CURRENT UPDATES

January 3, 2022 Update

In compliance with the emergency temporary standard (ETS) issued on November 5, 2021, by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), University of Advancing Technology (UAT) has adopted a COVID-19 VACCINATION AND TESTING POLICY to minimize the risk of COVID-19 transmissions in the workplace.

As a first step towards implementing this policy, all employees are required to comply with the directives detailed in the policy no later than January 4, 2022.

October 13, 2021 Update

The UAT COVID-19 Return to Work Policy and COVID-19 Safety Policy pages have been revised to reflect updated mask guidance. Full details can be found on the pages linked above. 

August 13, 2021 Update

The UAT COVID-19 Return to Work Policy and COVID-19 Safety Policy have been updated to reflect additional CDC guidance regarding exposure and quarantining. Full details can be found on the pages linked above. 

August 5, 2021 Update

Due to the everchanging COVID landscape, UAT will be bringing back some of our COVID precautions. Effective August 5, 2021, masks will be required on campus. This means that if you are in a common area, walking around campus, or not able to socially distance, you need to be wearing a mask that covers your nose and mouth. If you are at your desk and able to socially distance, you may remove your mask.

COVID-19 testing centers are spread throughout the county.  Please research the testing center that you feel most comfortable with to obtain a test.  Most testing centers require an appointment prior to testing and are fully covered through your insurance.

We would encourage everyone to take their own health seriously. As a reminder, symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19:

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea

June 22, 2021 Update

Effective June 22, 2021, wearing a mask on UAT's campus is optional. Governor Ducey previously mandated that public schools, including Universities, cannot mandate masks. While we are a private University, we have decided to abide by this decree and lift the mask mandate as well. 

April 27th, 2021 Update

As we did for all of 2020, we will maintain a virtual option for all classes for the Summer 2021 term. There are already a handful of classes with an in-person option, labs are open, the support staff is onsite, and we are continuing to take steps to safely get the UAT campus closer and closer to normal.

At this time, we intend to fully return to a normal class schedule, with a full schedule of in-person classes for the upcoming Fall 2021 term.

Effective today, we are happy to welcome UAT alum to campus. As previously stated, all current active UAT students are welcome on campus to access resources, even if they do not reside in Founder's Hall. The campus is still closed to the general public, with the exception of per-scheduled tours. Touring students and families must abide by all COVID-19 safety protocols and must schedule their socially distanced tour using the link on www.uat.edu/events. and all UAT vendor and partner COVID safety precautions remain in place.

7/28/21: Additional Information on Fall 2021 Plan

6/22/21: Update to Mask Policy

Effective June 22, 2021, wearing a mask on UAT's campus is optional. Governor Ducey previously mandated that public schools, including Universities, cannot mandate masks. While we are a private University, we have decided to abide by this decree and lift the mask mandate as well. 

4/27/21: UAT Fall 2021 Plan

As we did for all of 2020, we will maintain a virtual option for all classes for the Summer 2021 term. There are already a handful of classes with an in-person option, labs are open, the support staff is onsite, and we are continuing to take steps to safely get the UAT campus closer and closer to normal.

At this time, we intend to fully return to a normal class schedule, with a full schedule of in-person classes for the upcoming Fall 2021 term.

Effective today, we are happy to welcome UAT alum to campus. As previously stated, all current active UAT students are welcome on campus to access resources, even if they do not reside in Founder's Hall. The campus is still closed to the general public, with the exception of pre-scheduled tours. Touring students and families must abide by all COVID-19 safety protocols and must schedule their socially distanced tour using the link on www.uat.edu/events. All UAT vendor and partner COVID safety precautions remain in place.

8/2/20: UAT Fall 2020 Plan

The full Fall 2020 Plan can be found here. 

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT

6/21/2020: COVID-19 - UAT CAMPUS CLOSED

The health and safety of our students and employees will always be our top priority, and we feel it is important to let you know that on Sunday, June 21, 2020 we were notified that a student tested positive for COVID-19.

The person who tested positive was on campus, in the dorms and all around the buildings prior to testing positive.  As a result, we are closing the UAT main building immediately for the next week, from June 21-27, 2020 for intense sanitization by our cleaning crew, and most importantly for thorough contact tracing.  By the time this message arrives, if you were in contact with this individual, then we may have already contacted you.

This means no one: staff, student, or any vendors, may enter the UAT building for the next week. The dorms will remain open for the current residents, with several people in quarantine due to direct contact with the positive testing individual. All shared spaces in the dorms are closed during this time.

What this means:

• UAT main campus is closed for 1 week – guards and our cleaning crew will be the only people in the main building.
• The Café is closed. Founder’s hall residents will have a food option, which is currently being determined now.
• Anyone who worked on campus June 11 - June 21 must provide a negative COVID-19 test in order to return to campus when we reopen.
• Founder’s Hall will remain open for residents with several people under quarantine until negative COVID-19 tests can be obtained
• All public or shared spaces are closed. 
• There will be additional campus safety personnel to enforce the closure.

UAT has documented a clear safety policy, which we take very seriously: COVID Safety Requirements. Before today’s test result, UAT had already scheduled additional campus safety personnel to help enforce these requirements. These requirements and the current temporary closure will be strictly enforced.

We would encourage everyone to take their own health seriously. As a reminder, symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19:

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea

Look for emergency warning signs for COVID-19. If someone is showing any of these signs, seek emergency medical care immediately:

• Trouble breathing
• Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
• New confusion
• Inability to wake or stay awake
• Bluish lips or face

COVID-19 testing centers are spread throughout the county. Please research the testing center that you feel most comfortable with to obtain a test. Most testing centers require an appointment prior to testing. Find a list of them here:

Please reach out if you have any questions or concerns. Be safe, wear a mask and wash your hands. Many members of the UAT family, students, faculty and staff have their own friends and loved ones that have been affected by COVID-19. We’ve heard numerous people who have lost a loved one to this disease. We need to do our part to ensure none of the UAT family contributes to the spread of the disease.

6/18/2020 - UAT Safety Policy

The University of Advancing Technology is committed to taking a safe and measured approach to COVID-19 safety.  For the foreseeable future, UAT will host the majority of classes in a virtual environment.  UAT’s dorms, main building and food services remain open to students who currently reside in Founder’s Hall, select vendors necessary for University operations and the few employees cleared to work on campus. No other visitors or non-students are allowed on campus without prior approval from the University’s Organizational Development Department.

All persons on UAT’s property are required to wear a face covering that covers nose and mouth (ie: face shield or mask), pass through the East door in the south of the building to go through a temperature check and follow social distancing measures.  No unauthorized visitors or guests are permitted on UAT’s property. If a visitor or guest refuses to leave, police will be called for a trespassing violation.

Any violations to this policy are a violation of the Student and Employee Code of Conduct and may result in expulsion of students from the University or termination of employment for employees and or a termination of contract with vendors.

Face Coverings

UAT is requiring all students, faculty, staff and in person vendors to wear a face mask, face covering or face shield when on campus.  This includes; UAT dorms (when outside their bedroom), UAT’s main building and all outdoor spaces.

If an employee or student are alone in their dorm room, office or desk, or eating in the café or employee breakroom, face coverings may be removed, so long as the student/employee are at least 6 feet away from others. When possible, students/employees should remain more than 6 feet away from each other when face coverings are not in use. If you are working with a group, you may remove your masks while sitting if all members agree that they are comfortable with the decision.

If a student, employee or vendor do not have a mask, a disposable mask will be provided.

Temperature Check

Any person who enters UAT’s main building will be required to walk through a temperature scanner.  This scanner tests a person’s surface body temperature.  As we are situated in Tempe, we are aware that a surface body temperature may read artificially high.  Therefore, the following procedures are in place:

• If a person receives a red box (indicating a high body temperature), they will need to sit in the cool down room (the front conference room of the Portal) for approximately 10 minutes and recheck their temperature again.
• If the person’s temperature is still high, they are required to leave UAT immediately and not return until they can produce a negative active COVID-19 test and have been fever free for 72 hours.
• If the person is a student who lives in the dorms, they are to immediately report to an RA on duty to be moved to an isolated room away from others.
• Any person who tests with a high temperature will be required to obtain an active COVID-19 test and remain isolated until a negative COVID-19 test is produced, and they are fever free for 72 hours.

Social Distancing

All people on UAT’s campus are required to social distance.  This means no one should be within 6 feet of another person at any time. The following measures are put in place to help everyone to social distance:

• The Theater seats have been marked with sheets of paper to keep open seats a minimum of 6 feet away from one another.
• Stickers have been placed on common area floors to demonstrate 6 feet of distance when waiting in lines.
• Café tables and computer commons computers have been distanced a minimum of 6 feet so social distancing is available in these areas.
• Classrooms have been locked to encourage students to work in open areas.
• When on campus classes return, a maximum of 10 people will be allowed in classrooms at one time (the Theater will allow for a maximum of 25 people at one time), classes may be staggered and students may choose to continue to stay home and attend classes virtually.

COVID-19 Symptoms

There are many COVID-19 symptoms that vary person to person. The most common symptoms of COVID-19 may include any of the following:

• Fever (≥100.4 F)
• Cough
• Shortness of breath
• Sore throat
• Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
• Muscle aches
• Unexplained loss of sense of smell and/or taste

This policy is consistent with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which makes clear that face coverings, in addition to social distancing measures, are among the most effective strategies in limiting the spread of COVID-19.

5/11/2020 - UAT Re-Opening Plan Announcement 1

UAT is actively preparing a staged re-opening plan. Students can expect to see some on-campus classes resume in person as early as June 15, 2020. It is our intent that, barring any change in directives by health authorities, we are planning for on-campus classes and services to have resumed by the start of our fall semester, September 8, 2020. Until September, all on-campus courses will retain a virtual component so students who are unable to or do not feel safe returning to campus early, can choose to continue attending virtually without any interruption to their summer semester.

Over the next few weeks, we will continue to provide updates regarding specific details, and plans regarding the safety and sanitation precautions UAT is taking.

4/30/2020 - Virtual Classes Extended

On April 29, 2020 Arizona Governor Doug Ducey extended the stay-at-home order until May 15, 2020. In response to this, classes will remain virtual until Monday, May 18, 2020.

4/28/2020 - Summer 2020 Parking Permit Fees Waived

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we will not be charging the $75 parking pass fee for the upcoming summer semester. We understand these times are difficult, and we want to help our students and employees who may have unexpected expenses to take care of during this time.

However, you will be required to apply on the Intranet per usual, to register your vehicle’s make, model, and license plate. Starting now, “Apply For Your Parking Permit” on the Intranet to register your vehicle, and rest assured that you will not be charged a parking pass fee this summer semester. Please note, this will only be for the summer 2020 semester.

04/21/2020 - TEMPORARY GRADING POLICY CHANGES

• Students have the option to keep their current standard grade, or receive a Pass/Fail instead. Students may submit a request to receive a P/F using this form.
• A “P” will be received if the student earns a 60% or higher in the course.
• “P” grades still earn credit towards the student’s degree, but do not count towards GPA calculations.
• You can choose which of your classes you would like to earn a pass/fail grade in, you are not required to choose the same option for all courses one way or the other.

04/06/2020 - COMMENCEMENT UPDATE

03/30/2020 - GUBERNATORIAL EXECUTIVE ORDER

03/24/2020 - COMMENCEMENT UPDATE

We have begun the process of planning for the fall Commencement ceremony. Due to venue traffic, it will likely be 4-6 weeks before we have a confirmed date and venue, but we will keep you posted.

In the mean time, we are planning a virtual celebration to coincide with the original May 8 ceremony date. Be on the lookout for an email survey from your Advisor, we want to hear some ideas from you on how you'd like to be celebrated at the end of your final semester!

03/20/2020 - COMMENCEMENT UPDATE

Tempe Mayor Mark Mitchell has declared an “extraordinary local emergency” and has mandated closures of all public gathering places. In response to his message we have made the difficult decision to postpone the 2020 Commencement Ceremony until the fall of 2020. We deeply understand the disappointment of your years of work culminating with a postponement of your celebration. While we are super high-tech and could likely come up with a cool virtual substitute, we are also a family and we understand the importance of having a live, physical ceremony for you and your families in addition to a virtual option.

We assessed every possible option prior to making this decision. Knowing you and your families are waiting on our word for planning purposes, we feel this is the best course of action.

We want to be clear that the postponement of the ceremony is NOT a postponement of your graduation. Students on track to graduate this semester will still do so; it is simply the ceremony that will be delayed.

While we can appreciate firsthand the monumental undertaking earning your degree has been, we cannot imagine how disappointing this must be for you. In the coming weeks, expect to hear from us about what comes next as we navigate the next steps in ensuring that you all feel recognized and celebrated for your achievement. We don’t know exactly how this will play out, but it will be great.

If you have any additional questions at this time, please do not hesitate to reach out to us at studentaffairsteam@uat.edu.

We are unimaginably proud of each and every one of you.

03/20/2020 - UPDATE: VIRTUAL CLASSES EXTENDED

In response to Tempe Mayor Mark Mitchell’s declaration of an “extraordinary local emergency” and mandated closures of all public gathering places (you can read the announcement here), we have decided that all UAT classes will remain virtual for the remainder of the semester. Barring any major announcements from the CDC, classes will resume in their normal fashion on Monday, May 11, 2020.

While this time is challenging and unpredictable, being a UAT student provides you a unique benefit and opportunity that your peers attending other universities do not have: flexibility and continuity. Because of the flexibility provided through our SyncFlex delivery model, if by some chance we get the all-clear to resume gathering prior to May 11, we will resume ground classes early and students will have the option to attend in person immediately at that time at their discretion.

As the situation has changed every day – and today is only day 4 – the future is obviously very unpredictable. We will continue to keep you updated and until then, we hope to see your faces in real life on May 11^th. In the meantime, we hope you are enjoying meeting each other’s pets and checking out the posters on everyone’s walls.

If you have any additional questions at this time, please do not hesitate to reach out to us at studentaffairsteam@uat.edu.

03/19/2020
All UAT students now have access to Adobe Creative Cloud from their personal devices. To access, visit https://creativecloud.adobe.com and sign in with your student credentials (the same login you use for Canvas, etc.).
*ETA: This is a licensing exception granted by Adobe in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Adobe CC will be available on students' personal devices for 60 days.

03/18/2020
Beginning today, March 18, 2020 the UAT Restaurant will only be serving meals for pickup and to-go. We ask that students do not congregate and consume any meals in the UAT Restaurant at this time.

03/18/2020
Effective immediately, outside non-resident visitors are not permitted to enter or visit Founder's Hall. Please be respectful to your neighbors as we do our best to protect our little "bubble".