Vaccines are free and available at the Atlanta Campus. You can learn more about the Georgia State Vaccine Clinic and register for a vaccine at https://covidinfo.gsu.edu/covid-19-resources/covid-19-vaccine/.

No. All faculty, staff and students are strongly encouraged to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. 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.  However, vaccinations are not required pursuant to University System of Georgia policy. For more information about obtaining a vaccine on campus, go to: https://covidinfo.gsu.edu/covid-19-resources/covid-19-vaccine/.

No. Your family and friends cannot be vaccinated at Georgia State unless they are a Georgia State employee or student. Georgia State is registered as a closed point of distribution, meaning that we can only offer vaccines to Georgia State faculty, staff, or students. You can learn more about where to get a vaccine in the community at https://georgia.gov/covid-vaccine.

Yes. You can get your second dose at Georgia State. Be aware that we may be limited to distributing a certain vaccine on any day. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that the vaccines not be interchanged. If the brand of vaccine you already received is unavailable, you may need to return another day.

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.

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.

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.

Instructors and staff may not ask about COVID vaccination or COVID test result status.

The University System of Georgia (USG) continues to recognize COVID-19 vaccines and boosters offer safe, effective protection and urges all students, faculty, staff and visitors to get vaccinated and/or boosted either on campus or with a local provider. As USG works closely with the Georgia Department of Public Health to prioritize the health and safety of campus communities, the system encourages people to wear masks based on their preference and assessment of personal risk.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

Find locations here.

Reports for university infection levels on campus are shared on the statistics page found at https://covidinfo.gsu.edu/covid-19-resources/covid-19-statistics/.

Isolation

If you test positive for COVID-19, everyone (regardless of vaccination status) must:

• Isolate at home for five days from the date symptoms first appeared or, if asymptomatic, the date of the positive test. Stay away from others in the household as much as possible during isolation.
• After five days, if you have no symptoms or your symptoms are resolving and you have not had a fever for more than 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication, you may end isolation. If symptoms are not improving or fever has not resolved, you should continue isolating until these criteria are met.
• After ending isolation, you should continue to wear a mask around others for five days.

Quarantine

If you have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 and you are:

• Boosted, or have become fully vaccinated within the last six months (Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine) or within the last two months (Johnson & Johnson vaccine):
  • You do not need to quarantine at home.
  • You should wear a mask around others for 10 days.
  • If possible, get tested on day five.
  • If you develop symptoms, get tested and isolate at home until test results are received, then proceed in accordance with the test results.
• Unvaccinated, or became fully vaccinated more than six months ago (Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech  vaccine) or more than two months ago (Johnson & Johnson vaccine) and have not received a booster:
  • You must quarantine at home for five days. After that, continue to wear a mask around others for five additional days.
  • If possible, get tested on day five.
  • If you develop symptoms, get tested and isolate at home until test results are received, then proceed in accordance with the test results.
• If you have come into close contact with someone with COVID-19 and you have had confirmed COVID-19 within the last 90 days (you tested positive using a viral test) you do not need to quarantine.

No. Staff and students are not required to provide proof negative testing after isolation. Those with a positive COVID-19 test may persistently test positive even after they are no longer infectious.

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.

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. 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. 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.

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

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.

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.

You should stay home and follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines. 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. Click here to submit your request for a temporary change in course modality.

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.

Instructors have the flexibility to adapt their courses to conditions and circumstances as they would in any typical semester. University System of Georgia policy does not permit temporary changes in modality for face-to-face classes in which students test positive. Professors who test positive or need to isolate or quarantine but who are able to teach remotely may request a temporary modality change. The request must be approved by the dean and Office of the Provost and may not extend beyond the period of isolation or quarantine. The request form with instructions is available at https://provost.gsu.edu/course-modality/. You will need your CampusID and password to log in.

Instructors should accommodate absences because of COVID-19 or quarantine as they would any other absence before the pandemic. Students seeking an excused absence because of illness or quarantine should submit documentation of medical need to the Dean of Students pursuant to https://deanofstudents.gsu.edu/student-assistance/professor-absence-notification/.

Professors will 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.

All classrooms are equipped with basic lecture capture and Webex, both of which give instructors flexible options for students who cannot attend in person because of illness. In addition, our instructional technology team has made significant upgrades to many Georgia State classrooms over the past year. For example, some classrooms are now equipped with simulcast technology, which provides further options. To learn more or request assistance with this option, consult the Center for Excellence in Teaching, Learning and Online Education website at https://cetl.gsu.edu/services/learning-environments-teaching-equipment/simulcast.

The in-person portion of classes should be essential to instruction. 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. It would not be reasonable to excuse students from all in-class attendance for a blended learning model or face-to-face course.

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

The pandemic continues to evolve in unexpected ways. Although we have planned and hope for in-person instruction without restrictions this spring, it is good to be prepared should flexibility once again be necessary for public health reasons.

Yes. All offices are expected to be open and provide in-person service during university business hours. Many university offices have developed tools to provide online service to students as well. These options for students should also continue to be offered for those who would like to take advantage of them.

Yes. Faculty, staff and students are encouraged to wear a mask in any setting in which they feel comfortable. All individuals, especially those 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 others 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.

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.

All those arriving to campus following international travel should follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) current guidance.

Georgia State University has two employee assistance programs that are free and confidential for faculty and staff.

Faculty and Staff Assistance (FASA) is available to provide short-term counseling, assessment and referrals. Contact fasa@gsu.edu for more information. Emergency assistance is available for crisis situations 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For immediate emergency assistance, call 404-413-3357.

KEPRO is a University System of Georgia-contracted Employee Assistance Program with confidential consultation, short-term counseling, assessment and/or referrals. Services are available at no cost to Georgia State employees who work 20 or more hours, eligible dependents and anyone living regularly in the household. Call 844-243-4440 24/7/365 or visit the website at https://usg.mylifeexpert.com/login and enter passcode USGCARES.

Vaccines are free and available at the Atlanta Campus. You can learn more about the Georgia State Vaccine Clinic and register for a vaccine at https://covidinfo.gsu.edu/covid-19-resources/covid-19-vaccine/.

No. All faculty, staff and students are strongly encouraged to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. 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.  However, vaccinations are not required pursuant to University System of Georgia policy. For more information about obtaining a vaccine on campus, go to: https://covidinfo.gsu.edu/covid-19-resources/covid-19-vaccine/.

No. Your family and friends cannot be vaccinated at Georgia State unless they are a Georgia State employee or student. Georgia State is registered as a closed point of distribution, meaning that we can only offer vaccines to Georgia State faculty, staff, or students. You can learn more about where to get a vaccine in the community at https://georgia.gov/covid-vaccine.

Yes. You can get your second dose at Georgia State. Be aware that we may be limited to distributing a certain vaccine on any day. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that the vaccines not be interchanged. If the brand of vaccine you already received is unavailable, you may need to return another day.

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.

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.

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.

Instructors and staff may not ask about COVID vaccination or COVID test result status.

The University System of Georgia (USG) continues to recognize COVID-19 vaccines and boosters offer safe, effective protection and urges all students, faculty, staff and visitors to get vaccinated and/or boosted either on campus or with a local provider. As USG works closely with the Georgia Department of Public Health to prioritize the health and safety of campus communities, the system encourages people to wear masks based on their preference and assessment of personal risk.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

Find locations here.

Reports for university infection levels on campus are shared on the statistics page found at https://covidinfo.gsu.edu/covid-19-resources/covid-19-statistics/.

Isolation

If you test positive for COVID-19, everyone (regardless of vaccination status) must:

• Isolate at home for five days from the date symptoms first appeared or, if asymptomatic, the date of the positive test. Stay away from others in the household as much as possible during isolation.
• After five days, if you have no symptoms or your symptoms are resolving and you have not had a fever for more than 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication, you may end isolation. If symptoms are not improving or fever has not resolved, you should continue isolating until these criteria are met.
• After ending isolation, you should continue to wear a mask around others for five days.

Quarantine

If you have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 and you are:

• Boosted, or have become fully vaccinated within the last six months (Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine) or within the last two months (Johnson & Johnson vaccine):
  • You do not need to quarantine at home.
  • You should wear a mask around others for 10 days.
  • If possible, get tested on day five.
  • If you develop symptoms, get tested and isolate at home until test results are received, then proceed in accordance with the test results.
• Unvaccinated, or became fully vaccinated more than six months ago (Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech  vaccine) or more than two months ago (Johnson & Johnson vaccine) and have not received a booster:
  • You must quarantine at home for five days. After that, continue to wear a mask around others for five additional days.
  • If possible, get tested on day five.
  • If you develop symptoms, get tested and isolate at home until test results are received, then proceed in accordance with the test results.
• If you have come into close contact with someone with COVID-19 and you have had confirmed COVID-19 within the last 90 days (you tested positive using a viral test) you do not need to quarantine.

No. Staff and students are not required to provide proof negative testing after isolation. Those with a positive COVID-19 test may persistently test positive even after they are no longer infectious.

Yes. All offices are expected to be open and provide in-person service during university business hours. Many university offices have developed tools to provide online service to students as well. These options for students should also continue to be offered for those who would like to take advantage of them.

Yes. Faculty, staff and students are encouraged to wear a mask in any setting in which they feel comfortable. All individuals, especially those 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 others 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.

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.

All those arriving to campus following international travel should follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) current guidance.

Georgia State University has two employee assistance programs that are free and confidential for faculty and staff.

Faculty and Staff Assistance (FASA) is available to provide short-term counseling, assessment and referrals. Contact fasa@gsu.edu for more information. Emergency assistance is available for crisis situations 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For immediate emergency assistance, call 404-413-3357.

KEPRO is a University System of Georgia-contracted Employee Assistance Program with confidential consultation, short-term counseling, assessment and/or referrals. Services are available at no cost to Georgia State employees who work 20 or more hours, eligible dependents and anyone living regularly in the household. Call 844-243-4440 24/7/365 or visit the website at https://usg.mylifeexpert.com/login and enter passcode USGCARES.