Georgia State has adjusted its class schedule in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. We are offering a variety of instructional models that blend face-to-face and online learning to abide by public safety protocols.

While some classes are offered entirely online and others entirely face to face, the majority of courses are offered in a "blended" format, a mix of face-to-face and online instruction. Blended learning allows students to have access to online instructional materials while also experiencing the benefit of in-person interactions with instructors and their peers. Blended learning reduces population density in classes and on campus and provides a learning model that increases campus safety during the pandemic while continuing to maximize instructional opportunities.

Classes are divided alphabetically by students' last names to determine when each group meets online or face to face. Details are available on the Georgia State Keep Learning site. Some instructors may need to make adjustments to this model to fit the needs of individual class sections.

The fall semester is Aug. 24 through Dec. 7. No changes are being made to the length of the fall semester, Thanksgiving break or the final exam timeline, though Georgia State may need to adjust the fall schedule as required by the pandemic.

Course delivery icons have been posted in the GoSolar course search and are viewable on student schedules. Instructors were requested to post course syllabi in iCollege by Aug. 10 with other instructions. If you have questions or concerns about the method of instruction for your classes, work with your instructor.

You should attend classes in the pre-assigned groups for the first day unless you hear otherwise from your instructor. You may work with your instructor if you need to make adjustments after that time. The alphabetical split is done to most effectively manage social distancing and student traffic to best protect your safety.

For the alternative educational arrangement form, visit: https://access.gsu.edu/files/2020/07/Alternative-Educational-Arrangement-Request-Form-07-2020.pdf.

We’ve evaluated spacing in classrooms by consulting architectural plans and assessing each room on our campuses. Wherever possible, six feet of spacing between students has been created by eliminating seating, marking off areas and configuring furniture to allow social distancing. Our goal is to reduce the density in the classroom to 25 percent of capacity.

We’re requiring face masks at all times on campus with limited exceptions, such as when a student is 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. Face masks and other protective equipment are required for safety reasons in student laboratories consistent with best practices.

The in-person portion of classes is essential to instruction. Students who need accommodations for a disability should contact the Access and Accommodations Center at https://access.gsu.edu/. Academic advisers are available to assist in building course schedules and work with students who are unable to attend classes in-person to direct them to classes that are fully online.

For the alternative educational arrangement form, visit: https://access.gsu.edu/files/2020/07/Alternative-Educational-Arrangement-Request-Form-07-2020.pdf.

Our academic advisers are working with students who are unable to attend classes in-person to direct them to classes that are fully online. Students who need accommodations for a disability should consult the Access and Accommodations Center at https://access.gsu.edu/.

An enrolled student who is experiencing symptoms consistent with COVID-19 should call their health provider or make an appointment at the Student Health Clinic at 404-413-1930 or through the Student Patient Portal at www.gsu.medicatconnect.com. The Student Health Clinic has COVID-19 testing capability, but recommendations for testing are on a case-by-case basis. We are asking that no students come into the Student Health Clinic without calling in advance. If you are experiencing an emergency, call 404-413-3333 (on campus) or 911 (off campus).  

Students or employees without symptoms of COVID-19 but who would like to be tested should call your health provider or use our list of local testing sites, some of which offer free tests.

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.

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

Close contact is defined as within six feet for 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 and quarantine for 14 days. 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.

We are asking that anyone who is a close contact of a person who tested positive for COVID-19 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, quarantine for 14 days and notify their professors. During the period of self-quarantine, students should work with their professors to continue their coursework.

Students who have tested positive for COVID-19 or presumed to be positive should notify their professor(s), seek medical treatment and stay home. Do not go to class or work and stay away from people. If you must be around others, wear a mask. Call your health care provider or the Student Health Clinic at 404-413-1930 to determine if you need to be seen in person or get tested. We strongly encourage students to submit an online report of their diagnosis. Notify your professors. They will help you develop a plan for your course work.

Students should follow CDC guidelines to determine the appropriate time to return to school. 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.

Student who develop symptoms consistent with COVID-19 should stay at home. Do not go to class or work and stay away from people. If you must be around people, wear a mask. Call your health care provider or the Student Health Clinic at 404-413-1930 to determine if you need to be seen in person or get tested. We strongly encourage students to submit an online report of their illness. Notify your professors. They will help you develop a plan for your course work.

Students should follow CDC guidelines to determine the appropriate time to return to school. 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.

Students who are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 (cough, shortness of breath, fever, chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat or new loss of taste or smell) should call their health care provider or the Student Health Clinic at 404-413-1930.

A health care professional can help determine if you should stay home while you recover or if you need to be evaluated in person. If you’re experiencing an emergency, call 404-413-3333 (on campus) or 911 (off campus).

The Student Health Clinic can administer COVID-19 testing for enrolled students who are symptomatic or explain other testing options to you.

Students with no symptoms of COVID-19 but who’d like to be tested should call their health care provider or the Student Health Clinic for consultation. While the Student Health Clinic is not providing testing for asymptomatic students, the staff can direct you to local testing sites, some of which offer free tests.

We’re asking students to not come to the Student Health Clinic without calling in advance. We’ll be assessing these calls on a case-by-case basis to determine how we can best help students who do not need acute care. Students can also make telehealth appointments through the Student Patient Portal at www.gsu.medicatconnect.com.

University System of Georgia institutions require faculty, staff, students and visitors to wear an appropriate face covering while inside campus facilities. Face coverings will 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.

University System of Georgia institutions require faculty, staff, students and visitors to wear an appropriate face covering while inside campus facilities. Face coverings will 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.

We have a campaign to emphasize to members of the Georgia State community the importance of wearing masks. It is important students comply with this requirement and have access to a mask while on campus.

If we have a student who has symptoms consistent with COVID-19, we are going to manage them as if they have COVID-19 even if they have a negative test because of the possibility of a false-negative test result (the test says you are negative when you are really positive). This means the student will be asked to isolate for at least 10 days.

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://facilities.gsu.edu/files/2020/06/GSU-FMSD-Building-Services-Schedule-5-29-2020.pdf.

Most books in the general collection can be checked out with our new self-check system. You can check out books using the self-check stations in each library or by using our mobile app. If you use the mobile app, stop by the self-check station to complete the process.

Tables and chairs are marked for appropriate social distancing. Only one or two persons are allowed per table. Most study rooms are temporarily single occupancy. Face-to-face group study is discouraged. Student groups are encouraged to meet virtually via WebEx or Teams. If you need help, chat with a librarian.

Your first stop should be library.gsu.edu. From the homepage, you can chat with us or, if live chat isn't available, submit a question and get a response within 24 hours. If you need in-person assistance, stop by the service desk. Note that the primary service desk for the Atlanta library is on the 2^nd floor of Library North. The Library North 1^st-floor desk is closed for the fall semester.

While the new entrance for Library North is under construction, all access is through Library South. We’re doing all we can to streamline entry and exit, including creating a new exit. Be patient while you wait to come in and maintain six feet of separation while standing in line.

A PantherCard is required for entry at all library locations (Atlanta and Perimeter). This is to prioritize available seating for students, faculty and staff. Plan to swipe your card to enter the Atlanta library and to display your card on entry at the Perimeter library locations. Non-Georgia State visitors must request access in advance.

In accordance with the approved tuition and fee structure from the Board of Regents, mandatory fees are being charged for Fall 2020. Student Fees support critical services and activities that ensure a well-rounded collegiate experience whether the student is attending Georgia State in person or virtually. Departments are delivering most services this fall both in person and virtually, with virtual supports greatly expanded. Services offered both in-person and online include, but are not limited to, physical & mental health support appointments, nutrition consults, 24/7 access to crisis counseling, after-hours medical consults and student victim assistance support with the Student Health Clinic, exercise programming from the Recreation Center; access to library resources and individual consultations with librarians; and a wide-array of student activity programming and events. Although instruction has been moved online for some courses, students are able to participate in all programming and services virtually. Further, departments—including the Student Center, the University Library, the Recreation Center, the Student Health Clinic, to name a few—are open for in-person student support.

Academic advisers are available and willing to help you. To call one of our University Advisement Centers, visit the following link: https://advisement.gsu.edu/self-service/university-advisement-center/.

If you are a senior or have more than 90 hours, contact your college, school or institute Office of Academic Assistance. Contact information: https://advisement.gsu.edu/self-service/university-advisement-center/.

You may connect with a member of your academic advising team by simply logging into your Navigate Student mobile or desktop app.

• Download (Apple or Google) and open the Navigate Student mobile app or log in on your desktop at the link: GSU.NAVIGATE.EAB.COM.
• In Navigate, you can email or make an advising appointment with your academic advising team member.

We have moved career counseling and recruitment events online. You may make career counseling appointments and participate in virtual recruitment by signing on at gsu.joinhandshake.com.  For help, call 404-413-1820.

You can submit a question through Panther Answer at https://georgiastateuniversity.force.com/support/s/ or call 404-413-2600.

Yes. University Housing has implemented additional restrictions to comply with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines. The restrictions include, but are not limited to the following:

• No guests are permitted in University Housing.
• Residents only have access to their assigned residence hall and other spaces as needed for mailroom access.
• Residents must refrain from social gatherings and parties.
• Residents must practice social distancing by staying six feet from others and avoiding gatherings of 10 or more people.
• Use of community rooms, lounges and learning centers has been adjusted for social distancing, including closure of rooms, reduced seating, etc.
• Residents are required to wear masks in elevators and other spaces where social distancing cannot be maintained.

University Housing has reduced occupancy using the following criteria:

• No more than two people sharing a bathroom.
• No more than four people in an apartment.
• Shared rooms only in Piedmont North.

There are adjustments to use of common spaces and other amenities. We have shared them with residents prior to the start of the academic year. Regarding precautions, we require individuals to wear masks while inside campus facilities, maintain social distance and engage in personal hygiene practices. These are the same precautions we would ask of students in our residence halls.

We strongly recommended that residents get tested prior to move-in. We are working to make testing available to residents who cannot be tested by their health provider or at a state-sponsored site. We will follow up with residents to provide information about where residents can test free of cost.

• Reduced occupancy in our halls.
• Adjustments to move-in.
• Policy and procedural changes for office spaces, reception desks, mailrooms, health and safety inspections, entry into student rooms.
• Developed schedules for increasing cleaning in high-touch areas.
• Resources provided for residents to self-clean bathrooms and common areas.
• Placed signage throughout halls to encourage social distancing and other personal hygiene practices.
• Implemented a modified residential programming model with more virtual/online student engagement.
• Reduced seating or closed common areas and lounges.
• Adjusted our guest policy to restrict non-resident visitors and guests in the residence halls.

We are following updates from the Georgia Department of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. As new information emerges, University Housing will follow the recommended actions as directed by these entities. University Housing has been cleaning high-traffic points such as doorknobs, handrails, drinking fountains, elevators, laundry facilities, etc., even more frequently than usual. Public restrooms are cleaned twice daily.