COVID-19: UT CIS Response

Your safety along with the safety of our staff and instructors is always paramount, but even more so during the COVID-19 pandemic. To that end, we have made many changes to our training procedures and we want you to know what to expect.


The Coronavirus outbreak has impacted every part of our daily lives, and that does not exclude professional development. We have compiled a list of questions below that we anticipate might be on your mind. In the event that this page does not answer your question or address your concern, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Q: Can UT CIS help my facility prepare for and respond to changes caused by COVID-19?

A: In response to the current COVID-19 outbreak, the UT CIS Health, Safety, and Emergency Preparedness team is available to provide no cost, virtual consultations with manufacturers to discuss strategies and plans for creating and implementing your customized COVID-19 Preparedness and Response Plan. Learn more HERE

Q: I need to contact someone at UT CIS, but I cannot reach them through their office phone number. What do I do?

A: Starting Monday, March 23, all UT CIS employees will be not be working from their UT office. They will still be working during regular business hours, but they will not be in their usual offices. Employees who are able to do so will be forwarding their office phones to their mobile phones. If, however, you cannot reach that employee, please use the email addresses listed in our team directory to email the employee. 

Q: I have a question but I don't know who to contact at UT CIS to get an answer. Who do I contact?

A: For registration questions, please contact Carol Jones at carol.jones@tennessee.edu. For all other general inquiries, please email cis@tennessee.edu

Q: I don't know where to start. How can UT CIS help me and my company?

A: We understand that the Coronavirus has made and will continue to have a big impact on our lives this year. We also understand that some Tennessee businesses may not know where to start in planning a response to the outbreak. Email us today at cis@tennessee.edu so that we can start working with you at little to no cost to your organization.

Q: I am an authorized OSHA Outreach trainer and my trainer card is about to expire and I cannot attend the refresher course due to coronavirus-related travel restrictions or OTI Ed Center closings. What should I do? 

A: UT CIS follows the guidelines and policies established by federal and state agencies, including Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). If you have a question regarding your OSHA Outreach Trainer authorization, please contact Bryan Lane at bryan.lane@tennessee.edu

Q: How do I know if a class has been cancelled?

A: If the UT CIS trainer decides to cancel the training, our registration team will contact each participant listed on the course roster to notify them of the cancellation. Please note that some trainings may be moved online rather than cancelled. This kind of change will also be reported through our Twitter.

Q: I am unable attend the training for which I am currently registered. Can I get a refund?

A: Yes. We understand that travel may be limited or prohibited for some of our participants, and we will not penalize them for that. Participants who choose to withdraw from a training will receive a 100% refund on any fees paid. Please contact Carol Jones at 615-253-6371 or carol.jones@tennessee.edu to withdraw from a training. Please note that you do not have to withdraw if the training has been cancelled by UT CIS.