future federal, state and local
restrictions and recommendations.
Contact tracing, case management protocols
and isolation capabilities.
A commitment to exercising appropriate
financial stewardship of public dollars.
Existing and future federal, state and local
restrictions and recommendations.
Alignment with the University’s strategic
framework that the escalation of on-campus
activities will support primary mission of
objectives of the institution.
*Any reference to “employees” throughout this document includes faculty, staff, adjuncts/part-time
faculty, temporary employees, graduate assistants, student employees and college work-study
workers.