Spring 2023 Return to Campus Guidelines
- If you experience a fever, do not come to work or attend class until you are fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medication.
- If you are not feeling well, do not come to work or attend class.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Avoid large crowds, this includes parties, clubs, and social gatherings.
- Avoid crowding dorm rooms, sleepovers, sharing drinks and eating utensils.
- Practice social distancing whenever possible.
- Take advantage of virtual meeting options.
- A mask should be worn properly, covering your nose and mouth.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.
- Cough or sneeze into your elbow, if tissue is unavailable.
- Do not share worn face masks, and wash face masks often using warm water and soap.
- Do not share pens, pencils, stylus, keyboards, phones, etc.
- Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
- If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
- Maintain adequate sanitizing supplies, including soap, paper towels, sanitizing wipes, sprays, 60% alcohol-based hand sanitizers, and disinfecting solutions.
- Before traveling, check international and national travel advisories.
Face Coverings – Face coverings are not mandated on campus. (Two exceptions apply, on campus health centers/medical facilities, public transit and Ram Rush.) Fully vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals are strongly encouraged to wear a face covering inside buildings. Masks should cover your nose and mouth. Covering your nose protects you, and covering your mouth protects others.
Students may be required by off campus partner organizations to wear face masks and/or be vaccinated as a condition for participation in experiential and clinical learning opportunities. These include but are not limited to, study abroad programs, internships and delivery of medical services.
Vaccines are not mandatory; however, we strongly encourage all students, faculty, and staff to get vaccinated for COVID-19. ASU will continue to ensure vaccine availability to students, faculty, and staff, through vaccination opportunities on campus or in partnership with local providers.
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 coronavirus and show no symptoms.
No student, faculty, or staff can be asked about their vaccine status or segregated from students, faculty and staff interaction based on their vaccination status.
No student, faculty or staff member should be treated differently based on their COVID-19 vaccination status.
On-site Vaccination Schedule
Albany State University is collaborating with the Dougherty County Health Department
to offer free COVID-19 vaccines on East and West Campus. This event is open to the
public. The Pfizer 2 dose, Moderna 2 dose, and Johnson and Johnson 1 dose will be
offered. Click here to schedule your appointment.
Dates, times, and location are subject to change.
Wednesday, August 17 & 31
Wednesday, September 14 & 28
Wednesday, October 19
East Campus (Private Dining Room in the Student Center) :
10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
West Campus (Near Dining Hall in the Student Center):
2 p.m. - 5 p.m.
COVID-19 testing is not mandatory; however, we strongly encourage all students, faculty, and staff to get tested. We will offer free testing Monday – Friday, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM:
- EAST CAMPUS – Student Health Services (Billy C. Black Building, Room 138)
- WEST CAMPUS – Student Health Services (Student Center exterior side door, Room 100)
Guided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Georgia Department of Public Health, ASU is following established guidelines regarding contact tracing and notification of impacted individuals. Consistent with those guidelines, ASU will provide notifications of positive tests to the Georgia Department of Public Health as required.
The local Department of Public Health initiates contact tracing. ASU Student Health Services and Human Resources will provide assistance as needed.
Vaccination status can be used in contact tracing to determine whether or not a person should quarantine after close contact with a person who tests positive for COVID-19. Only Student Health Services and Human Resources are authorized to contact trace and inquire about vaccination status.
The CDC defines the need for isolation as a person who has tested positive for COVID-19.
Students are required to return home to complete quarantine or isolation.
When to return after quarantine or isolation - Using the CDC guidelines for discontinuing home quarantine or isolation, the affected employee or student may return to campus when they have met all three of the following guidelines.
- Improved symptoms
- No fever for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication.
- At least 5 days have passed since positive test or symptoms first appeared.
The CDC defines exposure as being within 6 feet of an individual who has tested positive for COVID-19 for a cumulative period of 15 minutes within a 24 hours period.
If you have been exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19, here are the steps that you should take, regardless of your vaccination status or if you have had a previous infection.
- Wear a mask for 10 full days; COVID-19 can develop up to 10 days after you have been exposed. You may test on day 5.
- Watch for COVID type symptoms: fever 100.4 or greater, cough, shortness of breath
- If symptoms develop, isolate immediately and get tested. Stay home until you know the result.
- If COVID results are negative, complete the 10 days mask guidance.
- If COVID results are positive, isolate immediately for 5 days.
Alternate Educational Arrangement (Students)
Contact Student Health Services
Email: studenthealthservices@asurams.edu
Phone: 229-500-3544.
Alternate Educational Arrangement (AEA) or accommodations granted to students during fall 2020 and spring 2021 due to increased risk for severe illness with COVID-19 ended on June 30, 2021. ASU resumed pre-pandemic instruction for the fall 2021 semester.
Requests for American Disabilities Act (ADA) accommodations or flexible work arrangements will be reviewed in accordance with pre-pandemic ADA accommodations. Lack of vaccination is not grounds for a request for an accommodation.
Alternate Work Arrangement (Employees)
Contact Human Resources
Email: hrasu@asurams.edu
Phone: 229-500-2026
Alternate Work Arrangements (AWA) or accommodations granted to employees during fall 2020 and 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. Lack of vaccination is not grounds for a request for an accommodation.
Contact Supervisor
Pursuant to USG policy, department heads or their designees have the authority to establish teleworking arrangements. Under no circumstances should telework be considered an employee right or entitlement. All telework requests and designations are based upon management discretion, in accordance with a determination of what best serves the institution and students.
SIAC STUDENT-ATHLETE VACCINATION POLICY
Pursuant to this policy, all SIAC student-athletes, athletic related staff, coaches, officials, and auxiliary groups such as marching bands, dancers and cheerleaders participating in SIAC-sponsored sports are required to be fully vaccinated with a CDC-authorized COVID-19 vaccine in accordance with CDC guidelines.
A student-athlete may be exempted from the vaccine requirement if they have received
a
campus-approved exemption form for medical or religious reasons. This exemption will not excuse the student-athlete
from COVID-19 testing per guidelines established by local and county health officials
as well as any additional campus requirements.
If you have questions, comments, or concerns please email the COVID-19 Taskforce at covid19@asurams.edu or Student Health Services at studenthealthservices@asurams.edu.
Frequently Asked Questions
Albany State University (ASU) will continue to follow the guidelines outlined by the Governor's Office, the University System of Georgia (USG), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Georgia Department of Public Health (GDPH). Most frequently asked questions are listed below and includes Fall 2021 guidelines as of August 1.
Student Health Services provides voluntary COVID-19 testing throughout the semester; Monday – Friday 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM. On-campus sites listed below.
- EAST CAMPUS – Student Health Services (Billy C. Black Building, Room 138)
- WEST CAMPUS – Student Health Services (Student Center exterior side door, Room 100)
The on-campus COVID-19 test is free.
If an individual is exposed to COVID-19 and not fully vaccinated, they must quarantine for 5 days from date of exposure. They may return on day 6 if they are fever free and no symptoms or have an improvement in symptoms.
If an individual is exposed to COVID-19 and fully vaccinated, they may quarantine only if experiencing symptoms; otherwise no quarantine is suggested.
If an individual is exposed but tested positive for COVID within the last 6 months, no quarantine is suggested.
Individuals are encouraged to self-report using the self-reporting tool found on ASU home page Self-report exposure. Human Resources or Student Health Services will make contact once the report is received.
Everyone is encouraged to wear a mask regardless of vaccination status.
Contact Student Health Services
Email: studenthealthservices@asurams.edu
Phone: 229-500-3544.
Contact Human Resources
Email: hrasu@asurams.edu
Phone: 229-500-2026
Use the self-reporting link to report and upload results. Student Health Services or Human Resources will contact you regarding possible symptoms and contact tracing.
Encourage them to contact Student Health Services or Human Resources and to use the self-reporting link to report and upload results.
Student Health Services or Human Resources will contact them regarding possible symptoms and contact tracing.
Student Health Services or Human Resources will notify individuals who may need testing and inform them of when to test. Additionally, individuals who are experiencing symptoms are encouraged to use Ram Check to report their symptoms.
If an individual is exposed to COVID-19 and not fully vaccinated, they must quarantine for 5 days from date of exposure. They may return on day 6 if they are fever free and no symptoms or have an improvement in symptoms.
If an individual is exposed to COVID-19 and fully vaccinated, they may quarantine only if experiencing symptoms; otherwise no quarantine is suggested.
If an individual is exposed but tested positive for COVID within the last 6 months, no quarantine is suggested.
Individuals are encouraged to self-report using the self-reporting tool found on ASU home page Self-report exposure. Human Resources or Student Health Services will make contact once the report is received.
The CDC defines exposure as being within 6 feet of an individual who has tested positive for COVID-19 for a cumulative period of 15 minutes within a 24 hours period.
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 coronavirus and show no symptoms.
When to return after quarantine or isolation - Using the CDC guidelines for discontinuing home quarantine or isolation, the affected employee or student may return to campus when they have met all three of the following guidelines.
- Improved symptoms
- No fever for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication
- At least 5 days have passed since positive test or symptoms first appeared.
The CDC defines the need for quarantine as a person who has been exposed to a positive COVID-19 individual, but has not been fully vaccinated.
Students, faculty, and staff are required to return home to complete quarantine or isolation.
When to return after quarantine or isolation - Using the CDC guidelines for discontinuing home quarantine or isolation, the affected employee or student may return to campus when they have met all three of the following guidelines.
- Improved symptoms
- No fever for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication
- At least 5 days have passed since positive test or symptoms first appeared.
The CDC defines the need for isolation as a person who has tested positive for COVID-19.
Students, faculty, and staff are required to return home to complete quarantine or isolation.
When to return after quarantine or isolation - Using the CDC guidelines for discontinuing home quarantine or isolation, the affected employee or student may return to campus when they have met all three of the following guidelines.
- Improved symptoms
- No fever for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication
- At least 5 days have passed since positive test or symptoms first appeared.
Contact Human Resources
Email: hrasu@asurams.edu
Phone: 229-500-2026
Contact Student Health Services
Email: studenthealthservices@asurams.edu
Phone: 229-500-3544
If you test negative and are vaccinated, you are not required to retest unless symptoms present.
If you are vaccinated and test positive, you are instructed to isolate and self-report results. Student Health Services or Human Resources will contact you regarding possible symptoms and contact tracing.
Using the CDC guidelines for discontinuing home quarantine or isolation, the affected employee or student may return to campus when they have met all three of the following guidelines:
- Improved symptoms
- No fever for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication
- At least 5 days have past since positive test or symptoms first appeared.
Unvaccinated/Vaccinated positive test – Begin isolation. Using the CDC guidelines for discontinuing home quarantine or isolation, the affected employee or student may return to campus when they have met all three of the following guidelines:
- Improved symptoms
- No fever for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication.
- At least 5 days have passed since positive test or symptoms first appeared.
Contact Student Health Services or Human Resources. Use the self-reporting to report results.
Unvaccinated negative test– No quarantine or isolation recommended.
Alternate Educational Arrangement (Students)
Contact Student Health Services
Email: studenthealthservices@asurams.edu
Phone: 229-500-3544.
Alternate Educational Arrangement (AEA) or accommodations granted to students during fall 2020 and spring 2021 due to increased risk for severe illness with COVID-19 ended on June 30, 2021. ASU resumed pre-pandemic instruction for the fall 2021 semester.
Requests for American Disabilities Act (ADA) accommodations or flexible work arrangements will be reviewed in accordance with pre-pandemic ADA accommodations. Lack of vaccination is not grounds for a request for an accommodation.
No, only the dates specified in the letter.
Alternate Work Arrangement (Employees)
Contact Human Resources
Email: hrasu@asurams.edu
Phone: 229-500-2026
Alternate Work Arrangements (AWA) or accommodations granted to employees during fall 2020 and 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. Lack of vaccination is not grounds for a request for an accommodation.
Contact Supervisor
Pursuant to USG policy, department heads or their designees have the authority to establish teleworking arrangements. Under no circumstances 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.
Fully vaccinated people should get tested 3-5 days after their exposure, even if they don’t have symptoms.
The CDC guidelines states that individuals 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 coronavirus and show no symptoms.
If an individual is exposed to COVID-19 and not fully vaccinated, they must quarantine for 5 days from date of exposure. They may return on day 6 if they are fever free and no symptoms or have an improvement in symptoms.
If an individual is exposed to COVID-19 and fully vaccinated, they may quarantine only if experiencing symptoms; otherwise no quarantine is suggested.
If an individual is exposed but tested positive for COVID within the last 6 months, no quarantine is suggested.
Individuals are encouraged to self-report using the self-reporting tool found on ASU home page Self-report exposure. Human Resources or Student Health Services will make contact once the report is received.
Unvaccinated people who are exposed to a COVID-19 positive individual, should begin quarantine, contact Student Health Services or Human Resources and self-report exposure.
Students, faculty, and staff are required to return home to complete quarantine or isolation.
When to return after quarantine or isolation - Using the CDC guidelines for discontinuing home quarantine or isolation, the affected employee or student may return to campus when they have met all three of the following guidelines.
- Improved symptoms
- No fever for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication.
- At least 5 days have passed since positive test or symptoms first appeared.
The CDC defines exposure as being within 6 feet of a positive person for a cumulative time of 15 minutes or more and the exposed person is not fully vaccinated.
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 coronavirus and show no symptoms.
When to return after quarantine or isolation - Using the CDC guidelines for discontinuing home quarantine or isolation, the affected employee or student may return to campus when they have met all three of the following guidelines.
- Improved symptoms
- No fever for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication.
- At least 5 days have passed since positive test or symptoms first appeared.
You will need to isolate. The CDC defines the need for isolation as persons who have tested positive for COVID-19. Using the CDC guidelines for discontinuing home quarantine or isolation, the affected employee or student may return to campus when they have met all three of the following guidelines.
- Improved symptoms
- No fever for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication.
- At least 5 days have passed since positive test or symptoms first appeared.
You will need to isolate. CDC defines the need for isolation as persons who have tested positive for COVID-19.
Using the CDC guidelines for discontinuing home quarantine or isolation, the affected employee or student may return to campus when they have met all three of the following guidelines.
- Improved symptoms
- No fever for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication.
- At least 5 days have passed since positive test or symptoms first appeared.
The CDC defines exposure as being within 6 feet of an individual who has tested positive for COVID-19 for a cumulative period of 15 minutes within a 24 hour period.
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 coronavirus and show no symptoms.
Using the CDC guidelines for discontinuing home quarantine or isolation, the affected employee or student may return to campus when they have met all three of the following guidelines.
- Improved symptoms
- No fever for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication.
- At least 5 days have passed since positive test or symptoms first appeared.