Campus Operations Updates, Social Distancing in the Classroom, University Testing Services, and more!
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Return to Campus
News for Students
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Message from Dr. Garth Russo, Executive Director of University Health Center
When UGA shifted to online learning in the spring, the primary impetus was to ensure the health and safety of the community. It was the right decision but came with hardships and challenges along with new insights and opportunities to innovate. In the past several months, we have learned, been issued endless guidance and worked hard to forge the safest possible path back to one another in order to rebuild our physical community and the environment of knowledge and growth that we hold so dear. Our lives have been changed – some changes temporary, and some changes longer term – but we know for certain that this semester will look and feel different than what we’re used to.
Some of the things that have been done to promote your safety and the safety of others are apparent:
- the issuing of facial coverings and thermometers;
- the training you will take through eLC;
- the signage indicating the way in and out of buildings and rooms;
- markers on floors representing the 6-foot distance we need to maintain;
- the spacing of seats in common places;
- public transportation and workstations; and
- the presence of barriers on countertops and desks.
Others may be less apparent are also important – to name but a few:
- cleaning schedules;
- bus routes;
- time between classes;
- classmates learning online; and
- training modules for staff and faculty.
Two major investments deserve special mention: DawgCheck, a symptom screening and positive test reporting app, and a COVID screening and surveillance testing unit that is the result of a collaborative effort of UGA College of Veterinary Medicine and the University Health Center. You will hear much more about these efforts over the ensuing weeks prior to the start of classes. I am excited to share with you that there will be a solid foundation of communication facilitating the decision to return to campus and to coordinate mitigation efforts on campus, as well as contact tracing through the Georgia Department of Public Health.
In addition, access to free COVID testing of those students, faculty and staff who are asymptomatic is a critical part of our campus safety plan. This is possible due to the efforts of the College of Veterinary Medicine Diagnostic Lab’s attainment of CLIA certification over the summer. The University Health Center will support specimen collection at a site on Legion Field and will continue to offer care and testing to students who have symptoms in our facility.
The campus awaits your return with optimism and a readiness to partner with you as we all take our personal growth, apply it to our individual responsibilities and demonstrate to ourselves and our community that we are Georgia Strong. Dawg Strong.
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Health & Wellness
Required COVID-19 Training for Students
Returning to campus safely is everyone’s responsibility, and we know you will do what you can to ensure you, your fellow students, and all members of the University community have a safe, healthy and successful semester. In the next week or so, every student will receive an email notification to access a COVID-19 Required Training for Students. The ~30 minute training will be hosted in eLC, and students should complete the training before returning to campus.
COVID-19 Conversation Available to View
As part of our ongoing communications outreach to the campus community, senior administrators participated in a webinar on August 4 to discuss campus COVID-19 planning efforts. Libby Morris, Director of the Institute of Higher Education and Zell B. Miller Distinguished Professor of Higher Education, moderated a panel of participants including President Jere Morehead, Provost Jack Hu, Vice President for Instruction Rahul Shrivastav, Vice President for Student Affairs Victor Wilson, University Health Center Executive Director Garth Russo, AU/UGA Medical Partnership Campus Dean Shelley Nuss and College of Veterinary Medicine Dean Lisa Nolan.
Reminder: Students Arriving from Recent International Travel
Students arriving from international travel should stay home and/or quarantine for 14 days after returning from travel, monitor their health and practice social distancing. Your quarantine period may overlap with academic courses beginning (Aug. 20). Please contact Student Care and Outreach at sco@uga.edu for assistance with contacting and coordinating accommodations with your faculty. For students with on-campus housing assignments, please contact University Housing at housing@uga.edu to receive guidance and assistance. International students may contact International Student Life at isl@uga.edu for guidance and assistance. Once the DawgCheck monitoring and reporting app has been launched (early August), students may follow the instructions for reporting and communication there.
During your 14-day quarantine period, please take the following steps to monitor your health and practice social distancing:
- Take your temperature with a thermometer two times a day and monitor for fever. Also watch for cough or trouble breathing.
- Stay home and avoid contact with others. Do not attend work or school in person.
- Do not take public transportation, taxis or ride-shares.
- Keep your distance from others (at least 6 feet or 2 meters).
- Use the DawgCheck monitoring and reporting app.
Visit coronavirus.uga.edu for the latest campus messages and information on COVID-19.
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Learning on Campus
Class Format in Athena
After August 10, you will be able to see the format of classes in Athena. Instructors have also been encouraged to reach out and share class format information before the first day of classes.
Experiential Learning Resources for Fall 2020
Interested in learning how you can maximize your experiential learning opportunities in the era of social distancing? Learn more about requirements impacting Internships, Service-Learning, Undergraduate Research. Stay up to date on exciting new program offerings and never miss our scholarship deadline by following us on Instagram; search uga_el.
Fall Fee Deadline
The Fall fee payment deadline is fast approaching. If you plan to use financial aid to help cover your charges (HOPE, Zell, student loans, etc.) be sure to check your Award on Athena to ensure everything is in place, and that you don’t have any outstanding requirements.
University Libraries Reopening
The University of Georgia Libraries will open to the public Aug. 10 with measures in place to lessen the spread of COVID-19. Most library locations, including the Main Library and Science Library, will reopen to the public with limited hours during the week of Aug. 10, and will expand service hours when classes resume. Beginning Aug. 20, the Main Library, Science Library and Miller Learning Center will be open until midnight most weekdays with earlier closure times on the weekends. The closing times allow cleaning crews to meet campus guidelines for disinfecting high-touch surfaces in the Libraries’ study spaces.
Order your textbooks from UGA Bookstore
Get your textbooks and materials shipped home as a contact free alternative to shopping in store. Include everything you need for the fall term start including supplies, tech and gear.
The UGA Bookstore is operating at limited capacity. Please visit bookstore.uga.edu for the most up-to-date information on store hours and operations.
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Living on Campus
Reminder: IRIS Camera Enrollment Stations
Students who need to enroll in the IRIS Camera System may do so at the following locations from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Aug. 14 – 17, 2020.
- West Campus Parking Deck (Level 5)
- Snelling Dining Commons
- Joe Frank Harris Commons (in front of the Market at East Campus)
The IRIS Camera System is used by Dining Services and the Ramsey Student Center and provides a fast, hygienic and hands-free entry method into residential dining and recreational facilities. Enrollment is available year-round at the UGACard Office and Ramsey Student Center.
Buses Offering Limited Service
A limited number of buses are servicing the new routes Monday - Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Regular weekday, night and weekend service is set to resume Aug. 20, 2020. Please note that routes will be updated on the UGA app on August 14. You may need to update the UGA app after August 14 to see changes. Please visit routes.uga.edu to live track the buses in the meantime.
Parking Permits in Effect
Please note, parking permits are now in effect. When you come to campus, please ensure your vehicle is parked in its appropriate location to avoid any citations.
UGA Golf Course Reopens
The driving range is currently open Monday - Sunday from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. with limited capacity. Beginning Aug. 7, 2020, the golf course, E.B. Smith Golf Clubhouse, and Champions Café will open Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays with limited hours. Please note that operating hours and procedures may change based on health conditions. Full updates can be viewed at golfcourse.uga.edu/notifications.
Use UGA Directory as a Resource
To assist you in having a safe and successful experience as you return to campus or start your first semester at UGA, please reach out to UGA Directory Assistance at operator@uga.edu or call 706-542-3000 or toll free 1-866-GA-DAWGS. UGA Directory Assistance can assist you in finding all the phone numbers and email addresses you need to make connections with departments, faculty, staff and students. Often, Directory Assistance is the first direct contact a caller makes with the university and callers are welcomed with a positive tone and directed with helpful service. Your source for departmental, faculty, staff and student phone numbers and emails, we are available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. each weekday, and we look forward to assisting you with UGA listings.
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