Covid-19 Information for International Students

Frequently Asked Questions

[Editor's Note: This page was reviewed and updated on September 16, 2020.]

Table of Contents
Travel Restrictions and Visas	Academic and Financial Policy Updates	Housing
Classes and Coursework	Campus Operations	Research and Labs
Health and Safety	Campus Events

FAQ

Travel Restrictions and Visas

How will the president’s proclamation on June 22 barring entry to the United States for some visa holders impact my immigration status or ability to travel? 

On June 22, 2020, the U.S. government issued a Presidential Proclamation suspending entry to the United States of foreign nationals in certain temporary visa categories. This order will not affect any current or new Georgia Tech employees, scholars, or students who are in the U.S. on any non-immigrant visa, including H-1B, J-1 and F-1. It will have some impact on individuals outside the U.S. who are waiting to apply for an H-1B visa.  

The proclamation goes into effect on June 24, 2020 and is valid through December 31, 2020. Certain government agencies are directed to re-visit the impact and effectiveness of the order within 30 days, and every 60 days thereafter, so further changes are possible. We are seeking clarification on exactly how this action might be applied in specific cases, but a summary of the impact, as we currently understand it, is included below:

Individuals impacted by the June 22 order include:
Some H-1B specialty occupation workers and their H-4 spouses and children who are outside the U.S. and do not have the H visas approved yet; and Some  J-1 exchange visitor participants in the following categories:

• Anyone inside or outside the U.S. with a valid visa stamp in the passport on June 22, 2020
• Anyone with a valid travel document on June 22, 2020
• Green card holders (lawful Permanent Residents)
• The spouse or minor child of a U.S. citizen
• Anyone “whose entry would be in the national interest as determined by the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Homeland Security”
• Intern program (Note: This is NOT the Student-Intern program; Georgia Tech participants in the J Student-Intern program are exempt from the restrictions.)
• Trainee program
• Primary and secondary (K-12) teachers – Teacher program
• Summer Work Travel program
• Camp Counselor program
• Au Pair program
• J-2 spouses and children of J-1s in the impacted categories listed above.

The following people are NOT covered by the Proclamation:

• Students on F-1 or J-1 visas, currently admitted, enrolled, or approved for OPT
• Newly-admitted students awaiting an F-1 or J-1 student visa application appointment
• Academic J-1 categories including Research Scholar, Short-term scholar, Professor, Student, and Specialist
• Anyone who entered the U.S. on a non-immigrant visa and present in the U.S. on June 22, 2020
• People present in the U.S. who are applying for a change of status to H-1B should not be impacted.

Georgia Tech is a global institution and embraces a culture of global engagement that allows us to tap the contributions of the brightest scholars from the United States and abroad. We value our international students, faculty, and staff.

Georgia Tech Human Resources and the Office of International Education will closely monitor future developments, if any, and provide updates as they become available.

What options are available for international students who do not have a visa or who are unable to travel and are currently outside of the United States?

If you are unable to obtain an entry visa or travel to the U.S. for the start of the fall semester, you have some options.  

• Remote Courses – Under certain conditions, you may be able to enroll and take courses remotely while you are outside of the U.S. The applicability of the remote course option will depend on the availability of courses from a particular academic program and restrictions on Office of Foreign Assets Control-sanctioned countries. More details on this option will be available in the near future. 
• International Campuses – Under certain conditions, you may also take courses at one of our two international campuses — Georgia Tech-Lorraine or Georgia Tech-Shenzhen. 
  • Georgia Tech-Shenzhen (Shenzhen, China): For the Fall 2020 semester, first-year undergraduate students who do not need a visa to enter China can study at the GT-Shenzhen campus. New or current MS ECE (Electrical and Computer Engineering) students who do not need a visa to enter China can also study at GT-Shenzhen. Unfortunately, we will not be able to accommodate other types of students at GT-Shenzhen during Fall 2020. Inquiries can be sent to gtshenzhen@ece.gatech.edu.  
  • Georgia Tech-Lorraine (Metz, France): For the Fall 2020 semester, both the undergraduate and graduate programs will run with a condensed schedule. International undergraduate and graduate students who are unable to get a visa for the U.S. may be able to obtain a visa to study in France. Students are advised to review Georgia Tech-Lorraine’s course schedules for Fall 2020. (See Undergraduate Schedule or Graduate Schedule). If transferring to the Lorraine campus, students may only enroll in those courses listed on the Lorraine course schedule. All interested students should email GTL-France@gtl.gatech.edu as soon as possible for more information. 
• Late Start to Fall Semester – The Department of Homeland Security Student and Exchange Visitor Program’s guidance allows F-1 students to arrive in Atlanta up to 30 days after the start of the semester. Students who cannot arrive at the start of the fall semester and are enrolled full time should contact their academic department and Office of International Education (oie.gatech.edu/isss_advising) for further guidance to see if a late arrival would be a viable option for them. Students arriving during this 30-day timeframe would be required to follow CDC guidelines.
• Deferral – Graduate students may request a deferral of an admission decision for up to one year. Graduate students who were offered financial support must contact their academic program office to determine if their financial support package can be deferred, as well. To request approval for either of these options, graduate students should contact their academic program coordinator who will make the final determination. Undergraduate students can make deferral requests by contacting the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. Requests must be received no later than July 24. 

We understand that the current environment has created a great deal of uncertainty, and we hope that you will be able to join us in Atlanta this fall. 

Need Help?

• Please reach out to your academic program to discuss your individual situation and to discuss next steps. 
• Please consult the Office of International Education’s list of frequently asked questions for international students, which will continue to be updated as new information is received. 
• You can also schedule an advising appointment with an international student advisor. 

Will I be required to quarantine when I arrive in the United States?

When you arrive in the U.S. or after any travel away from Atlanta, you will need to follow the current guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). According to this guidance, any international or domestic travel carries with it the risk of exposure, infection, and transmission of Covid-19. This risk remains for 14 days after your return. Regardless of where you have traveled, what you did during your trip, or whether or not you have symptoms, you should take the following actions to protect yourself and your fellow Yellow Jackets:

• If you do not have symptoms, we strongly encourage you to get tested weekly at one of Georgia Tech’s surveillance testing sites. Testing is free, saliva-based, and available at several campus locations. Testing information and registration can be found at mytest.gatech.edu.
• If you develop symptoms of Covid-19 or think you may have been exposed to Covid-19, refer to the Decision Tree for information on next steps.
• Follow the health and safety Campus Guidelines, including wearing a face covering, social distancing, and washing hands regularly.
• Download the Daily Self-Checklist. Complete this checklist each morning before leaving your residence.

I’m a current international student outside of the U.S. Do I have to return to keep my F-1 visa? What if I cannot return? Can I take online courses?

Students who left the U.S. for the spring term and plan to maintain their F-1 student visa status in the fall should plan to be in residence in Atlanta.

F-1 students unable to return to the U.S. within 30 days of the start of the term need to submit an iStart Intent to Depart e-form to notify OIE of their fall plans to remain outside the U.S. OIE will then review current guidance from SEVP to determine if the student’s SEVIS record can remain Active or will need to be terminated for Authorized Early Withdrawal.

• During the fall 2020 semester, the student may still elect to enroll in online or remote courses as no visa or Active SEVIS record is required for the purpose of online enrollment while outside the U.S. The opportunity for remote course options will depend on the availability of courses from a particular academic program and restrictions on Office of Foreign Assets Control-sanctioned countries.
• If the student is not maintaining an Active SEVIS record, the student will not be automatically enrolled in health insurance coverage or assessed the international student fee for the semester. Nor will the student be required to enroll in a minimum number of credits to maintain their visa status.
• If not approved by SEVP for the SEVIS record reactivation, the student will receive a new SEVIS record, a new I-20 form, and will be required to re-pay the I-901 fee. If the student still holds a valid F-1 visa, the student will not need to apply for a new visa. If the student’s F-1 visa is expired, they will need to apply for a new F-1 visa with the new SEVIS record before attempting to re-enter the U.S.
• Additionally, in the scenario where a SEVIS record cannot be reactivated, the F-1 student visa holder’s academic time towards the one-year practical training clock will begin again upon re-entry to the U.S. The student will become eligible for practical training after 30 weeks of full-time instruction inside the U.S.

I’m an international student participating in an exchange program. Can I still come to Georgia Tech for Fall 2020?

All student exchanges with foreign universities for Fall 2020 have been canceled. New J-1 exchange visitors who had already received their DS-2019 for the J-1 visa have had their start dates postponed until September 21, 2020.

More information is available from the Office of International Education.

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FAQ

Classes and Coursework

Will Fall 2020 classes be delivered in person, online, or through some combination of the two?

We aim to retain as much face-to-face interaction as possible. Georgia Tech classes will be scheduled in one of five modes:

• Residential spread: Courses/sections that are residential with social distancing measures in place in the classroom. This is the traditional format that we are treating as the desired option. Because of the limited supply of rooms with adequate capacity to accommodate social distancing, priority for in-person delivery will go to: (a) lab classes, group project classes, senior design classes, and other classes that require interaction with physical projects and equipment in most or all class sessions (b) small discussion classes.
• Remote with limited in-person instruction (hybrid):

• Hybrid hands-on: Courses/sections will offer lectures via remote delivery and bring students to campus for hands-on, studios and lab activities with social distancing measures in place.
• Hybrid touch points: Courses/sections will offer lectures in an online format and will bring students to the classroom several times during the semester for meaningful in-person experiences.
• Hybrid split: Courses/sections will offer lectures both in class and through broadcast recordings using classroom technology but will also bring smaller groups of students to the classroom on a predetermined basis with social distancing measures in place.

• Remote: Courses/sections that are completely remote and delivered online (e.g., OMSCS courses).

How will I know which of the delivery modes apply to my classes? 

Students can access course mode designations in OSCAR. As part of the fall plan, each course and section will be designated as residential (in-person with physical distancing), hybrid with limited in-person attendance, or remote. The majority of courses will have some in-person attendance.

The health and safety of our students and faculty are our top priority in setting all class modes. An important part of that is allowing for safe physical distancing in the classrooms where these courses are held.

• Residential courses:  Courses that are residential will be held on a traditional in-person schedule and format. Until class locations are determined, they will be coded in OSCAR as hybrid, but you can find a current list of classes expected to be fully residential here. 
• Hybrid courses (HYBR): In contrast to remote courses, all hybrid sections will maintain an in-person experience and can expect to meet in classrooms on campus regularly. The amount of in-person interaction will be determined by instructor teaching preferences and classroom availability for physical distancing. 
• Remote courses: Those sections assigned to remote will be coded in OSCAR as asynchronous (ASYN) or synchronous (SYNC) based on the planned delivery. Asynchronous courses will deliver material unbounded by specific meeting times, while synchronous courses will meet virtually on a set schedule. You can find a list of all courses coded for remote delivery here. 

Students who have questions about their fall schedule or specific courses should contact their academic advisor or individual course instructor.  

I will be taking classes remotely overseas. Do I need permission to register for a class that is listed as hybrid or residential? Can I register for a synchronous remote class?

If you cannot travel to the U.S., contact your faculty members, explain your situation, and discuss the potential for taking hybrid courses in remote mode. 

In exceptional cases, there may be compelling educational or instructional reasons a hybrid or residential course cannot be taken remotely as an accommodation. If this is the case, your faculty member will explain, and you and your academic advisor should work to find a suitable alternative. Otherwise, your request will be accommodated.

If you will be attending synchronous classes remotely from overseas, be aware that time zone differences may make it difficult to attend synchronous sessions.

How is the Fall 2020 semester calendar changing?

The fall calendar looks different, but students will have the same number of contact days with instructors. To reduce travel, we will cancel the two-day Fall Break currently scheduled for Oct. 5-6 and ending fall instruction by Thanksgiving.

Reading days and final assessments will be administered remotely, and the calendar will be modified:

• August 17: First day of classes
• September 7: Labor Day holiday
• November 23-24: Final instructional days (no new material or scheduling of any other assessments)
• November 25-29: Thanksgiving holiday
• November 30-December 8: Reading days and final assessments

• December 9-10 or 11-12: Commencement  

Will students return to campus for finals after Thanksgiving?

Instructional days will be completed by Thanksgiving break, and we do expect final assessments to be delivered remotely.

In extraordinary circumstances, faculty members may request to administer an in-person final assessment. Those requests should be made via their respective dean. However, it is our intention that students who travel for the Thanksgiving break will not return to campus.

Is Fall 2020 registration affected?

To help you make decisions about your fall class schedule, Phase II registration will open earlier than previously announced, and will run Aug. 1 – 21 at registrar.gatech.edu/registration. Current students who wish to make changes to their schedules can do so during Phase II registration.

Any student attending FASET through July 31 will also be able to make changes once Phase II begins. New first-year or transfer students who are attending the final August 10 FASET Orientation session should plan on registering as part of that session.

Send any registration questions to comments@registrar.gatech.edu.

Will I still be able to take all the classes I need to stay on track toward graduation?

To the best of our ability, we will prioritize the courses needed by graduating students, phase in campus activities as soon as feasible, and expand course delivery options and schedules to compensate for reduced class sizes due to social distancing.

For more information about course delivery and schedules, contact the Registrar’s Office.

If officials order another shutdown because of a spike in Covid-19 cases, will classes move to a remote delivery approach similar to Spring 2020? How much notice will be given?

Given the uncertainty of Covid-19, we have prepared to move seamlessly from one method of instruction and operations  to the other  as public health guidance and conditions dictate.  We’ve developed  plans  that respond to multiple scenarios  outlined by the  University System of Georgia. 

We are evaluating multiple contingency measures under the current plan. For example: 

• Residential-spread and hybrid courses will be designed to move to remote delivery if necessary.

• Supervisors in every department across the Institute will have their own contingency plans in place that align with guidelines from USG, CDC, GDPH and the governor’s Covid-19 Task Force. 
• All undergraduate projects that require on-campus resources will have a contingency plan in case on-campus research operations must be suspended.

Additionally, Georgia Tech has developed an Institute-wide contingency plan for transitioning operations to remote delivery in cases of illness or in the event pandemic conditions worsen. 

Will I be able to participate in undergraduate research in the fall?

Guidelines for in-person undergraduate research for the Fall 2020 semester are available on the Research website.

Do faculty/instructors need to ask permission from students to record classes?

Faculty/instructors are not required to obtain permission to record a class if the recording will not be shared with persons outside of students enrolled in such class. Faculty, however, should inform students prior to recording.

May faculty/instructors share a recording of class activities with students enrolled in the class?

A recording of class activities may be shared with enrolled students. Students may not share the recording with persons outside of the class.

What is the policy if students want to record part of their classes? 

Please check with your faculty member or instructor. They may prohibit students from making their own recordings unless required as an Institute-required accommodation. Faculty/instructors may allow recordings but prohibit sharing.

Will Georgia Tech offer digital proctoring options for tests in the fall?

Yes. Digital proctoring refers to controlling the test-taking environment and the real-time audio and video surveillance of test-takers to detect unauthorized behavior. Starting in Fall 2020, faculty members have access to Honorlock for digital proctoring solution at Georgia Tech.

For information and instructions for using Honorlock, please see the Honorlock Student Guide and the Honorlock FAQs for Students.

Can I still get teaching assistant training from the Center for Teaching and Learning?

Yes. We will transition teaching assistant (TA) orientation sessions to a combination of synchronous remote or small-group sessions and asynchronous remote delivery using existing modules. The rest of the training programs, workshops, and academic courses for TA’s will use a combination of remote delivery when appropriate and small gatherings with social distancing.

Will I be able to study, work, or hang out in community spaces around campus?

Georgia Tech has several academic buildings with spaces designated for our community to gather, including Clough Undergraduate Learning Commons; Crosland Tower; Price Gilbert Memorial Library; the atriums of West Architecture, Klaus Computing, IBB, andScheller; and others.

During the fall semester, these buildings will be open to the Georgia Tech community following state and USG guidelines. Public areas, study spaces, reading rooms, collaboration and rehearsal rooms, recording studios, and group study spaces will be reviewed on an individual basis to determine capacity and whether social distancing can be achieved. Some small rooms or spaces may be limited to individual study.

Are the makerspaces on campus going to be available for students in the fall?

Yes. The makerspaces will begin accommodating undergraduate students working on design and class projects in the fall. Makerspaces will use virtual queuing and online scheduling when possible and designate waiting areas for high-volume machines. Space managers will oversee lab and hand tool cleaning, ensuring that disinfecting processes are in place, that tools are cleaned after every use, and that all common areas are cleaned.

Will I still be able to get help with co-ops, internships, and career advising from the Career Center (formerly the Center for Career Discovery and Development)?

Yes. The center will have a mix of in-person and virtual operations. Career advising will be done virtually in one-on-one or group sessions. Limited in-person meetings will follow social distancing requirements. Existing online career and well-being resources will continue to be offered and enhanced for remote use.

When will in-person, non-credit classes taught by Georgia Tech Professional Education resume?

When will in-person, non-credit classes taught by Georgia Tech Professional Education resume?

In accordance with Georgia Tech’s initial return-to-campus plan for summer, Georgia Tech Professional Education (GTPE) reopened our facilities for modified in-person professional courses and events in the Global Learning Center and at our Georgia Tech-Savannah campus on July 6, 2020.

We have implemented new operational procedures to protect the health and safety of learners, visitors, and staff and enhanced cleaning and disinfection practices throughout our facilities.

More information is available on the GTPE website.

May students and faculty engage in online learning outside the United States without approval from the Office of General Counsel?

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.

Can I get help with online registration and academic advising?

Advisors are meeting with students virtually. Advisors also are creating online resources for students and posting those resources in Canvas.

Incoming students will meet with an advisor during your virtual FASET. For current students, Find Your Advisor.

Will study abroad programs continue as planned for the fall?

No. All international internships, exchange programs, and Georgia Tech-sponsored international curricular and co-curricular travel programs for Fall 2020 are canceled. Please visit the Office of International Education website for more information.

What’s the plan for Georgia Tech-Lorraine this fall?

The fall semester at Georgia Tech-Lorraine will start on August 31 with face-to-face classroom instruction beginning September 1 and ending November 24. Fall break will be shortened to accommodate this compressed schedule. Final examinations will be completed remotely during the first week of December.

With this compressed schedule for in-person instruction in France, students with U.S. citizenship or citizenship in a Schengen Zone Country will not be required to obtain a visa to study at Georgia Tech-Lorraine. All other eligible international students will be required to obtain a visa prior to departure.

Please email GTL-France@gtl.gatech.edu for more information.

What’s the plan for the Georgia Tech-Shenzhen this fall?

Georgia Tech-Shenzhen plans to offer in-person instruction during the Fall 2020 semester starting on August 17. In the event of a campus closure ordered by Chinese authorities, we plan to facilitate continuity of the academic program through online instruction. 

Please email gtshenzhen@ece.gatech.edu for more information.

Can I enroll at one of Georgia Tech’s international campuses for the fall?

Under certain conditions, you may take courses at one of our two international campuses — Georgia Tech-Lorraine or Georgia Tech-Shenzhen.

• Georgia Tech-Shenzhen (Shenzhen, China): For the Fall 2020 semester, first-year undergraduate students who do not need a visa to enter China can study at the GT-Shenzhen campus. New or current MS ECE (Electrical and Computer Engineering) students who do not need a visa to enter China can also study at GT-Shenzhen. Unfortunately, we will not be able to accommodate other types of students at GT-Shenzhen during Fall 2020. Inquiries can be sent to gtshenzhen@ece.gatech.edu. 
• Georgia Tech-Lorraine (Metz, France): For the Fall 2020 semester, both the undergraduate and graduate programs will run with a condensed schedule. International undergraduate and graduate students who are unable to get a visa for the U.S. may be able to obtain a visa to study in France. Students are advised to review Georgia Tech-Lorraine’s course schedules for Fall 2020. (See Undergraduate Schedule or Graduate Schedule). If transferring to the Lorraine campus, students may only enroll in those courses listed on the Lorraine course schedule. All interested students should email GTL-France@gtl.gatech.edu as soon as possible for more information.

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FAQ

Academic and Financial Policy Changes

Will the Institute allow flexibility with the receipt of required application documentation including transcripts and standardized test scores?

Please visit the Undergraduate Admission Covid-19 updates page for details on documentation submission requirements.

Will Georgia Tech allow students to defer enrollment if they are unable or unwilling to begin their programs in the United States because of Covid-19 or health-related concerns?

Deposited first-year and transfer students may request a deferment (gap year) for up to one year after their original term of admission (e.g. Fall 2020 may request to move to Fall 2021). Students requesting a deferment for mandatory military service or required religious service may request a two-year deferment. The deadline to request a deferral has been extended to August 3.

If the deferment is granted, the $250 enrollment deposit will be moved to the new entry term. The admission office will notify Financial Aid and Housing of the term change. Financial Aid is reassessed yearly, so students must reapply by the appropriate deadlines to be considered for aid in any future year. More information about deferment is available at admission.gatech.edu/first-year/defer-enrollment-gap-year.

Will first-time students have the option to defer their enrollment from Fall 2020 to Spring 2021 without losing their deposits and keeping the same financial aid package?

Enrollment deposits are credited to students' Georgia Tech accounts, so the enrollment deposit is not “lost.” Financial aid awards depend on the student and the source(s) of the money in their original financial aid package. In some cases, a student moving to the spring or summer term (as it’s within the same aid year) could still receive the money already awarded to them for that term, assuming their financial circumstances have not changed. Some students may want to re-apply for assessment.

If a student opts to defer to the following fall, it will be a new aid year and they will need to resubmit documents for aid packaging.

For more information, visit finaid.gatech.edu/contacting-our-office.

Can current students opt to skip the fall semester and return in the spring or skip the 2020-21 year altogether with no penalty or loss of financial aid? 

Financial aid is packaged for students based on their designated terms of enrollment and request for financial aid. This information is captured from the online Georgia Tech Application for Scholarships and Financial Aid. Students can contact the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid with their enrollment changes at revisions@finaid.gatech.edu. There is no penalty if the changes are reported prior to the start of a term. Upon receipt of such a request, we will review eligibility and repackage students’ awards for the requested terms of enrollment.  

Current students also should meet with their academic advisor to assess the impact on their degree progression. Incoming first-year students should contact Undergraduate Admission to discuss their options.

For fall semester, the deadline for students to submit a leave of absence request has been extended to August 3. Find eligibility requirements and more about requesting a leave of absence via the Registrar’s Office.

Will the instructional modes appear on student transcripts? How would this affect graduate or medical school admissions?

There is no current plan to record instructional modes of courses on transcripts. Many medical schools have already indicated they are aware of the move to remote learning and are showing flexibility under the current circumstances. Specific questions about medical and graduate school applications or related issues may be directed to the Office of Pre-Graduate and Pre-Professional Advising.

Can you explain the increase in the Campus Center fee the starts this fall?

The Campus Center renovation project was approved by the students and the financing plan is contingent upon this fee. The fee begins in the fall because the first buildings in the project can be used by students.

Construction remains on track, and we expect to open the café, the pavilion, and the exhibition hall open for Fall 2020. In the event of delays beyond the first day of classes in the fall, we will not charge the fee for Fall 2020.

Full details on the project are available at studentcenter.gatech.edu/campus-center.

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FAQ

Health and Safety

What additional safety measures will be put in place for classrooms, specifically?

All classrooms are being reviewed and possibly reconfigured to ensure social distancing.  Special health and safety protocols for classrooms that are unable to be configured to ensure social distancing are being implemented.  Among those protocols are: 

• Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) will work with the Student Government Association to ensure that each student is provided with a supply of face coverings. 
• Plastic face shields will be available to faculty members to use while lecturing in classrooms. Faculty members can email osasere.idahosa@ehs.gatech.edu if they need a face shield after the semester starts.

Some classes will be transferred to larger spaces which allow for social distancing. 

In all courses, faculty will accept papers, projects, tests, homework, and other assignments only in electronic form unless the assignment is a physical project.

Will testing be available to Georgia Tech students, faculty, and staff? 

Georgia Tech is taking an aggressive, multi-pronged approach for limiting the spread of the coronavirus on campus, a strategy that will depend heavily on support and participation from members of the campus community.

• Asymptomatic Surveillance Testing Program – Relying on saliva to obtain samples used to detect the virus, this program will employ a pooled testing approach that will combine samples from multiple individuals and test them as a group in an on-campus lab. Pooled testing will dramatically increase the number of community members that can be sampled with a single coronavirus test. All students, faculty, and staff will be encouraged to undergo frequent testing as part of this program. Three testing sites are being offered for asymptomatic Georgia Tech students, faculty and staff:
  • Bobby Dodd Stadium, Gate 5  – Bobby Dodd Way, across from Peters Parking Deck.
  • Curran Parking Deck (WR30) – Turner Place entrance facing Nelson-Shell Residence Hall, near West Village Dining.
  • 760 Spring Street – across from the Coda Building, open noon to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Friday.
• Tests for Symptomatic Students – Testing for currently enrolled students with Covid-19 symptoms is already available at the Stamps Health Center.
  • Make an appointment Monday — Friday at Stamps Health Services Let them know you are experiencing Covid-19-related symptoms when scheduling.
  • Weekend testing also is available by appointment: Covid-19 Testing Locations and Hours.
• Pop-up Testing (through September 10) ­– A Fulton County walk-up testing site at the McCamish Pavilion parking lot will be available to symptomatic and asymptomatic students, faculty, and staff at no cost on Tuesdays and Thursdays from August 18 through September 10.
  • All individuals who want to be tested are strongly encouraged to schedule an appointment.
  • Visit the GDPH website or call the Fulton County Covid-19 hotline at 404.613.8150 to complete the online registration and schedule an appointment.

More details and FAQs are available on the testing webpage.

Will students be required to wear a face mask or face covering?

Effective July 15, 2020, University System of Georgia (USG) institutions will require all faculty, staff, students, and visitors to wear an appropriate face covering while inside campus facilities/buildings where six feet social distancing may not always be possible. Face covering use will be in addition to, and is not a substitute for, social distancing.

Face coverings are not required in one's own dorm room or suite, when alone in an enclosed office or study room, or in campus outdoor settings where social distancing requirements are met.

Anyone not using a face covering when required will be asked to wear one or must leave the area. Repeated refusal to comply with the requirement may result in discipline through the applicable conduct code for faculty, staff, or students.

Reasonable accommodations may be made for those who are unable to wear a face covering for documented health reasons.

For more information about face masks and coverings, review the guidelines from Human Resources. 

Will you provide a mask or face covering for all students?

Georgia Tech will provide reusable cloth face coverings to our community prior to the Fall 2020 semester. Researchers in labs with chemical, biological or radiological species will be provided one surgical face mask per day for the duration of 2020.

How will the face covering mandate and social distancing requirements be enforced, and by whom? What about events that violate campus guidelines?

Each member of our community must take responsibility for their actions and adhere to the guidelines of the Georgia Department of Public Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as well as guidelines issued by the University System of Georgia and Georgia Tech, to protect themselves and others while helping to contain the spread of Covid-19.

Adherence to these new measures is vital, so the Institute has established new formal and informal processes and recommendations for incorporating accountability into safety guidelines.

Students and Student Groups
Led by the Division of Student Life and the Office of the Provost, the Georgia Tech Covid-19 Student Educational and Response Team (GT CO-SERT) is a temporary collaborative team charged with reviewing reported questions and concerns related to students or student groups and adherence to Covid-19 health and safety guidelines.

The CO-SERT will review reported concerns or questions regarding students or student groups and Covid-19 health and safety guidelines, communicate with individuals or groups, and determine further response or referrals, as necessary. Its actions may include follow-up with campus community members; clarification of current guidance and campus expectations; additional informational or educational efforts; and if necessary, referral to applicable campus resource or office to consider enforcement processes. CO-SERT does not to alter or supersede any existing campus enforcement processes; the team will be disbanded as circumstances related to Covid-19 dictate.

Note: Georgia Tech’s student code explicitly prohibits behavior that endangers any person(s), including self. Hosting on- or off-campus events of any size that do not allow for social distancing or don’t take precautionary measures, such as additional hand sanitation stations and disinfecting protocols, and required face coverings, will be considered violations of the Non-Academic Misconduct Policy. 

Questions and concerns from faculty, staff, and community members related to students and Covid-19 health and safety guidelines may be submitted to cosert@gatech.edu.  

Faculty and Staff
Equally important to helping to contain the spread of the coronavirus at Georgia Tech is ensuring that faculty and staff adhere to the guidance around preventive practices and cloth face coverings provided by the Institute.

Communicating with your co-workers – Coming back to campus safely means recognizing that simple, individual actions affect everyone, and so responsibility also lies with individuals. The key to this guidance is recognizing that feelings and comfort levels vary.

A few recommendations for employee interactions:

• Be mindful that your colleagues may not feel the same way you do about returning to campus. Some people will be eager to return, while others may be nervous and hesitant.
• Be respectful of others’ feelings as you return and in your interactions with others.
• Reinforce and remind other Yellow Jackets and visitors of the requirements and guidelines, where they can access face coverings in buildings, and to follow best practices to the extent you are comfortable.
• Be mindful of language when addressing social distancing. Using words like “us” or “we” in the request to distance may help keep the situation from escalating. For example, “Let’s put a little more space between us at this table.”
• Please step away from others or leave any situation if you feel uncomfortable.
• Building signage should also be clearly displayed to assist other students, faculty, and staff in following expectations in different scenarios.  

If you are not comfortable speaking to any person directly, remove yourself from the situation and contact your supervisor and/or HR Business Partner/HR Director.

If the situation becomes a workplace dispute requiring conflict management, please work with your HR Business Partner/HR Director. You can also visit hr.gatech.edu/employee-relations/workplace-disputes for tips, recommended next steps, and resources.

How often will classrooms be cleaned when classes resume on campus in the fall?

The goal is to clean and disinfect classrooms at least once a day. This will be dependent upon classroom usage and the time available to effectively clean and disinfect. More information is available on the Facilities Management website.

How often will high-traffic areas and frequently touched surfaces be cleaned?

Georgia Tech’s staff will disinfect door handles, railings, countertops, and other frequently touched surfaces at least once daily. They also will increase restroom cleaning, targeting four cleanings per day.

How can I request an academic or employment accommodation related to Covid-19?

Students seeking an academic or employment accommodation (including graduate teaching and research assistants) should start by contacting the Office of Disability Services. Students may request an accommodation due to 1) presence of a condition as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), or 2) identification as an individual of higher risk for Covid-19, as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Registering is a 3-step process that includes completing an application, uploading documentation related to the accommodation request, and scheduling an appointment for an “intake meeting” (either in person or via phone or video conference) with a disability coordinator.

Students who work as undergraduate or graduate teaching assistants and graduate research assistants seeking an employment accommodation should also complete the Georgia Tech Covid-19 Higher Risk Alternative Work Arrangement Request Form.

What should students do if they develop symptoms of Covid-19?

If you start to feel sick on campus, you should notify your faculty members and contact Stamps Health Services for guidance on medical evaluation.

If you’re at home and start feeling sick, or if you answer “yes” to any of the questions on the Covid-19 Daily Self-Checklist before coming to campus, stay home. Please notify your faculty members and contact Stamps Health Services for guidance on medical evaluation.

Please also refer to the Covid-19 Exposure Decision Tree to help you plan your next steps.

What will happen if a student gets sick or shows symptoms? Will you notify their classmates and faculty members?

Positive cases should be reported to Stamps Health Services. If a person received a test at Stamps or through the CLIA-certified surveillance testing on campus, that will happen automatically. Students and employees who utilize non-Georgia Tech-sponsored testing will be required to notify Stamps Health Services of the positive result through an online portal.

Contact Notification and Tracing
Contract tracing and notification programs are being built by our teams in conjunction with the Georgia Department of Public Health. Through the program, Georgia Tech will make initial rapid notifications of close contacts in the Georgia Tech community based on information gathered from the individual who tests positive. A close contact is anyone who was within six feet of the person who tested positive for 15 or more minutes, anyone who had physical contact with the person, or anyone who was coughed or sneezed upon by the person. The Georgia Department of Public Health will conduct contact tracing with support from Georgia Tech.

Assigned seating and attendance taking will be helpful strategies to assist contact tracing and notification with classroom exposures. However, the implementation of social distancing within our classroom spaces will minimize the need to make notifications within a classroom.

If a student tests positive, the student should isolate at their permanent home if possible. If the student lives in on-campus housing and cannot return home, Georgia Tech will provide a space for the student to isolate until the student meets criteria for ending isolation. If the student lives in off-campus housing, the student will need to isolate in their off-campus residence.  

If a student was exposed to someone who has tested positive and needs to quarantine and lives in on-campus housing, Georgia Tech will provide space for the student to quarantine for 14 days from contact. If the student lives in off-campus housing, the student will need to quarantine in their off-campus housing. Students in isolation and quarantine will be followed up by medical staff on a regular basis to monitor their welfare and progress. They will also have access to meal delivery.  

In all cases, during the notification process, the identity of the person who tested positive will be kept confidential.

We will determine where a person with a positive test result or diagnosis of Covid-19 has spent significant time and deploy a specially trained team to clean and disinfect those specific areas.

Anyone who tests positive for Covid-19 and has symptoms may end isolation and return to campus when all three of the following criteria are met: 

1. No fever for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medicine.
2. Improved symptoms.
3. At least 10 days have passed since symptoms first appeared.

We will continue to report all confirmed cases of Covid-19 on the Exposure and Health Alerts webpage, which is updated nightly.

Optional Exposure Notification App
Georgia Tech has begun using NOVID, an exposure notification app that will help students, staff, and faculty be anonymously notified if they have potentially been exposed to Covid-19. Use of the app is voluntary, and it is available at no cost to members of the Georgia Tech community. Information about the app is available on the Covid Central portal.

Download the NOVID app from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store.

How does the NOVID exposure notification app work?

First, download the NOVID app from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store. Enter the community code “JACKETS” in the settings.

• NOVID captures no personally identifiable information from users.
• The app exchanges information with other phones also running the app. It records a frequently changing code to other devices so they can be alerted if necessary — but without sharing any personally identifiable information.
• Pairs of code interactions are stored on the NOVID server for a limited period of time.
• NOVID leverages a combination of ultrasound and Bluetooth technology to note other devices that are within 6 feet, and only if they remain that close for 15 minutes or more.
• By briefly using the device’s microphone and measuring the time sound takes to travel, ultrasound can accurately measure the distance between devices. It does not record phones that may be nearby but on the other side of a wall, preventing notifications that may not truly involve exposure risk.
• If a student receives a positive Covid-19 test at Stamps Health Services, they will be given a one-time code that they can enter into the app, which will send a notification to other phones the app has recorded as potential exposures.
• Community members who have received positive tests elsewhere on campus or off campus are required, as part of public health regulations, to report this to Stamps Health Services. They will also receive an app notification code after they have contacted Stamps.
• Researchers from the Georgia Tech Research Institute’s Software Assurance Branch have evaluated NOVID for privacy protections to make sure it doesn’t record personal information that could identify users — and for cybersecurity issues to make sure it protects the device.
• More details about the NOVID app are available on the Covid Central portal.

What do I do if I get a notification through the NOVID app that I may have been exposed to Covid-19?

Persons being warned through NOVID of a potential exposure will be encouraged to isolate themselves, monitor for symptoms, and be tested for the virus. The app will provide directions for how to contact relevant campus services when alerting a user that they have potentially been exposed.

If I need to miss class to self-isolate or quarantine due to Covid-19, what will my instructors do?

During the semester, some students may be required to quarantine or self-isolate to avoid the risk of infection to others. Quarantine occurs when a person has been exposed to the risk of contracting the virus but has not tested positive; self-isolation is when they have tested positive. If you are required to quarantine or self-isolate, you may feel completely well during this period, ill but able to work as usual, or you may be too ill to work until you recover.

Remote courses and remote class sessions during hybrid courses: Unless you are too ill to work, you should be able to complete your remote work while in quarantine or isolation.

In-person courses and in-person class sessions during hybrid courses: When in isolation or quarantine, you will be unable to attend in-person course sessions, but your instructor may require you either to participate in the course remotely, complete some complementary work that parallels what you are missing in class, or make up some class work when you return.

If you are ill and unable to do course work while in isolation, you will be treated the same as any other time a student is ill. The Dean of Students will have been contacted when you report your positive test or are told that it is necessary to quarantine and, with your permission, will notify your instructor(s) that you may be unable to attend class events or finish your work as the result of a health issue. Your instructor(s) will not be told the reason.

We have asked all faculty to be lenient and understanding when setting work deadlines or expecting students to finish work, so you should be able to catch up with any work that you miss while in quarantine or isolation. Your instructor(s) may make available any video recordings of classes or slides that have been used while you were absent and may prepare some complementary, asynchronous assignments that compensate for your inability to participate in class sessions. Ask instructors for details about how they will handle this situation.

What accommodations will be made for students who are quarantined on campus?

Georgia Tech will ensure that students who isolate or quarantine on campus receive accommodations from their instructors, any health services they need, and individually boxed meals delivered to their isolation/quarantine location.

Will Georgia Tech’s student health insurance cover Covid-19-related expenses? Where can I get more information about the plan?

Please visit the Stamps Health Services Student Health Insurance Page for details about the plan.

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FAQ

Campus Operations and Student Services

Please see:

Campus Operations Frequently Asked Questions

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FAQ

Campus Events

Please see:

Campus Operations Frequently Asked Questions

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FAQ

Housing

Additional housing information: Housing Covid-19 FAQs

Do international students already in the U.S. need to quarantine before returning to campus?

After any travel away from Atlanta, you will need to follow the current guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). According to this guidance, any international or domestic travel carries with it the risk of exposure, infection, and transmission of Covid-19. This risk remains for 14 days after your return. Regardless of where you have traveled, what you did during your trip, or whether or not you have symptoms, you should take the following actions to protect yourself and your fellow Yellow Jackets:

• If you do not have symptoms, we strongly encourage you to get tested weekly at one of Georgia Tech’s surveillance testing sites. Testing is free, saliva-based, and available at several campus locations. Testing information and registration can be found at mytest.gatech.edu.
• If you develop symptoms of Covid-19 or think you may have been exposed to Covid-19, refer to the Decision Tree for information on next steps.
• Follow the health and safety Campus Guidelines, including wearing a face covering, social distancing, and washing hands regularly.
• Download the Daily Self-Checklist. Complete this checklist each morning before leaving your residence.

Will Georgia Tech provide refunds of housing deposits and payments if students are unable to arrive in the U.S.? Will flexibility be granted with deadlines for international students currently unable to make travel arrangements?

Please visit the Housing and Residence Life FAQs for more information.

Why are you asking students living on campus to move into single rooms?

The surveillance testing data we have collected over the first weeks of the semester indicates there is a high risk of spread between roommates. When sharing a bedroom, we have found that one positive case can quickly and easily become two positive cases. In some residence halls — like Glenn, Towers, Hanson, and Matheson — we have seen high positivity rates, and the risk of contagion between roommates is of particular concern. We know that 40 percent of all known cases in residence halls are linked to double occupancy.

Are residents required to move?

We are encouraging but not requiring students to move to a single room. Also, we will allow students currently sharing a room who choose to move to a single room the opportunity to choose a new living space among our available inventory.

Will I return to my original room assignment in the spring?

Room changes will be effective for the remainder of the academic year (fall and spring semesters).

Will I have to pay more for a single room?

There will be no additional financial cost to students.

What will happen with Living Learning Communities?

Please refer to the specific message sent to LLC residents.

Can I get help moving?

Yes. Please see the Covid-19 FAQs on the Housing site for details.

Will Georgia Tech provide on-campus residents with face coverings and any other preventative supplies?

All residential students will receive a wellness kit upon move-in that includes a thermometer, a cloth mask, health information, hand sanitizer, and tips for accessing other campus services.

Are there designated areas to isolate or quarantine students who live on campus?

Yes. Here is how the quarantine, isolation and potential exposure process is working for our on-campus residents.  

• If a student is tested and diagnosed with Covid-19, the individual has to isolate. These students are given the option to return home to isolate or to take advantage of the isolation housing Georgia Tech Housing and Residence Life provides. The student must remain there until medically cleared to return to campus housing and normal campus activities.
  • Georgia Tech’s isolation housing – for people positive for Covid-19 – is located at an off-campus hotel and overflow is in a student apartment building at 10th and Home streets used only for this purpose. Housing and Residence Life helps with transportation to the off-campus location and provides meal delivery during the isolation period. 
• If a student has not tested positive, but is still worried about exposure or illness, that student is directed to get tested through surveillance testing (if asymptomatic) or Stamps Health Center (if symptomatic). 
  • If the student becomes concerned about exposure or illness after hours, the individual should remain in place and away from others until tested. In these cases, there are two options:
    • They may be allowed to stay in their room if they do not share a bedroom or bathroom.
    • They may be placed in temporary housing as a precaution until they can seek testing the next business day
      • The temporary housing may be an empty, apartment-style space with its own bathroom in on-campus housing. This apartment space may be in a building where other residents may also live.
  • In both cases, meals are delivered to them so they do not have to leave the room until testing reopens or they can be moved to one of the designated isolation/quarantine locations. 
• If a student is exposed to a person who has tested positive, the exposed student must quarantine for 14 days from last contact with the positive person. The student may choose to return home to quarantine or move to the off-campus hotel or overflow space in the empty building at 10th and Home streets.

Some social media posts have suggested that Georgia Tech has knowingly placed individuals who have tested positive for Covid-19 into empty dorm rooms that are next door to or share common space with healthy residents. To be clear, that is not taking place. 

How will you handle housing move-in, when elevators and hallways are usually crowded?

Move-in will be spread out over several days to limit the risk of crowding in hallways and elevators. Before move-in, students will sign an acknowledgment of responsibility for health awareness and community accountability.

I have additional questions that are not answered in these FAQ’s. Who can I contact for more information?

For questions not addressed through the Housing FAQs, please email information@housing.gatech.edu or call 404.894.2470. Due to high call and email volume, we will respond within 24 to 48 hours at the latest.

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FAQ

Research and Labs

Please see:

Information for Researchers and Research Personnel

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