SPRING 2022 COVID OPERATING GUIDELINES FROM THE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM OF GEORGIA

SPRING 2022 CLASSROOM COVID PROCEDURES SUGGESTED SYLLABUS STATEMENT:
Blazers protect Blazers. As members of a community, we seek to protect others and ourselves. The first line of protection against COVID 19 is to be fully vaccinated, including a booster. Vaccinations are strongly encouraged and are available free of charge through VSU Health Services and many local pharmacies.  Information about scheduling an appointment at Student Health Services is available at https://www.valdosta.edu/administration/student-affairs/student-health/. 

To protect yourself and others, properly wearing a face covering is strongly encouraged in all classrooms and other instructional spaces at all times.

If you are experiencing COVID symptoms, use the free testing available at the Student Health Center; you may also obtain a test at many other locations around town. If you test positive, please report your case using the COVID Self Reporting tool at the top of your MyVSU page. Guidance on student absences is available at https://www.valdosta.edu/academics/academic-affairs/guidance-on-student-absences.php. To report an absence to the Dean of Students Office, complete the form at https://www.valdosta.edu/administration/student-affairs/absentee-notification-form.php.

If you must self-isolate or quarantine, follow the directions provided by Student Health after you have reported your COVID status.

ALTERNATE EDUCATIONAL ARRANGEMENTS (STUDENTS):
Alternate Educational Arrangement (AEA) or accommodations granted to students for Fall 2020 or Spring 2021 due to increased risk for severe illness with COVID-19 will end no later than June 30, 2021. All students are expected to return to their traditional educational arrangement beginning with the start of the Fall 2021 semester. Lack of vaccination is not grounds for a request for continuing an AEA or accommodation.

***Please note that qualified individuals with a disability can submit requests for Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) academic accommodations through the Access Office.

COVID OPERATIONS & CLASSROOM NOTIFICATIONS:
 The Student Health Center continues to offer COVID testing, COVID vaccination, and monitors the daily reports of COVID+ individuals. Contact tracing is also ongoing. Faculty will receive a notice from the Dean of Students for any student that has a verified reason to be absent from class. If you do not receive the notification, you should request that the student contact the Office of Student Affairs at 229-333-5941.

GUIDANCE ON STUDENT ABSENCES FROM STUDENT AFFAIRS

GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH GUIDANCE ON ISOLATION AND QUARANTINE:

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

  • Isolate at home for 5 days from the date symptoms first appeared or, if asymptomatic, the date of the positive test. Stay away from others in the household as much as possible during isolation.
  • After 5 days, if you have no symptoms or your symptoms are resolving and you have not had fever for more than 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication, you may end isolation. If symptoms are not improving or fever has not resolved, you should continue isolating until these criteria are met.
  • After ending isolation, you should continue to wear a mask around others for 5 days.

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

  • Boosted, or have become fully vaccinated within the last 6 months (Moderna or Pfizer vaccine) or within the last 2 months (J&J vaccine):
    • You do not need to quarantine at home.
    • You should wear a mask around others for 10 days.
    • If possible, get tested on day 5.
    • If you develop symptoms, get tested and isolate at home until test results are received, then proceed in accordance with the test results.
  • Unvaccinated, or became fully vaccinated more than 6 months ago (Moderna or Pfizer vaccine) or more than 2 months ago (J&J vaccine) and have not received a booster:
    • You must quarantine at home for 5 days. After that, continue to wear a mask around others for 5 additional days.
    • If possible, get tested on day 5.
    • If you develop symptoms, get tested and isolate at home until test results are received, then proceed in accordance with the test results.

ALL GUIDANCE LISTED HERE IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE BASED ON RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH. VSU RESERVES THE RIGHT TO ADJUST PLANS AS NECESSARY.

ADDITIONAL FACULTY RESOURCES:

10 Course Policies to Rethink on your Fall Syllabus (Chronicle of Higher Education, 08/11/21)

Three Tips for Teachers to Manage COVID-19 Related Student Absences

How to Post Classroom Recordings in BlazeVIEW so Only Specific Students Have Access

Faculty Guidelines and Best Practices for Using Proctored Examinations

Fall Semester 2021 COVID Operating Guidelines from the University System of Georgia

10 Course Policies to Rethink on your Fall Syllabus (Chronicle of Higher Education, 08/11/21)

Three Tips for Teachers to Manage COVID-19 Related Student Absences

How to Post Classroom Recordings in BlazeVIEW so Only Specific Students Have Access

Faculty Guidelines and Best Practices for Using Proctored Examinations

Suggested Syllabus Statement:

FACE COVERINGS AND SOCIAL DISTANCING

As the Blazer Creed articulates, members of the VSU community are expected to live by the high standards of civility, integrity, and citizenship and embrace their responsibility as a member of the Blazer community. In recognition of this responsibility, and in response to the best available science and current guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Georgia Department of Public Health, while face coverings are no longer required, individuals are strongly encouraged to continue wearing a face covering indoors. Unvaccinated individuals are strongly encouraged to get vaccinated. Vaccines remain available at no cost for all members of the university community by appointment at Student Health Services. For COVID Vaccines, please call ahead for an appointment at 229-333-5886.

ALTERNATE EDUCATIONAL ARRANGEMENTS (STUDENTS)

Alternate Educational Arrangement (AEA) or accommodations granted to students for Fall 2020 or Spring 2021 due to increased risk for severe illness with COVID-19 will end no later than June 30, 2021. All students are expected to return to their traditional educational arrangement beginning with the start of the Fall 2021 semester. Lack of vaccination is not grounds for a request for continuing an AEA or accommodation.

***Please note that qualified individuals with a disability can submit requests for Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) academic accommodations through the Access Office. 

COVID OPERATIONS & CLASSROOM NOTIFICATIONS: The Student Health Center continues to offer COVID testing, COVID vaccination, and monitors the daily reports of COVID+ individuals. Contact tracing is also ongoing. Faculty will receive a notice from the Dean of Students for any student that has a verified reason to be absent from class. If you do not receive the notification, you should request that the student contact the Office of Student Affairs at 229-333-5941.

QUARANTINE AND ISOLATION

Students, faculty, and staff who have been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19 are not required to quarantine if they have been fully vaccinated against the virus and show no symptoms. Individuals who have not yet been fully vaccinated and who have been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19, show symptoms, or anyone diagnosed as COVID-19 positive should continue to self-report in the MyVSU Portal.

All guidance listed here is subject to change based on recommendations from the Georgia Department of Public Health. VSU reserves the right to adjust plans as necessary.