The University System of Georgia (USG) continues to recognize COVID-19 vaccines and boosters offer safe, effective protection and urges all students, faculty, staff and visitors to get vaccinated and/or boosted either on campus or with a local provider. As USG works closely with the Georgia Department of Public Health to prioritize the health and safety of campus communities, the system encourages people to wear masks based on their preference and assessment of personal risk.
MGA campuses resumed normal operations as of Fall Semester 2021. Between a return to full capacity in our classrooms and the resumption of on-campus events and activities, we are offering the full MGA experience to our students!
The COVID-19 vaccine is now widely available to members of our communities. We strongly encourage, but do not require, all MGA students and employees to get a COVID-19 vaccine and booster.
USG Guidance
USG guidance is subject to change based on recommendations from DPH or Executive Orders from the Governor’s office. MGA will remain flexible in their planning and be prepared to change course as necessary.
No student, faculty or staff member should be treated differently based on their COVID-19 vaccination status.
Students should not be asked about their vaccine status and segregated in a classroom or from other instructor-student interactions (e.g., office hours, group work, field trips, labs, etc.) based on their vaccination status.
Exceptions:
Vaccination status can be used to determine whether or not a person should quarantine after a close contact with a person who tests positive for COVID-19.
Students in experiential/clinical placements: Students may be required by off-campus partnering organizations to wear masks and/or be vaccinated as a condition of participation in experiential learning opportunities such as study abroad programs, externships and delivery of medical services.
Health Centers/Medical Personnel: Medical providers may use a patient’s COVID-19 vaccination status as they would normally under the typical standard of care. Consistent with the normal standard of care, medical providers may ask for proof of COVID-19 vaccination in treating patients.
Contact Tracing/Contact Notification: In the context of contact notification/contact tracing, personnel conducting the notification may ask a person’s vaccination status and may ask for proof of vaccination; however, proof is not required.
All individuals are encouraged to wear a face covering while inside campus facilities.
Two exceptions may apply:
Individuals inside of health centers or medical facilities may be required to wear a face covering.
Individuals using public transit may be required to wear a face covering.
While face coverings are not required, MGA departments may request disposable masks from Facilities to have on hand if a mask is requested. N95 masks may only be requested/ordered by departments who have individuals in clinical settings.
Institutions will return to campus in the fall with no social distancing measures.
Fully vaccinated individuals can resume campus classes and other activities without physically distancing.
Un-vaccinated individuals are strongly encouraged to continue social distancing whenever possible.
Events & Gatherings
Institutions are expected to resume traditional student life activities beginning fall 2021. Mitigation practices as recommended by DPH should be practiced and observed during these activities.
Institutions should continue to follow their existing practices related to contact tracing/notification. Only designated individuals on a campus may engage in contact tracing/contact notification.
In the context of contact notification/contact tracing, personnel conducting the notification may ask a person’s vaccination status and may ask for proof of vaccination; however, proof is not required.
Alternate Work Arrangements (AWA) or accommodations granted to employees for Fall 2020 or Spring 2021 due to increased risk for severe illness with Covid-19 ended on June 30, 2021. All employees are expected to return to their previous work arrangement. Requests for ADA accommodations or flexible work arrangements will be reviewed in accordance with the pre-pandemic ADA accommodations or Telework/Flextime policies. For more details, visit the Human Resources COVID-19 page.
COVID-19-specific leave for isolation and quarantine is no longer available.
Employees who must isolate or quarantine due to COVID-19 illness or exposure may telework during this time with the approval of their supervisor. The nature of their position influences whether an employee is able to telework, since some positions are not able to be performed remotely.
Any change in modality for a class requires the approval of the Provost’s office. Change in modality is subject to an end date and is correlated to isolation or quarantine timelines.
Department chairs will make arrangements for class coverage when faculty are unable to teach due to illness.
Fully vaccinated individuals do not have to quarantine.
When telework is not possible, employees who must isolate or quarantine due to COVID-19 must use their accumulated leave to be away from work.
Reminder: No institution may change the overall modality of their instruction.
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 ended on June 30, 2021. All students are expected to return to their traditional educational arrangement beginning Fall 2021 semester. Students who need accommodations for their classes should contact their Disability Resource/Services Center. Lack of vaccination is not grounds for a request for an accommodation.
Institutions should follow their athletic conference guidelines for Covid-19. Institutions not affiliated with a conference should develop guidelines appropriate for their institution and its athletes.
