Orientation & COVID-19 FAQs

⪢ Is orientation still required? (top of page)

Yes, SOAR is still required for new, first-time freshman who are admitted for the summer and/or fall 2021 semester(s). The university and our staff are monitoring the COVID-19 situation and will provide any information to those registered for orientation if plans or programming is adjusted for 2021. For questions concerning summer orientation and COVID-19 precautions, please contact us at nsfp@tntech.edu.

 

⪢ What precautions should I take before my orientation session? (top of page)

Answer these questions before arriving to campus on the day of your registered orientation session:

• Are you or your guest (if a guest is registered–check your latest reservation confirmation to ensure you registered a guest) experiencing a cough, shortness of breath, or sore throat?
• Have you or your guest had a fever in the last 48 hours?
• Have you or your guest been in close contact (6ft. or less for 15 minutes or longer with or without a face covering) with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19?

If "Yes" to either of these questions, we ask you to help us protect the health of our campus community by... 

• Staying home and monitoring your health or your guest's if either of you are sick or have recently had close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.
• Staying home if you or your guest have tested positive for or are showing symptoms of COVID-19.

Attendees should be familiar with COVID-19 symptoms as provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as provided here -https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html. Additional precautions will be communicated during check-in. 

 

⪢ Am I required to wear a face covering during SOAR? (top of page)

Per CDC guidance, anyone who is fully vaccinated can choose not to wear a mask during orientation activities. Those who are not fully vaccinated will be encouraged to wear a mask during indoor orientation activities and when social distancing is difficult. Masks will be available during check-in upon request.

 

⪢ What should I do if I'm not feeling well the day of my SOAR session? (top of page)

Please stay home and contact the Office of New Student & Family Programs at nsfp@tntech.edu. We will follow up with you regarding any next steps or adjustments needed to reschedule your orientation session.

 

⪢ What happens if orientation is canceled due to COVID-19? (top of page)

In the event that orientation and enrollment processes are adjusted based on COVID-19, new students (including those registered for on-campus orientation) will be notified of any changes and the necessary next steps to complete their enrollment process for Summer/Fall 2021. Information on any applicable refunds related to orientation fees will be communicated at that time.

⪢ Will I receive a refund if sessions are canceled? (top of page)

In the event our on-campus orientation sessions are canceled, students who have already registered for a session will be notified of any additional information and next steps, including potential refunds (if applicable).

⪢ Why am I only able to add 1 guest to my SOAR reservation? (top of page)

In the university's response to COVID-19 and to help allow for social distancing during the SOAR program, the university has decided to only allow a maximum of 1 guest per student due to capacity limitations within classrooms, auditoriums, and dining spaces.