In general, no. In accordance with University of System of Georgia (USG) policy, masks are not required on campus except when accessing the University Health Center. However, all individuals, especially those who are unvaccinated, are strongly encouraged to wear a mask as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention o lower the risk of COVID-19.

Georgia State University, as a state entity, follows the guidelines set by the USG. As such, the City of Atlanta's mask mandate does not apply to university buildings.

Evidence shows that the tests can remain positive for up to 12 weeks after an infection. Therefore, we do not rely upon someone having a negative test to determine when it is safe to return to school or work. Additionally, a repeat positive test in this time period, especially without any new symptoms, does not indicate a new infection or contagiousness. Click here for more information on the Georgia Department of Public Health's guidance returning to work after a positive test.

Close contacts will be identified through contact tracing and notified by case investigators. Because student health information and privacy are protected by state and federal law, instructors should NOT inform the other students in the classroom of a positive COVID-19 case. Per Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines, vaccinated individuals with no symptoms and those who have recovered from a COVID-19 infection within the last three months do not need to quarantine when in close contact with someone who has tested positive. Unvaccinated individuals in close contact with the infected individual will be required to quarantine per CDC guidelines.

Instructors will be notified of any positive COVID-19 test within their classes. The infected student will be required to isolate in accordance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations. The Dean of Students Office will coordinate care and support for students who must isolate or quarantine.

You should direct the student to stay home and report the condition on the voluntary reporting form. You also are strongly encouraged to report the infection on that site. The university will engage in contact tracing and notify those in the class who have been in close contact with the infected individual. Because student health information and privacy are protected by federal law, you should NOT contact the other students in your classroom to report a COVID-19 case. If you believe you have been exposed, you should consult a medical professional.

University System of Georgia policy does not permit temporary changes in modality for face-to-face classes in which students test positive.

If you have a positive test, you should stay home and report your condition on the voluntary reporting form here. The university will engage in contact tracing and notify those from campus who have been in close contact. If you are unable to teach your courses, you should immediately inform your department chair. Instructors have the flexibility to adapt their courses to conditions and circumstances as they would in a typical semester. However, any modality change must be approved by the Office of the Provost and may not extend beyond the period of quarantine (typically 14 days or less).

You should stay home and report your condition on the voluntary reporting form here. The university will engage in contact tracing and notify those from campus who have been in close contact. If you are unable to teach your courses, you should immediately inform your department chair. Instructors with a positive test have the flexibility to adapt their courses to conditions and circumstances as they would in any typical semester. However, any modality change must be approved by the Office of the Provost and may not extend beyond the period of quarantine (typically 14 days or less). Click here to submit your request for a temporary change in course modality.

No. Students may be coughing because they have allergies, asthma or any number of conditions that are not contagious to others. You can ask the student privately if they are OK and encourage them to seek medical attention if necessary. In no case should you call out a student during class for coughing or discuss their medical issues publicly. Standardized language instructors can elect to include in syllabi, stressing the importance of staying home when sick, can be found on the CETLOE website here.

No. According to University System of Georgia (USG) policy, it is not permissible to ask anyone on campus whether they are vaccinated or to treat vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals on campus differently unless specified otherwise by law or USG policy.

Yes, although Instructors should be available for in-person consultation when requested.

Yes. Faculty, staff and students are encouraged to wear a mask in any setting in which they feel comfortable. Individuals who are not vaccinated are strongly encouraged to wear a mask in accordance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations.

No. In accordance with University System of Georgia policy, masks are not required on campus except when accessing the University Health Center. However, you can request that a student wear a mask so long as you respect their decision and impose no consequences for not doing so. It is important to treat all individuals in our campus community with respect regardless of their mask usage.

Suggested mask syllabus language can be found here: https://cetl.gsu.edu/services/instructional-support/constructing-a-syllabus/university-recommendations/.

Yes. Every Instructor with in-person classes should prepare a seating chart during the first class session and update it after the drop/add period is over. You can manage classroom seating arrangements however you see fit: self-selection or assigned. Please encourage your students to return to the same seat each class session. This will enable contact tracers to identify who is in “close contact” if a positive COVID-19 test is reported. For this same reason, a daily attendance sheet is recommended.

Downloadable seating charts for all university-scheduled classrooms will be available on the CETLOE Keep Teaching website on Monday, Aug. 23, the first day of classes.

Contact your chair for information on classrooms scheduled by your college or department.

You will find university scheduled classroom seating charts here beginning the first day of classes: https://cetl.gsu.edu/resources/resources-for-remote-teaching-and-learning/teaching-in-person-classrooms/.

Yes, and you are encouraged to do so. Classroom attendance is an important part of the learning experience. In general, if a student has enrolled in an in-person class, the student should be expected to attend the class if they do not have an excused absence because of illness. Instructors may adopt and enforce an attendance policy that best suits their classes. This policy should be clearly identified in the syllabus and discussed with students on the first day of class so they are aware of the expectations as early as possible.

We have a process for students seeking excused absences for medical reasons through the Dean of Students Office. Students submit medical documentation to https://deanofstudents.gsu.edu/student-assistance/professor-absence-notification/.

Professors will then be notified by the Dean of Students of any excused absence without the need to manage medical information individually. We recommend that you include this information in your syllabus. Absences that may be excused for non-medical reasons —work obligation, student activity, etc. — should continue to be evaluated by the faculty member as usual and not use this system.

No. Courses must be held as identified on the schedule. Instructors do not have the authority to change the modality of delivery identified during registration without the express permission of the department chair, dean and provost.

Fully vaccinated individuals who do not have symptoms after exposure to someone with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 and those who have had COVID-19 within the past three months and recovered are not required to quarantine. However, fully vaccinated people should get tested within three to five days following a known exposure and wear a mask in public indoor settings for 14 days after exposure or until a negative test result.

If you are unvaccinated and have been in close contact OR if you are vaccinated and show symptoms:

The Georgia Department of Public health recommends the following:

• Stay home for 14 days after your last contact with a person who has COVID-19
• Watch for fever (100.4◦F), cough, shortness of breath, or other symptoms of COVID-19
• If possible, stay away from others, especially people who are at higher risk for getting very sick from COVID-19

In some cases, individuals can shorten quarantine after day 10 without testing if you do not have symptoms, or after day 7 after receiving a negative test result (test must occur on day 5 or later).  For more information, consult the Georgia Department of Public Health here: https://dph.georgia.gov/contact.

Yes, special Georgia State logo and Pounce masks are available while supplies last through the Student Center East Information Center on the Atlanta Campus and through the Student Life offices on each Perimeter College campus. Students may receive one mask each. Disposable masks will also be available at high-traffic locations and anywhere that might require a mask, such as the Health Center.

Vaccination is the best way to prevent severe illness, hospitalization and death. It also helps reduce the spread of the virus in communities.

Vaccinations are not required based on University System of Georgia policy. However, students are strongly encouraged to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Vaccination has proven to be the most effective protection against COVID-19 and is the best way to prevent severe illness, hospitalization and death, and stop the spread of the virus. By getting vaccinated, you will not only be providing a crucial safeguard for yourself, but you will be contributing to the wellness of everyone else. In addition to being protected from serious illness, those who are fully vaccinated and who are not experiencing symptoms will not be required to quarantine after close contact with an individual who is infected with COVID-19. For more information about obtaining a vaccine on campus, click here.

Any infected individual must isolate, regardless of vaccination status. All unvaccinated individuals who have been in close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19 must quarantine. Individuals who are fully vaccinated or who have had COVID-19 within the past three months and recovered (completed the recommended 10-day isolation period and do not have symptoms) do not need to quarantine, even if they have been in close contact. However, fully vaccinated people should get tested within three to five days following a known exposure to someone with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 and wear a mask in public indoor settings for 14 days after exposure or until a negative test result.

Yes. Faculty, staff and students who are known to have been in close contact with an infected person will be notified and prompted to quarantine if necessary.

All faculty, staff and students who have a positive COVID-19 test should report it here: https://cc-gsu.force.com/s/. Instructors and staff supervisors who become aware of an infection of a student or employee are also strongly encouraged to report at this site even if the employee or student has already reported. If anyone has questions about reporting, they may email caseinvestigation@gsu.edu or call 404-900-0203.

Free COVID-19 testing will continue to be available to all Georgia State faculty, staff and students on all campuses. In accordance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines, fully vaccinated individuals with no known exposure are not required to be tested regularly. However, it is recommended that fully vaccinated individuals get tested within three to five days following a known exposure to someone with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 and wear a mask in public indoor settings for 14 days after exposure or until a negative test result.

We strongly encourage testing for people who have symptoms of COVID-19 and unvaccinated people who have taken part in activities that put them at higher risk for COVID-19 because they cannot physically distance.

Most people who have had close contact (within six feet for a total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period) with someone with confirmed COVID-19 should get tested with the exception of people who have tested positive for COVID-19 within the past three months and recovered. These individuals do not need to get tested following an exposure as long as they do not develop new symptoms.

For all faculty and staff, COVID-19 related accommodations and flexible work arrangements expired on June 30, 2021. Individuals who need Americans with Disabilities Act accommodations must follow the pre-pandemic procedure in place as outlined here. In some cases, employees can request a remote work arrangement, which is available at the discretion of the supervisor when appropriate and beneficial to both the university and employee. You can find out more about the policy here.

For students, we have a number of online courses available to provide the maximum flexibility possible in terms of scheduling. If you have questions in this regard, you should speak with your academic adviser.

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/2021/07/GSU-Building-Services-Scope.pdf

Our air-handling units are equipped with air filters. We have installed UV lights in the air-handling units in many locations around our campuses. We are procuring additional portable air purifier machines for deployment in strategic locations.

HVAC and Mechanical Systems:

Ventilation Capacity: Every building on campus is designed in accordance with the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-condition Engineers (ASHRAE) ventilation code 62.1. Ventilation rates vary based on occupancy (e.g. classrooms, offices, laboratories, etc.), however, in office and classroom buildings across campus a minimum of 30 percent of fresh air is delivered to individual spaces. These ventilation rates have been increased, where possible, to 50 percent. Any increases beyond that level could result in major mechanical, environmental and comfort issues, as mechanical equipment on campus is generally not designed to cool 100 percent fresh air during extreme summer conditions (e.g. temperatures over 90°F, humidity over 50 percent). Laboratory buildings are designed to always provide 100 percent fresh air because contaminants from laboratory spaces cannot be recirculated.

Filtration: The air distribution systems on campus utilize a variety of filter types, depending on the design, age, and space usage type. These types of filters include Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) 8, 11, 13, and 14. Many of our building air distribution systems are not designed to accommodate high-efficiency particulate absorbing (HEPA) filters because the fan motors are designed to pull air through the filters according to a specific pressure rating. Increasing the pressure rating of the filter (i.e. replacing existing MERV 8 – 14 filters with HEPA filters) would result in a reduction of air flow and excess load on the fan motors which can cause fan failure.

Ultraviolet Light Disinfection: A majority of our high usage buildings (e.g. classroom and office buildings) have had their air distribution systems retrofitted with ultraviolet (UV) light disinfection systems. These systems are designed to kill viruses and bacteria in the air stream and on surfaces within the air distribution infrastructure.

Portable Air Filtration Devices: Facilities has purchased portable air filtration devices for use across campus. These filtration devices utilize a particulate, HEPA and carbon filters in addition to UV light sterilization.

Based on University System of Georgia policy, Georgia State University will return in the fall with no social distancing measures in place. However, unvaccinated individuals are strongly encouraged to use social distancing whenever possible.

Yes, this is permissible. However, masks are not required to be worn on campus outside of the University Health Center. Because mask usage is voluntary, you may not require anyone to wear a mask or impose consequences for not doing so. It is important to treat all individuals in our campus community with respect regardless of their mask usage.

Yes. Students may be required by off-campus partnering organizations to wear masks and/or be vaccinated as a condition of participation in experiential learning opportunities such as study abroad programs and externships.

In general, no. Faculty, staff and students may not treat vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals on campus differently, with limited exceptions. It is permissible for contact tracing staff to use vaccination status to determine whether or not a person should quarantine after close contact with a person who tests positive for COVID-19.

In general, no. Pursuant to University System of Georgia policy, it is not permissible to ask anyone on campus whether they are vaccinated, with limited exceptions. Medical providers may ask questions regarding vaccination status for the purposes of providing medical care, and officials performing contact tracing after an infection is reported may do so as well.