Dear students,
We're excited to welcome you to Georgia State this fall. While things may look a bit different, we’ve been working hard all summer to make sure your student experience is safe and academically rewarding. We’re committed to keeping you informed of new developments as we move through the summer and prepare for the start of school in August. We’re carefully monitoring the latest guidance from state and federal authorities and public health officials and your health and safety remain our top priorities.
For a detailed list of students’ Frequently Asked Questions, please go here:
COVID SITE STUDENT FAQS
Here’s a summary of the key elements of the fall campus reopening plan:
The academic calendar for the fall semester has not changed. Classes begin on Monday, August 24 and the last day of class will be Monday, December 7. The exam period will take place from December 8 through December 15. No changes are being made to the length of the fall semester, Thanksgiving break or the final exam timeline, though the university may need to make adjustments as required by the pandemic.
Georgia State, in accordance with guidelines from the University System of Georgia, will provide you with multiple learning options for fall. Most courses will be delivered through blended learning. The following outlines the various course delivery models:
- Blended Learning(B): Courses taught with the blended learning model will offer some class sessions face to face and other sessions online. By requiring students to attend face-to-face classes less often, the format reduces population density in classes and on our campuses. Blended learning allows students to have access to online instructional materials while also experiencing the benefit of in-person interactions with their peers and instructors.Classes will be divided alphabetically by students' last names to determine the days when each group meets online or face-to-face. Details about the days of the week you’ll be required to attend class sessions in person will be available at Georgia State - Keep Learning.
- Face to Face(F): Face-to-face courses have all of their class sessions meet in person. For classes with required hands-on content, this is the best method of instruction. Special safety measures will be observed in face-to-face courses.
- Online (O): Online courses are offered entirely online with no in-person attendance requirement. Some online coursework may still be delivered at a specific day and time. If so, this information will be viewable on PAWS/GoSolar.
Information about the mode of delivery for your course will be viewable in the GoSolar course search after July 4. Look for the ”B”, “F” or “O” icons near the course title. Instructors have been requested to post course syllabi in iCollege by August 10 with other specific instructions that may be relevant to their sections. If you have questions or concerns about the method of instruction for your classes, contact your instructor.
Safety in the Classroom
Where possible, six feet of spacing between students is being created by eliminating seating, marking off areas and configuring furniture to allow social distancing. Classroom density is being reduced by at least 50 percent, with only half of the students in attendance during each class session, wherever possible. Where we cannot maintain social distancing in classrooms, face masks will be required.
Our facilities team has adopted an enhanced cleaning protocol that provides for additional cleaning and disinfecting of public spaces on our campuses. Plexiglass guards have been installed at service windows and in other locations around campus.
Face Masks
In accordance with policies established by the University System of Georgia, Georgia State will strongly encourage the use of face masks across campuses. The university has ordered two face masks for every Georgia State student and is working on a plan for distribution at the beginning of fall semester.
In addition, we’re identifying spaces on campuses, including elevators and some classrooms, where we cannot guarantee social distancing even with our efforts to reduce density. In such spaces, we’ll require masks in accordance with public health guidance. More information will be forthcoming.
We're pleased to announce commencement dates for our spring and summer 2020 bachelor's degree candidates and plans for our fall graduates. We look forward to celebrating your accomplishments in person this December at the Georgia World Congress Center. Dates for associate, master’s, law and doctoral candidates will be posted soon. More information, including regalia and ticket information, will be available at commencement.gsu.edu by Sept. 1. Contact commencement@gsu.edu with questions.
For spring and summer:
- Tuesday, Dec. 15: College of Arts & Sciences ceremonies
- Wednesday, Dec. 16: Byrdine F. Lewis College of Nursing & Health Professions & J. Mack Robinson College of Business ceremonies
- Thursday, Dec. 17: Andrew Young School of Policy Studies, College of Education & Human Development, College of the Arts, School of Public Health ceremonies
For fall:
- Thursday, Dec. 17
- Friday, Dec. 18