Office of the President
Dear Georgia State parent,
I am writing to share with you information sent to your student yesterday, Thursday, March 19, on Georgia State's transition to online teaching and learning for the remainder of the spring semester.
As indicated in the message below, we are working tirelessly to support students as they transition to online learning to complete the semester. These are challenging times for each and every one of us, and I am proud of how our faculty and staff have risen to the occasion to prepare for the resumption of classes and continuity of student support services. We are dedicated to providing the best possible educational experience at a distance, as well as the supports and services for which Georgia State is so well known and regarded.
If your student should have questions or concerns, please encourage him or her to consult the information we provided in the communication sent yesterday and the websites cited in that message. Thank you for joining us in encouraging and supporting your student through these difficult times.
Mark Becker
President
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Dear Georgia State students,
As you know, due to the coronavirus pandemic, the University System of Georgia has instructed that, starting March 30, Georgia State University will deliver all courses entirely online through the end of the spring semester.
Your health and safety are our highest priority, and we are truly sorry that your on-campus experiences this semester have been cut short. One of the greatest strengths of Georgia State is the richness of our campus communities and the incredible opportunities they afford, so the loss is real. While all Georgia State campuses are closed to students and all on-campus activities have been canceled, do know that we are doing our best to use technology to provide the supports you need in health services, counseling, financial aid, career services, the Panther Involvement Network and many other areas. The university’s coronavirus websiteprovides specific information for students and ways to connect to many of these resources.
We know that the move to online classes creates practical challenges and uncertainty for many of you. We are here to help. We have created the Keep Learning website, to walk you through the steps to prepare for your online classes, with instructions for logging on to iCollege, submitting assignments, taking quizzes, and so forth. I strongly encourage you to complete the recommended preparations before classes resume on Monday, March 30. On this same website, you can also find ways to access the range of academic supports that you will need, including tutoring, supplemental instruction and advising.
If you are having trouble gaining access to the internet or securing the technology you need to participate in your classes, we have ways to help you. Please review our suggestions for internet access and devices, and if you are still having difficulties, use the form on the site to explain your situation, and we will do our best to support you. Our Technology Service Desk also remains fully operational and ready to help with technical issues such as log-ons and passcode issues. Please go to help.gsu.edu, call 404-413-HELP (4357), or email help@gsu.edu.
Though all physical University Library spaces will be closed for the remainder of the semester, most library services are online and staff are prepared to assist you. The library’s online databases, journals, streaming videos, and e-books remain available. Research Guides will continue to help you with research projects, and library personnel can be reached via to answer your specific questions. Use the Library home page, lib.gsu.edu, as your starting place for online library support.
Most important, your instructors are here to help. Faculty have been working diligently to deliver the remainder of their spring courses online. It is critical that you participate fully in the courses as instructed from day one and that you keep up in your participation and assignments. Check your email, iCollege and other platforms regularly for guidance from your instructors, and please follow their instructions.
We understand that this is a stressful time for you and that the move to online learning may pose additional challenges. Georgia State University is fully committed to supporting you to the greatest extent possible for the remainder of the semester. We are deeply appreciative of your cooperation and understanding as we endeavor to work through a very difficult situation.
Mark Becker
President