Information and Updates for Students

If you have had any of the following symptoms, do not go to class and contact your healthcare provider or the Student Health Clinic immediately:

• A fever of 100.4 degrees or greater in the last two days;
• A cough;
• Difficulty breathing;
• A sore throat;
• Or a loss of taste and smell

Additionally, if you have had contact with a person known to be infected with COVID-19 in the previous 14 days, it is imperative that you stay home in self quarantine for another 14 days to ensure that you are not infected.

UCA Medical Director Dr. Randy Pastor has developed a protocol outlining the steps students should take if they get a positive COVID-19 diagnosis.

Here’s what to do if:

You feel that you need to be tested for COVID-19

You are a student and test positive for COVID-19

You are a student identified as a close contact of someone who tests positive for COVID-19

Questions?

Wearing a cloth face covering has been shown to be one of the most effective ways to help reduce the spread of COVID-19. When we all wear face coverings, our chances of spreading the virus are dramatically reduced. Students, faculty and staff will be required to wear face coverings in enclosed spaces — in classrooms, hallways, lobbies, restrooms, stairwells and elevators — and in any situation outdoors where maintaining six feet from others is not possible. However, students will not be required to wear face coverings while in their dorm room or in their own personal space.

CDC Recommendation on How to Safely Wear and Take Off a Mask

While you are free to wear your own face covering, UCA will provide all students with a UCA-branded covering (neck gaiter). All UCA neck gaiters have been modified to meet CDC standards. Students who are new to UCA Housing will receive a neck gaiter during the move-in process. For students that do not live on campus, neck gaiters are available in the Office of Student Life, Student Center 207, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday.

Additionally, UCA will provide KN95 masks, face shields, eye coverings (protective goggles), protective clothing and gloves in specific instances such as to Nursing students or other College of Health and Behavioral Sciences students participating in clinicals, to students in certain laboratory settings, and to students working in public K-12 schools. These will be distributed by the respective departments.

KN95 Mask Maintenance

Some students may be unable to wear a face covering due to a documented medical condition. For information on face mask exemptions, visit the UCA Disability Resource Center website, email drc@uca.edu or call (501) 450-3613.

Many of our spring 2021 courses are being designed as hybrid models, minimizing the need for the full class to attend physically at the same time. In addition, based on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) recommendations, classroom seating will not exceed 66% of the room’s capacity. In regular classrooms, seating and desks will be spaced six feet apart. In lecture halls, seats and rows may be taped off to ensure a 6-foot distance between seats.

Students should avoid congregating in hallways and other enclosed spaces. Directional signage and floor markings have been posted in all buildings to guide students on traffic flow and to indicate six feet of distancing.

Heavily trafficked and dense areas such as the Christian Cafeteria, Student Center and Torreyson Library have been reset to maintain social distancing while accommodating the maximum number of guests. In the Christian Cafeteria, for instance, tables are situated 10 feet apart, and floor signs are placed to keep the six-foot guideline for distancing.

UCA has also designated a number of indoor and outdoor spaces for students to study and participate in their online classes should they need to do that from campus. The university has strategically placed additional outdoor seating and picnic tables throughout campus in areas with a strong Wi-Fi signal. More information is available under the “Information Technology” heading.

UCA is committed to providing many opportunities for student interaction and involvement on campus. Although our student events and programs will look different this academic year, we will continue to provide these opportunities in some format. You may contact the Office of Student Life for questions about registered student organizations, Bear Den events and Greek Life. You may also contact the Student Activities Board for information about scheduled programs. COVID-19-related safety information and instructions for social distancing will be provided for our events.

Our UCA Student Health Clinic, in partnership with the Arkansas Department of Health and Conway Regional Health System, is prepared to test and trace any students, faculty, or staff members who are exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 or those who believe they may have been in close contact with an infected person(s). COVID-19 tests can be done on campus or at Conway Regional Health System, depending on the situation and the needs of the individual.

UCA Contact Tracing and Notification Protocol

UCA recently announced a formal partnership for testing and health services related to COVID-19 that will combine our efforts with Conway Regional Health System, Hendrix College, and Central Baptist College. The consortium will implement protocols and practices to ensure the health and safety of students, faculty and staff at all three Conway-area universities and colleges. The partnership focuses on recommended best practices for each campus to keep their communities safe and healthy.

Students should not come to class if they are awaiting COVID-19 test results. All classes are being designed to support remote learning to ensure that students can continue their studies while in quarantine or isolation.

Dr. Randy Pastor, UCA Medical Director, has developed a protocol outlining the steps students should take if they need to get tested, or if they receive a positive COVID-19 diagnosis.

Here’s what to do if:
You feel that you NEED TO BE TESTED FOR COVID-19

You are a student and test positive for COVID-19

You are a student identified as a close contact of someone who tests positive for COVID-19

We have isolation and quarantine housing plans in place to safely support any students living on campus who either test positive for COVID-19 or who have been in close contact with someone who tests positive. We have multiple buildings — including reserving the entirety of Carmichael Hall (120 separate rooms) — that will be dedicated to serve those students who are required to quarantine and need to remain in campus housing. Additionally, we have other university-owned housing to isolate those who have received a positive COVID-19 diagnosis and need to remain on campus.

Should a student need to be moved to isolation or quarantine housing, UCA Health Clinic staff will transport them via open-air golf cart or shuttle. There, a full staff will be dedicated to addressing students’ needs, including medical care and daily check-ups, food service, and basic errands. Students will also be able to participate in organized, socially distanced activities for physical and social health.

Remember, if you are sick, do not attend class.

We will continue to emphasize the CDC’s recommended measures for reducing the spread of virus, including washing hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds; coughing and sneezing into your elbow; coughing or sneezing into a tissue, throwing it away immediately and washing your hands; and avoiding shaking hands.

If soap and water are unavailable, you can use an alcohol-based sanitizer with at least 60-percent alcohol. We have increased the number of sanitizing stations set up around campus. They can be found in many high-traffic and high-contact areas and in building lobbies.

Guidance for Use of PPE

CDC Recommendation for When to Wear Gloves

Questions?

Custodians are cleaning buildings, classrooms and restrooms on a daily basis and are focusing on wiping down all touch points such as sinks, door knobs/handles, tables, elevator buttons, toilets, faucets, light switches, etc. All desks in classrooms will be sprayed with disinfectant once daily. Hand sanitizing stations will be located in hallways. It is recommended that you frequently wash your hands or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

In addition to routine maintenance on all heating and air units, the Physical Plant is also changing air filters multiple times a year and cleaning air handlers and fan coil units regularly.

Interior doors will be propped open where feasible to minimize the necessity for frequent touching.

As in years past, students should bring their own daily cleaning supplies, such as disinfectant spray and wipes, to perform routine cleaning of countertops, sinks and shared bathrooms in private or suite setups. In residence halls and buildings with communal bathrooms, custodial staff will clean daily.

Disinfecting materials will be placed near the door of each classroom or lecture hall. As you enter a room, you may take a wipe and clean your desk space or commonly touched surfaces before sitting down.

Questions?

Students and residents will be required to wear face coverings while in any public areas of residence halls, including hallways, stairwells, restrooms, laundry rooms, and lobbies. However, students will not be required to wear face coverings in their own room or personal space.

Residence Life staff are following guidance from the CDC and the ADH and are taking extra steps to ensure that residence halls remain clean, safe environments. Custodians are cleaning all community spaces in residence halls, including restrooms and lobbies, on a daily basis and are focusing on wiping down all touch points such as sinks, door knobs/handles, tables, elevator buttons, toilets, faucets, light switches, etc. As in years past, students should bring their own daily cleaning supplies, such as disinfectant spray and wipes, to perform routine cleaning inside of their rooms.

One big thing that has changed for 2020-21 is our policy on visitors. Due to COVID-19 safety precautions, residents within residence halls are not allowed to have guests who do not live in the same building. Residents may, however, have one guest per person in their room as long as that person lives in the same building. If your Resident Assistant sees someone who is not a resident in the hall, he or she will be asked to leave. Residents of apartment complexes may have one guest per person in their apartment, regardless of where they live. Residents of Greek Village may each have one guest at a time in their rooms and in the residential hallways, and the guests must be organizational members. In order to keep our entire campus community safe, we will be strictly enforcing this new rule.

While you cannot have visitors inside the residence hall, you CAN have visitors meet you outside, where you are able to maintain a safe distance. We have added even more outdoor seating all around campus this year, so take advantage of the fresh air and beautiful campus and get outside!

UCA has designated a number of indoor and outdoor spaces for students to study and participate in their online classes should they need to do that from campus.

A list of indoor study spaces and their capacity are below:

College of Business 307
Capacity: 11
8 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. (exception Tuesday and Thursday from 8 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.)

Harrin Hall 130
Capacity: 11
8 a.m. –  4:30 p.m.

Irby Hall 102
Capacity: 11
Tuesday and Thursday: 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Irby Hall 121
Capacity: 12
Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday: 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Mashburn 116
Capacity: 14
8 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. (exception Tuesday and Thursday from 8 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.)

Mashburn 232
Capacity: 8
8 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.

Mashburn TLC
Limited Capacity
7:30 a.m.- 4 p.m.

Old Main 14
Capacity: 8
6:30 a.m.- 10 p.m.

Old Main 27
Capacity: 8
6:30 a.m.- 10 p.m.

Old Main 112
Capacity: 9
6:30 a.m.- 10 p.m.

Old Main 115
Capacity: 11
6:30 a.m.- 10 p.m.

Student Center 202
Capacity: 11
Monday – Thursday: 7 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Friday: 7 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Sunday: 2 p.m. – 10 p.m.

Student Health Center 307
8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Thompson 115
Capacity: 12
8 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.

Torreyson Library
Monday through Thursday: 7 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Friday: 7 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Saturday: CLOSED
Sunday: 2 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Wingo Hall – Welcome area 110
Capacity: 3
8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

The university has strategically placed additional outdoor seating and picnic tables throughout campus in areas with a strong Wi-Fi signal. See a map of those outdoor Wi-Fi hotspots here.

Based on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) recommendations, classroom seating will not exceed 66% of the room’s capacity. In regular classrooms, seating and desks are spaced six feet apart. In lecture halls, seats and rows are taped off to ensure a six-foot distance between seats.

Students should avoid congregating in hallways and other enclosed spaces. Directional signage and floor markings have been posted in all buildings to guide students on traffic flow and to indicate six feet of distancing.

UCA has also designated a number of indoor and outdoor spaces for students to study and participate in their online classes should they need to do that from campus. The university has strategically placed additional outdoor seating and picnic tables throughout campus in areas with a strong Wi-Fi signal.

Heavily trafficked and dense areas such as the Christian Cafeteria, Student Center, and Torreyson Library have been reset to maintain social distancing while accommodating the maximum number of guests. In the Christian Cafeteria, for instance, tables are situated 10 feet apart, and floor signs are placed to keep the six-foot guideline for distancing.

Common areas are configured to maintain six feet of physical distance at all times and minimize opportunities for congregating.

In shared kitchens, the CDC recommends that you do not share dishes, glasses, cups or utensils. Use disposable items whenever you can, or use your own items and wash immediately after use and store at your desk. Wash with a disposable paper towel; do not use shared sponges and/or dish brushes. Do not leave dirty dishes in sinks or on countertops.

It is recommended that you wipe down vending machine buttons after each use.

We strongly discourage you from using water fountains, but if you must, please wipe down levers and buttons with a sanitizing wipe after each use.

Questions?

UCA is committed to providing many opportunities for student interaction and involvement on campus. Although our student events and programs will look different this academic year, we will continue to provide these opportunities in some format. You may contact the Office of Student Life for questions about registered student organizations, Bear Den events and Greek Life. You may also contact the Student Activities Board for information about scheduled programs. COVID-19-related safety information and instructions for social distancing will be provided for all events.

If you are a member of an RSO hoping to host an event, you must register that event at least two weeks in advance on CubConnect and include a COVID-19 safety plan. Details about how to register a student event and get it approved can be found on the RSO Resources and Information tab at uca.edu/rso/resources.

Parties and gatherings that do not adhere to population density, social distancing, and face covering rules have the potential to cause rapid virus spread, jeopardize the health of our campus community and local residents, and threaten to put an end to our in-person classes and residence life. Hosting and/or attending such parties is reckless to your own health and to the health of everyone you encounter. In addition, violating COVID-19 directives disrespects the hundreds of faculty and staff that have worked countless hours to prepare campus for this academic year. We will not let these efforts be trivialized by the irresponsible actions of a few students or small groups.

Individuals and/or student groups who host or attend gatherings that do not follow COVID-19 policies will be held accountable for their unsafe actions. The UCA Student Handbook states that offenses subject to disciplinary action include:

“Violation of state, federal, local laws or ordinances, or of any university rules, regulations, or policies as approved by the officers of the university,” as well as “Students or student organizations conducting functions that unreasonably endanger the health or well-being of any person.”

Our Dean of Students office is actively reviewing reports of parties that do not adhere to health policies. The Dean of Students webpage has a link where individuals can report parties and/or gatherings they see or know of that do not meet face covering, social distancing, or population density requirements. You can find that form here.

For more information, visit uca.edu/studentlife or call (501) 450-3137.

The spring 2021 semester will begin as scheduled Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021, which is the Tuesday after the observation of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Just as in the fall semester, we will have a variety of options for instructional delivery in the spring, including in-person, hybrid, and online. The most updated academic calendar is always available here.

Every academic department and major will have some courses that are fully online for those students that would prefer to take online courses this spring. Courses moved to fully online should be reflected in the spring schedule.

It is extremely important that you check your CUB account (UCA student email) regularly. Your professors will begin sending out important information to you regarding class format and scheduling before class begins and will continue to communicate with you throughout the semester via your UCA email. Contact your academic advisor or your department chair if you have any questions about your schedule.

Monday through Thursday: 7 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Friday: 7 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Saturday: CLOSED
Sunday: 2 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Chat, Email, and Question Form Service | Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Hours are subject to change based on COVID-19 concerns and UCA policies. Holiday hours and closings can be found on the Library Hours webpage.

In-person Service Changes:

• Only current UCA students, faculty, and staff have access to in-person library services.
• Everyone must wear a mask in the library at all times.
• Anyone who refuses to wear a mask will be asked to leave.
• Masks are required in individual study rooms.
• If you have a documented exception, please speak to the reference desk about how we can help you.
• Group seating is limited to no more that four people per table.
• Everyone at the table must wear a mask. No exceptions.
• Food and drink are not allowed in the computer lab.
• Individual study rooms are first come, first served and are not disinfected between uses.
• Microforms and Archives are available by appointment only.

New Remote Services Available:

• No-contact printing
• No-contact book checkout
• Scanning and electronic delivery of library resource excerpts, in accordance with copyright law
• Online Research Assistance via chat, email, and video conferencing

For more information about Library services, visit https://uca.edu/library/

To make an appointment or get help, visit: https://uca.libanswers.com/

Virtual tutoring assistance is now available from noon to 4 p.m. for a variety of subjects.

For a listing of subjects being tutored, visit the Tutoring Center website and click on “schedule.” For more information, contact (501) 852-0720 or email tutoring@uca.edu.

https://uca.edu/success/files/2020/02/Online-Tutoring-Schedule-1.pdf

Need tips for online learning? Online learning help  and information on using Blackboard is available through the Student Success office.

For assistance with any writing or presentation project, tutors are currently available in the Center for Writing & Communication (CWC) for virtual tutoring sessions from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. For more information, and to make an appointment, visit our website at uca.edu/cwc or email us at cwc@uca.edu.

UCA Counseling Center

The health and wellbeing of students are top priorities at UCA. We understand that the pandemic environment, experiencing sudden change and living with uncertainty can trigger anxiety and other mental health crises. The UCA Counseling Center is here to help. The Student Government Association has partnered with the UCA Counseling Center to offer teletherapy services during this challenging time. Through this partnership, students who are enrolled in spring 2021 classes can receive teletherapy services to help manage concerns, emotions and anxiety due to COVID-19.

Visit the Counseling Center website for more information, or call (501) 450-3138.

We believe that a student’s wellbeing is affected by the interactions they have and the relationships they make on campus. You may contact the Office of Student Life if you need assistance with getting connected to campus organizations and activities.

Student Health Center

Monday-Friday 8-4:30 p.m., closed for lunch from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
Closed on Saturday and Sunday

Please find the description below which matches your proposed event and follow the instructions to secure approval for your plan. By submitting a request for approval, you agree to follow all applicable COVID-19 directives from the Arkansas Department of Health, State of Arkansas, and University of Central Arkansas.

Directives can be found at: https://www.healthy.arkansas.gov/programs-services/topics/novel-coronavirus

Events with under 100 attendees, without members of the public:

• Your event is for the campus community (students, faculty, and staff) only and is not open to any public attendance.
• This event requires approval by the Office of Student Life, please submit a request on CubConnect.

Events with under 100 attendees, open to members of the public:

• Your event is open to public attendance, meaning anyone beyond the campus community.
• This event requires approval by the Office of Student Life, Vice President for Student Services or Dean of Students, and the UCA Physical Distancing Working Group.
• Plan approval request form can be found and submitted on CubConnect.
• Requests must be submitted at least two (2) weeks prior to the event.

Events with 100 or more attendees, without members of the public:

• Your event is for the campus community (students, faculty, and staff) only and is not open to any public attendance.
• This event requires approval by the Office of Student Life, Vice President for Student Services or Dean of Students, and the UCA Physical Distancing Working Group.
• Plan approval request form can be found and submitted on CubConnect.
• Requests must be submitted at least two (2) weeks prior to the event.

Events with 100 or more attendees, open to members of the public:

• Your event is open to public attendance, meaning anyone beyond the campus community.
• This event requires approval by the Office of Student Life, Vice President for Student Services or Dean of Students, and the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH).
• Please contact the Office of Student Life for assistance completing this approval process.
• Requests should be submitted as early as possible, approvals have taken as long as two (2) weeks and will only lengthen as the semester continues.

UCA’s Distribution of the CARES Act Funding

Student Emergency Fund

IT has provided a list of key programs and software, as well as a resource page, that students can utilize during face-to-face or online learning.

View the list of recommended hardware and software for UCA students.

UCA campus tours will resume for the spring semester the week of January 25. Tour capacities will be limited in number to abide by social distancing guidelines. Prospective students, guests and families are encouraged to bring their own personal protective equipment. Those participating in tours will be required to answer screening questions upon arrival and wear face coverings in all UCA buildings. If you do not have a face covering, one will be given to you. Reservations are required and can be made at uca.edu/admissions/events.

Virtual tours are available at uca.edu/virtualtour.

The Office of Study Abroad continues to make all necessary preparations for summer 2021 faculty-led and language immersion programs. The safety and security of all UCA students and our campus community are top priorities. While it is impossible to predict the conditions that will exist in summer 2021, we expect that we can wait until early March 2021 before having to make any decision regarding summer programs.

In the meantime we invite you to monitor the US State Department Travel Advisory website and the CDC Travel Notices. The university cannot support study abroad programming to destinations with a CDC or US State Department Level 3 notice.

Please know that should a program be cancelled by the university due to the pandemic, the university will refund 100% of all payments made to that point.

For questions, please reach out to Dr. Phillip Bailey, Associate Vice-President for International Education and Engagement, phillipb@uca.edu or to Natalie Flemming, Education Abroad Director, natalief@uca.edu.

The UCA Division of Outreach & Community Engagement provides the following guidelines for all university faculty, staff, and students while the university continues to make changes to operations to meet the health and safety needs of our campus and community during the COVID-19 pandemic during the 2020-2021 academic year.

Questions? Contact Dr. Lesley Graybeal at lgraybeal@uca.edu 

Below are answers to frequently asked questions that students may have regarding tuition, fees and room and board for the spring 2021 semester.

Will students be charged the Online Fee for traditional face-to-face courses that have been temporarily moved to an online format?

No. UCA will reduce the Online Fee by $25 per hour for the 2020-2021 academic year so that it does not exceed the total per hour fees paid for a traditional face-to-face course in a traditional (not fully online) degree program. Those students enrolled in a fully online degree program will continue to pay their regular online program fees.

Will I receive a credit for room and board if I voluntary check-out of campus housing during the semester?

No. Room and board credits will only be considered when campus housing is closed by the UCA administration. Voluntary check-outs do not qualify a student for a credit.

Is campus housing automatically closed if academic instruction moves to an entirely online format?

No. The decision to move to online-only delivery of classroom instruction is a separate decision from closing campus housing and dining services. Campus housing and dining services may continue to be operational when classes are being offered remotely, such as after Thanksgiving break.

If UCA closes campus housing during the semester, will I receive a credit for the room and board that has already been paid?

Yes. If UCA closes its campus housing before the semester concludes, students will be issued a prorated credit for room and board.

If UCA moves to fully remote academic instruction, will students receive a credit for any of the fees they paid?

If the UCA campus is closed and courses are moved to fully online instruction (aka fully remote), UCA may provide a prorated account credit for certain types of student fees, such as the HPER Center fee and Student Activity fee. Portions of certain student fees provide debt service for bond obligations, while portions of fees pays for operational expenses. UCA may provide a prorated account credit for the operational portion of the applicable student fees. Student fees that would be eligible for a prorated credit are determined at the discretion of the administration, and would be limited to those activities and services that a student may not be able to use in a remote environment.

HPER CENTER

Campus Recreation

The HPER Center will close Monday – Friday at 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. for sanitizing.

High risk individuals are encouraged to use the facility from 6 a.m. – 8 a.m.

HPER CENTER

Monday – Thursday: 6 a.m. – 12 a.m.
Friday: 6 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Sunday: 3 p.m. – 12 a.m.

COPA

Monday and Tuesday: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Thursday and Friday: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday: Closed

https://uca.edu/campusrecreation/hours/

We know there are many questions about room, board and dining service fees and how they may be impacted if we are forced to close campus. In the event that the university closes all operations before the end of the spring 2021 semester, we will provide students with prorated housing and meal plan reimbursements much like we did this past spring. 

Each dining services staff member is screened for COVID-19 symptoms upon their arrival to work. Precautions include:

• Daily temperature checks for all team members — anyone with a temperature of 100.4 or above will be sent home.
• Managers monitor daily for symptoms (chronic cough, fever, trouble breathing).
• Increased cross-training of team members across multiple roles to improve staffing flexibility.

In addition, in order to abide by social distancing guidelines, the Christian Cafeteria dining room has been reset to maintain social distancing while accommodating the maximum number of guests in the cafeteria. Tables are placed 10 feet apart, and floor signs are placed to keep the six-foot guideline for distancing. The same practices will be in place in the Student Center food court area.

Campus dining hours can be found here.

The University of Central Arkansas athletics department is committed to the health and safety of all student-athletes, staff and the entire campus community. In order to ensure a safe return to campus and athletic activity, UCA Athletics continues to follow current recommendations and protocols set forth by the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH); the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); the National Athletic Trainer Association Council for Sports Medicine; the American College Health Association Guidelines (ACHA); and the National Collegiate Athletic Association Sport Science Institute.

Student-athletes, coaches and support staff are required to routinely undergo COVID-19 screening and testing before engaging in athletic activity on the UCA campus. Scheduling of routine screening and testing is conducted through a multidisciplinary team of professionals with the UCA sports medicine department and Conway Regional Health Systems. Those individuals who refuse testing will be required to quarantine for 14 days. Individuals who test positive for COVID-19 undergo the same quarantine and contact tracing procedures set forth by the university. These procedures can be found under Testing, Tracing, Isolating.