The BYU campus has changed drastically due to the spread of COVID-19 throughout the country and the world. Find out how the campus is functioning, what’s open, what’s closed and what’s new.
Today’s campus updates:
COVID-19 cases
BYU announced it's first confirmed case of COVID-19 yesterday.
In an email sent out to students from University Communications it stated 'BYU received a notification that a student enrolled in classes on campus this semester tested positive for COVID-19. The student has returned home.'
Spring Term
Kevin J Worthen announced in an email sent out this morning that Spring term at BYU would be held remotely.
'In all other ways, spring term will proceed according to the previously established schedule,' according to the email.
For more information about how this affects on campus housing, student jobs and grading visit the announcement BYU's website.
Other updates regarding COVID-19:
Last night, Gov. Gary Herbert announced the state of Utah's K-12 schools dismissal would be extended to May 1.
Information that is still in place:
Adobe Creative Cloud
Adobe has temporarily made Creative Cloud available for all students. Any BYU student can access adobe.byu.edu and use their BYU Net ID to set up an account.
Bowling and Games Center
The Bowling and Games Center is closed until further notice.
Buildings
According to BYU’s website the Harris Fine Arts Center, the Tanner Building and the Engineering Building are adjusting their hours to better secure the campus. They will be open from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Most remaining academic buildings not specifically listed here will be open from 8 a.m to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
The website also states that all buildings will be closed on Sundays except to ecclesiastical leaders who will be provided with updated building assignments and other information from their ecclesiastical leadership lines.
BYU Sports
All BYU athletic events have been canceled.
All single game tickets will be automatically refunded.
Mens volleyball season ticket holders will be contacted by email regarding a refund for the final home match of the season.
Gymnastics season ticket holders will be refunded for the final match of the season.
Baseball season ticket holders will be refunded for the whole season.
For questions or concerns contact byutickets@byu.edu.
BYU Store
The BYU Store is open, but operating on new hours: Monday-Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. with distribution services only being open from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
The Cannon Commons
“The Cannon Commons will be open for students with meal plans and will provide boxed meals for pick up.” according to an email from University Communications sent out to students.
Commencements and Convocations
The university has canceled all gatherings for this year’s commencements and convocations, but individual colleges can stream their convocation.
Cougareat
Papa Johns and Milk and Cookies are closed for the rest of the semester. As of March 18, all other Cougareat locations are open, but no dining seating is available. All food must be ordered and taken to go.
The David M. Kennedy Center for International Studies
An email was sent out to Kennedy Center students saying, “Until further notice, the Kennedy Advisement Center and student lounge in 273 HRCB will be closed.”
The email said that they will still be advising students through phone calls and the video software Zoom.
The Kennedy Center will not be streaming their convocation.
Devotionals and Forums
The April 7 Devotional with Estela Marquez will proceed as a broadcast through BYUtv. The March 24 Forum with Dambisa Moyo has been postponed. The March 31 Performance Devotional and the April 14 Unforum have both been canceled.
Dining Establishments
The Cannon Center, Legends Grille and all Creamery locations will remain open, according to an email sent by BYU. However, all other dining locations will be closed for the semester.
The Jamba Juice in the Wilkinson Center is open, but the Jamba Juice at the Student Athlete Building is closed.
College of Family, Home and Social Sciences
Departments and faculty are making determinations on a case-by-case basis regarding practical and lab-based requirements including things like licensing and accreditation.
There has been no final decision regarding convocation, although a delayed convocation is being considered.
Final Examinations
“In preparing finals for W2020 faculty may choose to employ standard examination modes, adapted to remote delivery. They might also approach final exams in novel ways and are authorized to do so,” according to BYU’s website.
Gatherings
“Until further notice, BYU is prohibiting all in-person gatherings of more than 10 people in accordance with a Utah public health order. This broadly applies to any on- or off-campus gathering of BYU employees. This also applies to any on-campus student or visitor gatherings,” according to BYU’s website.
Grading
In an email to students Academic Vice President Shane Reese addresses decisions to fairly evaluate final grades.
“At the end of this semester only, faculty will submit a letter grade for each course as per the standard grade submission protocol. After the grades are submitted by faculty, students can choose to keep the standard grade given or move to a pass/fail for each specific course.
Pass and Fail grades will not affect GPA. A ‘Pass’ will count as a passing grade and a completed academic credit. For this semester only, a ‘Fail’ will not adversely affect GPA and no credit will be given for that course,” according to the email.
International Cinema
According to the International Cinema’s website “all in-person screenings have been cancelled for Winter 2020 in response to the COVID-19 virus.”
An email sent to students said “We are currently working with film distributors to acquire permission to stream films through hummedia, the BYU Humanities Department’s content streaming platform.”
The Ira B. Fulton College of Engineering
The Engineering Building is open from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., and the Clyde Building is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. According to the college’s communications manager Jordyn Watts, Dean Michael Jensen is strongly encouraging all classes, including those with lab work and research done primarily on campus, to move online.
The Library
The Harold B. Lee Library is open during its regular hours of operation, but services are limited. Employees are also offering research consultations virtually, over the phone and through a chat service.
Equipment at the Media Center is currently unavailable for checkout, and the production rooms are also unavailable.
The Family History Center and family study room are closed.
The library is also offering special resources for faculty as they adjust to teaching remotely. According to the library’s website, group study rooms will no longer be available to students; instead, professors can use them for online class instruction.
Lost and Found
BYU’s Lost and Found will be open 9 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. in the Wilkinson Student Center.
Museums
The Museum of Art, Monte L. Bean Museum and other similar venues used for gatherings will be closed until further notice according to BYU’s website.
Parking
Students can park in any Y or G lots without a paid parking pass, but A lots and specialty stalls will still be monitored as normal.
Recreation and Fitness Facilities
All recreation and fitness facilities on campus are closed. This includes the gyms, pool, indoor and outdoor tennis courts, indoor track and racquetball courts.
Research and Writing Center
The Research and Writing Center will continue to offer virtual help via Zoom or email appointments. Visit their website for details.
The writing consultant application deadline for spring, summer and fall has been extended to March 30. For more information and to apply, visit the employment page on their website.
For any other questions contact rwc@byu.edu.
Sanvello
Everyone has free access to Sanvello premium during COVID-19. Sanvello is a mental health support app that is meant to help with stress and anxiety.
School of Communications
According to an email sent to students in the School of Communications, “The School of Communications main office will remain open for the rest of the semester. School leadership and office staff will be in the office and available, during regular office operating hours.”
The Brimhall is closed except for those with key-card access.
Shuttles
The free campus shuttles are still running on their regular schedules.
Study Abroad and Performing Tours
All study abroad programs and performing tours that were scheduled for Spring term have been canceled.
Testing Center
The Testing Center is closed until further notice.
The Wall
The Wall has been closed until further notice.
Wilkinson Student Center
The Wilkinson Student will maintain its regular hours, but specific offices within the building may be closed.
Withdraw Deadline
BYU tweeted that the withdraw period will be extended by one week. The new deadline is today, March 24, 2020.
Women’s Services & Resources
Women’s Services & Resources sent out an email on March 18 stating that their office in the Wilkinson Student Center is closed until further notice. The email also stated that WSR Director Dixie Sevison is available during normal business hours at dixie_sevison@byu.eduor 801-422-4455 for anyone in need of immediate assistance.