Quicklinks
COVID and Alerts
This is archived information and no longer current or active.
/// SGSC Important COVID-19 Information and Updates
COVID Reporting Update for employees
Effective July 1, employees no longer need to report COVID exposures and isolations to Human Resources. As always, if you are not feeling well, stay home and contact your supervisor. Employees who find out they have been in close contact with someone with COVID-19 or who have tested positive need to follow current CDC guidelines.
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/quarantine-isolation.html (no longer active)
/// UPDATED COVID-19 GUIDANCE FOR SPRING 2022 AS OF MARCH 11, 2022
USG encourages masks based on preference and assessment of personal risk
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.
The University System of Georgia (USG) continues to follow COVID-19 guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and remains in close contact with the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH).
Safety Protocols
Classes at SGSC will resume as planned on Monday, January 10th. Given the growth of the Omicron Variant, the University System of Georgia (USG) is recommending all employees and students get tested before arriving back on campus, if possible, and follow the recommended protocols if test results are positive. With the many variants, we urge you to get vaccinated if you have not already. Vaccination is the best way to protect yourself and others.
The USG also continues to strongly encourage masks in all campus buildings. Hand sanitizer remains readily available.
Isolation and Quarantine Changes
Recently, the CDC updated its guidance regarding isolation and quarantine, and the USG is following that recommendation.
You can read more about the updated CDC guidance here.
You can find information about the Department of Public Health (DPH) guidance here.
Reporting Cases
SGSC Students should continue to use the self-report COVID form found here.(no longer active)
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/// SGSC Archived Information for Fall 2021
Need to get vaccinated?
- USG vaccination sites: usg.edu/vaccination
- Community vaccination sites: vaccines.gov
Let’s join together to provide a safe on-campus environment where we can all #StayHealthy!
/// Updates
The University System of Georgia recognizes COVID-19 vaccines offer safe, effective protection and urges all students, faculty, staff and visitors to get vaccinated either on campus (if available) or with a local provider. Additionally, everyone is encouraged to wear a mask or face covering while inside campus facilities. The system continues to work closely with the Georgia Department of Public Health to prioritize the health and safety of our campus communities. (July 30, 2021)
Special note: All University System of Georgia (USG) current and incoming students, including those at SGSC, can now get their first or second COVID-19 vaccine shot at 15 USG campuses around the state. Visit www.usg.edu/vaccination today to schedule an appointment at the campus closest to you. The USG strongly encourages all faculty, staff, students & visitors to get vaccinated, although it is not mandatory. In addition to these 15 USG campus vaccination sites, students may also locate additional community vaccination sites at https://www.vaccines.gov/.
/// Operating Guidelines for Fall 2021
As we approach the Fall 2021 semester, the University System of Georgia (USG) has shared guidance regarding college operations relating to COVID-19. Restrictions are changing as more individuals receive the COVID-19 vaccines. We look forward to a successful 2021-2022 academic year under these guidelines, with the understanding that we will continue to follow any executive orders provided by the Governor of Georgia, and use Georgia Department of Health (DPH) and USG guidelines to develop and implement best safety practices for our institution and campus community.
The following guidelines will be in place for SGSC: (Updated June 29, 2021)
Social Distancing and Face Coverings:
SGSC plans for a return to full capacity in the classroom for fall 2021. Face coverings and social distancing are no longer required on the campus or in SGSC buildings for fully vaccinated individuals, but are welcome and encouraged. We strongly recommend for unvaccinated individuals to get vaccinated. Until then, we do not require, but encourage them to wear a face covering and social distance when possible.
SGSC will not be tracking vaccinations on campus. Adherence to the guidelines is based on personal responsibility. Please note that some groups on campus, such as student athletes, student health professionals, student teachers, etc., may be subject to vaccinations in accordance with specific affiliated organizations and accrediting bodies.
Alternate Work Arrangements (Employees):
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 will end no later than June 30, 2021. All employees are expected to return to their previous work arrangement at that time. Current summer teaching assignments are excluded from this transition deadline. Lack of vaccination is not grounds for a request for an accommodation. Employees may contact the SGSC Office of Human Resources with questions or concerns.
COVID-19 Related Leave (Updated July 30, 2021)
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.
Employees may continue to use COVID-19 Vaccine leave in order to receive the vaccine and if they experience side effects from receiving the vaccine. The COVID-19 Vaccine leave is not permanent leave and may conclude as early as August 29, 2021 at the end of the State of Emergency for Continued COVID-19 Economic Recovery declared in the Governor’s Executive Order No. 06.30.21.01. We encourage employees who have not yet received a COVID-19 vaccine to do so and to use this leave while it is available. An employee may take up to eight (8) hours of Non-Closure Emergency Leave for the purpose of receiving a COVID-19 vaccine. In addition, an employee may also take up to sixteen (16) hours of Non-Closure Emergency Leave if he or she receives a COVID-19 vaccine and experiences severe
negative side effects that prohibit the performance of their duties of employment.
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 fall 2021 semester. Lack of vaccination is not grounds for a request for an accommodation. Students may contact Stanley Sinkfield, Disability Services Coordinator with questions or concerns.
Telework:
With limited exceptions, employees with current Covid-19 related telework assignments should begin transitioning back to their pre-Covid-19 work arrangements and all such arrangements will end no later than June 30, 2021. Pursuant to USG policy, department heads or their designees have the authority to establish teleworking arrangements. In no circumstance should telework be considered an employee right or entitlement. All telework requests and designations are based upon management discretion and in accordance with determination of what best serves the institution and students.
Vaccines:
USG institutions will continue to ensure vaccine availability to faculty, staff, and students either through vaccination opportunities on campus or in partnership with local providers. Institutions are not responsible for assessing current COVID-19 vaccination rates for their institution. SGSC will strongly encourage, but not require, COVID-19 vaccinations for all students, faculty, and staff.
All University System of Georgia (USG) current and incoming students, including those at SGSC, can now get their first or second COVID-19 vaccine shot at 15 USG campuses around the state. Visit www.usg.edu/vaccination today to schedule an appointment at the campus closest to you. In addition to these 15 USG campus vaccination sites, students may also locate additional community vaccination sites at https://www.vaccines.gov/
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 disease and show no symptoms. Individuals who have not 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 here: https://www.sgsc.edu/covid-19selfreportform.cms (no longer active)
COVID-19 Contact Tracing, Quarantine, and Isolation (Updated July 30, 2021)
Contact Tracing
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.
Quarantine and Isolation
The expectations for quarantine and isolation remain the same and are in alignment with DPH Guidelines. Faculty should be prepared to accommodate students who are required to go into quarantine or isolation.
Quarantine
Isolation
Isolation is for individuals who test positive for COVID-19. Please see the DPH website for expectations for isolation.
Student Life:
SGSC will resume traditional student life activities beginning fall 2021. Mitigation practices as recommended by DPH should be practiced and observed during these activities.
Events and Gatherings:
SGSC will follow the most recent Executive Order from the Governor related to events and gatherings as well as follow appropriate mitigation practices recommended by the Georgia Department of Public Health. Beyond that guidance, SGSC may establish institution-specific guidelines for hosting events and gatherings that include appropriate mitigation.
Travel:
SGSC will follow the state government position on travel. As of May 2021, a non-essential travel ban remains in place. SGSC will make decisions on what is considered essential travel based on our mission and priorities.
Athletics:
SGSC will follow the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) and the Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association (GCAA) guidelines for Covid-19.
All guidance listed here is subject to change based on recommendations from the Georgia Department of Public Health. SGSC reserves the right to adjust plans as necessary.
/// SGSC Archived COVID-19 Information & Resource Links
Click here to access: COVID- 19 Information & Resources (no longer active)
Click here to access: Spring 2021 Information (no longer active)