Masks in, tailgating out at University of Tennessee as chancellor preps for in-school fall session

Before classes go into session on August 19, University of Tennessee Chancellor Donde Plowman on Thursday stressed that students need to adhere to the mask mandate in all public spaces and common areas including classrooms.

“Faculty can ask students to leave or not even hold class if a student is not wearing a mask,” she said during a Zoom briefing online.

Plowman said the university is ready with supplies of PPE and masks to make sure virus safety is followed or student conduct officers will be contacted.

“We don’t want to create the mask police. We do want an environment where we can respectfully keep all of us accountable,” Plowman said.

She also touched on football on campus. The SEC is going forward with games with COVID precautions. Plowman said some traditions may have to be sacrificed for the games to go forward at Neyland Stadium.

“We’re hopeful the team will get to play. If they do, it will not be to a full stadium and there will likely be significant reduced capacity. If we do play football, we won’t have tailgating on campus,” she said.

(PHOTO: UT Knoxville)