Fall Reopening FAQ

Yes, faculty, staff, and students will be required to wear a face covering when social distancing is not possible. This applies to classrooms and indoor and outdoor common spaces.

Students who have a disability which places them at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19 can submit a request for student accommodations to Jacob Ratliff (jacob.ratliff@ucumberlands.edu) in our Student Accommodations office.

Main Campus students will meet “in-person” either physically or virtually during the days/time outlined on the class schedule. The physically “in-person” class day will also appear on the class schedule in UC One once the course has been updated. Students will receive an email when this is available for review.  

Any residential student who tests positive will placed in quarantined housing will receive consistent support from our Student Services team. A member of our housing staff will check-in daily with the student to ensure they have access to needed support and medical resources. Daily meal boxes will be delivered and will include three meals and snacks. Students will only need to bring personal items (i.e. clothing, toiletries, etc.) with him/her to quarantined housing. Each room will include multiple amenities such as Wi-Fi, cable television, bedding, and access to showers.

Yes, students can select to move online for the first bi-term. Students interested in this option will need to speak with the Student Success Office to see if their class schedule can shift online. Due to limited availability in UC Online courses, some course selections may need to change. Please note, students electing to delay moving into campus housing until the start of the second bi-term, will lose their current housing assignment. New assignments will be made in the middle of September.

Yes. If a student elects to delay moving into campus housing until the start of the second bi-term, he/she will lose his/her current housing assignment. New assignments will be made in the middle of September. 

There are several distinct differences between being a Main Campus student vs. a UC Online student. 

• Course Format: 
  • Main Campus classes will be in a hybrid format for the first 8-weeks this fall, but they will still include in-person (either virtually or physically) components for every class period. This synchronous component is unique for our Main Campus students. This allows students to engage with their professors “live” during each class period. Additionally, the in-person portion allows students to apply course content, obtain hands-on lab experiences, etc. 
  • UC Online is an asynchronous course delivery option. In this format, students will still have the opportunity to connect with faculty via email and discussion boards, but live/in-person sessions are not offered through UC Online. Additionally, there are no in-seat course enrichment opportunities. Students considering this option should note that the UC Online format requires self-motivation, as there are not daily interactions with your professor. Additionally, not all majors are offered in the UC Online format.
• Textbooks: Textbooks are free for Main Campus students. UC Online students are required to purchase their textbooks. 
• Scholarships & Athletics: Main Campus students have the opportunity to earn merit-based scholarships and participate in University athletics. UC Online students, cannot participate in University athletics and do not receive merit-based UC scholarships. If a student is considering moving to UC Online, he or she should speak with financial aid to see how this impacts his/her financial aid package. 
• Housing: Campus housing is only available for Main Campus students. 

There are a variety of places on-campus where a student can log into their “live” class sessions. In addition to campus housing, these include, computer labs, outdoors spaces, lobbies, and the Boswell Campus Center. 

Yes, Main Campus students still have the opportunity to participate in the work-study program. 

Yes, students can still “hang out” around campus. However, is important to remember that students must practice social distancing and wear a face covering when social distancing is not possible. 

There is a lot to do in and around Williamsburg. Students are encouraged to remain on-campus during the weekend, but are not required. 

For the immediate future, visitation in the residence halls for non-UC students is limited to the lobbies only.