Campus Message - March 17, 2020

For the most recent campus messages, please visit our Coronavirus news center.

17 March 2020

Good morning Blazers,

As you know, the University System of Georgia’s recent decision regarding changes to campus operations will require us to transition to an online coursework format once academic programs resume on March 30, 2020. The telework and flexible work hours options that were offered to VSU employees remain in effect and we continue to strongly encourage managers to utilize these options where appropriate. Similar to work conducted on campus, employees will be paid for all hours worked when engaging in telework or flexible work hours.

While departments will continue to remain open, please cancel or virtualize any departmental activities/meetings and work with your chain of command to limit the services provided to the essential functions of your department. To further ensure the continued health of our faculty and staff and minimize the spread of germs, we plan to limit the public’s access to campus departments. The specifics of this plan will be shared later this week.

We want to thank you for everything that you are doing during this challenging period. We recognize that there are questions and concerns regarding this situation and COVID-19 overall. However, the dedication and commitment that has been demonstrated and the ability to navigate through and rise above these challenges has been remarkable.

We will continue to follow the guidance of the system office and public health experts but please know that we will take every step possible to ensure the wellbeing of our students, faculty, and staff. Please continue to check your email for updates.

Your HR Team

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.

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