VSU Returns to Campus

Updated July 13, 2020

As Valdosta State returns to campus, faculty and staff are working hard to prepare for face-to-face classes, programs, and services for Fall 2020 following social distance guidelines.

The health and safety of our community is our highest priority. This website details guidance and recommendations for resuming campus operations in the Fall 2020 semester. The plan outlines VSU's response to three distinct scenarios:

  1. In Scenario 1, fall classes will begin on campus with social distancing expectations.
  2. In Scenario 2, fall classes begin fully online.
  3. In Scenario 3, classes and operations must go to an online format for a period of time during the semester.

For each scenario, campus leaders have addressed workplace and health safety, academic considerations, public service and outreach availability, student life offerings, enrollment management, athletics, communication strategies, and fiscal impact.

As of Wednesday, July 15, 2020, face coverings will be required in all campus facilities and buildings, as well as outdoors when social distancing can not be achieved, until further notice. 

Currently, VSU is operating under Contingency Plan 1

Contingency Plan 2 and 3 will be activated if guidance from state or federal officials requires. 

View the Entire Contingency 1 Plan (PDF)

Fall Break and Thanksgiving Break

Fall 2020 classes will begin as scheduled on Monday, August 17th, but regular instruction in face-to-face classes will conclude on Tuesday, November 24th.

For more information, visit www.valdosta.edu/health-advisory/fall-break.php  

 

Contingency Plans for Fall 2020 Return to Campus

  • Contingency 1: Fall classes begin ON CAMPUS with social distancing expectations (Active)

    Fall classes begin on campus with social distancing expectations. 

    Classes and Research: Students will attend classes in a combination of on campus and hybrid/online delivery formats, and residence halls will be open for students. Classrooms, common spaces, dining areas, retail spaces, and offices will be rearranged to maximum social distancing and spacing. 

    Face Masks: Face coverings are strongly encouraged for all students and employees, and may be required in certain facilities, rooms, and activities. For full details, please read the full PDF plan here.

    Student Life: Every effort will be made to provide the traditional student experience by connecting students to our institution through activities, programming, events, recruitment, and meetings. This includes public service events, outreach events (Homecoming, Family Weekend, Fall Explosion) or any other activities hosted by our university departments and student organizations. Where social distancing is not possible or program attendance might exceed COVID-19 occupancy guidelines, virtual events will be scheduled.   

    Housing: Housing Move-in will take place over 6 days instead of a traditional single-day move-in to limit the number of residents moving in at any given time in a specific hall to accommodate social distancing guidelines. Students will be asked to select a timeslot for move in on a given day and to limit the amount of items they bring and the number of guests assisting them with move-in. Students will receive an email from University Housing with information about move-in, including expectations for social distancing being put into place for health and safety of residents and guests.  

    Dining and Bookstore: Dining Facilities and the Bookstore will be open with social distancing measures in place.  

    Student Recreation and Student Union: The Student Recreation Center and the Student Union will be open, with modified entrances, cleaning schedules, and social distancing measures in place.  

    Transportation: On-campus bus transportation for the VSU community plans to resume Fall semester following all applicable federal, state, and local regulations, specifically using guidelines issued by the CDC for Bus Transit Operators. 

    Athletics: Valdosta State University plans to participate in intercollegiate athletic competition during the 2020-2021 academic year. The Athletic Department will have a plan in place for athletic competitions that will allow for regular attendance and one for competitions that will have reduced or no attendance. 

     

    For the full details of contingency one, please read the full PDF plan here. 

  • Contingency 2: Fall classes begin fully online

    Summary of Changes in Contingency 2

    Fall classes begin fully online. Should fall classes begin online due to guidance from state and federal officials several face-to-face programs and services will be postponed. Modified office hours and telework plans may be implemented as reflected by local or state orders.

    Classes and Research: Classes will not begin face-to-face, but research work may continue on campus, provided faculty, staff and any students involved can follow the current CDC and DPH guidelines at that time.

    Student Life: In-person, on-campus programs and events for the Fall Semester under Contingency Plan 2 would be delayed and/or offered virtually with very few exceptions. Large institutional events that traditionally take place in Fall semester (welcome week, family weekend, homecoming, etc.) will be postponed when it is appropriate to do so.

    Housing: Fall Move-in dates may be postponed if local conditions impacting an online start to Fall semester also impact on-campus living conditions. The decision of a new move-in date will be in conjunction with USG and Georgia Department of Public Health.

    Dining and Bookstore: Residential Dining Facilities will open in coordination with a postponed on-campus housing move-in schedule. The Bookstore will begin offering services through the online webstore and will open with social distancing measures in place when appropriate.

    Student Recreation: During the timeframe the institution is in fully online instruction and students are not yet living on campus, the Student Recreation Center will be closed. Virtual fitness coaching and group fitness will be offered online.

    Student Union: If classes resume fully online in Fall 2020, the Union will operate a modified schedule to allow access to campus departments and close on Sundays.

    Transportation: Should classes begin fully online in the Fall, transportation options will be adjusted to align with Housing occupancy. Limited transportation options will be offered to transport students from remote housing facilities to residential dining spaces and to Walmart/Mall area to obtain any additional items that are not supplied on campus.

    Athletics: The start of the fall semester online would likely postpone the return to intercollegiate athletic competition until face-to-face instruction resumes.

  • Contingency 3 : Begin on Campus, Shift Online

    Summary of Changes in Contingency 3

    Classes and operations resume on campus, but must go to an online format for a period of time during the semester. Should fall classes be required to shift online for a period of time due to guidance from state and federal officials, several face-to-face programs and services will be postponed or offered virtually. Modified office hours and telework plans may be implemented as reflected by local or state orders.

    Classes and Research: Under Contingency 3, all classes will move online for one or more periods and faculty teaching large classes will utilize strategies developed for such classes. During periods when classes have moved online, research work may continue on campus, provided faculty, staff and any students involved can follow the current CDC and DPH guidelines at that time.

    Student Life: In-person, on-campus programs and events for the Fall Semester under Contingency Plan 3 will be offered virtually, postponed or cancelled during the time of online instruction. Large institutional events that traditionally take place in Fall semester (welcome week, family weekend, homecoming, etc.) will be postponed when it is appropriate to do so.

    Housing: Fall Move-in dates will continue as planned in Contingency One.. During the period of online instruction residents may be asked to self-isolate in their residence hall, visitors will not be permitted, and dining accommodations will be made to offer in-room dining or assigned times to eat in the residential dining spaces. Additional plans are in place to facilitate a temporary move-out and return to campus if needed.

    Dining: During the period of online instruction residents may be asked to self-isolate in their residence hall and dining accommodations will be made to offer in-room dining or assigned times to eat in the residential dining spaces. During face-to-face instruction, dining Facilities will be open with social distancing measures in place..

    Bookstore: The Bookstore will offer services through the online webstore and will open with social distancing measures in place when appropriate.

    Student Recreation and Student Union: During the timeframe the institution is in fully online instruction, the Student Recreation Center and the Student Union will be closed.

    Transportation: Transportation options will be adjusted to align with Housing occupancy. 

    Athletics: If the fall semester was to move to on-line instruction at some point during the semester, athletics would likely be suspended at that time, to possibly resume when face-to-face instruction resumes.

REPORT HEALTH CONCERNS

Key term: Close Contact - this is defined as being within six (6) feet of an individual for more than 15 minutes regardless of whether a face covering is worn.  

EMPLOYEES DO NOT come on campus if you believe you have been in close contact with a person having COVID or yourself having symptoms or receiving a positive diagnosis. Instead, notify your supervisor of your absence, seek medical services from your primary care provider, and self-report your information by completing the online form or contacting HR directly at 229-333-5709. 

STUDENTS DO NOT come on campus nor go directly to the Student Health Center if you believe you have been exposed to COVID. Instead, call the Health Services at 229-333-5886 to speak with a triage nurse over the phone. Additional guidance will be provided on how to access the health center facility. The health center remains open for walk-in patients with non-COVID medical needs. 

Members of the campus community should report all instances of close contact with a person having COVID or themselves receiving a positive diagnosis of COVID.  To assist with reporting, a COVID Self Reporting link has been added within MyVSU.  

 

covid-self-reporting.png 

 

If you have been instructed to self-isolate or quarantine, you should do so at your permanent home for the period given unless it should be extended due to remaining symptoms. 

Report a Social Distance Concern