Information for the Georgia Tech community related to the Coronavirus outbreak.
Updated Saturday, April 11, 2020
As of today, Georgia Tech remains open with modified operations. The Institute is proactively monitoring and assessing the outbreak to protect the health and wellbeing of the Georgia Tech community. This page will be updated with the latest information as it becomes available.
Frequently Asked Questions
As of today, Georgia Tech remains open with modified operations. In an effort to continue to keep our campus community safe, we have put the following measures in place and would like to provide you with as much detail as we have on each.
We will move to distance learning on March 30, and there will not be a need to attend in-person classes through the end of the semester. Campus remains open during this time period but operations will be limited with people physically on site only at minimally required levels.
These FAQs are intended to answer questions from students, faculty and staff during the period of time for which the Institute has suspended instruction.
Academics and Instruction
Additional academic and instructional resources:
Provost Academic Continuity Resources
OIT Academic Continuity Resources for Faculty and Instructors
OIT Student Guidance on Academic Continuity
Undergraduate Academic Support Services FAQs
Graduate Education Guidance and FAQs
Classes and Coursework
What are students expected to do prior to March 29?
UPDATED March 17, 2020: Stay away from campus unless you have been authorized to remain. No formal instruction will take place until March 30.
What will happen with assignments due the week of March 23?
UPDATED March 16, 2020: Assessments and homework deadlines previously scheduled for the week of March 23 are postponed until after March 30. You will be contacted by your instructors about amended schedules for your respective courses.
Faculty and instructors have been asked to distribute modified syllabi no later than March 30.
Will classes resume after March 29?
UPDATED March 16, 2020: Following guidance from the University System of Georgia, we will continue to test our business continuity plans and online instruction capabilities through March 29.
On March 30, we will move all face-to-face instruction to an online or distance-based format.
Will I have to attend classes at different times?
UPDATED March 19, 2020: To minimize conflicts, faculty have been encouraged to offer classes at the regularly scheduled time while being flexible with students who may have difficulty because of varying time zones. Additionally, some classes may move to an asynchronous format where there is no uniform, scheduled class time.
Office hours will be held in a modified or remote format as determined by each faculty member.
How should course attendance and absences be managed during this time?
This is a special situation that requires empathy and flexibility. The health and safety of our faculty, staff, and students comes first. As a reminder, everyone should follow the guidelines shown in this infographic for illness or exposure to COVID-19.
We expect all faculty to relax attendance and absence policies in their courses, and instead focus on ensuring that all students can remain active and engaged. Should a student become ill and/or unable to participate in the course remotely, it is not reasonable to expect the student to present documentation. Faculty should remain mindful of the stress and anxiety that this situation has caused, and should approach communication and course policies from a place of patience and understanding.
How will final exams be impacted?
MARCH 27, 2020: If a course includes a final assessment (e.g., final exam or project), faculty may change the format of the assessment to be more conducive to remote delivery (e.g., paper, project, online or take-home exam). We will follow the reading period and published final exam schedule with some adjustment.
Asynchronous final exams and other final assessments should be due on the date that the final exam would have otherwise been held. Faculty should provide at least 24 hours between the time an asynchronous exam is posted and is due.
Synchronous final exams should be held on the date and time, as indicated on the published final exam schedule. No student is to take more than two synchronous exams on one day. If three synchronous exams are scheduled on one exam day, the exam for the middle period will be rescheduled to the conflict period or to another period mutually agreed on by the instructor and student.
Faculty should be sensitive to individual student situations and are encouraged to provide reasonable accommodations as needed.
As a U.S. domestic out-of-state student, can I return home and complete my academic work remotely?
March 16, 2020: Yes. We are moving to distance learning for the rest of the semester.
As an international student, can I return to my home country and complete my academic work remotely?
UPDATED March 23, 2020: Yes, subject to any travel restrictions that may be imposed by the United States and/or your home country.
We are moving to distance learning for the rest of the semester. The Office of International Education provides information about departing the United States on the International Student and Scholar Services section of its website.
Please note, students and faculty who plan to engage is online learning physically from any of the following countries need to first gain approval from the Office of General Counsel (asklegal@gatech.edu): Cuba, Crimea Region of Ukraine, Iran, North Korea, Sudan and Syria.
May students and faculty engage in online learning outside the United States without approval from the Office of General Counsel?
UPDATED March 27, 2020: Students and faculty who plan to engage in online learning physically from any of the following countries need to first gain approval from the Office of General Counsel (asklegal@gatech.edu): Cuba, Crimea Region of Ukraine, Iran, North Korea, Sudan and Syria.
How does this impact interns or co-op students working off campus?
March 16, 2020: Please follow the guidance of the company where you’re working.
How will my Summer 2020 internship or co-op be impacted?
UPDATED April 7, 2020: Summer 2020 internships and co-ops in the U.S. will continue at the discretion of the employer and the student. All international internships for Summer 2020 have been canceled.
Undergraduate and graduate students looking to register U.S. internships or co-ops should visit career.gatech.edu.
Are the online master’s degree and online professional master’s degree classes suspended as well?
UPDATED March 19, 2020: No, they will resume March 23 with their normal schedule.
Are distance learning master’s degree classes, dual enrollment classes, and other “online” classes suspended as well?
UPDATED March 19, 2020: Yes, these classes are suspended since they include students who have been on the Atlanta campus. These classes will resume March 30 via remote delivery technology. Please visit the Georgia Tech Canvas website for your classes and look for updates from your faculty member.
How will I complete undergraduate research or capstone design experience?
March 14, 2020: Please work with the faculty member to determine the best course of action. In some cases, this may mean emphasizing experimental design and literature studies over implementation, communicating with external parties via remote conferencing, etc.
I’m about to defend my thesis or proposal. Will I still be able to do so?
UPDATED March 19, 2020: Thesis and dissertation defense and proposals should proceed as scheduled but use virtualization tools such as BlueJeans and WebEx. Guides and tutorials for those tools are available at services.gatech.edu.
We recognize the difficulties presented by minimal on-campus activities and the research ramp-down. Faculty adviser(s) will work with students approaching critical time points in their studies (e.g., Ph.D. defenses). Online meeting tools should be utilized rather than in-person meetings.
How will I return my rental textbooks at the end of the semester?
UPDATED March 24, 2020: You can print a prepaid label to return your textbook rentals to the bookstore by April 30, 2020. See the textbook rental FAQs for details.
In partnership with VitalSource, Barnes & Noble Education will offer access to free eTextbooks for the remainder of the Spring 2020 term. Visit the VitalSource help page to get started.
Will summer courses in Atlanta be impacted?
UPDATED March 19, 2020: Please follow updates on the Summer Programs website: summer.gatech.edu.
Where can I find general information about summer session?
UPDATED April 7, 2020: Georgia Tech’s Summer Session website is a helpful resource for many aspects of summer session. Our summer session staff can be resources to help you navigate answers to questions you may have.
How do I register for summer classes?
UPDATED April 7, 2020: Registration for the Summer 2020 Term is already underway. The Schedule of Classes for Summer 2020 is online.
The Schedule of Classes will be updated as new courses or course sections are added and become active for registration. Throughout the registration period, students may visit the Schedule of Classes for current information on courses and sections that are available.
The website provides more information on registration generally and the academic calendar provides dates on when registration will occur:
Registration for Summer 2020 began on March 23 and ends on May 15. Time tickets for registration are released in groups and that process is ongoing now. Registration questions may be sent to comments@registrar.gatech.edu.
Will there be any changes to the iGniTe summer program for first-year students? When do first-year students who are beginning in summer session register for summer classes?
UPDATED April 10, 2020: The iGniTe Summer Launch program for incoming first-year students who will begin Georgia Tech in summer session will be offered online. Students will take two online courses, plus an online version of GT1000 First-Year Seminar. Online community building and co-curricular activities are under development to enhance the program.
Full details about iGniTe, including program updates, will be available on the iGniTe website. Summer semester registration for and advising for iGniTe students will be coordinated through this program June 11-18.
Will fall semester 2020 courses be impacted?
UPDATED April 7, 2020: All institutions within the University System of Georgia are tentatively planning to return to normal on-campus operations for the fall semester should guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Georgia Department of Public Health allow it. In the interim, all institutions have been asked to continue their current telework and flexible work strategies for faculty and staff, with modified operations and only minimal staff physically on-site to ensure continuity of certain services.
Is Fall 2020 registration impacted?
UPDATED April 7, 2020: Registration for Fall 2020 began on March 23 and continues through May 15 for continuing students. There will be a Phase II registration period for Fall 2020 that begins on August 8. Incoming first-year students for fall are typically assigned registration time tickets depending on the FASET session they have chosen to attend. However, plans for FASET and the related course registration process is under review and more information will be forthcoming.
Transfer students for fall are typically assigned registration time tickets that apply to the Transfer FASET. This, too, is currently under review. Phase II registration is open to all students and all eligible students will receive a time ticket. Registration questions may be sent to comments@registrar.gatech.edu.
Transitioning to Online Learning
What will happen during the week of March 23?
UPDATED March 16, 2020: Faculty will begin testing our remote delivery capabilities during the week of March 23, with the planned shift to online instruction on March 30. No formal instruction will take place the week of March 23.
How will the transition to remote learning impact labs, office hours, recitations, and other academic commitments?
UPDATED March 16, 2020: Lab- and experience-based courses, including faculty-mentored research for credit (e.g. XXXX4699), will be modified on a course-by-course basis. Students will be contacted by their faculty or the host school with more information about how these requirements will be met.
Office hours and recitations will be held in a modified or distance format as determined by each faculty member.
How should faculty adjust their courses to account for the transition to remote learning and suspended instructional time?
UPDATED March 25, 2020: The shift to remote instruction requires that faculty be agile and creative. While the overall course outcomes remain the same, faculty are expected to adjust their approach to the content and adapt to the new delivery format. It is not reasonable to expect that all course content be delivered as originally planned on a compressed schedule. Assessments previously planned for in-person and/or on-paper delivery should be carefully considered, and format and/or timelines adjusted, as needed. Faculty should also be mindful of special situations that they and/or their students may be experiencing during this time, and the impact that those situations may have on course engagement.
Should faculty offer their course material asynchronously?
While it is understood that some aspects of a course may need to rely on scheduled class times – such as small team discussions – providing content to students to access it as flexibly as they possibly can is preferred. In most instances, this means having lectures and materials available asynchronously. See the Faculty Guidance for Remote Teaching for assistance.
Should you need to teach your course synchronously, please offer the class remotely during the regularly scheduled class time, as this minimizes conflicts with other courses. However, please be mindful that some students may experience challenges with accessing courses remotely at their regularly scheduled class time (e.g., different time zone or balancing new unforeseen demands on their time). Further, Students may lack access to the technology or bandwidth needed for synchronous delivery in their remote locations. Please demonstrate flexibility and consider accommodations that will allow all students to actively engage in the course. If you teach a course with a supervised lab or studio component and have questions regarding how to adapt the course format to a distance learning environment, please consult your unit administrators for additional guidance.
Note: Recording your class sessions and using Kaltura Personal Capture will help ensure that you can be responsive to students who need accommodation. Where possible, use scheduled class sessions for interaction, not lecturing.
How will final exams be impacted?
MARCH 27, 2020: If a course includes a final assessment (e.g., final exam or project), faculty may change the format of the assessment to be more conducive to remote delivery (e.g., paper, project, online or take-home exam). We will follow the reading period and published final exam schedule with some adjustment.
Asynchronous final exams and other final assessments should be due on the date that the final exam would have otherwise been held. Faculty should provide at least 24 hours between the time an asynchronous exam is posted and is due.
Synchronous final exams should be held on the date and time, as indicated on the published final exam schedule. No student is to take more than two synchronous exams on one day. If three synchronous exams are scheduled on one exam day, the exam for the middle period will be rescheduled to the conflict period or to another period mutually agreed on by the instructor and student.
Faculty should be sensitive to individual student situations and are encouraged to provide reasonable accommodations as needed.
How can faculty shift to remote learning with minimal changes to the syllabus? What kinds of changes are allowable?
MARCH 27, 2020: We expect a shift to remote learning will require adjustments to suit the new delivery format. Any changes should be reflected in an updated syllabus and communicated to students as soon as possible.
There should be no changes to graded assessments submitted prior to Spring Break. For example, if an assessment was originally worth 15% of the grade, and this assessment was completed prior to Spring Break, then its weighting should remain at 15%. If the course includes a final assessment (e.g., final exam or project), then the final assessment should remain, though the format can change. For example, a final exam originally worth 30% might be replaced with another type of exam, project, paper, or some combination of these items totaling 30%. Similarly, an exam that has not yet been given might be replaced with a set of quizzes or projects covering the same material and totaling the same percentage.
Courses with a strong hands-on component normally requiring a physical presence will need more significant modifications, and the academic programs who conduct those courses will oversee those changes.
I’m a faculty member teaching classes remotely for the remainder of the term. Can I access my office or classroom to prepare my course materials and videos?
UPDATED April 8, 2020: If you can work remotely, you should do so. Any time on campus should be limited to essential activities, which might include the preparation for and delivery of remote instruction per approval by your College’s associate dean, and, if utilizing distance learning classrooms, approval of the associate dean for Learning Systems in GTPE. If you come to campus, try to restrict your work to your office for course preparation or delivery. Only when technology is required for instruction not normally available should other Georgia Tech locations be accessed. Note that most buildings are on restricted access for security reasons and not staffed. Your BuzzCard access should allow you into your office building. You should practice extreme social distancing and good hygiene with both yourself and the surfaces you touch; this applies anywhere on campus and when in transit to and from campus. As a reminder, those guidelines are:
- Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
A student in my class has accommodations through the Office of Disability Services. How should I provide these accommodations when teaching and assessing remotely?
MARCH 27, 2020: The Office of Disability Services continues to be the point of contact for students and faculty in terms of accommodations requests. Faculty can review their students' accommodations by accessing the Disability Services AIM portal. There, faculty can view a list of students who have requested accommodations and which accommodations they need by class and section.
- Faculty should consider alternate assessments to timed, exam-based assessments, as many students with disabilities have special situations that could impact their ability to complete a timed, online exam.
- Students should review updated syllabi for course adjustments and contact faculty via email if there are concerns.
- Faculty should also check-in with each student via email to ensure that accommodations are applicable and adequate.
- Students and faculty should consistently monitor and address accommodation concerns and continue to vet all questions about accommodations through the Office of Disability Services.
For more information on how faculty can create accessible courses, please see Maintaining Accessibility When Teaching Remotely.
For more information on accessible resources, please see Academic Continuity Resources for Faculty.
How accessible is Canvas?
MARCH 27, 2020: While Canvas, Georgia Tech’s learning management system, does contain accessibility features, it is important to ensure that the resources/documents shared with students through Canvas are also accessible. For more information on how faculty can create accessible courses, please see Maintaining Accessibility When Teaching Remotely.
How can I allow more time on a test or allow a student to take a test multiple times?
MARCH 27, 2020: The Quiz tool within Canvas allows accommodations (e.g., extended time, multiple attempts, etc). The following links provide a step-by-step guide on how to set up each accommodation in Canvas:
- Allow extra attempts for quizzes
- Allow extra time and moderation for quizzes
- Assign quizzes to individual student(s)
If I create a recording, how can I ensure that it is accessible?
MARCH 27, 2020: Kaltura Personal Capture, which is integrated into Canvas, can be used to record desktop activity, video, and audio to prepare instructional materials. Kaltura provides machine-level (automated) captions for the delivery of media. The accuracy of these captions depends on the clarity of speech as well as the content matter. Faculty/TAs can edit these captions. Professional captioning services are available and can be very costly.
How can I conduct accessible real-time (synchronous) sessions?
MARCH 27, 2020: If faculty use BlueJeans, BlueJeans Events, or WebEx for synchronous instructional sessions, the sessions are not captioned in real-time. If a session is recorded and downloaded, the video can be published through Kaltura with machine-level (automated) captions.
How can faculty help mitigate anxiety among their students during this transition to remote instruction?
UPDATED March 25, 2020: The transition to remote instruction may be stressful for everyone involved, and it is important for faculty to be mindful of guiding principles* during this time: 1) be empathetic, 2) be transparent, 3) respond quickly, 4) be agile, and 5) be creative. Faculty should focus on keeping students engaged in this new phase of the semester, setting and communicating expectations early, and maintaining open and honest communication with students. Faculty should accept that the transition to remote learning may not be smooth, and they should be ready to adapt to what the new environment may bring.
* Adapted from: Hunt, J.R., & Leavenworth, G. (2018). Brand Under Fire: A New Playbook for Crisis Management in the Digital Age. Ordinance Hill Publishing.
For more information for faculty, please see the Academic Guidance for Faculty for Continuing the Semester.
Academic and Financial Policy Changes
The Spring Semester 2020 disruption in instruction and in campus functions due to the COVID-19 outbreak has resulted in the need to review policies related to grading and GPA requirements so that reasonable adjustments may be made to assist students and faculty in completing work for the term.
Is the withdrawal deadline extended?
UPDATED April 1, 2020: This withdrawal deadline was extended from March 11 to May 2, the end of the Spring 2020 term as listed on the academic calendar. This is an academic decision, however, and does not affect the refund calendar. The withdrawal grade would still apply, and there will be no refunds outside of the normal refund calendar.
Read the full details on Spring 2020 Grading and GPA Policies.
Is the grade mode deadline extended?
UPDATED: April 1, 2020: Following guidance from The University System of Georgia, there is no change in policies related to changing grade mode, including changes to deadlines related to pass/fail grading. The deadline to change the grade mode for a course(s), which was March 11, 2020, was not extended.
Am I going to get a refund of my dining/housing/parking/transportation/activity/etc. fees?
UPDATED April 3, 2020: While Georgia Tech’s campus is not closed, campus services utilized by students including housing, dining, transportation, and recreation have been greatly affected.
As such, Georgia Tech has been working with the USG to develop a refund plan that would apply to the mandatory and non-mandatory fees listed below. Fees will be pro-rated, beginning on Monday, March 16, 2020, for the remainder of the spring semester.
Mandatory Fees:
- Activity
- Athletic
- Campus Recreation Center (CRC) Operations
- Student Center Operations
- Transportation
Non-Mandatory Fees (based on type of plan and usage, where applicable):
- Dining fees
- Housing fees
- Living Learning Communities (LLCs)
- Parking permit fees – semester or annual
- Student Life: Tech-Prep (summer program)
The Institute anticipates processing service fee refunds by April 8, 2020. Students should make sure their direct deposit is set up so that any refunds will be sent directly to their bank, and then monitor their student account for balance changes resulting from refunds.
The latest refund information and help with direct deposit is on the Office of the Bursar website.
For questions regarding refunds, please contact the Office of the Bursar at bursar.ask@business.gatech.edu.
How will my financial aid be impacted?
UPDATED March 19, 2020: Please contact the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid: finaid.gatech.edu/contacting-our-office. However, we anticipate guidance from the U.S. Department of Education providing for minimal disruption to financial aid in the Spring semester.
Will there be a week added to the semester or will the semester just be a week shorter?
March 14, 2020: The semester will be a week shorter. Your instructor will provide a modified syllabus for the remainder of the semester.
Campus Operations and Student Services
What support services are available on campus?
UPDATED March 28, 2020: The Counseling Center is following guidance from the CDC and the Georgia Department of Public Health to limit personal contact to reduce the risk of infection. Additional guidance is available on the Counseling Center’s website.
The CARE Center remains available. More information is available on the Care Center website.
View the updated hours and closings for Campus Services, including:
- Stamps Health Services
- Dining
- Student Center
- Post Office
- Transit
- Bookstore – CLOSED
- Campus Recreation Center – CLOSED
- West Village – CLOSED
Georgia Tech Library: Electronic resources will remain available, as usual. All scheduled courses and consultations with librarians, archivists, and public service associates will continue virtually. Lending and delivery of all physical resources, both from Tech’s collections and Interlibrary Loan, are suspended until further notice except in exceptional circumstances. Get the latest library updates.
VOICE will continue providing 24/7 confidential services to those impacted by sexual harassment, sexual assault, intimate partner violence, and/or stalking.
- If you need immediate support, call GTPD at 404.894.2500 and ask for the on-call VOICE Advocate. You do not need to make a police report and you only need to provide a phone number in order to reach an Advocate.
- For non-urgent needs, VOICE Advocates are available for phone, virtual, or face-to-face meetings, and emergency accompaniments. To schedule an appointment, call Amanda Planchard at 404.385.4451 or Jennifer Gagen at 404.385.4464. Leave a message, and the Advocate will call you back promptly within business hours.
The LGBTQIA Resource Center will continue to meet with students remotely and host virtual events. Find the latest information on the Center’s website.
I’m a student employed on campus. Will I still be able to work?
March 16, 2020: Students who are employed by the Institute should look to the guidance provided for employees and stay in contact with their supervisors.
Graduate students, faculty, and other research personnel who do research should work remotely unless their presence on campus is required for research continuity or safety reasons.
Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTAs) need to be available to work with their faculty the week of March 23 to prepare for remote instruction starting March 30, and thereafter while delivering this instruction. Graduate research and teaching assistants should look to their supervisors for guidance on work arrangements.
When present on campus appropriate social distancing measures should be observed.
I’m an employee or researcher approved to come to campus during the shelter-in-place order issued by the state, but I usually use public transportation or rideshare. Can I drive and park on campus?
UPDATED April 8, 2020: Permits are not required to park on campus until further notice. Regular parking permit requirements will not be enforced. Restricted/reserved spaces, disabled spaces, and no parking zones will be enforced. Parking deck gates will remain down for security.
I’m a faculty or staff member and not parking on campus right now since operations are limited. Will I still have to pay for my parking permit?
March 28, 2020: In response to COVID-19, Parking and Transportation will suspend the payroll deduction for April parking permit related charges for faculty and staff. Your permit will remain active and may be used anytime through August 14, 2020. Future payroll deduction periods will be evaluated and communicated at a later date.
Please note that payroll deduction requests for citation payments will continue as planned.
If you would like to permanently cancel your parking permit, you may do so based on PTS existing permit return guidelines. Prorated refunds are available through March 31, 2020. All permits (virtual and physical) must be returned using this online Permit Return Request form. Please destroy any physical hangtags or mail them to 828 W. Peachtree St. NW, Atlanta, GA 30332. Returned permits will be deactivated and will no longer be valid for use on campus.
Contact info.parking@parking.gatech.edu with questions or concerns.
Are construction projects on campus continuing?
UPDATED March 26, 2020: Construction projects will continue as contracted during this time. We have asked our independent General Contractors and A/E teams to use their best judgement on all safety matters, including current health-related concerns, and to monitor their job sites as per their company policies. If a member of their team displays any signs of illness, they are to send them home and take necessary precautions to clean/prepare the site to minimize exposure to other employees and to our students and staff, if they are working in an occupied area. The companies also continue to follow the direction of their risk management plans. More information on the Facilities Management website.
How is the Georgia Tech Post Office handling mail deliveries while campus is on modified operations?
UPDATED April 10, 2020: Due to the variability of departmental operating hours and much of campus working remotely, campus mail delivery has been suspended until further notice.
During this time, faculty and staff who have critical time-sensitive material can pick up mail and packages Monday-Friday from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. from the Mail Processing Center (MPC), located at 711 Marietta Street NW, Atlanta, GA 30332 (next door to Business Services). If you have parcels en route to your campus address, please redirect them to the MPC.
- Pick-Up Process
Please call ahead at 404-385-4174 before picking up your parcels. Mail and packages will be delivered to recipients outside the entrance to the MPC to limit contact. Those experiencing fever, cough, or shortness of breath should avoid visiting the MPC. If you are feeling ill, please follow the guidance provided at health.gatech.edu/coronavirus/decision-tree. - Building Managers
As many campus buildings remain closed, building managers can arrange to have packages, usually delivered to individual campus buildings, redirected to the MPC. This should be coordinated with Georgia Tech Postal Services by emailing postofficeask@po.gatech.edu. To help the Postal Services team, building managers are encouraged to add signage to facility entrances advising delivery couriers to redirect packages to the Mail Processing Center located at 711 Marietta Street NW, Atlanta, GA 30332. - Keeping Our Space Safe
Georgia Tech Postal Services has enhanced its daily cleaning of both the Student Center and Mail Processing Center facilities, including transactional counters where student packages are delivered and retail services are rendered. Additionally, all staff working behind the scenes processing mail/packages and delivering services to customers perform these tasks wearing gloves.
During this time, we encourage everyone to practice preventative measures to protect themselves and everyone around them. Follow all guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Georgia Department of Public Health, including recommendations on personal and business travel to avoid increasing your risk and that to others. You can also visit Georgia Tech's Monitoring Coronavirus website for up-to-date information on modified operations on campus.
For alternate arrangements or questions pertaining to mail or packages, please email postofficeask@po.gatech.edu.
I usually send invoices to Central Financial Services, but mail delivery is suspended. What do I do?
UPDATED March 24, 2020: Central Financial Services is making arrangements to pick up mail periodically to help ensure that invoices and payments sent to these offices are processed in a timely manner.
Can P-card holders have items shipped to alternate addresses?
UPDATED April 10, 2020: During this time of modified campus operations, the Department of Administrative Services is allowing card holders to ship P-card purchases to home addresses as needed. Cardholders will need supervisor approval to ship to an address other than Georgia Tech. This approval may be granted per transaction or for the duration of the telework period. This is only for purchases made on a P-card that are being sent directly from the vendor to a non-Georgia Tech address.
For more information, please contact the P-card administrator for your department, or Business Services.
Events
Additional event resources:
Spring 2020 Commencement Ceremony FAQ
Will summer events be held on campus?
UPDATED April 10, 2020: All institutions within the University System of Georgia, including Georgia Tech, will continue online courses during May and the summer semesters, with only limited exceptions. Limited campus operations also continue to be in place until further notice, with only minimal staff physically on-site to ensure continuity of certain services. As such, programming, events, and services traditionally held on Georgia Tech’s campus during the summer have been moved online, postponed, or canceled. More details will follow, but several affected programs include:
- FASET Orientation – All FASET orientation programs for new first-year and transfer students will be offered online this summer. Updates to the schedule of dates and a detailed day-of schedule program are forthcoming in the next few days. Additionally, there will be optional programs offered online by departments during the summer and in-person sessions offered during the Week of Welcome.
- iGniTe First Year Summer Launch Program – The iGniTe Summer Launch program for incoming first-year students who will begin Georgia Tech in summer session will be offered online. Students will take two online courses, plus an online version of GT1000 First-Year Seminar. Online community building and co-curricular activities are under development to enhance the program.
- Wreck Camp iGniTe and Wreck Camp ATL – Wreck Camp iGniTe (Wreck Camp for iGniTe participants), and Wreck Camp ATL are canceled. As of now, Wreck Camp Odyssey, the four-day extended orientation program, is still scheduled for August 5-8. Students who have already registered for either Wreck Camp iGniTe or Wreck Camp ATL will be asked if they would like to move their registration to Wreck Camp Odyssey.
- Georgia Tech Athletic Association (GTAA) Events – External GTAA summer events, including athletic camps normally held on-campus, have been indefinitely postponed. If circumstances permit, a revised summer camp schedule will be issued at a later date. GTAA summer academic activities offered to our cohort of incoming student athletes will be moved online.
- Conference Services – Summer conferences hosted by the Department of Housing and Residence Life have been canceled for the summer of 2020.
- Tech Wreck Day Camp – A decision about Tech Wreck Day Camp, hosted by the Campus Recreation Center, will be made at a later date.
- CEISMC and College Hosted K-12 Summer Camps – These camps are being evaluated separately and further guidance about these programs will be shared as it is available.
If you are in charge of an event and need help communicating to the audience or moving to a virtual format, you can refer to this Hosting Virtual Events guide, or reach out to the events staff events@comm.gatech.edu.
If you are hosting an event on campus, please contact staff at the relevant Georgia Tech venue for more information.
What should student organizations do about previously planned events and activities?
UPDATED March 19, 2020: All Registered Student Organization (RSO) on-campus events scheduled through the end of the Spring semester should be moved online, postponed, or canceled.
The Center for Student Engagement team will communicate updates for RSOs. You can direct questions to engage@gatech.edu or at (404) 894-3458.
What about Commencement?
UPDATED March 19, 2020: Georgia Tech Spring Commencement will not take place May 1 and 2, 2020. We are looking into alternative dates and opportunities to celebrate our spring graduates. Additional information will be posted as soon as we can. In the meantime, please visit the Commencement FAQ.
Housing
Additional housing resources:
Moving Out
Should I move out of my residence hall?
UPDATED March 18, 2020: Yes. Georgia Tech residence halls will be closed, with minimal exceptions for students unable to return home, or who cannot find housing elsewhere.
Students should move off campus if at all possible in order to close down residence halls and allow social distancing.
What do I need to know if I can move out by March 29?
UPDATED March 20, 2020: We are still asking any residents who can move out by March 29 to do so, and we will support coordinating move-out in the safest way possible, according to social distancing recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
If you have not received a ticket time or need to change yours, visit this link.
Please read the FAQs below regarding move out logistics and key return.
What if I can’t move out by March 29?
UPDATED March 20, 2020: If a resident cannot move out by that date, we are asking residents to contact a friend or representative to assist them. If that is not an option, we are asking residents to use a local company to pack and ship or pack and store belongings until the resident can return to campus. A list of suggested vendors is located at below.
Georgia Institute of Technology does not endorse and has no association with any packing, moving, or storage companies. The Institute will assume no liability incurred.
Optional Solutions:
- Mobile Storage Depot: (770) 487-8220
- Dorm Room Movers: (866) 930-6570
- PakMail: info@pakmailanywhere.com: (770) 587-2898
- MyPorter Full-Service Storage: (404)549-5106
- Flood Brothers:(404) 799-3744
- ShipSmart: (404) 576-5757
- Handled: (314) 319-6755
Students who are not personally involved in moving out should send an email from their official Georgia Tech student email account to information@housing.gatech.edu that includes:
- Your full name
- GT ID#
- Residence hall and room number
- The name of the friend, family member, or company who will collect your belongings for you
- Stated permission for us to allow them into your room
We ask that your identified representative move out your belongings at your assigned ticket time. If they are unable to collect your items during your assigned time, please select an alternate time using this link.
Now that the governor and Atlanta’s mayor have both issued stay-at-home orders, can I still retrieve my belongings from my residence hall?
UPDATE April 8, 2020: Parents, guardians, and students traveling to Atlanta to retrieve educational materials and other personal items while moving out of residence halls would not be in violation of the order. If you are able to keep your move-out appointment, please do so. We are here to assist you through a safe, efficient move-out process.
The orders’ stay-at-home requirements are subject to several exceptions, one of which is for “essential business.” Essential business includes travel to and from “educational institutions … for purposes of facilitating distance learning or performing essential functions, provided that social distancing of 6 feet per person is maintained to the greatest extent possible,” as well as travel to and from a place of residence, which includes a residence hall.
I cannot return and cannot arrange for someone else to move my belongings – what can I do?
UPDATED March 20, 2020: Residents who have no other options for removing their possessions will be allowed to leave items in their rooms until April 30 (unless further guidance is provided). Due to the unique circumstances with COVID-19, residents would need written approval from Georgia Tech Housing to return to campus after March 29. If a resident decides to leave their belongings on campus, they need to go here, click on the Resources tab, and select ‘Cannot Vacate by March 29th’ to complete the form.
I already checked out of residential housing. What do I do now?
UPDATED March 16: Do not change your plans. We are moving to distance-based learning for the rest of the spring semester and you will not need to return to campus to complete the semester. Please be sure you have returned your key.
What if I took everything home but still have my key?
UPDATED March 18, 2020: If you have moved off campus but still have your key, please include only your GTID number, area of campus (West, East, North, North Ave), and mail your key to Georgia Tech Housing as soon as possible to the below address. Please use the United States Postal Service (USPS) if possible.
353 Ferst Drive
c/o Tammy Wright
Suite 102
Atlanta, GA 30332
What if I can’t be there at the time of my assigned ticket?
UPDATED March 20, 2020: Students were assigned a move out scheduled date and time in order to adhere to social distancing best practices and manage staffing limitations. If a resident needs a different move-out time block, please visit this link.
Will I receive a prorated reimbursement?
UPDATED April 3, 2020: While Georgia Tech’s campus is not closed, campus services utilized by students including housing, dining, transportation, and recreation have been greatly affected.
As such, Georgia Tech has been working with the USG to develop a refund plan that would apply to the mandatory and non-mandatory fees listed below. Fees will be pro-rated, beginning on Monday, March 16, 2020, for the remainder of the spring semester.
Mandatory Fees:
- Activity
- Athletic
- Campus Recreation Center (CRC) Operations
- Student Center Operations
- Transportation
Non-Mandatory Fees (based on type of plan and usage, where applicable):
- Dining fees
- Housing fees
- Living Learning Communities (LLCs)
- Parking permit fees – semester or annual
- Student Life: Tech-Prep (summer program)
The Institute anticipates processing service fee refunds by April 8, 2020. Students should make sure their direct deposit is set up so that any refunds will be sent directly to their bank, and then monitor their student account for balance changes resulting from refunds.
The latest refund information and help with direct deposit is on the Office of the Bursar website.
For questions regarding refunds, please contact the Office of the Bursar at bursar.ask@business.gatech.edu.
StarRez is down, what do I do?
UPDATED March 20, 2020: The system is seeing an incredibly high volume, and as such may experience technical difficulties. We have increased its bandwidth and expect functionality to improve. Any resident who wants to alter their move out time to later than Sunday, March 22, is encouraged to wait until then before attempting to change their ticket.
I changed my time ticket in StarRez – will I get a confirmation of the change?
UPDATED March 20, 2020: Yes, but please keep in mind that the system may take a few hours to send your confirmation.
How long is the time window for moving out?
UPDATED March 20, 2020: The move out time period is two hours from the time given. Whenever possible, we are asking students complete their move within that two-hour window in order to limit the number of people present at any given time. The two-hour window begins at the time stated on your time ticket.
Can I park near my hall while I move out?
UPDATED March 20, 2020: As long as you do not choose a loading zone, service vehicle space, ADA space, or multiple spaces, you can park in any open lot to facilitate a quick move out. Parking and Transportation Services is aware of the unprecedented nature of this move out.
Are there boxes and bins available to help me move?
UPDATED March 20, 2020: Boxes have been placed in each hall lobby or in a centralized location near the smaller halls. Contact your hall director for more information. At the moment we do not have bins available.
Where do I throw my trash away?
UPDATED March 20, 2020: There are large dumpsters placed near halls in their usual locations for move out. Please do not put refrigerators into dumpsters – they should be left in your room for proper disposal.
What if I have stuff to donate?
UPDATED March 20, 2020: There are donation boxes placed outside the halls near trash bins. They have a list of acceptable items posted on them.
I have hired a company to come collect my belongings. What do I need to do to let Housing know to allow them into my room?
UPDATED March 20, 2020: Those students who have hired a moving service should send an email from their official Georgia Tech student email account to information@housing.gatech.edu that includes:
- Your full name
- GT ID#
- Residence hall and room number
- The name of the packing/moving/storage company who will collect your belongings for you
- Stated permission for us to allow them into your room
We ask that your identified representative move out your belongings at your assigned ticket time. If they are unable to collect your items during your assigned time, please select an alternate time using this link.
I have hired a company to come collect my belongings. What do I need to do to prepare my belongings for them?
UPDATED March 20, 2020: Those details should come from your chosen service provider. Georgia Tech does not endorse any service provider and assumes no liability.
I have moved out and need to drop my key after hours. How do I do that?
UPDATED March 20, 2020: Please refer to this document for envelope pick-up and key drop off.
Staying on Campus
Who will be approved to stay?
UPDATED March 20, 2020: There are many scenarios being considered for requests to stay. Residence Life is working with Student Life and other campus partners in reviewing applications, and those decisions will be sent out within 48 hours of submission of this form, at the latest. Students will not be expected to move out until they receive a decision.
I’ve applied to stay but have not received a response yet. Do I have to move?
UPDATED March 20, 2020: No. Residence Life is working with Student Life and other campus partners in reviewing applications, and those decisions will be sent out within 48 hours of submission, at the latest. Students will not be expected to move out until they receive a decision.
I’ve applied to stay but have not received a response yet. Should I submit a self-select time ticket just in case?
UPDATED March 20, 2020: If/once students receive their denial for staying, they can change their time ticket in StarRez. We recommend students continue to inquire about staying elsewhere in the event their request is denied.
I previously received approval to stay, is that still valid?
UPDATED March 20, 2020: Not necessarily. Any student whose most recent notice of approval was received before Wednesday, March 18, should fill out fill out this form as soon as possible and then wait for an update.
If I’ve been approved to stay on campus, when should I expect to move to another hall?
UPDATED March 20, 2020: We are still working out the logistics of consolidation. We will send more details to those students as they become available.
I have been approved to remain on campus. What does the mayor’s stay-at-home order mean for me?
UPDATED March 24, 2020: If you are one of the students who were granted exemptions to remain on campus, we will continue modified services on campus. You can find more information about hours and open buildings here. You should follow the guidance in the executive order for all other activities.
International Studies and Travel
Additional international studies and travel resources:
International Students and Scholars
Education Abroad Summer 2020 Program
As an international student, can I return to my home country and complete my academic work remotely?
UPDATED March 23, 2020: Yes, subject to any travel restrictions that may be imposed by the United States and/or your home country.
We are moving to distance learning for the rest of the semester. The Office of International Education provides information about departing the United States on the International Student and Scholar Services section of its website.
Please note, students and faculty who plan to engage in online learning physically from any of the following countries need to first gain approval from the Office of General Counsel (asklegal@gatech.edu): Cuba, Crimea Region of Ukraine, Iran, North Korea, Sudan and Syria.
What does the move to online instruction mean for my F or J visa status?
UPDATED March 23, 2020: Please visit the International Student and Scholar Services FAQ on the Office of International Education website.
I have questions about my summer study abroad plans, study abroad fees, or international programs. Where can I get answers?
The latest information on study abroad is available from the Office of International Education.
What should students abroad at Georgia Tech-Lorraine and elsewhere do?
March 14, 2020: Because of the new travel restrictions put in place by the federal government, President Cabrera has instructed the Office of International Education to immediately recall all students abroad and provide whatever assistance we can to facilitate their return and academic progression.
We have also made the decision to cancel all summer study abroad, GTL, international internships, exchange programs, and Georgia Tech-sponsored international curricular and co-curricular travel programs.
The Office of International Education is contacting those students to provide program-specific details and help with travel arrangements as needed.
France issued an order to close all universities and centers of instruction effective Monday, March 16 and until further notice. A communiqué from the French Ministry of Higher Education, Research, and Innovation dated Friday March 13 states that "In order to best protect the entire population and take into account the evolution of the COVID-19 epidemic, the President of the Republic announced a series of measures last night, which include closing the public to all higher education establishments from Monday 16 March and until further notice."
Georgia Tech's campus in Lorraine (GTL) must abide by that order.
To continue to provide instruction to students at the Lorraine campus Georgia Tech will employ the following continuity program:
- All students will follow Atlanta’s academic calendar. They will not receive instruction until March 30, 2020, after the extended Spring vacation.
- Starting March 30, they will follow the same classes and programs they had in GTL, picking up where they left off before the instructional suspension.
- The programs will be delivered on-line. The instructors for their classes are in France and the curricula offered there does not match Atlanta.
- Students will follow the Atlanta calendar and adjust to it should any changes be made in the future.
I was planning to study at Georgia Tech-Lorraine this summer. What are my academic and financial options?
March 14, 2020: Georgia Tech-Lorraine (GTL) will provide refunds for deposits and any tuition payments that have been made for the program. Any travel-related expenses will not be reimbursed but students should work with their air carrier to see if change fees apply and to determine if they will make other accommodations.
Students will be able to register for classes in Atlanta beginning March 23 if they choose to do so. Georgia Tech-Lorraine will not be able to offer online classes.
If you would like to transfer your application to future GTL programs, please email Catherine Bass at catherine.bass@gtl.gatech.edu.
Can I travel — domestically or internationally?
No. We are under a U.S. Department of State Global Health Level 4 Travel Advisory. This is unprecedented as this is the highest level advisory. Many countries across the world are implementing preventative safety measures that may involve travel restrictions, mandatory quarantines, border closures, and travel and entry prohibitions with very little notice and for an indefinite period of time.
Further, on March 23rd, Governor Brian Kemp issued an executive order calling for social distancing and teleworking. On the same day, Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms issued an executive order calling for a city-wide “stay-at-home” order. In the spirit of these orders and given the U.S. State Department restrictions, all Georgia Institute of Technology-sponsored international travel and non-essential domestic travel is prohibited. If you have any questions, please contact covid19travel@health.gatech.edu.
Research and Labs
Additional research resources:
Coronavirus Response Information for the Research Community
Graduate Education Guidance and FAQs
Will research continue? What should graduate students and researchers do?
UPDATED March 19, 2020: All on-campus research laboratories will be restricted to only essential activities by 5 p.m. on Thursday, March 19, where possible. Access to core facilities will be impacted. It is our foremost desire that you stay safe. Wash your hands frequently and practice extreme social distancing. Recognize that this extreme social distancing not only applies to when your students and staff are in the laboratory, but anywhere on campus and when in transit to and from campus.
Similar to our peer institutions, including Harvard, Stanford, MIT, and Johns Hopkins, we are ramping down all on-campus research laboratory activities. Very limited access to laboratories will be maintained so that critical activities, such as maintaining living organisms, unique reagents, and essential equipment and materials, can continue. Laboratory activities in support of COVID-19 response efforts will also continue. All faculty members should work with their laboratory personnel (research faculty, students, postdocs, and staff) to ramp down operations as soon as practical.
We understand that these steps will be disruptive to the research and scholarly activities of you, your students, and your research team, and the Institute will work to support your efforts. We encourage you and your research groups to take this time to focus on the activities that can be completed remotely, such as writing papers and grant proposals and completing data analysis. Please stay in regular contact with your students and research team to the highest possible level of connectivity and continuity.
We realize that there are many questions and issues that will arise. We will post any operational updates and a Research-specific FAQ to this research continuity page.
Can research continue on campus in light of the governor’s and Atlanta mayor’s stay-at-home orders?
UPDATED April 8, 2020: The requirements are subject to several exceptions, one of which is for “essential business.” Essential business includes travel to and from “educational institutions … for purposes of facilitating distance learning or performing essential functions, provided that social distancing of 6 feet per person is maintained to the greatest extent possible.
Faculty, researchers, and staff should continue to follow their unit’s business continuity plans for staffing guidance including the designated essential research functions. Unit leadership and supervisors have been given guidance on how to modify work arrangements for anyone who falls into a high-risk category or is medically fragile. Please reach out to your supervisor or HR representative with specific questions. We have been working with the USG to issue guidance around HR policies to address the questions we have been hearing in the past week. That information will be available as soon as possible.
How are research lab operations impacted this summer?
UPDATED April 7, 2020: Consistent with the governor’s executive order to shelter in place, we will continue to operate in a research ramp-down mode with only previously approved essential research activities happening on campus for at least the next two weeks and after that until further notice.
Although instruction will be remote for the summer and our education and research missions are interrelated, we are continuously evaluating the appropriate level of research activities to take place on campus as we navigate this situation. Any decisions related to the level and type of research activity on campus will be made in consultation with the state and the USG, as well as our federal sponsors.
As researchers continue their research activities remotely, this is also a good time to develop plans for grant support and “ramping-up” operations to prepare for the eventual return to on-campus research activities.
Staff
Additional staff resources:
Are staff members expected to report to work as usual?
March 16, 2020: All USG institutions will remain open with minimal staff physically on-site to ensure continuity of certain services.
Our goal is to have the appropriate level of staffing on campus to allow for social distancing while we still do the work required to serve the students, faculty, and staff that remain and the research they are doing.
All managers are instructed to implement their COVID-19 continuity of operations staffing plans beginning the week of March 16. If you have questions, please email HR.Ask@ohr.gatech.edu.
Teleworking arrangements are not new, but because they may be unfamiliar to employees and managers, the links below will help you and your team navigate potential teleworking scenarios. Guidance is provided on the Teleworking Arrangements website
For help connecting to Georgia Tech's Virtual Private Network (VPN), refer to these guides:
I’m not able to complete my work remotely, and I’m not in a role that has been identified as necessary for on-site work as part of my unit’s continuity plan. What do I do?
UPDATED April 8, 2020: In accordance with the USG Non-Closure Emergency Leave Procedures, Georgia Tech will implement Non-Closure Emergency Leave procedures for eligible employees for up to 30 days, effective March 30, 2020 through May 2, 2020. Institute leadership will reassess the need for Leave with Pay on or before April 15, 2020. This procedure will continue to remain in place during the time we remain under a state shelter-in-place order.
Specifically, the USG guidance gives presidents the authority to compensate employees for hours not worked up to the equivalent of their regularly scheduled hours per week when there is not work for those employees to perform that is essential to Institute operations.
Employees eligible for Leave with Pay include regular full-time and regular part-time employees (exempt/salaried and non-exempt/hourly) who:
- are not able to perform their regular duties through telework or other remote and flexible work arrangements, and
- are not working in roles identified as part of any unit’s continuity plan
Employees not eligible for Leave with Pay include the following:
- Temporary employees
- Student employees, and
- Rehired retirees
Please Note: Employees not eligible for Non-Closure Emergency Leave are still permitted and encouraged to perform their regular duties through telework or other remote and flexible work arrangements. Federal work study students will continue to receive their applicable financial aid for student employment during an emergency in accordance with Department of Education guidance.
I’m working in a role identified as one that needs to be on campus as part of my unit’s continuity plan, but I’m not working all of my normal hours. Will I still get paid?
UPDATED April 8, 2020: Yes, the USG Non-Closure Emergency Leave Procedures give presidents the authority to compensate employees for hours not worked up to the equivalent of their regularly scheduled hours per week when there is not work for those employees to perform that is essential to Institute operations.
Employees eligible for Leave with Pay include regular full-time and regular part-time employees (exempt/salaried and non-exempt/hourly) who:
- are not able to perform their regular duties through telework or other remote and flexible work arrangements, and
- are not working in roles identified as part of any unit’s continuity plan
Employees not eligible for Leave with Pay include the following:
- Temporary employees
- Student employees, and
- Rehired retirees
Since the governor and Atlanta mayor have issued stay-at-home orders, do staff who have been reporting to campus still need to report to campus? What about researchers?
UPDATED April 8, 2020: The stay-at-home requirements are subject to several exceptions, one of which is for “essential business.” Essential business includes travel to and from “educational institutions … for purposes of facilitating distance learning or performing essential functions, provided that social distancing of 6 feet per person is maintained to the greatest extent possible.”
Faculty, researchers, and staff should continue to follow their unit’s business continuity plans for staffing guidance. Unit leadership and supervisors have been given guidance on how to modify work arrangements for anyone who falls into a high-risk category or is medically fragile. Please reach out to your supervisor or HR representative with specific questions. We have been working with the USG to issue guidance around HR policies to address the questions we have been hearing in the past week. That information will be available as soon as possible.
Pursuant to the governor’s executive order, Georgia Tech and all employees shall follow the measures outlined including:
- Screening and evaluating workers who exhibit signs of illness, such as a fever over 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit, cough, or shortness of breath;
- Requiring workers who exhibit signs of illness to not report to work or to seek medical attention;
- Enhancing sanitation of the workplace as appropriate;
- Requiring handwashing or sanitation by workers at appropriate places within the business location;
- Providing personal protective equipment as available and appropriate to the function and location of the worker within the business location;
- Prohibiting gatherings of workers during working hours;
- Permitting workers to take breaks and lunch outside, in their office or personal workspace, or in such other areas where proper social distancing is attainable;
- Implementing teleworking for all possible workers;
- Implementing staggered shifts for all possible workers;
- Holding all meetings and conferences virtually, wherever possible;
- Delivering intangible services remotely wherever possible;
- Discouraging workers from using other workers’ phones, desks, offices, or other work tools, and equipment;
- Providing disinfectant and sanitation products for workers to clean their workspace, equipment, and tools;
- Prohibiting handshaking and other unnecessary person-to-person contact in the workplace; and
- Placing notices that encourage hand hygiene at the entrance to the workplace and in other workplace areas where they are likely to be seen; and
- Suspending the use of personal identification number (“PIN”) pads, PIN entry devices, electronic signature capture, and any other credit card receipt signature requirements to the extent such suspension is permitted by agreements with credit card companies and credit agencies.
With May and summer classes being taught remotely, will faculty and staff continue to telework through the summer?
UPDATED April 7, 2020: The University System of Georgia has asked all institutions to continue current telework and flexible work strategies for faculty and staff until further notice. USG institutions remain open, with only minimal staff physically on-site to ensure continuity of certain services.
For employees unable to complete their work remotely and who are not identified as necessary for on-site work as part of a unit continuity plan, Georgia Tech has implemented Non-Closure Emergency Leave, in accordance with the USG Non-Closure Emergency Leave Procedures. The procedures apply to eligible employees for up to 30 days, and are effective March 30 through May 2. Institute leadership will reassess the need for continued Leave with Pay on or before April 15.
The Non-Closure Emergency Leave Procedures also pertain to employees working in a role on-site as part of a unit continuity plan but who may not be working all of their normal hours.
Find out more about Non-Closure Emergency Leave eligibility and next steps.
Please Note: Employees not eligible for Non-Closure Emergency Leave are still permitted and encouraged to perform their regular duties through telework or other remote and flexible work arrangements.
If I need to be tested for COVID-19, will my USG-sponsored health plan cover the costs?
UPDATED March 26, 2020: For COVID-19 related in-network provider visits and testing, out of pocket costs such as deductibles, co-payments and coinsurance, will be waived ($0.00) if you are enrolled in one of the USG healthcare plans through Anthem BCBSGA or Kaiser Permanente (including employees enrolled in the Consumer Choice HSA).
All telehealth visits through LiveHealth On-Line, including those unrelated to COVID-19, will be covered at 100% with no out of pocket costs for all USG healthcare plans through June 30, 2020.
All University System of Georgia employees are now eligible for free COVID-19 virtual screenings through Augusta University Health System’s AU Health Express Care app.
Screenings are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at no cost and no appointment required. You log into the app from home. Screenings are done by a provider who is a physician, nurse practitioner or physician’s assistant and trained to screen for COVID-19.
For those without access to technology, please call AU Health’s COVID-19 hotline at 706-721-1852.
More information about benefits and resources available to you through the USG Benefits programs.
What resources are available to help me and my family cope with the stress and anxiety we might be feeling?
UPDATED April 8, 2020: Employees and their families have access to our Employee Assistance Program through Kepro. You can request confidential, no cost services at 844.243.4440. More details on the Health and Wellbeing website.
The State of Georgia has a new COVID-19 hotline that provides 24/7, free, and confidential assistance to callers needing emotional support or resource information.
- The support line is staffed by volunteers, including mental health professionals and crisis counselors.
- The support line is a partnership between the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health & Developmental Disabilities, Beacon Health Options, and Behavioral Health Link.
- Download the flyer for more information on the support line and other available services.
Technology
How do I get set up to telework?
March 16, 2020: Guidance is provided on the Teleworking Arrangements website
For help connecting to Georgia Tech's Virtual Private Network (VPN), refer to these guides:
When should I use VPN? Are there services that require it?
UPDATED March 24, 2020: Most online tools do not require connection to the Georgia Tech VPN. However, you must be connected to the VPN to access:
More details are available on the Services & Support site. BlueJeans and WebEx video conferencing solutions should not be used while connected to the campus VPN. The services will not work as expected.
I have questions about teaching my courses online. Where can I get help?
UPDATED March 24, 2020: Your College and/or School leadership stands ready to assist you to get the resources and training you need. Information sessions, workshops, and individual consultation sessions will be made available for any faculty member who needs refreshing on the available tools. Find resources and tutorials at services.gatech.edu.
What tools should I use to deliver my classes online? Can I use any online platforms I’d like?
UPDATED March 24, 2020: Faculty must use Georgia Tech provided tools and platforms in order to safeguard student information. Those existing tools include Canvas, Kaltura, Piazza, and BlueJeans and WebEx video conferencing. Find resources and tutorials for all of those services and more at services.gatech.edu.
What services can I use to conduct online meetings or collaborate with my colleagues?
UPDATED March 19, 2020: Georgia Tech provides several tools and platforms for virtual collaboration. Guides and tutorials for those tools are available at services.gatech.edu.
Faculty should not use other, non-licensed or unapproved tools in order to protect student information.
What if I don’t have internet access available at home?
UPDATED March 28, 2020: Some companies are offering free access to WiFi hotspots or free/discounted service for a period of time. Check their sites for details:
Governor Brian P. Kemp and the Georgia Department of Affairs have launched a new website to help all Georgians find free public WiFi throughout the state.
