COVID-19 Response and Communications
Updated: Feb. 4, 2021
The following are resources and communications related to how Grady College and the University of Georgia are addressing the continuity plan following the coronavirus.
Frequently Asked Questions about Returning to the Journalism Building
Before You Enter the Building
If you have any symptoms, do not come to campus.
If you have tested positive for COVID-19, all students, faculty and staff members must report their case through DawgCheck at DawgCheck.uga.edu.
Also, make sure you have your face covering before coming to campus.
Any confirmed, positive case of COVID-19 must be reported to DawgCheck.uga.edu.
If your health allows, attend class virtually (and let your professor(s) know). If your health does not allow, that’s ok – just let your professors know. We are adjusting the attendance policy (details forthcoming), and those adjustments will reflect the need to prioritize health and safety.
While on Campus
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- 1. Wear a mask
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- 2. Practice social distancing
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- 3. Clean and disinfect frequent touchpoints (knobs, buttons, workspaces, devices, etc.)
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- 4. Avoid sharing items (pens, books, etc.) with others
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- 5. Wash your hands regularly
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- 6. Avoid touching your face
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- 7. Sneeze or cough into your elbow
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- 8. Don't move furniture. It has been placed at socially-distanced intervals
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Additionally, please also notify your professors and the Dean's Suite so we can make sure you are receiving the support and assistance you need.
Benches are located throughout the building and are available for one person to use at a time.
Several traditional study areas like the PAF will be reserved for classes this year and will not be available for open study.
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- Other study spaces at Grady College include:
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- 1st Floor: Hallway outside of Studio 100; tables limited to one person each
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- 2nd Floor: Media Garden, weather permitting; tables and concrete benches limited to one person each
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- 3rd Floor: East and West hallways; east hallway tables limited to one person each; west hallway tables limited to two people each
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- 4th Floor: Open study area; see signage for occupancy counts
Unfortunately, meeting spaces at Grady College will not be available for student organizations to meet this fall. We encourage student organizations to hold virtual meetings for the next several months.
As any graduate of Grady will tell you, navigating the stairs at Grady College can be a challenge because the stairwells are not connected. For instance, to get to the fifth floor from the second floor, students will need to take the east stairwell. The west stairwell goes from the first to the second floor, then from the third to the fifth floor. In other words, plan ahead and scout out your class location a day or two early.
Classes
The method of instruction will ultimately vary depending on the particular class and the professor. In some smaller classes, instructors are planning to meet in person throughout the semester unless required to move online. Other faculty are planning various ways to offer excellent instruction to the entire class while bringing different groups of students into the classroom at different times. This may involve “hyflex” instruction, in which some students are in the classroom and others participate by Zoom. Other instructors plan to use “hybrid” or “flipped classroom” approaches, in which students receive pre-recorded instructional materials and then rotate through the classroom in pre-divided sections for in-person discussion and application. Based on University guidance, some courses will occur fully online.
Classrooms will be thoroughly cleaned once a day. After the classrooms are cleaned in the evening by the custodians, the classroom doors will be locked until the following morning. In the daytime, cleaning wipes will be available in each classroom (and throughout the school in common areas) for individuals to clean their work surface, as they deem necessary.
Professors coming into a classroom to teach will be responsible for cleaning their teaching station to ensure it is done to their standards.
Students coming into a lab to use a shared computer and keyboard mouse
- are responsible for cleaning their work station prior to its use
Testing, Exposure and When to Self-Quarantine
The University has also announced plans for surveillance testing for students not exhibiting symptoms. Please read more about the plans for surveillance testing and notification.
Please note, you are required to report a positive test result in DawgCheck.
Depending on the extent of the exposure event, please follow the guidelines from the CDC.
During this time, you should monitor for symptoms, socially distance from others, make a special effort to avoid contact with people at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19.
Find My Classes
We have published guide videos to help you find specific rooms at the college. See our Find My Classes page to view the navigational videos.
Highlighted Arch Announcements/Return to Campus Updates
- Feb. 4, 2021 Spring News for Students
- Jan. 12, 2021 News for Students
- Sept. 15, 2020 Fall update for faculty and students
- Sept. 9, 2020 Return to Campus Student Digest
- UGA statement on COVID-19 numbers (Sept. 9, 2020)
- August 19, 2020 Return to Campus Student Digest
- August 13, 2020 Information on Fall Classes
- August 12, 2020 Student Digest
- August 7, 2020 Student Digest
- Link to Campus Conversation about COVID-19 (Aug. 4)
- July 29, 2020 student digest
- July 21, 2020
- July 15, 2020
- July 7, 2020
- June 30, 2020
- June 23, 2020
- June 16, 2020
- June 9, 2020
- Message about Maymester and Summer classes online (April 2, 2020)
- Message to Students and Parents: Student Refund Plan (March 20, 2020)
University of Georgia Resources
(UGA’s most authoritative website; updated regularly and includes links to other resources, FAQ, directory of all Arch New announcements, etc.)
(extensive Q&A about research-related issues)
(includes links to CTL guide for teaching during disruptions and other online resources)
Resources for online learning
Resources for Students
- eLC (e Learning Commons — requires DUO access)
- How to install Adobe Products (courtesy of Franklin College)
Resources for Faculty & Staff
- Online Learning resources: Rapid Guide to Online Teaching (needs access through ELC) and a place to register with Instructional Designers