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 spring semester is Jan. 11 through April 26. No changes are being made to the length of the spring semester, spring break or the final exam timeline, though the university may need to make adjustments 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 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 can be tested at any of our campus sites, 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.

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.

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 a total of 15 or more minutes) with a person who has a positive COVID-19 test should follow CDC guidelines and notify their professors. During the period of self-quarantine, students should work with their professors to continue their coursework.

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.

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://ahead.beta.gsu.edu/files/2020/12/GSU-FMSD-Building-Services-Schedule11-30-2020.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.

For easy, low- or no-contact checkout, use the new Express Pickup Service.

For the health of all, study rooms are for individual use only. Reservations are required beginning January 2021. A library employee working on the floor will admit individuals to their reserved rooms. Reservation times are fixed, two-hour blocks with a 30-minute buffer between time blocks.

Face-to-face group study is discouraged. Student groups are encouraged to meet virtually via Webex or Teams. Nevertheless, the library has created some socially distanced group study areas. Participants should not move furniture and must remain apart while using the space. Face coverings (over the nose and mouth) are required in all shared library spaces, including these group study areas.

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 help, stop by the service desk. 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.

While the new entrance for Library North is under construction, access is through Library South. We expect the new Library North entrance to be completed by March 1.

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.

Yes. The Student Center facilities on the Atlanta Campus and Student Life spaces on all Perimeter campuses are open and ready to serve you. To learn more, visit https://studentcenter.gsu.edu/.

Visit the Panther Involvement Network, or PIN, online at https://pin.gsu.edu/ to learn about the thousands of activities being offered in person, online and in a hybrid format across all Georgia State campuses. Enrolled students are welcome to participate in activities on all campuses regardless of the student's primary campus of attendance, or whether the student is enrolled in online, blended or face-to-face classes. With more than 500 student organizations, there are endless opportunities for students to connect and engage.

In accordance with the approved tuition and fee structure from the Board of Regents, mandatory fees are being charged for spring 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 spring both in person and virtually, with virtual supports greatly expanded. Services offered both in person and online include, but are not limited to, physical and 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.

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

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. For Greek housing, off-campus chapter members are considered guests and do not have access to the Greek community.
• Residents only have access to their assigned residence hall and other spaces as needed for mailroom access.
• Residents will refrain from social gatherings and parties in the residence halls.
• Residents will practice social distancing: Maintain a distance of six feet from others.
• Use and capacity of community rooms, lounges and learning centers will be adjusted for social distancing. Residents are to follow the direction given on signage.
• Residents are required to wear masks in public spaces, hallways, elevators and other spaces where social distancing cannot be maintained (though not in their assigned rooms and suites).
• Elevators are limited to four individuals at a time. Take the stairwell when possible.
• When in line waiting for the elevator or to speak with a University Housing staff member, residents are to follow the direction of signage on where to stand to practice social distancing.
• Bed lofting requests are not being accepted. However, you may submit a work order if changing the height position of a bed is an approved accommodation with a letter from the Access and Accommodations Center.
• Furniture removal: While some residents will not share a bedroom, the extra bed and furniture will not be removed. Removal or damage of the extra furniture will result in additional fees for the resident assigned to that room.
• Residents who have tested positive for COVID-19, are presumed positive or have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 should notify the university by completing the COVID-19 Reporting Form and follow all guidelines provided, including going into quarantine or isolation, if necessary.
• Room changes are not permitted unless resident safety is at risk.
• Room reservations are limited to Housing professional staff and graduate assistants.
• When a member of Housing staff enters a resident's unit — for example, to complete a work order or for a health and safety inspection — the staff member will be wearing a mask and gloves. Residents must wear a mask if they are present in the unit. If a resident does not have a mask, one will be provided to them.

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 and University Lofts.

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. 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. For information on testing locations and to register, visit the COVID-19 Resources page here.

• Reduced occupancy in our halls.
• Adjusted move-in.
• Changed policy and procedures for office spaces, reception desks, mailrooms, health and safety inspections, entry into student rooms.
• Developed schedules for increasing cleaning in high-touch 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., more frequently than usual. Public restrooms are cleaned twice daily.