Employees should discuss childcare availability with their supervisors. Employees who are asked to return to support on-campus operations should talk with their childcare provider to look at options that may be available. When no childcare options are available during this COVID-19 response time supervisors are encouraged to provide flexible work options through continued telework when work is available and create opportunities to support rotating schedules or extended hours of work where possible. Employees may qualify for leave under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). Questions about eligibility should be directed to the Human Resources Benefits Office by phone at 404-413-3330 or by email at benefits@gsu.edu.

Employees should not bring their children or other family members to the workplace to respect the health and safety of co-workers. This approach is critical to being able to maintain social distancing at all times and is also in accordance with university policy.

The phases were established by the Return to Work task force to enable a safe and thoughtful approach to the increased campus operations over the summer and in the fall. Departments have the flexibility to adjust based on departmental and position needs. University officials are monitoring to understand changes in the spread of the virus based on information from federal, state and local authorities.

As of publication of these FAQs, the dates are as follows.

Phase 1 - TARGET DATES:  June 1-30

• Employees included in Phase 1:
  • Vice presidents, deans, department chairs and key managers
  • Faculty teaching Maymester and summer classes
  • Research personnel who rely on access to specialized resources on campus
  • Employees engaged in health and safety measures needed for the increased number of personnel on campus (for example, police, custodians), as identified and communicated by leadership
  • Instructional Innovation and Technology staff necessary for support

Phase 2 - TARGET DATES: July 1-31

• Employees included in Phase 2:
  • Faculty teaching late-summer classes
  • Employees critical in planning and supporting fall semester activities, as identified and communicated by leadership
  • Managers and supervisors

Phase 3 - TARGET DATES: Aug. 1-24

• Employees included in Phase 3:
  • Faculty teaching fall semester
  • Employees engaged in in-person customer service to students, faculty and staff
  • Other employees engaged in planning and supporting fall semester operations

Division, college and school leadership have created return-to-workplace plans, accounting for the number of personnel in the department, work setting to allow for proper social distancing, work activities needing to be prioritized and level of service needed to provide to constituents as campuses open.

Employees should receive communication from their supervisor or department leadership about the anticipated date of return to on-campus work, including a timeline to prepare for that transition.

In preparation for returning to campus, employees should:

• View the video orientation for return to on-campus work
• Review the comprehensive return to work guide
• Review the employee or manager return to work checklist

In preparation for returning to campuses, employees should:

• View the return to on-campus work video orientation
• Review the comprehensive return to work guide
• Review the employee or manager return to work checklist

Departmental leadership is asked to determine return-to-campus timelines for faculty and staff based on several factors, but maintaining a healthy and safe environment is most important. Supervisors should communicate to employees an appropriate timeline for their return to campus, which should be adhered to unless appropriate approvals are obtained.

The university will continue to offer temporary telework options for employees whose work can be completed through that method. A continued temporary teleworking arrangement should be directed and approved by supervisors.

While doing remote work, employees should be available during normal business hours to perform their tasks, as well as to attend meetings virtually. Employees working remotely may be required to report to campus at certain times, such as for meetings, and may be asked to return to their in-office work on short notice.

A request for accommodation for a disability should comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act and should go through the Human Resources Benefits Office. Phone: 404-413-3330. Email:  benefits@gsu.edu.

Non-working time away from the office should be coordinated with and approved by supervisors regardless of whether an employee is working on campus or remotely.

If any employee does not have the work volume to continue position responsibilities while awaiting authorization to return to campus, paid leave benefits may be used in accordance with Georgia State policies. For example, staff may qualify for paid leave under the Families First Coronavirus Act or may use accrued vacation leave to make up additional hours due to lack of work assignments.

Employees should comply with social-distance guidelines, including maintaining at least six feet of separation from other individuals

Employees are also asked to self-screen BEFORE going to work for any new or worsening symptoms of possible COVID-19.

University System of Georgia institutions require faculty, staff, students and visitors to wear an appropriate face covering while inside campus facilities. Face coverings are worn in addition to and not as a substitute for social distancing. Face coverings aren’t required in one’s own dorm room or suite, when alone in an enclosed office or study room or in campus outdoor settings where social distancing requirements are met.

Anyone not using a face covering when required will be asked to wear one or leave the area. Repeated refusal to comply with the requirement may result in discipline through the applicable conduct code for faculty, staff or students.

In-person meetings should be kept at a minimum and have fewer than 10 people, and social distancing should be maintained. Virtual meeting options should be used whenever possible in lieu of in-person meetings.

Non-essential business domestic and international travel is not allowed through the summer. Employees should be mindful of COVID-related travel advisories for personal and essential business travel. Any mission-critical exceptions must be approved in advance by the appropriate senior administrator. We continue to monitor federal or state mandates about international and domestic travel and will provide updates as needed.

Beginning Nov. 9, all staff can be tested at any of our campus sites or can call their health provider. Faculty can also use our list of local testing sites, some of which offer free tests. If experiencing an emergency, call 404-413-3333 (on campus) or 911 (off campus).  

Employees who develop symptoms consistent with COVID-19 should notify their supervisor, seek medical treatment and stay home. Do not go to class or work and stay away from other people. If you must be around people, wear a mask.

During the period of self-quarantine, employees may continue to telework if their job responsibilities permit and unless they are otherwise on leave. Employees may also contact Human Resources Benefits at 404-413-3330 or email at benefits@gsu.edu about possible leave options if needed.

Employees should follow CDC guidelines to determine the appropriate time to return to work. Georgia State asks returning employees to be symptom-free and fever-free for at least 72 hours without fever-reducing medication before returning to campus.

Employees who have tested positive for COVID-19 or presumed to be positive should notify their supervisor, seek medical treatment and stay home. Do not go to class or work and stay away from people. If you must be around people, wear a mask.

During the period of self-quarantine, employees may continue to telework if their job responsibilities permit and unless they are otherwise on leave. Employees may also contact Human Resources Benefits at 404-413-3330 or email at benefits@gsu.edu about possible leave options if needed.

Employees should follow CDC guidelines  to determine the appropriate time to return to work. Georgia State asks returning employees to be symptom-free and fever-free for at least 72 hours without fever-reducing medication before returning to campus.

A close contact is defined as someone who has been within six feet for a total of 15 or more minutes with a person who has a positive COVID-19 test. Anyone who is a close contact of a person who tested positive for COVID-19 should submit an online report of the event. If you are a close contact, you should follow CDC guidelines. You should monitor yourself for symptoms consistent with COVID-19. If you develop symptoms, you should contact your medical provider. Students can contact the Student Health Clinic at 404-413-1930. Employees must contact their supervisor if they are unable to work or need to adjust their telework arrangement. They should contact their health care provider if they become sick and remain home.

Anyone who is a close contact of a person who tested positive for COVID-19 should submit an online report of the event. Close contacts (defined as being within six feet for 15 or more minutes) with a person who has a positive COVID-19 test should follow CDC guidelines and notify their supervisor. During the period of self-quarantine, employees may continue to telework if their job responsibilities permit and unless they are otherwise on leave.

If you receive a report an employee or student tested positive for COVID-19, encourage them to submit an online report and direct them to the Georgia State Ahead website for additional information.

Faculty and staff have been provided with two face coverings, which have been mailed to their homes.

Face shields, masks and amplification systems are being distributed in the colleges, schools and institutes.

Individuals who work in lab settings will continue to receive personal protective equipment as required to conduct research.

Staff members will be provided with personal protective equipment based on the nature of their work and upon request.

University System of Georgia institutions require faculty, staff, students and visitors to wear an appropriate face covering while inside campus facilities. Face coverings are to be worn in addition to and not as a substitute for social distancing. Face coverings aren’t required in one’s own dorm room or suite, when alone in an enclosed office or study room or in outdoor settings where social-distancing requirements are met.

Anyone not using a face covering when required will be asked to wear one or leave the area. Repeated refusal to comply with the requirement may result in discipline through the applicable conduct code for faculty, staff or students. Reasonable accommodations may be made for those who are unable to wear a face covering for documented health reasons.

When you wear a face covering you’re protecting yourself, but equally important, you’re protecting other members of the university community. You’re showing you’re taking responsibility for the welfare of those around you.

The University System of Georgia is composed of Georgia’s public colleges and universities, Georgia Archives and the Georgia Public Library Service. Georgia’s Constitution grants the Board of Regents the exclusive right to govern, control and manage the USG and USG institutions. The board exercises and fulfills its constitutional obligations, in part, by promulgating rules and policies for the governance of the USG and its constituent units. The board elects a chancellor who is its chief executive officer and the chief administrative officer of the University System.

Georgia State is one of the 26 colleges and universities in Georgia, and the presidents of USG institutions report to the chancellor. USG institutions are required to follow the policies and procedures established by the USG. Those interested can review the USG’s Return to Campus Planning Framework here: https://provost.gsu.edu/files/2020/06/USG-Fall-2020-Return-to-Campus-Planning-Framework.pdf.

Anyone not using a face covering when required will be asked to wear one or leave the area. Repeated refusal to comply with the requirement may result in discipline through the applicable conduct code for faculty, staff or students.

The situation with the pandemic is fluid, and we’ll continue to adapt our plan as new public health recommendations emerge. For that reason, instructors should have contingency plans in their syllabi to take classes fully online at any time if the need arises.

Employees who suspect a co-worker is ill should notify their supervisor. Supervisors should contact Human Resources if employees report a suspicion outside or within their department and request the identified employee to go home until confirmation from a medical provider is obtained that a return to work is possible. Employees may be asked to follow the potential exposure protocol for COVID-19, which is staying home until they are without symptoms, including no fever for at least 72 hours without fever-reducing medication before returning to work.

Employees who fall into one of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Georgia Department of Public Health categories for higher risk for severe illness with COVID-19 may request alternate work arrangements via the Benefits Office. Those who care for or live with individuals at higher risk for severe illness with COVID-19 should plan to return to their campuses as scheduled and work with their supervisor to arrange for social distancing in their work place and the ability to practice behaviors known to reduce the spread of the coronavirus. Employees may use leave options, and they should contact the Benefits Office at benefits@gsu.edu to identify those options.

For more information about work arrangements and leave options for employees unable to return to campus, refer to the university’s Keep Working Return to Campus website. 

For information about the new paid-leave provisions or Expanded Family and Medical Leave under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, visit Georgia State’s Benefits portal.

Faculty and staff should return to work when they are cleared to return based on their individual circumstances and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines. While a return to the workplace typically requires assessment and documentation by the employee's health care provider, this may not be possible due to COVID-19. Employees should follow CDC guidelines to determine the appropriate time to return to work. Georgia State requires returning employees to be symptom-free and fever-free for at least 72 hours without fever-reducing medication before returning to work. Additional questions about fitness for work should be directed to the Human Resources Benefits Office by phone 404-413-3330 or by email at benefits@gsu.edu.

Employees should bring their concerns to their supervisor and discuss options available to support the work needing to be done while supporting health and safety. Human Resources can facilitate conversations with supervisors and employees to determine the needs and accommodations available to meet those needs. Possible accommodations may range from continuing telework arrangements to office restructuring, to possible schedule rotations. A request for accommodation for a disability should be directed to the Human Resources Benefits Office by phone 404-413-3330 at or email at benefits@gsu.edu.

Employees and students should follow CDC guidelines to determine the appropriate time to return to work or school.

No face covering is required when you are outdoors and six feet of social distancing is possible. However, we strongly recommend you wear a face covering at all times when on campus or in the vicinity to best protect yourself and others.

Yes. Cubicles are not private, enclosed offices. Personnel who work in such spaces are required to wear a face covering.

Yes. In most cases (including in cubicles). The University System of Georgia’s face coverings policy requires individuals in campus buildings to wear a face covering at all times except when alone in an enclosed private office, study room or dorm room in a residence hall. The virus can be spread through the air, and the risk of infection increases any time an individual is not wearing a mask.

Our facilities team has developed a plan to provide regular cleaning and disinfecting around our campuses. A description of the plan can be found here: https://ahead.gsu.edu/files/2021/02/GSU-FMSD-Building-Services-Schedule11-30-2020-1.pdf

We are providing spray bottles, cloth rags and disinfectant to each academic department to the extent supply is available. Academic departments will provide these items to faculty to bring with them to the classroom so they can disinfect as they see fit.

Our air-handling units are equipped with air filters. The use of High-Efficiency Particulate Air filters is not feasible without major alterations to existing mechanical systems and duct work. We are installing UV lights in the air-handling units of several buildings and are working on placing more around our campuses. We also have ordered numerous portable air purifier machines for deployment in strategic locations across all campuses.

If the instructor is largely asymptomatic and teaching online, it may be that no adjustment is needed. If the instructor is teaching an in‐person component of a course, the course would either need to move to an online format if the professor can continue with instruction in that modality or be taught by an alternate instructor who can step in to maintain continuity. That process will look very similar to previous semesters during which an instructor became ill.

Georgia State is offering free saliva-based testing to students, faculty and staff at the downtown Atlanta Campus and each of our five Perimeter campuses. No appointment or medical referral is required. This FDA-approved test is expected to return results within 72 hours. Testing is available weekdays, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Testing is provided regardless of symptoms. Click here for testing locations and registration.

The Georgia Department of Public Health is responsible for contact tracing. Those who have tested positive or are presumed to be positive should submit an online report and employees should also contact their supervisor or department chair. Steps will be taken to identify and contact those at Georgia State who were in close contact (within six feet for at least 15 minutes) with the individual who tested positive. The name of the individual who tested positive will not be shared with others. Those in close contact will be advised to follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines about quarantining.

Students in residence halls who report an infection will be asked to return home. For those unable to do so, we’re reserving a sequestered area that will allow residential students to isolate while infected.

You should discuss with your department chair or supervisor options for alternative work arrangements such as continued telework, split shifts and alternative schedules. The Benefits Office in Human Resources may be able to offer potential leave options available under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act.

Employees who fall into one of the Georgia Department of Public Health or Centers for Disease Control and Prevention categories for higher risk for severe illness with COVID-19 may request alternate work arrangements via the Benefits Office.

In accordance with University System of Georgia guidelines, employees who care for or live with individuals at higher risk for severe illness with COVID-19 have been asked to return to their campuses as scheduled. These guidelines are consistent for employees in public universities across the state.

Our goal is to provide as much flexibility and choice as possible within these parameters. Individuals may be eligible for leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act, Families First Coronavirus Response Act or other policies.

There also may be options for flexible work arrangements within a department or course even if an alternate work arrangement is not formally available through the Human Resources process. Individuals interested in exploring these options should speak with their supervisor or department chair immediately.

Instructors who need an alternate work arrangement should do so as soon as possible.

Discuss your concerns with your department chair or supervisor as soon as possible. Our goal is to provide as much flexibility and choice as possible within the parameters of the policies and procedures established by the University System of Georgia.

There may be options possible in your department even if alternate work arrangements are not available through the Human Resources process. For example, with respect to instructors, requests to change course delivery modality may be granted where strategically justified and in the best interests of our students. Such requests must be approved by your department chair, dean and the provost.

• Individuals may click on the following Georgia State link for information about the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
• Individuals may submit a request for an accommodation by completing the Voluntary Disclosure Form and submitting it to the Benefits Office.
• Individuals may also contact the Benefits Office to request an accommodation by phone at 404-413-3330 or by email at benefits@gsu.edu.

The Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia, which has oversight for all public colleges and universities in Georgia, has directed its institutions to maximize safe in-person instruction this spring. You can read the resolution passed by the Regents at this link: https://www.usg.edu/news/release/board_of_regents_supports_continuing_safe_in_person_instruction.

The situation with the pandemic continues to be fluid, and adjustments will be made as needed to protect the health and safety of our community.

The academic plan for spring remains largely the same as it was in the fall. With the need for social distancing requirements, most classes will be delivered in a blended or online format, with pathways for traditional face-to-face classes preserved for those who need this modality and for courses which benefit significantly from in-person delivery.

We have learned much since the fall, and our need to achieve safe in-person instruction requires adjustments to how we deliver blended classes this spring.

Because a lack of consistency in the definition of “blended” has caused challenges, we have set the following, clear expectation for attendance.

Beginning this spring, instructors in all blended classes will either (1) meet in person for each scheduled class period using a cohort model that maximizes the percentage of students in the course who can attend at one time safely with social distancing or (2) design the course to ensure that at least 25 percent of all instruction takes place in person for each student. Meeting once or twice in person during the semester or delivering material synchronously but virtually, will not meet this requirement.

The 25 percent target is flexible and can be increased based on the seating configuration of the classroom to which a course is assigned. If a higher number of students can be accommodated safely with social distancing, the corresponding percentage of in-person instruction can and should increase.

The provost meets weekly with an Academic Task Force composed of key administrators, faculty, representatives from the University Senate Executive Committee and staff, including:

• Julian Allen, Chief Learning Innovation Officer
• Lisa Armistead, Dean of the Graduate School
• Michelle Brattain, Professor and Chair of the University Senate Executive Committee
• Laura Carruth, Associate Professor and Director of the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning
• Shelby Frost, Professor and member of University Senate Executive Committee
• Chip Hill, Assistant Provost for Administrative Operations
• Nancy Kropf, Dean of Perimeter College
• Tarrah Mirus, Registrar
• Richard Phillips, Dean of the Robinson College of Business
• John Redmond, Professor and member of University Senate
• Sara Rosen, Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences
• Kim Siegenthaler, Associate Provost for Online Strategies
• Jeff Steely, Dean of University Libraries
• Ramesh Vakamudi, Vice President for Facilities Management

The Academic Task Force is charged with identifying how best to deliver classes effectively and safely in light of the pandemic and the policies established by the University System of Georgia. It reports through the provost to the COVID-19 Coordinating Committee led by President Becker, which coordinates the university’s response to the pandemic.

In addition to allowing us to reduce density in classrooms and on our campuses, the model offers a great deal of flexibility to faculty in structuring their classes. It also ensures students will have opportunities to interact with their instructors face to face to enhance learning outcomes and secure some of the benefits of our campus environment. It will allow examinations to be administered in a face-to-face setting where desired by the instructor to enhance academic integrity.

Should we need to move to entirely online classes at any point in the semester because of the pandemic, this model will aid that transition because some course content will already be in an online format.

Instructors who’ve not already done so should enroll in a Mastering Online Teaching course offered through the Center for Excellence in Teaching, Learning and Online Education (CETLOE). CETLOE has training courses for full-time and part-time instructors and graduate teaching assistants focusing on this model and Web resources that can be accessed here: https://cetl.gsu.edu/lessonslearned/. CETLOE also can consult with individuals and departments to identify the best way to structure specific disciplinary courses and achieve excellent learning outcomes using the blended learning model.

Every instructor should have a contingency syllabus if a shift to fully online is required because of the pandemic. If such a shift becomes necessary, it’s unlikely we’ll suspend classes for two weeks as we did in spring 2020 semester, so advance planning is a necessity.

No. Prior to the semester's start, department chairs reviewed courses and determined which ones should remain in a hybrid modality or go fully online. Instructors don’t have the option of unilaterally changing a course to a fully online format.

If an instructor (full-time, part-time or graduate teaching assistant) needs an alternate work arrangement or believes a course would be better delivered in a fully online format for pedagogical or strategic reasons, they should consult with their department chair immediately.

Instructors have the flexibility to determine how best to use the in-person class time in the 25-percent model. Students may be divided into cohorts that attend class only on specific days. Under this plan, for most classes, students typically meet in person once every two weeks or three weeks per class, depending on how many days per week the class meets.

Based on historical enrollment patterns, students may be divided alphabetically by (1) A – Du; (2) Dv – La; (3) Lb – Re; and (4) Rf – Z. For most class sessions, these groupings don't create a perfect 25-percent split, and instructors have to make some adjustments to ensure class sections are evenly distributed based on available seating in classrooms. In GoSOLAR, classrooms have 25 percent of seats marked as usable, so it’s important that the class roster is divided accordingly.

Deviations from these recommendations are permitted for pedagogical reasons and based on compelling individual student requests at the instructor’s discretion. There also may be other criteria that may make more sense for some types of courses. Instructors may adjust their class divisions accordingly. The goal is to reduce the number of days any student is on campus. An alphabetical division of cohorts in each class can help to meet this goal.

In all cases, it’s important that the instructor has provided the schedule of attendance and course delivery method to students by email, on syllabi and the course website (in most cases, iCollege). Students have received these same instructions.

Yes, in some cases. Aside from safety, our highest priority is to preserve in-class programming for:

a. Populations that experience greater educational success rates with in-person programming (freshmen, for example);
b. Classes that benefit significantly from this modality (such as experiential classes and labs);
c. Graduate and professional classes in which learning takes place in similar settings.

We have already approved a number of requests for a course to be entirely taught in a face-to-face format. Those classes will proceed as scheduled.

Instructors also can ask department chairs if their classes may meet more frequently than a 25-percent capacity would typically permit. In such cases, we may be able to identify a larger room that will accommodate a larger group of students while maintaining social distancing. Such requests need to be documented and approved by department chairs, the relevant dean and the provost as soon as possible. Space will be allocated as available and based on the priorities identified above.

University System of Georgia institutions require faculty, staff, students and visitors to wear an appropriate face covering while inside campus facilities. Instructors teaching in person will wear one of the face masks that were mailed to them in the fall and can secure a face shield and an amplification system upon request. Many large classrooms are already equipped with amplification systems in which an individual lavalier microphone can be checked out for the semester.

One benefit of the blended learning model is that exams may be administered in person in class. The Center for Excellence in Teaching, Learning and Online Education has developed a number of resources for online and in-person testing that can be found here: https://cetl.gsu.edu/resources/resources-for-remote-teaching-and-learning/testing/.

We’re working out logistics and will follow up soon with a plan for spring final exams.

The situation with the pandemic is fluid, and we’ll continue to adapt our plan as new public health recommendations emerge. For that reason, instructors should have contingency plans in their syllabi to take classes fully online at any time if the need arises.

The Center for Excellence in Teaching, Learning and Online Education (CETLOE) has assembled numerous ideas and resources to help. You can find them at https://cetl.gsu.edu/lessonslearned/. You will find advice from CETLOE as well as from fellow faculty that will be useful this spring.

Key advice includes:

• Connect with students as much as you can on a personal level.
• Commit to making regular announcements and use discussion posts to engage students.
• Encourage ways for students to support one another and facilitate discussion.
• Be flexible with virtual check-ins/drop-ins (don’t call them “office hours” anymore).
• Provide clear, concise instructions consistently.
• Don’t post full-length lectures in a single video.
• Keep content relevant and current.
• Use engaging formats and activities.
• Use Slack, GroupMe or Teams for class communication.
• Answer emails in a timely manner and let students know how long it may take for you to respond to emails.

Synchronous classes are permitted if they have been identified as such during registration. Keep in mind synchronous classes create difficulties for students with spotty technology or challenges at home because they require fixed attendance. This format can be inferior pedagogically, sometimes “the path of least resistance” for instructors who will simply lecture online rather than creating engaging online material. Synchronous classes also can create Americans with Disabilities Act issues because some students need captioning, which is not easily secured.

We must ensure each synchronous course is of high quality and offered by an instructor who is trained in an online modality and aware of these limitations.

We are charging the standard rate for monthly parking. Employees who come to work on a reduced basis may elect to change from monthly parking to a budget card, which allows payment per use at a significant discount ($3.50 budget versus $10 daily visitor rate or $5 daily permit). Employees who use MARTA may continue to buy discounted MARTA cards.