Some COVID-19 restrictions will be lifted at TCU beginning this summer.

The announcement came in an email from Kathy Cavins-Tull, vice chancellor of Student Affairs, and Provost Teresa Abi-Nader Dahlberg last week.

Frog Camp and orientation, domestic and international study abroad, campus visitors, and campus events and food services are just some of the activities that will be adjusted. However, all events will still have to follow TCU health and safety protocols.

The adjustments will officially begin on May 10, the first week after the spring semester ends.

Cavins-Tull and Dahlberg also mentioned in the email that the TCU community can check TCU’s Connected Campus website for the most up-to-date information.

Vice Provost Susan Weeks announced Thursday at the Faculty Senate meeting that requests for TCU activities can be submitted by faculty for approval in the weeks leading up to May 10. 

“The provost is currently working on communications specific to academic affairs to kind of flush out some of how that will be fulfilled within academic affairs,” said Weeks.

Social distancing will also be determined in May depending on the federal guidelines, said Weeks. Between 95-100% of courses are planned to be held on campus next fall.

These are the guidelines that TCU will follow depending on the physical distancing policy:

• 95% – 6ft physical distancing 
• 98% – 3 feet distancing
• 100% – no physical distancing

The CDC recently lowered its distancing requirement in schools from six to three feet.

Cavins-Tull and Dahlberg also encouraged the TCU community to register for the vaccine through TCU and Tarrant County Public Health. They advised that if a student receives the vaccine off-campus, they should notify the university.

As for summer classes, Weeks said that some will be still be held online. Financial aid will be available and look similar to last summer’s aid. 

“The deans have really worked to curate a portfolio of courses that really meet the needs of our students,” said Weeks. “We are continuing to streamline how the summer schedule is curated and how it’s scheduled to try to reduce some of the labor that really falls on a lot of our department chairs at this point.”

The Board of Trustees meeting

Chancellor Victor Boschini told the Faculty Senate that three presentations will be given at the Board of Trustees meeting on April 9.

These presentations include COVID-19 and its effects on the TCU community, an update on the Race & Reconciliation Commission and speaking appearances from university governance leaders.

“This is the start of a great new tradition,” said Boschini in regards to the governance leaders.

The governance leaders have also invited the head of staff, the head of students and the head of faculty to come and give a presentation and hold a Q & A session with the board.

The chancellor also mentioned that around 15 or 16 resolutions will be made, many of which are honorariums. The most important ones, according to Boschini, are tenure promotion, membership eligibility, board leadership, and election of the executive board.

The meetings will take place from April 7th to 9th.