Campus Updates

Dear Emory Community,

As we look forward to the fall semester amid the evolving COVID-19 pandemic, the Emory University community has taken critical steps over the past few years to prepare for a safe and healthy campus environment.

Now, with widely available testing and highly effective vaccines reducing the risk of severe illness, along with greater access to pharmaceutical tools, Emory is transitioning from a crisis operations model to the next phase of its pandemic response.

Your active partnership and personal responsibility will play a central role in this next phase, and here’s what you need to know to start the fall semester:

Community Compact

Emory’s Community Compact outlines behavioral expectations – includingreporting any COVID-19 infections to the university – for all students, faculty, and staff during the 2022-2023 academic year.   

COVID-19 Testing

To help limit transmission of COVID-19, we strongly recommend all campus members:

• Test prior to returning to campus for the fall semester
• Test upon arrival to campus
• Conduct regular screening testing during the semester

If you test positive before returning to campus, please follow COVID-19 Quick Guide instructions below.

Campus Operating Model

The university will follow a new COVID-19 operating model comprised of two levels: standard operations vs. heightened response state.

Emory will review, in consultation with public health experts, data indicators to assess risk levels, guide protocols, and determine campus operating levels. The Emory Forward dashboard will continue to provide current COVID-19 rates and details on how we assess broader community health indicators. 

Fall 2022 COVID-19 Quick Guide

Monkeypox

The United States recently declared the monkeypox outbreak a public health emergency, and we want our community to be educated about how to protect yourselves and others. You can find more information on Student Health Services’ monkeypox page.

1. What is the monkeypox virus?
   1. Monkeypox is a viral disease. It is related to smallpox but presents with much milder symptoms and is rarely fatal. Monkeypox is not related to chickenpox, and it does not spread the same way that COVID-19 spreads.
2. How does it spread?
3. Monkeypox can spread to anyone through close, personal, often intimate, skin-to-skin contact as well as through these other types of interactions.
4. Who is at risk?
   1. Anyone can get monkeypox, but people more likely to get monkeypox include those identified as a close contact, those engaging in intimate or sexual activity with multiple partners in networks with known monkeypox, or healthcare workers whose jobs expose them to monkeypox patients.
5. How can I prevent spread and protect myself from infection?
   1. Avoid skin-to-skin or face-to-face contact, including sexual contact with anyone who has symptoms.
   2. Clean hands, objects, and surfaces that have been touched regularly and avoid contact with objects and materials that a person with monkeypox has used.
   3. If you are at a higher risk for infection, and are able to do so, get vaccinated.
   4. Stay informed and continue to monitor evolving public health guidelines.

As we launch into this new academic year, please continue to follow all campus protocols, practice healthy behaviors, and regularly review information posted to Emory Forward.

Thank you to all those who have worked so hard to transition us into the next phase of our pandemic response, and I wish all of you a safe, healthy, and vibrant semester.

Sincerely,

Amir St. Clair
Chief Resilience Officer

Dear Emory Community, 

Emory University has reviewed the CDC’s revised masking guidance and the City of Atlanta’s removal of indoor mask mandates within the context of our community health indicators to consider changes to campus COVID-19 protocols.

Effective Monday, March 7, masks will be optional indoors on Emory’s campuses. Masks will still be required in all classrooms and instructional spaces until Monday, March 21, at which time masks will become optional in these spaces. Exceptions include the following:

• In alignment with federal transportation protocols, masks will still be required on all Emory shuttles and public transportation until further notice.
• Masks will still be required indefinitely in clinical, patient-care, and select research facilities on campus, including, but not limited to, Student Health Services.

Should health indicators change or heightened risks emerge, indoor masking requirements may be reinstated.

Your commitment to following important health measures, in addition to improved COVID-19 conditions, has allowed masking to be optional. Emory’s current vaccination rate is 98%, with a current booster rate of 88% for the total eligible population. Case rates, hospitalizations, and health care strain have all significantly declined below recommended thresholds since the recent Omicron surge.

As we adjust to live with COVID-19 in a highly vaccinated community, many will welcome this new change while some may have concerns. “Mask optional” means it is each individual’s personal choice to wear a mask or not, and our collective community response must be one that honors and respects these choices. Anyone who needs to or prefers to wear a mask is encouraged and welcome to do so.

For those who are in high-risk categories or require additional support, please utilize the resources or contact form on Emory Forward.

Summary of Guidelines

Masking

• Because of increased personal risk, unvaccinated individuals should continue to wear masks indoors.
• Campus members should carry a mask at all times as a best practice. Emory will continue to make masks available to everyone on campus.

Testing

• Emory continues to provide asymptomatic testing for all students, faculty, and staff.
• Weekly testing continues to be required for those who are unvaccinated.
• With spring break approaching, we strongly recommend getting tested before and after any travel, as well as when returning to campus. 

Self-Monitoring

• Should you become symptomatic, exposed, or test positive for COVID-19, please follow the required instructions on Emory Forward.
• Continue to self-monitor health conditions, wash hands frequently, stay home when sick, and isolate or quarantine as applicable.

Emory’s operating conditions will remain the same at this time; however, we are assessing changes to the operating model. We are grateful to take these important steps forward and thank you for your continued partnership to support a healthy Emory University.

Sincerely, 

Amir St. Clair
Associate Vice President and Executive Director for COVID-19 Response and Recovery

Dear Emory Community, 

Today, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced new indoor masking guidelines and thresholds for assessing community risk. Under these new guidelines, Fulton and DeKalb counties are at low-risk community levels. Newton County is at a high-risk community level at this time. New COVID-19 Community Level definitions and thresholds can be found on the CDC website.

For communities with low-risk levels, such as DeKalb and Fulton counties, the CDC recommends that individuals stay up to date with all COVID-19 vaccines and boosters and get tested if symptomatic. For communities with high-risk levels, such as Newton County, the CDC recommends, in addition to staying up to date and testing when symptomatic, that individuals wear masks indoors and take additional precautions if at high risk for severe illness.  

Emory University is reviewing the updated CDC recommendations, in the context of our community health indicators, to consider changes to COVID-19 protocols. Next week, we expect to announce changes to Emory policies, including indoor masking requirements, that will align with Emory University’s COVID-19 objectives.   

As always, thank you for your partnership to support a safe and healthy campus community.  

Amir St. Clair
Associate Vice President and Executive Director for COVID-19 Response and Recovery 

Dear Emory Community,

Our campus community’s high vaccination rate of 98%, booster requirement, testing protocols, masking requirement, and revised isolation/quarantine procedures have been critical steps in our pandemic response. Because of your partnership, we will continue to advance forward into the next phase of our COVID-19 strategy. 

In consultation with Emory’s public health teams, and based on the prevailing data across safety indicators listed on Emory Forward, the university will move to a yellow operating condition effective January 31, when in-person classes resume. 

We believe moving to the yellow operating condition will help limit COVID-19 disruptions while providing important guidelines for safe community engagement on campus - all while continuing to align with our university objectives. At the same time, we all must continue to limit the impact of Omicron by closely following COVID-19 protocols and practicing healthy behaviors while transitioning into this new phase.

Here is what this will mean for the spring semester as you plan your return to campus: 

Return-to-Campus Checklist

Did you verify your booster status?

• Students only: Upload your booster
• Faculty and staff only: Attest your booster*
  
  See the Vaccine page of Emory Forward for more information on vaccine and booster requirements. 
  
  * Faculty and staff who uploaded booster information through the HOME portal must still complete the attestation form in the linked button above.

Have you reviewed new isolation and quarantine changes? 

Please review the changes on Emory Forward’s Isolation and Quarantine page. Students can find further instruction on the Student Health Services website. 

Did you complete your pre-entry testing requirement? (STUDENTS ONLY)

See Emory Forward’s Testing page for more information.

Do you know the new process for contact tracing and return-to-campus instruction? (FACULTY/STAFF)

Faculty and staff who are symptomatic, exposed, or infected with COVID-19 should follow the revised self-service instructions on Emory Forward’s What Do I Do If page. 

Thank you for your continued partnership as we move into the next phase of the pandemic. We hope you share in our excitement to return to in-person learning, and we look forward to seeing you soon!

Sincerely,

Amir St. Clair
Associate Vice President and Executive Director for COVID-19 Response and Recovery

Dear Emory Community,

At the end of December, President Fenves wrote to our community announcing the decision to begin the spring semester with remote teaching for the majority of Emory schools and units until January 31. This decision was informed by public health guidance around the Omicron variant, the projected surge in cases and resulting disruption, and when health and safety factors would improve. Current guidance continues to indicate that infection in the community is projected to significantly decline, and conditions are expected to improve by the end of January.

With these projections in mind, Emory University will return to in-person learning on January 31. All undergraduate, graduate, and professional classes will resume in person on this date, as previously planned.

As we prepare for the return on January 31, we know that our community is at an inflection point in the pandemic. Given what we have learned from Omicron, along with the effective vaccine interventions already in place, Emory will move into its next phase of COVID-19 response. We remain focused on our objectives of limiting transmission, reducing severity of illness, protecting the most vulnerable, and promoting a vibrant campus experience. At the same time, we know our COVID-19 strategy must evolve to better respond to the most immediate needs, while also advancing our academic and research mission.

Thus, Emory will begin taking important steps to shift our protocols and minimize future COVID-19 disruptions by empowering more personal accountability. This effort will require a new level of community engagement, and our partnership will be more crucial than ever as we move into this important phase of pandemic response.

I ask that you closely follow Emory Forward updates over the coming weeks to prepare for and make this shift with us as we move toward January 31.

Here are the four things to know this week:

1. (NEW!) Contact tracing and return to campus protocols for faculty/staff

The Omicron surge is requiring important and immediate changes to contact tracing and return to campus protocols for faculty and staff. The traditional contact tracing model yields limited effectiveness with the rapid transmission of the Omicron variant. Thus, to better manage the isolation/quarantine process and clearance required to return to campus, Emory University is aligning with the Emory Healthcare contact tracing model. By moving to a new self-service process, faculty and staff will receive guidance on notifying contacts and isolation/quarantine procedures.

Faculty and staff who test positive for COVID-19, have developed symptoms, or have been exposed are now asked to follow the revised self-service instructions on Emory Forward’s What Do I Do If page. In this new process, faculty and staff will receive the information and guidance based on their individual circumstances, to include clearance protocols for returning to campus. Please review and familiarize yourself with these new procedures so that you can take the necessary safety and health steps.

2. (NEW!) Isolation and quarantine protocols have changed

The CDC recently changed its isolation and quarantine guidelines, to include the following:

• Shortened period of isolation
• New procedures for when and how to end isolation
• Revised quarantine measures based largely on vaccination/booster status

Full details can be found here. Emory will adopt and apply the recommended CDC guidelines across our student, faculty, and staff populations.

Isolate-In-Place Protocols for Students Living On Campus

As previously noted, Emory will begin an isolate-in-place protocol as part of its larger isolation and quarantine policy for students living on campus. Students requiring isolation who are asymptomatic or have mild symptoms will receive instructions on how to isolate in their residences. Those who are high risk or exhibit more severe symptoms will continue to isolate and quarantine at the Emory Conference Center Hotel.

Students isolating in place will continue to receive access to medical care and academic continuity support during their period in isolation. Full details on what students living on campus can expect with this new protocol are available on the Student Health Services website.

3. Testing requirements: A breakdown

Emory University has three types of required testing for the spring semester:

For more information, please review Emory Forward. As a reminder, any Emory student, faculty, or staff member who is asymptomatic can schedule a COVID-19 test through Emory’s screening locations.

4. ACT NOW: Booster deadline is January 19

The deadline to get boosted and verify your status is Wednesday, January 19. Those not eligible for the booster, per CDC guidelines, by January 19 must get boosted within two weeks of becoming eligible. Please note, that the CDC has recently shortened its eligibility periods for the Pfizer and Moderna boosters to five months after the primary COVID-19 vaccination series.

• Students only: Upload your booster
• Faculty and staff only: Attest your booster*

*Faculty and staff who uploaded booster information through the HOME portal must complete the attestation form in the linked button above.

Throughout every phase of our pandemic response, your willingness to do your part has been the cornerstone of our ability to keep our community members safe. Our shared responsibility to take care of each other will keep us on track as we shift into this new phase of the pandemic together. As always, thank you for your partnership.

Sincerely,

Amir St. Clair
Associate Vice President and Executive Director for COVID-19 Response and Recovery

In this message:

• Thursday’s Town Hall Information
• Where to Find Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
• Spring Semester Testing Requirements

Dear Emory community,

I hope 2022 finds you healthy and well!  

Following last week’s temporary remote start announcement for the spring semester, we are grateful for our campus community’s resilience and adaptation to this change. And we also know the challenges and concerns you may have as we navigate the coming weeks.  

We look forward to providing more information and addressing common questions during a virtual university town hall tomorrow. All members of our community are welcome, and we will make a recording available on Emory Forward for those who cannot attend.

• WHAT: Spring Semester 2022: Emory Community Virtual Town Hall
• WHEN: Thursday, January 6, from noon to 12:30 p.m.
• WHERE: 
  • Webinar Link: https://emory.zoom.us/j/96602719334
  • One-Tap Mobile: (US) 470-250-9358; Webinar ID: 96602719334# 
  • International Numbers Available: https://emory.zoom.us/u/acBYIydrw 

During tomorrow’s town hall, President Fenves will address the Emory community regarding plans for the spring semester and temporary remote start. In addition to President Fenves and myself, we will also be joined by Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, Ravi Bellamkonda, as well as Emory School of Medicine’s Assistant Professor of Infectious Diseases, Dr. Zanthia Wiley, to discuss current COVID-19 data, how Emory University is supporting academic continuity, and important protocols for spring 2022. 

FAQs: Spring 2022

You can find important information for the spring semester on Emory Forward’s Spring Semester 2022 page, which now includes Frequently Asked Questions that address common topics around the temporary remote start.

Important Reminder: Testing Requirements for Spring

Pre-Entry Testing: All undergraduate, graduate, and professional students are required to complete a negative PCR test 48 hours or a negative antigen test (includes at-home tests) 24 hours before returning to campus for the spring semester. Students must receive a negative test and confirm your pre-entry test using the prompts on the Emory Forward testing page before moving into campus housing or returning to campus for any reason.

• What do I do if I don’t have access to a COVID-19 test in my area?
  
  We understand testing availability is limited in certain areas. If you are able to conduct a PCR or antigen test to fulfill the pre-entry testing requirement prior to arrival at Emory, please do so. For those who cannot secure outside testing, Emory’s COVID-19 screening sites are available for asymptomatic students to fulfill the pre-entry testing requirement.

• What do I do if I have COVID-19 symptoms or have been exposed?
  
  Students who have COVID-19 symptoms, test positive for COVID-19, or have a household contact testing positive for COVID-19 should not return to campus and follow Emory’s reporting instructions. 

Testing Upon Arrival: Unvaccinated students moving into the residence halls will also be required to test upon arrival to campus. Within 24 hours of moving into campus housing, unvaccinated students will need to conduct a screening test on campus, and then again 3-5 days later. Students will receive email and text notifications directing them to schedule their testing appointments when arriving on campus.

Weekly Screening: Unvaccinated students, faculty, and staff will continue to be required to conduct weekly COVID-19 screening testing. Anyone unvaccinated, who will not be on campus during a given week(s), must fill out a testing exemption form.

Thank you for your partnership as we begin the spring semester, and we hope you can join us tomorrow!

Sincerely, 

Amir St. Clair
Associate Vice President and Executive Director for COVID-19 Response and Recovery

In this message:

• Remote Start to Spring Semester
• Protocol Modifications for Spring 2022
• Continued COVID-19 Prevention Measures

Dear Emory community,

Since the beginning of the pandemic, Emory University has created important protocols and policies in response to COVID-19. These measures - including getting vaccinated, boosted, and wearing masks - are effective at reducing campus transmission and minimizing illness. 

Yet, with the Omicron variant projected to create more positive cases and strain across our campus community, President Fenves announced earlier today that Emory will revise its spring semester plans to minimize disruption to academic continuity and important support services for our students. 

Emory’s campus will remain open and courses will begin on time. Undergraduate, graduate, and professional courses will start the spring semester in a remote format, excluding clinical and research activities, School of Medicine courses, and other select activities. In-person learning will resume on January 31, as health and safety conditions permit. 

Most undergraduate courses will be canceled on January 27 and 28 to accommodate students returning to the Atlanta or Oxford campuses. Deans and HR managers will communicate directly with their respective schools and units to outline specific plans. 

Emory’s remote start for spring semester will coincide with important COVID-19 protocol modifications. Based on public health guidance and lessons learned over the course of the pandemic, these protocol changes are designed to best support our mission and community. Plans to begin spring 2022 include: 

Research: Research activities will continue as scheduled with the appropriate safety precautions currently in place.  

Campus Operations: Emory University is shifting to an orange operating status effective Tuesday, December 28. All non-essential events and gatherings should be postponed or moved to a virtual setting. Non-academic indoor and outdoor gatherings will be limited to 25 persons or less. Indoor dining is not permitted for any event or gathering.  

Pre-Entry Testing for All Students: All students will be required to complete a negative PCR test 48 hours or a negative antigen test (includes at-home tests) 24 hours before returning to campus to begin spring semester. Students must receive a negative test and complete the attestation form on the Emory Forward testing page prior to moving into campus housing or returning to campus for any reason. COVID-19 screening testing is available for asymptomatic Emory students, faculty, and staff on campus. 

Students who have COVID-19 symptoms, test positive for COVID-19, or have a household contact testing positive for COVID-19 should not return to campus and follow Emory’s reporting instructions.

Unvaccinated students moving into the residence halls will also be required to conduct a test upon arrival to campus. Unvaccinated students, faculty, and staff are required to continue participating in weekly COVID-19 screening testing. Anyone unvaccinated, who will not be on campus during a given week(s), must fill out a testing exemption form. 

Housing: Residence halls will remain open to begin the spring semester. Students are not required to change their move-in plans and have the ability to return to campus housing throughout the remote period. Students who return to campus before in-person classes resume should prepare for a greatly reduced on-campus experience with limited activities, few co-curricular events, modified grab-and-go dining, and new changes to isolation and quarantine protocols. 

Starting December 30, students returning to campus housing before January 21 must input their arrival date in the MyHousing portal. Further campus housing information will be communicated directly to residential students. 

Isolation and Quarantine Protocols: Emory Conference Center Hotel will continue to operate as an isolation location for symptomatic or high-risk students living on campus requiring enhanced medical and support services. New isolate-in-place protocols will take effect for COVID-19 positive students with mild or no symptoms. 

Emory University will also implement recently announced CDC guidelines. Revised protocols will  include a reduced isolation period of 5 days for those who are asymptomatic and revised quarantine protocols for those exposed to COVID-19. 

Dining Services: During the remote start to the spring semester, food service will transition to a grab-and-go model available in the main dining areas. In the event of COVID-19-related disruptions, facilities may implement further modifications as needed. 

Normal dining operations are scheduled to resume with the return of in-person learning on January 31, as health conditions allow.

Faculty and Staff Workforce: Faculty and staff whose duties require them to be on campus should continue working in person. Asymptomatic faculty and staff are strongly encouraged to regularly utilize screening testing options available at Emory. Symptomatic faculty and staff are encouraged to get tested for COVID-19 at the Northlake testing location.

Where operations allow, units may offer additional flexibility for remote work. Faculty and staff should consult with their supervisors about their school or unit’s approach to flexible work arrangements during this time and should conduct meetings remotely when able.

Study Abroad: University-sponsored study abroad programs planned for spring 2022 will continue as scheduled. Further effort is ongoing to support academic continuity needs should partnership programs/countries postpone or cancel.

NCAA Athletics: Emory University will continue winter and spring NCAA athletics as scheduled. As Emory transitions to the orange operating condition, spectators will be restricted from attending sporting events during this time. Club sports and intramurals will be postponed through January to support a de-densified campus. 

Ongoing COVID-19 Prevention Measures: As we move toward sustained campus operations, these ongoing COVID-19 prevention measures are still in effect:

• Vaccines: All campus members must be fully vaccinated or have received an approved medical or religious exemption. Anyone with an approved exemption is still required to conduct weekly COVID-19 testing. 
• Boosters: All campus members are required to receive a COVID-19 booster by January 19. Instructions for students, faculty, and staff can be found on the Emory Forward vaccine page.  
• Masking: Masks are still required in all indoor public and common spaces on campus and strongly encouraged outdoors when in groups.
• Testing: Take advantage of COVID-19 screening testing available at Emory.
• Healthy Habits: Wash your hands and practice good hygiene.

Through the efforts of our campus community, close to 98% of our students, faculty, and staff are fully vaccinated, and many already have completed Emory University’s booster requirement. Our COVID-19 measures - including getting vaccinated, boosted, and wearing masks - remain effective in supporting a safe campus community.

As always, thank you for your trusted partnership, and I hope you are healthy and enjoying a much-deserved break during the winter recess. 

Sincerely,

Amir St. Clair
Associate Vice President and Executive Director for COVID-19 Response and Recovery

Dear Emory Community,

I hope you’re celebrating the holidays and getting some needed time to enjoy the break after the fall semester. 

In recent days, communities across the nation have seen significant increases in COVID-19 cases because of the spread of the Omicron variant. The university has been monitoring the latest data and consulting with Emory’s public health experts and epidemiologists to understand the trajectory of the virus. More than 97% of our Emory community members have been vaccinated and all students, faculty, and staff are required to receive a booster dose of a COVID-19 vaccine by January 19, which is the best protection against serious illness and hospitalization. 

While the campus will open as planned on January 4, we know there will be positive cases within our community. Therefore, to continue all aspects of our academic mission, undergraduate, graduate, and professional courses will start the spring semester in a remote format, excluding clinical and research activities, School of Medicine courses, and other select activities. Classes will transition back to in-person learning on January 31, should conditions permit. Most undergraduate courses will be canceled on January 27 and 28 to accommodate students returning to the Atlanta or Oxford campuses. Deans will provide further details about spring semester plans to their respective schools. 

An Emory Forward message this afternoon will have more information about the remote start, new COVID-19 protocols, and what you can expect for the spring semester. Information will also be available on the Emory Forward website. Here is a high-level overview: 

• Students: More information, including how to document re-entry testing requirements and the upcoming booster requirement deadline, can be found on Emory Forward.
  
  Residence halls will remain open to begin the spring semester. While residential students are not required to change their move-in plans and may return to campus throughout the remote period, all are encouraged to delay their return to campus, if they are able to do so, to help reduce on-campus density during the surge. Additional campus housing information will soon be communicated directly to residential students.
  
  Students who return to campus before in-person classes resume should prepare for a reduced on-campus experience with limited activities, few co-curricular events, modified grab-and-go dining, and changes to isolation and quarantine protocols. 
  
  
• Faculty and Staff: Campus will remain open to all employees. Faculty and staff whose duties require them to be on campus should continue working in person and are strongly encouraged to use the screening testing options available at Emory. Units may offer additional flexibility for remote work when operations allow. Employees should consult with their supervisors about their school or unit’s approach to flexible work arrangements. All faculty and staff are encouraged to conduct meetings remotely when able. 
  
  
• Researchers: Research activities will continue as scheduled with the appropriate safety precautions currently in place. 

I understand that beginning the semester with remote learning and teaching is inconvenient, particularly for students and families who have already made travel arrangements, faculty who have planned in-person coursework, and staff who have made countless adjustments to their protocols throughout the past two years. But we must be adaptable during this surge so we can continue our important work—learning, teaching, creating, and discovering—in the face of this ever-evolving pandemic.

As previously mentioned, please review the Emory Forward message later this afternoon. I also hope you will attend a virtual Town Hall on January 6, where I will be joined by Emory Healthcare experts and Amir St. Clair, associate vice president and executive director for COVID-19 response and recovery, to answer questions about the spring semester. Further information about the Town Hall will be shared with the community soon.

With all that we have faced since March 2020, we know that we can effectively teach and learn remotely at Emory. We also know how special the on-campus experience is. That is why we are making this decision now—so that we can carry out the rest of the spring semester on our wonderful campuses in Atlanta and Oxford.

Sincerely, 

Gregory L. Fenves
President

Dear Emory Community,

I hope your final exams, papers, projects, work, and grading have gone well and you are looking ahead to a restorative holiday season.

The university has been closely monitoring increases in COVID-19 cases and the spread of the Omicron variant, as well as guidance from the CDC and public health experts. Vaccines are the most powerful tool to protect the health of our community against COVID-19, and recent scientific data overwhelmingly supports the effectiveness of booster shots.

With the continued spread of COVID-19 across the nation and the emerging Omicron variant, all Emory University students, faculty, and staff will now be required to receive a booster dose of a COVID-19 vaccine for the 2022 spring semester. The deadline to get your booster is Wednesday, January 19. 

• Students: Starting Monday, December 20, all Atlanta and Oxford students can upload booster documentation into the Student Health Services Portal.
• Faculty and Staff: Starting Thursday, January 6, all faculty and staff members can complete an online form on Emory Forward attesting to their booster status.

With more than 97% of students, faculty, and staff currently vaccinated, we have kept our campus healthy. The booster is the next step in an evolving public health strategy that has seen us adapt to every new development in the pandemic to continue the learning, teaching, and discovery that define Emory.

Again, the deadline to get your COVID-19 booster and verify your status is Wednesday, January 19. Per CDC guidelines, individuals are eligible to get the booster two months after receiving the Johnson and Johnson vaccine or six months after receiving the second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine. Those not eligible for the booster by January 19 must receive and report their booster shot within two weeks of becoming eligible. If you have previously received a vaccine exemption, it will be extended for the booster and no further action is necessary at this time.

I encourage you to make an appointment for your booster shot during the winter break. There will be significantly less going on at Emory during the coming weeks and my hope is that you can find a good day to get the COVID-19 booster. To learn more about the vaccines and booster shots, please visit Emory Forward. Booster locations and relevant information can be found at vaccines.gov.

I know it has taken a lot of effort to get to this point in the pandemic. There were moments that felt like we were nearing the end. The continued uncertainty has caused great fatigue, yet you’ve stepped up to keep the Emory mission going and to make sure our community is healthy and thriving. Thank you for all you’ve done, and continue to do, to help us move forward and excel. 

My best wishes to you for a joyous and healthy holiday season.

Sincerely, 

Gregory L. Fenves
President

In this message:

• COVID-19 Booster Recommendation
• Changing COVID-19 Travel Requirements 
• Planning for COVID-19 Testing Over Winter Break
• Healthy Habits to Remember

Dear Emory community, 

Emory continues to monitor evolving science regarding the Omicron variant. As we learn more about this variant, new information from Emory’s experts will be posted on the Emory Forward resources page. Check back regularly for updated content. And as you make plans for the upcoming winter break, please include the latest COVID-19 updates around booster shots, travel guidelines and screening testing schedules into your planning. 

Get Boosted 

The CDC recommends COVID-19 booster shots for everyone ages 18 and older. We strongly recommend that everyone eligible get a booster shot as soon as possible. Booster locations and relevant information can be found online. Please consider your end-of-semester schedule when making your appointment.

Get Your COVID-19 Booster

Who

Everyone 18 years or older.

What

Booster shots are available for all COVID-19 vaccines authorized in the United States. you can get any booster regardless of your original vaccine series.

When

If you received Pfizer-BioNtech or Moderna: At least 6 months after completing your primary COVID-19 vaccination series.

If you received Johnson & Johnson's Janssen: At least 2 months after completing your primary COVID-19 vaccination.

Become COVID-19 Vaccine Compliant

Emory University’s COVID-19 vaccination policy revision deadline is today. All campus members must be fully vaccinated or have received an approved medical or religious exemption. Anyone with an approved exemption is still required to conduct weekly COVID-19 testing.  

Information on where to get vaccinated or how to file a medical or religious exemption, and instructions for uploading vaccination documentation can be found on Emory Forward.

Evolving Travel Requirements 

International travel requirements have changed and further modifications may occur in the coming weeks. The State Department and CDC provide current guidance on vaccine and testing requirements, along with important safety recommendations for travelers. 

Those traveling are responsible for understanding any testing requirements with upcoming travel. Student Health Service’s travel page and the Georgia Department of Public Health list options for scheduling destination-specific tests. Please plan ahead should you need to test before traveling. 

Have a Winter Break Testing Plan

COVID-19 screening testing is available at Emory before, during and after winter break. Anyone unvaccinated, who will be accessing campus during the break, is still required to complete weekly screening tests. If not on campus during a given week(s), fill out a testing exemption form. 

Remember, if you become sick or test positive for COVID-19, please stay home and follow Emory’s reporting instructions.  

Bring Healthy Habits Home for the Holidays

• Get your COVID-19 booster shot and flu shot.
• Test regularly.
• Wear masks, wash your hands and practice good hygiene.  
• Avoid or limit attendance at large indoor gatherings or other risky behaviors.

By continuing to practice these important habits over break, we will support a safer and healthier campus environment when we return for the spring semester. Keep reviewing important COVID-19 updates ahead of returning to campus.

Wishing you a peaceful and healthy holiday season. Thank you for continuing to be active partners in limiting the spread of COVID-19. 

Sincerely,

Amir St. Clair
Associate Vice President and Executive Director for COVID-19 Response and Recovery

In this message:

• New COVID-19 Booster Recommendation
• Update on Omicron variant
• COVID-19 screening test reminder
• On and off campus health and safety reminders

Dear Emory Community,

As we return to campus and prepare for the final weeks of the semester, we are closely monitoring the emerging Omicron variant and its potential impact on our campus community, as well as new COVID-19 booster shot recommendations from the CDC.

Much about Omicron remains unknown, including its transmissibility and the severity of illness caused, and studies are ongoing to better understand this data. But by navigating previous variants, we have already learned what remains effective in our COVID-19 response: Get vaccinated, get your booster, wear your mask, monitor your symptoms and test regularly. 

To maintain a safe campus community and address variant concerns, Emory University has implemented important COVID-19 policies, including campus-wide vaccination policies, testing protocols and masking requirements. Campus vaccination numbers continue to trend upward – with more than 97% of students and 96% of employees vaccinated.

And we must continue to lean on these important safety practices. Here are essential steps to keep our forward momentum:

Booster Shots

On Monday, the CDC recommended COVID-19 booster shots for everyone ages 18 and older. COVID-19 vaccines and booster shots remain highly effective at significantly reducing serious illness, hospitalization and death. Vaccination is even more critical as variants emerge.

Take Action: We strongly encourage everyone eligible to get a booster shot. CDC recommends getting your booster at least 6 months after completing your primary series if you received Pfizer or Moderna; or get your booster at least 2 months after receiving the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

And if you have not yet been vaccinated, get vaccinated as soon as possible. Booster and vaccination locations and relevant information can be found online. Please consider your end-of-semester schedule when making your appointment.

Testing

Emory employs multiple testing protocols to identify cases, provide follow-up care and contact tracing, and limit transmission. While those unvaccinated are required to test weekly, anyone who is asymptomatic is always welcome to schedule a screening test on the Emory Forward website. 

Take Action: In addition to those who are required, we encourage all campus members to test regularly. Visit the testing page of Emory Forward to schedule your test today.

Practice Important Safety Measures

Along with COVID-19 vaccination and testing policies, Emory’s indoor masking policy, gathering and dining limitations, contact tracing measures and isolation/quarantine procedures continue to demonstrate effectiveness at limiting COVID-19 infections and reducing illness on campus. 

Take Action:

• Get your booster shot.
• Test regularly.
• Wear masks both on and off campus. 
• Avoid or limit attendance at large indoor gatherings or other risky behaviors.
• Stay home and follow proper procedures if sick, symptomatic or COVID-19 positive.

Collectively, these measures allow us to maintain our commitment to live, learn and work together in person here at Emory University. Thank you for your efforts to be active partners in keeping yourself and others safe.

Sincerely, 

Amir St. Clair
Associate Vice President and Executive Director for COVID-19 Response and Recovery

In this message:

• Staying Safe and Healthy During Holidays 
• Updated COVID-19 Booster Eligibility
• Planning for COVID-19 Testing Over Thanksgiving 
• Get Your Flu Shot
• Reminder of December 8 COVID-19 Vaccine Deadline 

Dear Emory community,

Together, we’ve worked hard this semester to minimize illness and COVID-19 transmission on campus. And we look forward to celebrating the upcoming holidays while still maintaining a safe and healthy campus community. Here’s how you can be an active partner in our effort:

Holiday Gatherings

To help celebrate the holidays in a safe and healthy manner, please be extra attentive to Emory’s modified yellow operating conditions when hosting or attending campus gatherings in the coming weeks. These conditions include masking requirements, limits on large gatherings and restrictions on indoor dining for gatherings/events. Practicing healthy behaviors will help us celebrate safely together.

Get a Booster Shot 

The CDC has expanded eligibility for COVID-19 booster shots to all adults. Booster shots are safe, effective, and an important public health tool to increase protection against COVID-19 infection and severe outcomes. Please review the latest guidance, along with recent educational videos from Emory, and discuss with your primary healthcare provider to better understand how this may impact you. 

Have Thanksgiving Testing Plans

If you’re traveling during Thanksgiving, COVID-19 screening testing is available at Emory before and after the holiday period. We encourage all campus members to test upon returning to campus. Students, faculty and staff who are required to complete weekly screening tests should apply for a testing exemption if not on campus or accessing any campus facility during the given week(s).

Now is the time to make end-of-the-semester testing plans. Those traveling are responsible for understanding testing requirements for any upcoming travel. The State Department and the CDC offer guidance on testing requirements for traveling. Student Health’s travel page and the Georgia Department of Public Health list options for scheduling travel-specific tests.

Remember, if you become sick or test positive for COVID-19, please stay home and follow Emory’s reporting instructions.  

Get Your Flu Shot and Complete the Attestation Form

Emory is requiring the flu shot for students and employees as another important effort in keeping the campus community healthy and minimizing strain on healthcare systems. As we move through the coming weeks, it will be important to practice infection-prevention measures against the flu, much like we do for COVID-19: wear your mask, wash your hands, cover your cough and stay home when sick.  

Become COVID-19 Vaccine Compliant

Emory University’s COVID-19 vaccination policy revision deadline of Wednesday, December 8, 2021, is quickly approaching. All students, faculty and staff must be fully vaccinated with vaccination records uploaded into the portal, or have received an approved medical or religious exemption. Any campus member who receives an approved exemption is still required to conduct weekly COVID-19 testing. 

Information on where to get vaccinated or how to file a medical or religious exemption, and instructions for uploading vaccination documentation can be found on Emory Forward.

Wishing you a safe and healthy Thanksgiving. Thank you for continuing to be active partners in keeping Emory University safe.

Sincerely, 

Amir St. Clair
Associate Vice President and Executive Director for COVID-19 Response and Recovery

Dear Emory University faculty and staff, 

Following the recent recommendation and authorization from the CDC and FDA, the Pfizer pediatric COVID-19 vaccine for children 5-11 years old has been approved.

Please review the latest guidance from the Georgia Department of Public Health on the pediatric vaccination rollout here in Georgia, along with further educational resources from the CDC, Emory Healthcare, and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.

Pediatric vaccine providers include public health clinics, pediatric practices, pharmacies, community health centers and many other locations. To find a COVID-19 vaccination site, please visit the GDPH vaccine locator.

Sincerely, 

Amir St. Clair
Associate Vice President and Executive Director for COVID-19 Response and Recovery

In this message:

• Stay COVID-19 safe at Halloween
• Mandatory flu shot attestation deadline: October 29
• Mandatory COVID-19 vaccination exemption deadline: December 8
• Booster shot resources

Dear Emory community,

It was wonderful and exciting to see our campus community come together and celebrate Homecoming, Family Weekend, and the 2036 campaign launch last week. Even while gathering, it was heartening to see our campus members following COVID-19 safety protocols and contributing to a safe and healthy campus environment.  

As we look towards the Halloween weekend and future gatherings, please extend this thoughtfulness and continue to practice important infection prevention measures. Whether celebrating on or off campus for Halloween, remember to wear your masks, avoid or limit risky activities and stay home if you are sick. 

COVID-19 Testing

Students, faculty, and staff who are asymptomatic are always welcome to schedule a COVID-19 screening test, including both before and after the Halloween weekend. Hours of operation are posted on the Emory Forward website as well as within the scheduling app. And if you test positive for COVID-19, stay home and report it to Emory as soon as possible.

Flu Shots and Attestation (by October 29)

Flu shots are required for all faculty, staff, and students. All campus members must be compliant and complete the flu shot attestation form by this Friday, October 29. No upload of documentation is necessary.

COVID-19 Vaccination Mandate Deadline (by December 8)

As a reminder, revisions were recently announced  to Emory University’s COVID-19 vaccination exemption policy for all faculty, staff and students. Under this policy revision, Emory University will only allow COVID-19 vaccination exemptions for approved medical reasons or sincerely held religious beliefs. 

By December 8, all faculty, staff and students must be fully vaccinated and upload their vaccination documentation, or have a validated medical or religious exemption approved. This applies to everyone regardless of work/study location. 

Instructions for faculty and staff exemption requests are located on the HR website, and those for student exemption requests are posted on the SHS site. Any campus member who receives an approved exemption will still be required to conduct weekly COVID-19 testing. 

Booster Shots

New recommendations on COVID-19 booster shots have recently been released. Please review the latest COVID-19 booster shot guidance and discuss with your primary healthcare provider to better understand how this may impact you. Vaccination locations in Georgia can be found on the GDPH website. 

Thank you, again, for participating in our efforts to maintain a safe and healthy Emory University, and wishing you a very happy (and safe) Halloween!

Sincerely, 

Amir St. Clair
Associate Vice President and Executive Director for COVID-19 Response and Recovery

In this message:

• Important COVID-19 policy change for faculty, staff and students who are not fully vaccinated
• Who is impacted and next steps required
• Information on where to get vaccinated and how to upload proof of vaccination

​​Dear Emory University community, 

As we move forward, our priority continues to be maintaining a safe and healthy campus environment, and the most critical tool in our fight against COVID-19 continues to be vaccination.  Through the work and commitment of many across Emory, currently 97% of students and 94% of faculty and staff are fully vaccinated. Thank you to the 29,000+ vaccinated campus members for your contribution in keeping our community safe and helping Emory University to be a national leader in this effort.

Based on the efficacy and safety of COVID-19 vaccines, the full FDA approval of the Pfizer vaccine, current protocols in place across Emory Healthcare and several university units, and recently announced federal requirements, President Fenves has approved revisions to Emory University’s COVID-19 vaccination exemption policy for all faculty, staff and students. Under this policy revision, Emory University will only allow COVID-19 vaccination exemptions for approved medical reasons or sincerely held religious beliefs.

By December 8, 2021, all faculty, staff and students must be fully vaccinated and upload their vaccination documentation, or have a validated medical or religious exemption approved. This applies to all faculty, staff and students regardless of work/study location. Any campus member who receives an approved exemption will still be required to conduct weekly COVID-19 testing.

If you are fully vaccinated and have uploaded your documentation, or if you are a student who has already received an approved medical exemption, you do not need to read further.

Unvaccinated faculty, staff and students who now need to request an exemption for medical reasons or sincerely held religious beliefs, or be fully vaccinated, by December 8 include the following:

Students: Any student who previously completed the University attestation form for either a strong personal objection or remote study exemption. The previous attestation form no longer meets the current policy requirements.

Faculty and staff: Any faculty or staff member who previously completed the University attestation form for either a medical, strong personal objection, or remote work exemption. The previous attestation form no longer meets the current policy requirements. 

Further details will be sent directly by Human Resources and Student Health Services for those who will need to take additional steps to be compliant – and additional information can be found on Emory Forward.

COVID-19 vaccination sites are listed on the Georgia Department of Public Health website. FAQ videos on the vaccine and its efficacy can be found here, and instructions for uploading vaccination documentation for employees and students is available online. 

Please note, fully vaccinated is considered 14 days after the final dose in either a one or two dose vaccine series – and depending on the vaccine received, the full vaccination process may take up to six weeks. For this reason, unvaccinated faculty, staff and students should get their first vaccine dose as soon as possible to meet the December 8 deadline. Noncompliance after December 8 will result in disciplinary measures.

Further resources and information around the safety and efficacy of the vaccines will continue to be shared with our campus community over the coming weeks to help support those moving through the vaccination process.

Thank you again to everyone for their continued efforts at maintaining a safe and healthy Emory University.

Sincerely, 

Amir St. Clair
Associate Vice President and Executive Director for COVID-19 Response and Recovery

In this message:

• COVID-19 cases continue declining
• Safety guidance for Fall Break
• Reminder of screening testing, destination-specific testing, and symptomatic testing
• COVID-19 booster shot information

Dear Emory community,

Through the actions taken by our community across our campus partnership, COVID-19 case counts and prevalence continue to decline. I want to extend my appreciation, again, to those who provide care, support, and academic continuity to members of our community and to the many across campus dedicated to this effort. 

The pandemic has shown us that conditions can change quickly– and while we need to remain vigilant to COVID-19 protocols, it’s also important to recognize the positive impact of working together and following infection prevention measures both on and off campus. 

Fall Break Guidance

As noted at the onset of the fall semester, we anticipate COVID-19 cases will vary throughout the year, especially during periods where large gatherings, frequent indoor events, and increased travel is expected. We may be entering into one of these periods, starting with the upcoming Fall Break-- and by working together, we can prevent an increase in positive cases.

Please take preventative measures, especially when off campus and during any upcoming travel, to minimize any elevated risk of transmission:

• Wear your mask and wash your hands regularly
• Based on transmission evidence, avoid or limit attendance at large indoor gatherings off campus, particularly at bars, nightclubs, indoor concerts, and parties
• Stay home when sick or symptomatic

To help inform decision-making for your health and the health of others, below are varying levels of risk associated with community activities:

COVID-19 Testing

Students, faculty, and staff who are asymptomatic are always welcome to schedule a COVID-19 screening test, including before and after Fall Break travel. Hours of operation are posted on the Emory Forward website as well as within the scheduling app.

Please note it is the responsibility of each individual to understand testing requirements for any upcoming travel (i.e., type of test, within what period of time, and documentation required). The State Department and the CDC offer guidance on testing requirements for traveling. Along with information found on Student Health’s travel site, the Georgia Department of Public Health also lists options for scheduling travel-specific tests.

Before and after travel, please monitor your health and follow the proper protocols to receive specific guidance on testing, especially if you become sick or symptomatic.  And if you test positive for COVID-19, stay home and report it to Emory as soon as possible.

Booster Shots

Over the past few weeks, new recommendations on COVID-19 booster shots have been released. Please review the latest COVID-19 booster shot guidance as well as discuss with your primary healthcare provider to better understand how this may impact you. Vaccination locations in Georgia can be found on the GDPH website. 

I am extending wishes for a safe and restful Fall Break and look forward to an exciting month ahead of us. Thank you for your partnership in maintaining a safe and healthy Emory University.

Sincerely, 

Amir St. Clair
Associate Vice President and Executive Director for COVID-19 Response and Recovery

In this message:

• Update on campus COVID+ cases
• Be vigilant in your health practices both on and off campus 
• Modifications to symptomatic testing and reporting COVID+ results
• Flu shot mandate

Dear Emory faculty and staff,

Through the hard work of many across campus, along with employing Emory’s testing and contact tracing processes, the rates of campus prevalence, daily COVID-19 positive cases, and those in isolation/quarantine have all decreased.

What you can continue to do

To maintain a safe environment, I ask all members of our community to strictly follow COVID-19 protocols and important health practices both on and off campus. Wear your mask, stay home when sick, gather outdoors as much as possible and wash your hands.  

What to do if symptomatic or COVID-19 positive 

Thank you for your patience and understanding these past few weeks as we prioritized services for campus members sick or COVID-19 positive. We recognize wait times across the COVID Nurses’ Line and other support services were long. To improve this process, we have adjusted protocols for university faculty and staff to the following:

If you develop COVID-19 symptoms:

• Inform your supervisor, self-isolate, and do not come to campus.
• Visit the Emory Healthcare testing site at Northlake Mall for a free COVID-19 test as soon as possible. 
• Visiting Northlake assists in preventing strain on our systems. If unable to visit Northlake, please contact your primary care physician, local pharmacy or find a testing location on the Georgia Department of Public Health website for a diagnostic test.
• While awaiting your test results, call Emory’s Contact Tracing line at 404-727-6190 for additional instructions and next steps.

If you test positive for COVID-19: 

• Please call Emory’s Office of Injury Management (OIM) at 404-686-8587. You will receive important instructions on next steps including isolation requirements, contact tracing procedures and return to campus protocols.  

If you are asymptomatic, you can always schedule an on campus screening test on the Emory Forward website.   

Flu shot 

Flu shots will be required for all faculty, staff, and students.  All campus members are asked to be compliant with this requirement by October 29, 2021. Information on upcoming flu shot clinics and how faculty/staff can comply will be sent directly from Human Resources. Emory is requiring the flu shot as another important effort in keeping the campus community healthy and minimizing strain on our healthcare systems.

We remain committed to living our mission and nurturing a vibrant campus while preventing the serious consequences of COVID-19 and protecting those most vulnerable. Emory will continue focusing on limiting transmission and promoting infection-prevention measures. Thank you to those across our campus working nonstop to assist students and community members, and thank you for continuing to be active partners in keeping Emory University safe.

Sincerely, 

Amir St. Clair
Associate Vice President and Executive Director for COVID-19 Response and Recovery

In this message:

• Reminder of modified yellow operating status
• Emory maintains support services for those COVID-19 positive despite strain on systems
• Please be patient as we prioritize those who are sick and minimize delays
• Be vigilant in your health practices both on and off campus
• Check email for additional information

Dear Emory community,

Last Thursday, Emory moved to a modified yellow operating status to address increases in COVID-19 positive cases across the campus community. We are actively working to reverse this trend through increased testing, adjusted dining operations, modified gathering protocols and restrictions on certain activities. Thanks to tireless collaborations across campus, we continue to balance our goal of living out Emory’s mission and providing a vibrant campus experience, while also maintaining a safe and healthy environment.

Emory has created a comprehensive framework to identify positive cases, conduct contact tracing, provide quarantine and isolation housing, and deliver important medical and wrap-around services. The current increase in positive cases has strained the systems and personnel here at Emory working to maintain a high level of care for our impacted students. As we manage this current stress on Emory’s COVID-19 response teams and processes, please remain patient and understanding with those working hard to prioritize services for campus members sick or COVID-19 positive—while they also work to reduce delays.

As we conduct case investigations, off-campus transmission continues to be the primary source of infection at Emory. For this reason, I ask for you to strictly follow COVID-19 protocols and be vigilant in your health practices both on and off campus. Wear your mask, stay home when sick or symptomatic, gather outdoors as much as possible and wash your hands regularly. We must work together to minimize transmission and protect those most vulnerable. 

Any member of our campus community who is asymptomatic can always schedule a screening test on the Emory Forward website.  Anyone symptomatic or exposed is asked to follow the proper protocols to receive specific guidance on testing for their situation. We will also continue to require testing for cohorts or groups identified by our contact tracing and public health advisory teams as having high risk of exposure. 

Finally, please continue to check your inbox for further COVID-19 guidance from those offices relevant to you and your affiliation with Emory University. These include Human Resources, your dean’s office and Campus Life, among others. Each office plays a different part in our COVID-19 efforts, and I encourage you to read the important information they share. Let’s work together  to keep COVID-19 off campus so we can stay on campus. 

Thank you for your understanding and for continuing to be active partners in keeping yourself and others safe. 

Sincerely, 

Amir St. Clair
Associate Vice President and Executive Director for COVID-19 Response and Recovery

In this message:

• Emory planned for and is addressing positive COVID-19 cases and limiting spread.
• On-campus transmission is extremely limited with no documented transmission in classrooms. Off-campus transmission is the primary source of infection.
• Shifting from green to modified yellow operating status to address current conditions
  • Changes to dining, recreation centers, events and gathering protocols.
  • Testing expansion and contact tracing testing details.
  • Flu shot requirement for faculty, staff and students.

Dear Emory community,

COVID-19 cases are rising across the country due to the Delta variant-- and universities, including Emory University, are experiencing these increases as they resume in person classes. Given the nature of the virus and variants, infections are expected. At the same time, the COVID-19 vaccine remains highly effective at significantly reducing serious illness. Emory’s response to-date includes an effective layered strategy of infection and illness prevention. Along with vaccinations, wearing masks indoors is essential at preventing the spread of COVID-19.

Here at Emory, the evidence is that on-campus transmission is extremely limited with no documented transmission in classrooms. Off-campus transmission is the primary source of infection, and fully vaccinated persons testing positive for COVID-19 are presenting with mild or no symptoms. With Emory’s high vaccination rates and testing protocols, our response now focuses on where risk exists among our largely vaccinated community. We planned for and are ready for this reality. 

We are committed to living our mission and nurturing a vibrant campus while still preventing the serious consequences of COVID-19 and protecting those most vulnerable in our community by reducing transmission and promoting vaccinations.

To limit the current rise in cases and lessen the stress on systems and personnel needed to maintain safe campus operations, Emory is shifting to a modified yellow operating condition with the following changes taking effect today (9/2/21):

On Campus Dining:

• Campus members are strongly encouraged to dine outside as able. Outdoor tents, patios, and tables are located across campus, with additional tents being installed.
• Dining at the Dobbs Common Table and the Oxford Dining Hall is now limited to only those on a meal plan.
• Students without a meal plan, along with faculty, staff, and visitors, are welcome to eat at our many retail locations.
• Eating and drinking is still not allowed in classrooms.

Events and Gatherings:

• Non-academic indoor events or gatherings with more than 250 attendees should move outdoors, if possible. If unable to be held outdoors, events should move to a larger space or be separated into smaller sections and held in multiple spaces.
• Masks are strongly encouraged outdoors, regardless of vaccination status, when gathering in groups and/or physical distancing cannot be maintained.
• Indoor dining is not permitted for events or gatherings. Eating or drinking at events needs to be hosted outdoors.
• All event attendees must adhere to proper health screening and stay home if sick or symptomatic.

Testing:

Emory employs multiple testing protocols successful in identifying cases and limiting spread. Testing may increase based on health guidance and transmission evidence.

• Emory has more than doubled the number of screening tests conducted for campus members since last week. While those unvaccinated are required to test weekly, anyone who is asymptomatic is always welcome to schedule a screening test on the Emory Forward website.
• Any student, faculty or staff member who is symptomatic or exposed needs to follow proper protocols to receive guidance on the appropriate diagnostic test for their situation.
• Emory has and will continue to require testing for cohorts or groups identified by our contact tracing and public health advisory teams as having high risk of exposure. This strategy has proven highly effective at minimizing transmission and spread.

Recreation Centers:

Fitness facilities at Atlanta and Oxford campuses will make modifications and limitations to their operations. Details will be shared on the campus recreation websites. Masks must be worn in these spaces.

Flu Shot Requirement:

Emory University will again require flu shots for all faculty, staff, and students to keep our community healthy and prevent strain on our healthcare systems. Details on flu shot clinics and how to comply will be available soon. 

These measures are being put into place so that we can maintain our commitment to live, learn, and work together on the Emory campus. Thank you for your efforts to be active partners in keeping yourself and others safe.

Sincerely,

Amir St. Clair
Associate Vice President and Executive Director for COVID-19 Response and Recovery

Dear Emory Community,

After many months of planning and preparation, we are excited to begin the fall semester. I want to extend a special greeting to our new students, faculty, and staff joining Emory University this year. 

Emory has implemented extensive COVID-19 protocols and procedures to maintain a safe and healthy campus community. The Emory Forward website, along with regular Emory Forward messages, will serve as the primary points of reference for all things COVID-19 on campus. Please read, review, and stay current with items found on Emory Forward. 

To keep our campus safe and maintain our in-person experience, it is vital that everyone follows important infection-prevention measures both on and off campus. Evidence continues to show off-campus transmission as a primary source of infection when we don’t remain vigilant away from campus. 

In this way, our COVID-19 efforts are based on a partnership model where each student, faculty, and staff member is asked to play an important role in the collective safety of the campus community. Through your commitment to COVID-19 protocols this past year, the Emory community demonstrated that it can safely live, learn, and work on campus together. 

When we remain steadfast to these principles, we can do this.

Make sure you are aware and informed on how to play your role in Emory’s collective COVID-19 response efforts: 

Community Compact

Please review the 2021-2022 community compact (one for students, one for faculty/staff) to better understand your responsibility and expectations in following Emory’s COVID-19 protocols and infection-prevention measures.

Vaccination and Testing

To date, over 90% of the Emory University community is fully vaccinated. Information on the safety of the vaccine and where to get vaccinated is available on Emory Forward. Anyone not yet fully vaccinated is required to conduct regular COVID-19 screening testing. Please review Emory Forward’s vaccine and testing pages to learn more.

What do I do if…

Each campus member plays an important role in maintaining a safe campus environment, which means everyone needs to know what to do if they:

• Develop COVID-19 symptoms,
• Test positive for COVID-19 outside Emory, or
• Have been exposed on or off campus.

Please review instructions for what you need to do in each of these situations.

Contact Tracing

When Emory University learns of someone testing positive for COVID-19, a robust public health and contact tracing process is set in motion. These teams are professionally trained to identify close contacts based on CDC definitions, determine steps to mitigate transmission, and provide the necessary follow-up to include possible testing and quarantine procedures.

Based on your interactions with someone COVID-19 positive, you may not always be identified as a close contact per CDC guidelines. But you are always welcome to test through Emory’s screening program, which is available for on demand testing to all asymptomatic students, faculty and staff. 

Masking

Masks continue to be required indoors and on shuttles, regardless of vaccination status. Forgot a mask or need one? Mask dispensers are being installed at entry points in campus buildings. Be vigilant in wearing your mask—don’t put someone in a position to have to monitor your compliance with this important campus requirement. 

Return to Campus Videos

To highlight how the university is maintaining a safe and healthy environment and the steps you can take to keep yourself safe, a series of short videos featuring Emory’s public health experts along with campus leaders can now be found on Emory Forward’s resources page. 

FDA Vaccine Approval and Boosters

On Monday, the Pfizer vaccine received full FDA approval, with the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines expected to follow soon. These vaccines are critically important in our fight against COVID-19 and this recent approval supports the safety and efficacy behind their development. 

The FDA also recently approved a third vaccine dose of Moderna or Pfizer for individuals meeting the CDC criteria for moderately to severely immunocompromised people.  If you meet criteria for a third dose (or unsure if you fit this criteria), please consult with your healthcare provider to discuss next steps.

A third dose is different than a booster:

• A third dose of vaccine is administered when the immune response following a primary vaccine series is likely to be insufficient. 
• A booster is an additional dose of vaccine administered when the initial sufficient immune response to a primary vaccine series is likely to have waned over time. 

At this time, a booster for the general vaccine-eligible population has not received FDA approval or formal CDC recommendation. Current guidance on boosters will be updated as information becomes available or conditions change.

As we enter into this new academic year, please remember that conditions are continuously evolving. Flexibility and resilience across our community is key as we support each other through these changes. We remain confident that practicing healthy behaviors and adhering to COVID-19 protocols will allow us to maintain a safe and healthy campus environment this fall.

Thank you for your partnership in keeping Emory University safe. 

Sincerely,

Amir St. Clair
Associate Vice President and Executive Director for COVID-19 Response and Recovery

Dear Emory Faculty and Staff,

As we approach the beginning of the academic year, my first here at Emory as your provost, I share your anticipation and the excitement that always accompanies the start of every new semester. I understand your anxieties, too. I’ve spent the past five years at Duke, and returning to Emory has been a sort of homecoming, yet things have changed. The pandemic asks of us to be all the things we value—scholars, teachers, mentors, friends, and colleagues—and do so under challenging and evolving conditions.  

I believe the present is precious, and we need to give it our full attention and not “put on hold” the things we love and hold dear and can do safely. This includes our interactions with each other and our interactions with our students and other colleagues. With this mind-set, I’ve jumped into the job of provost with my whole heart, and I’m reassured by the teams of experts and scholars working to keep Emory as safe as possible. As I navigate my time at Emory, I realize that it’s important to take things day by day, celebrate each moment we have with each other and our students, and not let the present be consumed by what might come.

The Center for Faculty Development and Excellence, the Environmental Health and Safety Office, and Emory’s COVID-19 response teams have collaborated to create a set of guidelines for in-person teaching this semester, the complete version of which may be viewed on the CFDE website. The motivating principle governing these guidelines is to have layered safety measures in place so we can all, through our responsible actions, recreate the residential and scholarly community we love and do so safely for the long run. 

Masks in Classrooms

Faculty and students must wear masks at all times in the classroom, including during instruction (“at all times” means no eating or drinking in the classroom, but instructors may allow breaks for eating and drinking during longer classes). Schools will provide masks as needed, including transparent masks as needed for faculty whose students need to be able to see their mouths.

Mask Violations

Non-compliant students should be addressed by an instructor in a kind and compassionate way. Most students are mask compliant, but faculty may exercise their authority if a student is in violation of the community compact and needs to be asked to leave the classroom.

Classroom Set-Up

Classroom density will return to normal this semester, but if non-enrolled students asked to be added to the class, instructors must first make sure there are empty seats. If the classroom is full, instructors should tell the non-enrolled students that they cannot remain due to safety protocols. Some acrylic barriers may still be in place, but faculty do not need to teach behind them.

Small Group Work

Please be flexible with assigning in-class group work as students will have different comfort levels regarding personal space.

Classroom Ventilation

HVAC systems across campus facilities have been adjusted to maximize fresh air intake and improve indoor air quality through UV lighting filtration systems. Where possible, higher efficiency filter systems have been installed.

Classroom Cleaning

Rooms will no longer be cleaned by staff between each class, but each classroom will have hand sanitizer and paper towels available for faculty and students with special cleaning concerns. 

Office Hours

Faculty and students should all be masked during office hours when held indoors. If a number of students are expected at office hours at the same time, the faculty member may wish to schedule a larger room or hold office hours on Zoom or outside.

As you review these policies, I am sure you have questions and suggestions. Please visit the Emory Forward website as it is constantly updated. I look forwarding to speaking with you more about in-person teaching this fall at the Center for Faculty Development and Excellence’s webinar on Tuesday, August 17, at 3:00pm. The webinar is for all instructors—faculty and teaching assistants—and any staff who are interested.

In closing, I ask that you approach this semester with as much flexibility as you can muster and kindness and compassion—towards your students, your colleagues, and yourselves. We will get through this time, and we will do so by acting in a manner informed by science and fortified by our resolve to take care of each other and our teaching and research missions.

Sincerely,

Ravi V. Bellamkonda
Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

Dear Emory Community, 

With fall semester orientations, move-in, and other pre-semester events underway, we look forward to welcoming our students, faculty, and staff to campus. 

In our collective effort against COVID-19, Emory University continues to have high rates of vaccination across its campus – with over 88% of our community vaccinated – demonstrating the powerful and shared response from our students, faculty, and staff to date. Evidence continues to show that vaccines offer a strong degree of protection against the variants, including Delta, and remain highly effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalization, and death. Vaccination is the best way to protect you, your family, and our community. 

Even with high vaccination rates and layered prevention strategies in place across campus, we know community members have questions amid current public health conditions, the Delta variant, and resuming in-person activities. As we return to campus, Emory University will continue to monitor conditions and maintain important COVID-19 health protocols to protect the campus community.  

Below are important updates and reminders about the preparation and infection prevention measures Emory is taking to keep the community safe as we move into the 2021-2022 academic year.

COVID-19 Protocols for Fall 2021 Campus Readiness

Vaccinations

All Emory University students, faculty, and staff are required to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 for the fall semester. Campus members who have an approved vaccination exemption or anyone not yet fully vaccinated are required to conduct regular screening tests. At this time, testing is required weekly, however, frequency could increase depending on community prevalence. Testing procedures and scheduling information are available on Emory Forward’s testing information page.

Masking

Outdoors: Masks are not required outdoors on campus, but unvaccinated individuals are advised to wear masks when physical distancing cannot be maintained.

Indoors: All individuals, regardless of vaccination status, must wear masks indoors and on shuttles, unless in an enclosed single occupancy or non-shared space (e.g., private office or private study room), while actively eating or drinking, or when in their personal living space on campus. Please note, some spaces on campus may have more restrictive protocols in place.

Contact Tracing/Quarantine and Isolation

Emory continues to implement contact tracing, quarantine and isolation procedures, and COVID-19 positive instructional guides to help support the health, safety, and wellbeing of the community.

Physical Space Readiness

Please review the actions, processes, and services provided by Campus Services in preparing and resuming on-campus activities.

Contingency Planning

Emory has taken comprehensive steps to maintain a healthy campus environment and is prepared to adjust protocols as needed to preserve academic continuity, keep campus open, and live our mission. Emory’s response efforts are guided by evidence-based decisions as informed by public health data and environmental conditions. COVID-19 health indicators are continuously reviewed and evaluated alongside any specific guidance emerging from the CDC and Georgia Department of Public Health. 

Campus Reorientation

To help support Emory’s return to campus, the following outlines upcoming communication, education, and reorientation efforts for the campus community:

• My office is developing a COVID-19 Return to Campus video series with campus leaders and public health experts discussing how to stay safe amid current COVID-19 conditions. Videos will be posted to Emory Forward and shared with campus members.
• Later this week a message from the Office of the Provost will outline the Fall 2021 academic experience and classroom guidance related to COVID-19 protocols.  The Center for Faculty Development and Excellence will host a teaching webinar on Tuesday, August 17^th with Provost Bellamkonda and others further discussing this guidance.
• Campus Life is communicating expectations with students and has prepared a Fall 2021 Returning to Campus campaign full of events, resources, programming, and webinars.
• Human Resources has important health and wellness resources, return to campus informational videos, and emotional support practices available for review
• Campus signage will be updated to reflect current conditions and expectations of members of campus to keep ourselves and each other healthy.
• Emory Forward will continue to serve as the central source of COVID-19 policies, protocols, and information. 

Throughout the pandemic, Emory University students, faculty, and staff have demonstrated resiliency time and again to take important collective steps needed to keep the community safe.  As we welcome everyone back, keep doing your part. We remain confident that practicing healthy behaviors, adhering to COVID-19 protocols, and being flexible in our response will allow us to live, study, and work together on campus safely throughout the semester.

Thank you for your commitment to keeping Emory University safe. We’ve got this. 

Sincerely, 

Amir St. Clair
Associate Vice President and Executive Director for COVID-19 Response and Recovery

This message is sent on behalf of Jonathan S. Lewin, MD, FACR, EVP for Health Affairs, Emory University; Executive Director, Woodruff Health Sciences Center; and CEO and Chairman of the Board, EHC; Dane Peterson, President and COO, EHC; Sharon Pappas, PhD, RN, EHC Chief Nurse Executive; Bryce Gartland, MD, EHC Hospital Group President; Ira Horowitz, MD, Director of the Emory Clinic, EHC Physician Group President; Bill Bornstein, MD, PhD, EHC Chief Medical Officer and Chief Quality and Patient Safety Officer; and Lilicia Bailey, CHRO, EHC

Team EHC,

Over the last several weeks, we have seen a significant increase in COVID-19 infections in metro Atlanta, the Southeast and our nation, resulting in a rapid rise in hospital admissions. This resurgence has been driven by a combination of the rapidly spreading Delta variant and our community’s low vaccination rate. As this significant spike in infections becomes more serious, we have a commitment to provide a safe environment for both our care teams and patients.

At this time, we have made the decision to require the COVID-19 vaccination for all providers and employees with an expectation to have received their COVID-19 vaccination shots by Oct. 1, 2021 (one dose of J&J or two of either Moderna or Pfizer).

While this is a change from earlier direction, our decision is based on our commitment to provide the safest environment to care for patients and to protect our staff, providers and community. It is the right thing to do from a public health perspective, and we have heard from many of you on the importance of our leadership within the community. Not only does this create a safe environment for our patients but for each of us.

The COVID-19 vaccines – which Emory researchers played a role in developing and testing – have been highly effective, have an excellent safety record, and are our strongest defense against the virus. Widespread vaccination is also the best way to get back to life without masks and other COVID-19-related restrictions. The greater the number of unvaccinated individuals in the community, the longer COVID-19 will persist and the greater the likelihood of the emergence of potentially even more worrisome and dangerous future variants.

COVID Vaccination Next Steps

Complete the following steps by Oct. 1, 2021, to fulfill the EHC COVID vaccination requirement:

• Get vaccinated: COVID-19 vaccines are widely available in the community. You may get vaccinated at any community location, such as your local pharmacy, grocery store or Department of Public Health location. Vaccination is fully covered by Emory insurance and is free of charge for everyone. Click here to search for a specific vaccine and the nearest location where available. If it’s more convenient, make an appointment to get vaccinated at EHC in the HOME employee portal. Click here for instructions. See a full schedule of OU vaccine clinics in the FAQs below.
• Upload external vaccination record to HOME – if you were vaccinated outside EHC: Once you have been vaccinated, please click here for instructions on uploading external vaccination records to the HOME employee health portal. If you require assistance in uploading your records, please inform your manager and help will be provided.
• Confirm vaccination status in HOME: If you have already been vaccinated and have uploaded an external vaccination record, please confirm your vaccination status by logging in to the HOME employee portal. Your vaccine record is available in “My Medical Information.”

Thank you to the more than 70% of EHC providers and staff who are already fully vaccinated, and all of our care teams who work to improve lives and provide hope each and every day. The move to a COVID-19 vaccination requirement is not unique to EHC. Several health care organizations, universities and employers locally and across the U.S. have announced similar requirements. It is also consistent with expert national guidelines from many of the leading professional organizations (see FAQs below). We will continue to evaluate the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on our health care system and community, and may make adjustments to our policies and requirements in the future, as needed.

If you have questions about the new requirement or need information on how to receive the vaccine, reach out to your manager or HR lead.

Thank you for all you do to improve lives and provide hope.

FAQs

EHC Vaccine Requirement Process

Q: Where can I get vaccinated?

A: COVID-19 vaccines are widely available in the community. You may get vaccinated at any community location such as your local pharmacy, grocery store or Department of Public Health location. Vaccination is fully covered by Emory insurance and is free of charge for everyone. Click here to search for a specific vaccine and the nearest location where available. If it’s more convenient, make an appointment to get vaccinated at EHC in the HOME employee portal. Click here for instructions. See below for a complete schedule of EHC OU vaccine clinics.

Dear Emory Faculty, 

President Fenves shared an updated vaccination policy with all Emory employees, including all Emory faculty, on July 27.  All Emory University faculty and staff will now be required to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 for the Fall 2021 semester. Emory faculty and staff can find locations to schedule a COVID-19 vaccine, free of charge, on Emory Forward. Emory employees may request a vaccination exemption for medical or strong personal reasons by visiting the Emory Forward vaccine page; exemptions must be requested no later than August 16. Those with a vaccine exemption as well as those not yet fully vaccinated (two weeks post final dose) must take a weekly screening test.

The primary motivation for these policies is to ensure the safety for our community and enable us to get closer to being able to maximally pursue our research, teaching and service missions as a largely residential community.

Please find below other reminders and updates to assist your planning for the fall semester. 

Classrooms. 

With the exception of the mask requirement, classroom practices will revert to pre-COVID norms. Masks are still required, regardless of vaccination status, in all indoor public and common spaces on campus—including classrooms, laboratories, shuttles, and other meeting spaces.  

Building Access. 

Building access restrictions will be lifted by August 16. Access to buildings will be restored to pre-COVID norms.  

Research. 

Masking policies for research will continue to follow university guidelines. Masks are still required, regardless of vaccination status, in all indoor public and common spaces on campus—including classrooms, laboratories, shuttles, and other meeting spaces.  

Pandemic-related restrictions on building access will be lifted, and buildings may operate at full density. 

Calendar. 

Emory will follow the published academic calendar for the fall semester, which can be found by visiting the Office of the Registrar. Please refer to individual school calendars for specific program and session dates. 

Contingency Planning. 

The administration is working to monitor COVID-19 in the community and especially on campus. The operating status and event and gathering meters and related protocols are dynamic and may be adjusted to fit current public health conditions if circumstances change.   

Faculty Support.  

The Center for Faculty Development and Excellence (CFDE) is hosting a webinar to help faculty prepare for resuming in-person teaching. Presenters will discuss classroom safety measures, student compliance concerns, and pedagogical techniques, and will also answer questions. Please save the date: Tuesday, August 17, 3-4pm. The webinar will be recorded and posted following the live event. 

Our faculty has demonstrated flexibility, dedication, and resilience throughout the pandemic. You have kept our campuses vibrant for the past 18 months, and we appreciate the commitment you made to our students, fellow faculty members, and to your own research. Emory will continue to prioritize the safety of our community as we move forward with the fall semester.

Dear Campus Community,

Emory University followed public health guidance and evidence from previous immunization campaigns to inform our COVID-19 vaccination policies and protocols. To date, 85% of our faculty, staff, and students are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Emory’s collective work, grounded in its public health mission, is driven by an extensive education campaign focused on the safety and efficacy of the vaccine as our best form of protection against COVID-19.  

And our work is not over yet. 

To push safety efforts forward amid rising case rates and maintain plans to return together this fall, the time is right to advance additional measures for protecting the campus community.

Vaccination Requirement for Faculty and Staff

As noted earlier by President Fenves, all Emory University faculty and staff will now be required to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 for the Fall 2021 semester. Emory faculty, staff and students can find locations to schedule a COVID-19 vaccine, free of charge, on Emory Forward. 

To verify the university has your vaccination record, log in to the HOME employee portal, click on “Workplace Health” and then “My Medical Information,” and then review the vaccines listed under “current immunizations.”  

Faculty and staff who scheduled their vaccine appointment through the university HOME portal and received their vaccine through Emory do not need to complete additional steps at this time. Faculty and staff who received their vaccine from a non-Emory provider or as an Emory patient will need to upload their COVID-19 vaccination documentation via the HOME employee portal. Review upload instructions here.

Contractors who have a regular presence on campus will also follow Emory’s vaccination policies and testing protocols.

Vaccination Exemption and Testing for Faculty and Staff

Faculty and staff can request an exemption to the vaccination requirement for medical reasons or strong personal objections by completing a vaccination exemption form on the Emory Forward vaccine page beginning July 30. We ask that all vaccination exemptions be submitted no later than August 16. 

Faculty and staff who have a vaccine exemption or are not yet fully vaccinated (two weeks post final dose) are required to conduct weekly COVID-19 screening testing. Testing information and scheduling can be found on the Emory Forward testing page.

For additional information, please review the Vaccine Requirement FAQs for faculty and staff as well as other resources found on Emory Forward. Questions about complying with this vaccination requirement can be directed to covidcompliance@emory.edu. 

Vaccination Requirement for Students

As previously announced, Emory University will require all students to be vaccinated for COVID-19 for the fall 2021 semester. Additional information on this policy, including how students can upload their vaccination status or submit an approved vaccination exemption, can be found on Emory Forward. Students who have a vaccine exemption or are not yet fully vaccinated will be required to complete weekly COVID-19 screening testing. 

Vaccination Dashboard Data

Vaccination percentage rates for students and faculty/staff have been added to the already posted vaccination numbers on Emory’s COVID-19 dashboard. Percentage rates will be regularly updated along with the other COVID-related metrics tracked since June 2020.  

Mask Policy

The current mask policy remains in effect. Masks are still required at this time, regardless of vaccination status, in all indoor spaces on campus, except when actively eating or drinking. These spaces include classrooms, laboratories, shuttles, and other meeting spaces.

Reorientation for Fall

As we begin the new academic year with updated COVID-19 policies and procedures, every student, faculty, and staff member has a shared responsibility in maintaining a safe campus community and adhering to our community’s guidelines. 

To support this effort and minimize transmission of COVID-19, the Emory Community Compact outlines behavioral expectations for all students, faculty, and staff who are on campus this academic year. Please read and review these compacts on the Emory Forward site to learn more about these expectations and protocols.

Additional reorientation efforts will follow in the coming weeks outlining what the campus experience will be like this fall and how Emory is working to maintain safe campus conditions. Upcoming campus wide webinars, videos, messaging, and resource toolkits will provide additional details and forums to support our collective return to campus. 

Changes to Policies Based on Conditions

COVID-19 protocols are subject to change based on environmental conditions or public health guidelines. COVID-19 indicators, including those found on the Emory Forward operating status page, are regularly reviewed by Emory’s public health and leadership teams to help guide decision-making. Emory University may revert back to previous restrictions or operating conditions if needed to maintain a safe and healthy community. 

Thank you to our entire community for the important steps we are taking to create a safe and healthy environment as we move forward together. 

Sincerely,

Amir St. Clair
Associate Vice President and Executive Director for COVID-19 Response and Recovery

Dear Emory University Community,

We are a month away from the start of the fall semester and the full return to campus. I know many of us are looking forward to carrying out our educational and research missions through in-person teaching, learning, and scholarship. And I sense the excitement building as we look forward to seeing friends, meeting new people, and experiencing Emory’s renewed energy in Atlanta and Oxford.

The COVID-19 vaccines—which Emory researchers played a role in developing and testing—have been highly effective and are our strongest defense against the virus. Yet the pandemic is not over. With the spread of the Delta variant and rising COVID-19 cases in Georgia, we must remain committed to protecting the health of the Emory community, and it starts with getting vaccinated. 

Today, I’m announcing a new policy in response to current regional COVID-19 conditions: 

All Emory University faculty and staff members must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 for the fall semester. 

Emory community members can sign up to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, free of charge, via Emory Forward. If you are in the process of being vaccinated, you must continue to take a weekly test until fully vaccinated (two weeks after your final dose). As previously announced, all Emory students must also be vaccinated to return to in-person learning this fall.   

Emory staff and faculty members can apply for a vaccination exemption based on medical contraindications or strong personal objections. We ask that all exemptions be submitted no later than August 16. Community members who have an exemption will still be required to complete a COVID-19 screening test once a week. Screening tests can be scheduled online.

Currently, more than 85% of Emory faculty, staff, and students are fully vaccinated. The recent rise in COVID-19 cases is connected to a surge in transmission among unvaccinated individuals, and although the Emory vaccination percentages are high, we must do even better.  

A follow-up message with further details on the updated policies— including how to submit an exemption request—will be sent later today by Amir St. Clair, associate vice president and executive director of COVID-19 response and recovery.

We are continuing to monitor COVID-19 throughout our city and region, along with the latest CDC recommendations, and will adjust Emory’s policies—including mask wearing—as needed for the health of the community. As a reminder, all Emory community members are currently required to wear masks when inside campus buildings, except when eating or drinking. If future conditions warrant, we may also increase the frequency of testing and/or expand the range of people who will need to be tested depending on the public health situation.

I’d like to thank you all for doing your part to keep our community healthy during these challenging times. I can’t wait to see you in person in just a few short weeks!

Sincerely, 

Gregory L. Fenves
President

Dear Emory Community,

Emory University is taking important steps to prepare our campus while prioritizing the health and safety of our university community. Given the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines, the vaccination rate of the campus community will continue to inform university policies and procedures. With over 18,000 campus members fully vaccinated (and many uploading their vaccination status each day) and positive community indicators, we continue to update protocols and expand campus opportunities.  

Please read the following for important University updates and reminders: 

Green Operating Condition

Based on current public health and community indicators, Emory will move from a yellow to green operating status on July 1. At that time, campus spaces can return to normal capacity without density restrictions. Signage in these areas will be modified accordingly in the coming weeks. Please note, the University may revert to a more restrictive operating status should future conditions warrant. 

Gathering Policy

Effective July 1, Emory will lift restrictions on gathering size, density, and duration for both on and off campus events. Emory Forward will be updated accordingly at that time. Any gathering still will need to adhere with current Emory health and safety protocols, as directed by University guidelines. 

Visitor Policy

Effective July 1, Emory’s visitor policy will be revised. Please review the updated policy here.

Mask Policy Reminder

Current mask protocols remain in place. Masks are not required when outdoors on campus; unvaccinated persons are advised to wear masks outdoors when attending a gathering or where physical distancing cannot be maintained. Masks are still required, regardless of vaccination status, in all indoor public and common spaces on campus and in Emory facilities and spaces including classrooms, laboratories, shuttles, and other meeting areas. 

Get Vaccinated

Students: Students can receive COVID-19 vaccines directly at Emory Student Health Services. Please review the Student Health Services vaccine page for additional details, or access the Student Patient Portal to schedule an appointment.  If you have any questions related to the vaccine or scheduling, please send a message to the COVID vaccine and travel nurse in the Student Patient Portal. 

Faculty and Staff: In addition to the vaccine options outlined on Emory Forward, on-campus vaccine clinics (walk-in, no appointment needed) will be available to employees during the summer months, with the first occurring on Wednesday, June 30th, from 5 AM – 1 PM at the Campus Services A Building (100 Water Tower Place). Further details on all vaccine options can be found on the Emory Forward vaccine site. 

Still Deliberating or Concerned About Getting the Vaccine?

Emory Healthcare addresses vaccine questions and concerns through an online video series. Remember, get the vaccine whenever and wherever you can. You can visit Vaccines.gov, the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program, or contact your state health department to find additional vaccination locations in your area.

Screening Test Requirements

Students

As a reminder, all students are required to comply with Emory’s student immunization policy, including COVID-19 vaccination, for Fall 2021. Depending on school of enrollment, registration holds will begin in July for those not compliant with Emory’s student immunization policy. Please upload your vaccination status as soon as possible.

Beginning July 1, any student not fully vaccinated is required to conduct weekly screening testing. 

Faculty and Staff

Reminder that beginning July 1, any faculty or staff member who is not fully vaccinated (two weeks past receiving both doses of a two-dose vaccine or one dose of a single-dose vaccine), will be required to conduct a weekly screening test. To facilitate this process, all faculty and staff are required to share their vaccination status with Emory by July 1. More details on how to share your status can be found here. 

How do I schedule a screening test?

Screening testing locations and hours for students, faculty and staff can be found on Emory Forward and screening tests can be scheduled online. Questions about scheduling a test or test results can be directed to covidscreeningprogram@emory.edu

Weekly Exemption Process

Students, faculty and staff who are required to complete COVID-19 screening tests may apply for an exemption for a given week(s). Exemption criteria and forms can be found on Emory Forward’s testing page. 

Testing Non-compliance

Everyone is asked to contribute to the health and safety of the campus community. Students, faculty, and staff who are required to test will be held accountable for non-compliance. Questions about compliance can be directed to covidcompliance@emory.edu

Study Abroad and University-Sponsored Travel

Study abroad will resume for Fall 2021. In addition, university-sponsored international travel for fully vaccinated faculty and staff may now be approved by deans’ or executive vice presidents’ offices without additional review by the Executive Travel Safety Committee. Further details can be found on the revised Emory travel policy.

As we progress towards normal operations, Emory will continue to prioritize health and safety for the campus community by educating the community about vaccination safety and efficacy, providing vaccines and expanding access on campus, requiring routine screening tests, monitoring breakthrough infections, maintaining a contact tracing program, and conducting other health-based practices.

Please also review important health and wellness resources on Emory Forward to support you as the University returns to full operations. Students can find additional resources on the Campus Life website, and faculty and staff can view more information on the Human Resources website.

Thank you for your continued partnership as we move forward in keeping our campus community safe and healthy.

Sincerely, 

Amir St. Clair
Associate Vice President and Executive Director for COVID-19 Response and Recovery

Dear Emory Community,

Earlier today President Fenves announced our next steps to create a safe and healthy campus community in order to resume normal operations at Emory University. The following information provides additional details and other important updates.

Screening Testing Requirements

Faculty/Staff

Beginning July 1, any faculty or staff member who is not fully vaccinated (individuals two weeks past receiving both doses of a two-dose vaccine or one dose of a single-dose vaccine) will be required to conduct a weekly asymptomatic screening test. To facilitate this process, all faculty and staff will be required to share their vaccination status with Emory by July 1.

• Faculty and staff who scheduled their appointment through the university HOME portal and received their vaccine through Emory do not need to complete additional steps at this time. Your vaccination status should be reflected in HOME. To verify, log in to your HOME employee portal, click on “Workplace Health” and then “My Medical Information”, and review vaccines listed under current immunizations.
• Faculty and staff members who received their vaccine from a non-Emory provider or as an Emory patient will need to upload their COVID-19 vaccination documentation via the HOME employee portal. Please review instructions here.

Students

All students are required to comply with Emory’s student immunization policy, including COVID-19 vaccination, for Fall 2021. However, beginning July 1, any student not fully vaccinated will be required to conduct weekly asymptomatic screening testing. Students should follow instructions for uploading vaccination documentation on the Student Health Services (for Atlanta students) or the Oxford Student Patient Portal (for Oxford students) webpages. 

Testing Sites and Exception Process

Updates to testing site locations and hours starting after July 1 will be posted in the coming weeks on Emory Forward, along with how campus members can apply for testing exceptions if they are unable to complete a test in a given week (ex: not being on campus anytime during the week).

Knowing the percentage of our community that is vaccinated will impact upcoming decisions and guidelines related to testing and campus offerings– so, if you have not already done so, please get vaccinated and upload your vaccination status as soon as possible.

Discontinue Testing of Fully Vaccinated Students

Beginning Monday, June 7, fully vaccinated students are no longer required to conduct regular asymptomatic screening testing. Students can stop asymptomatic testing once their vaccination documentation is uploaded and they are two weeks past their final COVID-19 vaccine dose. Unvaccinated students must continue their current applicable testing requirement until they are fully vaccinated.

Get Vaccinated

New public health guidance is based on the safety, efficacy, and protection of being fully vaccinated. If you have not yet been vaccinated for COVID-19: 

• Schedule a vaccination appointment at Emory, or visit Vaccines.gov to find other providers, and then upload your vaccination status.
• Still have vaccine concerns? Emory Healthcare addresses vaccine questions and concerns through an online video series.

Vaccine Clinics on Campus

In addition to Emory’s current vaccine distribution process, Emory will begin hosting vaccine clinics on campus at the end of June to increase access and participation among members of our community. Further information and logistics will be shared in the coming weeks.  

Operating Status

Based on current public health and community prevalence indicators, Emory anticipates moving from a yellow to green operating status effective July 1. Changes to the gathering and visitor policies will be communicated in the coming weeks. Current mask guidelines will remain in place at this time. Please note the operating status can be shifted to a more restrictive status if environmental conditions change. 

Campus Space Density

Beginning July 1, campus spaces can return to normal density based on the capacity of each indoor space. Flexible work arrangements for faculty and staff may continue to be available according to school/unit policies and needs. Implementation of normal density will be made in conjunction with return-to-work-campus plans for each individual school/unit and additional workspace guidance will be shared in the coming weeks with HR leaders and the campus community. 

Transportation/Shuttles

Beginning July 1, Emory shuttles will resume normal operations with full seated capacity. Safety protocols, including daily disinfecting of vehicles, rear door loading, and required mask wearing for all riders and drivers will continue at this time. In addition, all shuttles will have bi-polar ionization units and MERV 7 HVAC filters installed for enhanced safety. 

Fitness and Recreational Facilities

Beginning July 1, access to the Woodruff PE Center (WPEC), Student Activity and Academic Center (SAAC), and Blomeyer fitness facilities will be open to all who are eligible for membership based on capacity.  Membership is required and some areas may require advance reservation. More information will be posted on the Department of Recreation and Wellness and Human Resources websites in the coming weeks.

Study Abroad

Emory will continue to evaluate study abroad programming for the fall and share an update later this month. 

Practice Health/Safety Measures

Continue to wash your hands regularly, stay home if you are sick, and carry a mask with you at all times should you enter a space or situation where the risk of transmission increases for you or others.

With all campus members either fully vaccinated or regularly tested and adherence to existing safety measures, we will make additional revisions to COVID policies and guidelines and share those updates in the coming weeks.

As we progress towards normal operations, Emory will continue to prioritize health and safety for the campus community by educating the community about vaccination safety and efficacy, providing vaccines and expanding access on campus, requiring routine screening tests, monitoring breakthrough infections, maintaining a contact tracing program, and maintaining other health-based practices.

Thank you for your continued patience, flexibility, and resilience as we move forward in keeping our campus community safe and healthy.

Sincerely, 

Amir St. Clair
Associate Vice President and Executive Director for COVID-19 Response and Recovery

Dear Emory Community,

I hope you are enjoying the first weeks of summer and taking well-deserved time to relax and recharge after this unprecedented academic year. I am writing you today to announce a significant update to our policies on COVID-19 vaccinations and testing that will help us prepare for a full return to campus in the fall. Each member of the Emory community has a vital role to play in supporting a healthy campus as we continue to navigate the pandemic, and the following requirements are a reflection of that shared responsibility.

FACULTY/STAFF

Beginning July 1, any faculty or staff member who is not fully vaccinated will be required to conduct weekly screening testing.

To prepare for this policy change, all faculty and staff members will need to share their vaccination status with Emory by July 1. 

• Faculty and staff members who scheduled their vaccination appointment through the university HOME portal and received their vaccine through Emory will not need to complete additional steps at this time. Your vaccination status should be reflected in HOME. To verify, log in to your HOME employee portal, click on the “My Medical Information” tab, and review vaccines listed under current immunizations. For more information on how to use the HOME portal click here.
• Faculty and staff members who received their vaccine through a non-Emory provider or as an Emory patient (but did not use the HOME portal) will need to upload their COVID-19 vaccination documentation via the HOME employee portal. Please review instructions here.

STUDENTS

All students are required to comply with Emory’s student immunization policy, which includes a COVID-19 vaccination, for fall 2021. Beginning July 1, any student who is not fully vaccinated will be required to conduct weekly screening testing. 

• To upload vaccination documentation, students can visit Student Health Services (for Atlanta students) or the Oxford Student Patient Portal (for Oxford students).

Currently, over 15,000 members of our community have been fully vaccinated through Emory Healthcare, but we estimate thousands more have been vaccinated elsewhere. By submitting your vaccination status, you can help us create a more complete understanding of Emory’s overall vaccination levels. 

The public health data makes it clear that as more members of our community are vaccinated, we can more quickly and safely increase activity on campus as we prepare to welcome everyone back in the fall. 

Further information on these new testing protocols, along with other important updates, will be provided by Amir St. Clair, Emory’s executive director of COVID-19 response and recovery, in a follow-up message later today.

Thank you for your resilience and dedication. This has been a challenging time for Emory, but we are so close to the return we have long awaited. I appreciate all that you have done, and continue to do, to help us focus on our world-class scholarship, teaching, and learning throughout this long pandemic, which we all hope will be over soon.

Sincerely,

Gregory L. Fenves
President

Dear Campus Community,

Congratulations to our students, faculty, and staff for completing an extraordinary 2020-2021 academic year – and welcome to all new members joining the Emory family over the coming months. 

As we transition to summer, our efforts in supporting a safe and healthy campus community in response to COVID-19 will continue. Please review the following message for important new campus guidelines.

Updated Mask Guidance

Emory University students, faculty, and staff have been active partners in our COVID-19 protocols by promoting a safe campus environment. Your efforts, along with consideration of recent CDC guidance, position the university to update its campus mask guidelines. 

Beginning today, May 20, masks are no longer required when outdoors on campus.  Unvaccinated persons are still advised to wear masks outdoors when attending a gathering or where physical distancing cannot be maintained. Mask requirements for certain outdoor gatherings depending on size and density may still be applied by the University. Such details will be shared when applicable.

With the highest risk for COVID-19 transmission occurring in indoor settings, and as we continue vaccinating our campus community, masks are still required at this time, regardless of vaccination status, in all indoor public and common spaces on campus – including classrooms, laboratories, shuttles, and other meeting spaces.

Emory will continue monitoring changes in public health guidance and community indicators and will provide further revisions to campus policies and protocols moving forward.

Get Vaccinated

New public health guidance is based on the safety, efficacy, and protection of being fully vaccinated. If you have not yet been vaccinated for COVID-19: 

• Schedule an appointment through Emory on Emory Forward
• Visit VaccineFinder.org to find other vaccination providers near you
• Check out pharmacies participating in the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program

Resuming more normal activities is a positive and encouraging step forward. As Emory transitions and begins lifting restrictions, I ask all campus members to practice the following:

• Continue to wash your hands regularly
• Stay at home if you are sick
• Carry a mask with you at all times should you enter a space or situation where risk of transmission increases – either for you or others present

Perhaps most importantly, be respectful and considerate to everyone as we all learn to navigate these changing guidelines. Individuals may choose to wear masks or maintain distance for reasons besides vaccination status. We are placing greater trust in the larger community and relying on our trust in others adhering to applicable guidelines.

We’re grateful to be taking these important steps forward and thank you for your continued partnership in promoting a safe and healthy Emory University.

Sincerely, 

Amir St. Clair
Associate Vice President and Executive Director for COVID-19 Response and Recovery

Dear Faculty and Staff,

As we move toward the end of the spring semester, I’d like to thank you for your help in supporting Emory’s COVID-19 response. All of you have played an instrumental role this past year in our collective effort. We’ve relied on your dedication to keep our campuses safe and look forward to your continued partnership this summer and into the next academic year. 

Please review the following information in advance of the summer:

Summer Onboarding

If you will be accessing campus this summer for any reason and have not yet completed onboarding during the fall or spring semesters, please complete the updated onboarding process. Onboarding is required for campus access, and faculty and staff who have not completed onboarding are subject to campus restrictions.

Summer Testing

On campus COVID-19 testing will be available to all faculty and staff over the summer. Summer testing locations and times will be posted to Emory Forward on May 10. Schedule a test here.

Summer Travel Policy

Revisions to Emory’s travel policy for the summer will go into effect May 17. Please review the new policy changes at Emory Forward for further details.

COVID-19 Vaccine

More than 16,000 university members have been vaccinated through Emory Healthcare to date, and we strongly encourage all faculty and staff to get the COVID-19 vaccine. If you have not yet been vaccinated for COVID-19:

1. Schedule your first vaccination appointment as soon as possible
2. Make a plan for your second dose at the same time.
3. Protect and duplicate your vaccine documentation cards.

Need help locating a vaccination site?

• Schedule through Emory Healthcare on Emory Forward
• Visit VaccineFinder.org to find other vaccination providers near you.
• Check out pharmacies participating in the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program. 

Current university members vaccinated through Emory Healthcare data can now be found on the COVID-19 dashboard. Faculty and staff vaccinated outside of Emory Healthcare are encouraged to upload their Covid-19 vaccination card to the H.O.M.E health portal.

As we finish this spring semester and progress towards our full return this fall, we will continue to share COVID-19 procedures for the next academic year as they become available. 

Thank you again for being active partners in our efforts to maintain a safe and healthy campus environment this past year.

Sincerely, 

Amir St. Clair
Associate Vice President and Executive Director for COVID-19 Response and Recovery 

COVID-19 Vaccination.

All Emory faculty and staff can register online for vaccination through Emory Healthcare.

The university will provide transportation to and from the Emory Northlake COVID Vaccine Clinic for students, faculty, and staff on the Atlanta and Oxford campuses who need transportation to their appointment (or to volunteer). 

As you move through the vaccination process, you will receive documentation verifying you received the vaccine. Please keep and secure all relevant documentation. 

COVID-19 Testing.

Visit Emory Forward for the latest news about the kinds of COVID-19 tests we offer, when each type will be used, testing locations, and hours for the summer. Members of faculty and staff who are onboarded can schedule a screening test here.

Request for Volunteers.

Emory Healthcare has issued an urgent request for volunteers as they roll out the COVID-19 vaccine. They need clinical and non-clinical volunteers who are current Emory Healthcare or Emory University staff, providers or students to assist at the Northlake COVID Vaccine Clinic location. Please consider registering to help with this critical initiative.

Faculty Mitigation Plan.

In response to COVID-19, the Office of the Provost has developed a suite of measures intended to mitigate the major difficulties facing faculty across the university. Click here to read about the plans to address faculty development opportunities, affording faculty time, and adjustments for lost resources.

Fall 2021 Return to Campus

Find answers about returning to campus for the 2021-2022 academic year.

Dear Students,

While you have been busy preparing for and taking your final exams, Emory has been planning for summer 2021, and I am sharing information and requirements for the upcoming summer term. As before, your cooperation has been essential in keeping campus safe and taking positive steps toward our goal of a full return this fall.

Exit Testing

Be prepared for travel and entry requirements if you are traveling abroad at the end of the semester. Student Health Services provides links and resources for testing at Emory or in the community.

Get Vaccinated

If you have not yet been vaccinated for COVID-19:

1. Schedule your first vaccination appointment as soon as possible to keep you and your community safe
2. Make a plan for your second dose at the same time.
3. Protect and duplicate your vaccine documentation cards.

Need help locating a vaccination site?

• Schedule through Emory Healthcare on Emory Forward
• Visit VaccineFinder.org to find other vaccination providers near you.
• Check your local pharmacy’s website to see if vaccination appointments are available. Find out which pharmacies are participating in the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program.
• Contact your state health department to find additional vaccination locations in the area.

Summer Onboarding

If you will be accessing campus this summer for any reason and have not completed onboarding during the fall or spring semesters, please onboard here. As part of onboarding, if students are new to campus, they will need to provide a copy of a negative COVID-19 test within 48 hours upon move in and it must be uploaded into the student health portal.  

Summer COVID-19 Testing

For summer, students will be required to follow the same screening testing protocols put in place this spring, regardless of vaccination status. Students who live ON campus are required to take a COVID-19 screening test twice per week. Students who live OFF campus, and accessing campus for any reason, are required to take a screening test within seven days before accessing campus.

Summer testing locations, times, and procedures will be posted on Emory Forward beginning May 10. 

Summer Travel Policy

New revisions to Emory’s travel policy for the summer will go into effect May 17. Please review Emory Forward for further details.

As you finish up this spring semester, I wish you the best of luck and extend a heartfelt congratulations to our graduates who will be celebrating in the coming weeks. All of you have contributed to a safe and healthy campus environment this past year. Thank you for being active partners in our efforts together.

Sincerely,

Amir St. Clair
Associate Vice President and Executive Director for COVID-19 Response and Recovery

COVID-19 Screening Testing.

Screening testing protocols for students during the summer will be similar to this spring. Additional information on summer testing will be posted on Emory Forward on May 10. 

Testing Exceptions.

If you are an off-campus student NOT accessing campus, you do not need to submit an exception; however, you will need to test seven days before coming to campus for any reason. If you are an on-campus student and you are unable to complete a screening test during a specified phase, be sure to request an exception. Find more information about how to request a testing exception and the circumstances for which they will be granted here. 

Attention: All Students When Off Campus.

Your adherence to safety protocols is paramount to the health of the entire community. Please wear face coverings and refrain from hosting and/or attending social gatherings and events when you are on or off campus.

TimelyMD.

Don’t forget that enrolled Emory undergraduates, graduates, and professional students have free, 24/7/365 access to licensed medical and mental telehealth care through TimelyMD. Students who sign up at timely.md/emory and using their .edu email address between April 1-May 15 will be automatically entered to win a pair of Apple AirPods. Contest rules here.

Talk Now.

TalkNow, a service of Emory Student Telehealth, connects students to mental health professionals 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 

Graduate and Professional Students, Let’s Talk.

Let’s Talk is an informal, free and confidential consultation service that allows students to speak with a clinician and receive support for any challenge they may be experiencing. It’s not a substitute for counseling, but it can be used to receive short-term support and resources. Click here for more information.

Get Support from Your Peers.

The Eagle Support Network, a group of CAPS-trained undergraduates, now offers peer-to-peer, one-on-one support to residential students (including students in medical isolation/quarantine). Make an appointment here.

Request for Volunteers.

Emory Healthcare has issued an urgent request for volunteers as they roll out the COVID-19 vaccine. They need clinical and non-clinical volunteers who are current Emory Healthcare or Emory University staff, providers or students to assist at the Northlake COVID Vaccine Clinic location. Please consider registering to help with this critical initiative.

Contact Tracing.

Emory’s contact tracing teams have supported community health throughout the pandemic, identifying and quarantining close contacts and supporting them throughout the process. Please continue to engage with this important public health intervention to keep our community safe, and please continue to share specific activity information and the names of close contacts if you test positive for COVID-19. 

Plan Ahead.

Emory will require all students to be immunized for COVID-19 in fall 2021, with exemptions based on medical conditions or strong personal objections. Emory Forward and the FAQs on Student Health Services provide additional details on this new requirement and related policy. Please review to the following links to learn how you can report your vaccination status: 

• Atlanta Campus Students: Immunization requirements and steps for reporting COVID-19 vaccination status are on the Student Health Services website.
• Oxford College Students: Immunization requirements and steps for reporting COVID-19 vaccination status are on the Oxford College patient portal. 

If you have not yet received your vaccine, you can schedule your appointment now. There are numerous vaccination appointments available for students in May. If you don’t have a vehicle, transportation is available to and from the Northlake Mall Vaccine Clinic and can be arranged online.

Dear Faculty and Staff, 

In preparation for the upcoming academic year, President Fenves announced earlier this week that Emory will require all students to be immunized for COVID-19 for fall 2021. As there are readily available, safe, and effective COVID-19 vaccines, we also strongly recommend that all faculty and staff get vaccination as soon as able. You can register for a vaccine appointment here. 

At this time, plans for fall include the continuation of such protocols as wearing face coverings and regular COVID-19 testing as well as possible limits on non-classroom events. You may, however, expect the following changes:

• Full density and standard class sizes for in-person instruction
• Standard occupancy in the residence halls
• Standard lab and research operations
• Expanded student life activity; intramural, club sports and fitness options for students; and expanded gathering policies beyond the classroom 

All plans are subject to change based on shifts in COVID-19 conditions. Flexibility and resilience will continue to be essential. We remain committed to maintaining a safe and healthy campus and will make revisions to our plans, as necessary, in accordance with public health guidance.

Thank you for being active partners in keeping our community safe.

Sincerely,

Amir St. Clair
Associate Vice President and Executive Director for COVID-19 Response and Recovery

COVID-19 Vaccination.

All Emory faculty and staff can now register online for vaccination through Emory Healthcare.

The university will provide transportation to and from the Emory Northlake COVID Vaccine Clinic for students, faculty, and staff on the Atlanta and Oxford campuses who need transportation to their appointment (or to volunteer).

Atlanta

• Please book your shuttle ride as soon as you have scheduled your vaccination appointment. Shuttle appointments should be made at least 24 hours in advance.
• Shuttle appointments will be available Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m. Saturday shuttle appointments will be available on March 27 and April 17, 3:30 p.m.–10:30 p.m.

Oxford

• Shuttle appointments to travel to and from Oxford to the Northlake Mall must be made at least 24 hours in advance on the hour or half hour (:00 or :30). One person per reservation.
• Shuttle service will be available Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m., and Saturday 3:30 p.m.–10 p.m.

As you move through the vaccination process, you will receive documentation verifying you received the vaccine. Please keep and secure all relevant documentation. Given potential future requirements (i.e. travel, events, etc.), you may need to confirm vaccination status.

COVID-19 Testing.

Visit Emory Forward for the latest news about testing requirements and the kinds of COVID-19 tests we are offering, when each type will be used, testing locations and hours (they’ve been expanded!). Members of faculty and staff who are onboarded are strongly encouraged to test weekly, and can schedule a screening test here.

Quick Guides.

Visit the Quick Guides page on Emory Forward to access handy references in case you or someone else feels sick or tests positive for COVID-19.

Request for Volunteers.

Emory Healthcare has issued an urgent request for volunteers as they roll out the COVID-19 vaccine. They need clinical and non-clinical volunteers who are current Emory Healthcare or Emory University staff, providers or students to assist at the Northlake COVID Vaccine Clinic location. Please consider registering to help with this critical initiative.

Faculty Mitigation Plan.

In response to COVID-19, the Office of the Provost has developed a suite of measures intended to mitigate the major difficulties facing faculty across the university. Click here to read about the plans to address faculty development opportunities, affording faculty time, and adjustments for lost resources.

Travel Policy Update.

Review April 5 updates to the university travel policy here.

Fall 2021 Return to Campus

Find answers about returning to campus for the 2021-2022 academic year.

Grading in Canvas - Online

Tuesday, April 27 | 10:00 AM-11:00 AM

More information

Impact of COVID-19 on college student mental health and substance use

Wednesday, April 28 | 2:30 PM-4:00PM

More information 

Academic Production Team Drop-In

Wednesday, May 5 |10:30 AM-11:30 AM

More information

Dear Students, 

Earlier this week President Fenves announced that Emory would require all students to be immunized for COVID-19 for fall 2021, with exemptions based on medical conditions or strong personal objections.

Emory Forward and our vaccine requirement FAQs provide additional details on this new requirement and related policy. Please review to the following links to learn how you can report your vaccination status:

Atlanta Campus Students: Immunization requirements and steps for reporting COVID-19 vaccination status are on the Student Health Services website.

Oxford College Students: Immunization requirements and steps for reporting COVID-19 vaccination status are on the Oxford College patient portal. 

If you have not yet received your vaccine, you can schedule your appointment now. There are numerous vaccination appointments available for students in April and May. If you don’t have a vehicle, transportation is available to and from the Northlake Mall Vaccine Clinic and can be arranged online.

Remember, regardless of your vaccination status, please continue to practice the 3 Ws: wear your mask, wash your hands, and watch your distance. Thank you for being active partners in our efforts together.

Sincerely,

Amir St. Clair
Associate Vice President and Executive Director for COVID-19 Response and Recovery

COVID-19 Testing.

Visit Emory Forward for the latest news about testing requirements, including expectations for twice a week testing for on-campus students, testing within seven days for off-campus students who visit campus for any reason, and the kinds of COVID-19 tests we are offering this spring, when each type will be used, testing locations and hours (they’ve been expanded!). And don’t forget to schedule your next mandatory screening test now.

Testing Exceptions.

If you are an off-campus student NOT accessing campus, you do not need to submit an exception; however, you will need to test seven days before coming to campus for any reason. If you are an on-campus student and you are unable to complete a screening test during a specified phase, be sure to request an exception. Find more information about how to request a testing exception and the circumstances for which they will be granted here. 

Onboarding.

All off-campus students, including graduate and professional students, must onboard before coming to campus for any reason. In addition to taking a COVID-19 test and testing negative, the process includes answering a series of health-related questions that must be completed.

Attention: All Students When Off Campus.

Your adherence to safety protocols is paramount to the health of the entire community. Please wear face coverings and refrain from hosting and/or attending social gatherings and events when you are on or off campus.

Quick Guides.

Visit the Quick Guides page on Emory Forward to access handy references in case you or someone else feels sick or tests positive for COVID-19.

Stay Healthy Any Time, Any Place.

Emory Student Telehealth has been expanded through a partnership with TimelyMD. Now whether in or outside of the US, students have access to medical and mental support through the expansion of telehealth services 24/7 or anytime. 

Talk Now.

TalkNow, a service of Emory Student Telehealth, connects students to mental health professionals 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Graduate and Professional Students, Let’s Talk.

Let’s Talk is an informal, free and confidential consultation service that allows students to speak with a clinician and receive support for any challenge they may be experiencing. It’s not a substitute for counseling, but it can be used to receive short-term support and resources. Click here for more information.

Get Support from Your Peers.

The Eagle Support Network, a group of  CAPS-trained undergraduates, now offers peer-to-peer, one-on-one support to residential students (including students in medical isolation/quarantine). Make an appointment here.

Request for Volunteers.

Emory Healthcare has issued an urgent request for volunteers as they roll out the COVID-19 vaccine. They need clinical and non-clinical volunteers who are current Emory Healthcare or Emory University staff, providers or students to assist at the Northlake COVID Vaccine Clinic location. Please consider registering to help with this critical initiative.

Contact Tracing.

Emory’s contact tracing teams have supported community health throughout the pandemic, identifying and quarantining close contacts and supporting them throughout the process. Please continue to engage with this important public health intervention to keep our community safe, and please continue to share specific activity information and the names of close contacts if you test positive for COVID-19. 

Dooley After Dark: Wheel of Fortune

Saturday, April 24 | 7:00 PM-8:00PM
More information

Maymester Preferred Enrollment Deadline

Friday, April 30
More information 

Dooley After Dark: Finals De-stress Event

Monday, May 3 | 4:00 PM-6:00 PM
McDonough Field
More information

Dear Emory community,

Earlier today, President Fenves announced that Emory University will require all students to be immunized for COVID-19 for fall 2021, with exemptions based on medical conditions or strong personal objections. COVID-19 vaccination for faculty and staff will not be required at this time but is strongly encouraged.

The decision to add the COVID-19 vaccine to the list of required immunizations was the result of extensive consultation with public health experts, vaccine scientists, student health leaders and others. We will continue to monitor COVID-19 conditions and are prepared to adjust our current plans in response to evolving public health guidance. 

Emory Forward and our vaccine requirement FAQs provide additional details on this new requirement and related policy. We are committed to vaccinating all members of our community and vaccination appointments can be scheduled online.

Reporting vaccination status to Emory University

Atlanta Campus Students: Immunization requirements and steps for reporting COVID-19 vaccination status are on the Student Health Services website.

Oxford College Students: Immunization requirements and steps for reporting COVID-19 vaccination status are on the Oxford College patient portal.

Anticipated Fall 2021 Experience at Emory University

We anticipate a robust experience for the fall and look forward to welcoming everyone to campus. We are planning for the following:

• Full density and standard class sizes for in-person instruction
• Standard occupancy in the residence halls
• Standard lab and research operations
• Expanded student life activity; intramural, club sports and fitness options for students; and gatherings beyond the classroom
• Face coverings will still be required
• COVID-19 testing will continue to serve as an important tool in maintaining a safe and healthy campus environment
• There may still be limits to non-classroom, indoor and outdoor event size and scope based on the university’s operating and gathering status

Even as we prepare for the fall, I want to stress that all of these plans are subject to change based on shifts in COVID-19 conditions. Flexibility and resilience will continue to be essential. We remain committed to maintaining a safe and healthy campus and will make revisions to our plans, as necessary, in accordance with public health guidance. 

Thank you for your participation in our mitigation efforts and partnership across the dynamic nature of the pandemic. 

Sincerely,

Amir St. Clair
Associate Vice President and Executive Director for COVID-19 Response and Recovery

Dear Emory Community,

With the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines in full swing, more than 14,000 Emory students, faculty and staff have received at least one dose through Emory Healthcare while many others in our campus community have been vaccinated elsewhere. Thorough scientific studies have shown the vaccines are safe and highly effective at protecting you against COVID-19. Widespread vaccination is crucial for all of us to return to campus in the fall, and I am encouraged to see that increasing numbers of Emory students, staff and faculty are receiving vaccinations.

With the supply growing and eligibility expanding, I initiated a thorough review of Emory vaccination policies that was focused on the health of the campus community. After analyzing the results of this review and considering a range of factors affecting the well-being of the Emory community, I am announcing today that Emory University will require all students to be immunized for COVID-19 for the fall 2021 semester.

Student vaccinations will create a healthier environment in our classrooms, which will be at full density during the fall. It will also allow for student life activities including programs, athletics and intramural sports, performances and events, and appropriately-sized gatherings. In addition to vaccinations, we will also continue to employ the public health measures we have embraced over the course of the pandemic including the wearing of face coverings and testing. 

I encourage all students to get vaccinated. We will have vaccine supply for students who cannot be inoculated prior to arriving on campus. Students will be able to apply for an exemption to the vaccine requirement based on medical conditions or strong personal objections. Later today, follow-up communications will be sent with more information about the vaccination requirement for all students for fall 2021.  

At this time, Emory will not require vaccinations for staff and faculty, but I strongly recommend that all Emory staff and faculty members get vaccinated for COVID-19. 

We will continue to monitor the prevalence of COVID-19 and the presence of variants and will be prepared to adjust our plans in response to evolving conditions and public health recommendations. Thank you for continuing to keep the Emory community healthy and safe. You’ve done an outstanding job this semester. Let’s keep the momentum going during this final month.

Sincerely,

Gregory L. Fenves
President

Dear Emory community,

During the pandemic, Emory University is using a color-coded operating status meter to inform the community about COVID-19 conditions along with corresponding guidelines on permitted activities at each level. An overview of Emory’s Operating Conditions can be found here. 

Emory will move its operating status from “orange” to “yellow” on April 5. 

Why move to the next operating condition?

Emory’s operating condition status is determined in consultation with infectious disease and public health experts, who review COVID-related data indicators including: 

• Prevalence of COVID-19 in the community,
• Testing capacity and available PPE,
• Demand for health care services, and
• Contract tracing services and available isolation and quarantine housing.

In addition, contact tracing and cluster investigations provide extensive evidence of how and where transmission occurs across our campus community, which helps guide which restrictions can be lifted and where transmission remains low.  Our experiences this past year show certain activities, including those outlined in the status change, can be performed safely when proper infection prevention measures are followed.

And I am also pleased to report that over 10,000 Emory faculty, staff and students have been vaccinated through Emory Healthcare to date, with many more vaccinated elsewhere. Please continue to get vaccinated whenever and wherever possible.  

Based on these factors, and with the expectation that these indicators are maintained, the change of status will move forward on April 5 and remain in place until further notice.  

What does the “yellow” operating condition mean?

The attached guidance document outlines the expansion of activity associated with the “yellow” operating status.  Even with this expansion, the Emory community must continue to wear masks, wash hands, maintain physical distance requirements and follow all provisions agreed on in the student and faculty/staff onboarding compacts.

Students living in the residence halls and all other students visiting campus for any reason are still required to onboard and comply with all mandatory screening testing requirements. 

Please remember that while additional activities may now be allowed, each activity or event still needs to follow their respective approval process, which is contingent on resources available to support such programming. 

Any change in the currently favorable conditions may alter the April 5 transition to a “yellow” operating status, and the university may revert back to a more restrictive operating condition should conditions warrant.

Sincerely, 

Amir St. Clair
Associate Vice President and Executive Director for COVID-19 Response and Recovery

PDF: Yellow Operating Condition – April 5, 2021

Dear Students,

If you are 16 years of age or older, you are now eligible to register for and receive a free COVID-19 vaccine in the state of Georgia. Emory Healthcare appointments are available to students across multiple locations, including an extended session this Saturday, March 27, at the Emory Northlake Mall Vaccine Clinic.  Please consider scheduling your appointment during  this Saturday’s session! 

Vaccine appointments become available on a rolling basis, so continue monitoring appointment availability throughout the day as slots may open at additional Emory Healthcare locations or at different times. If you don’t have a vehicle, transportation is available to and from the Northlake Mall Vaccine Clinic and can be arranged online.

Vaccination plays an important role in protecting Emory community members, creating a safe and healthy campus environment, and moving us forward towards our goal of a full return in the fall.  Thank you for being active partners in keeping our community safe.

Sincerely,

Amir St. Clair
Associate Vice President and Executive Director for COVID-19 Response and Recovery 

COVID-19 Testing.

Visit Emory Forward for the latest news about testing requirements, including expectations for twice a week testing for on-campus students, testing within seven days for off-campus students who visit campus for any reason, and the kinds of COVID-19 tests we will be offering this spring, when each type will be used, testing locations and hours (they’ve been expanded!). And don’t forget to schedule your next mandatory screening test now.

Testing Exceptions.

If you are an off-campus student NOT accessing campus, you do not need to submit an exception; however, you will need to test seven days before coming to campus for any reason. If you are an on-campus student and you are unable to complete a screening test during a specified phase, be sure to request an exception. Find more information about how to request a testing exception and the circumstances for which they will be granted here.

Onboarding.

All off-campus students, including graduate and professional students, must onboard before coming to campus for any reason. In addition to taking a COVID-19 test and testing negative, the process includes answering a series of health-related questions that must be completed.

Attention: All Students When Off Campus.

Your adherence to safety protocols is paramount to the health of the entire community. Please wear face coverings and refrain from hosting and/or attending social gatherings and events when you are on or off campus.

Expanded levels of activity and access.

Earlier this month, Emory expanded levels of activity and programming to allow increased gathering sizes; a provision to the visitor policy; and intercollegiate competition. Access to campus recreation and fitness facilities has expanded to include all students subject to and in compliance with mandatory testing requirements.

Quick Guides.

Visit the Quick Guides page on Emory Forward to access handy references in case you or someone else feels sick or tests positive for COVID-19.

Stay Healthy Any Time, Any Place.

Emory Student Telehealth has been expanded through a partnership with TimelyMD. Now whether in or outside of the US, students have access to medical and mental support through the expansion of telehealth services 24/7 or anytime.

Talk Now.

TalkNow, a service of Emory Student Telehealth, connects students to mental health professionals 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Graduate and Professional Students, Let’s Talk.

Let’s Talk is an informal, free and confidential consultation service that allows students to speak with a clinician and receive support for any challenge they may be experiencing. It’s not a substitute for counseling, but it can be used to receive short-term support and resources. Click here for more information.

Get Support from Your Peers.

The Eagle Support Network, a group of  CAPS-trained undergraduates, now offers peer-to-peer, one-on-one support to residential students (including students in medical isolation/quarantine). Make an appointment here.

Request for Volunteers.

Emory Healthcare has issued an urgent request for volunteers as they roll out the COVID-19 vaccine. They need clinical and non-clinical volunteers who are current Emory Healthcare or Emory University staff, providers or students to assist at the Northlake COVID Vaccine Clinic location. Please consider registering to help with this critical initiative.

Emory Together Fund.

The Emory Together Fund (ETF) closes at 5:00 PM on Friday, April 2. The ETF assists degree-seeking undergraduate, graduate, and professional students who have experienced financial hardships resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. For guidelines, eligibility requirements and the application, click here.

Travel Guidance.

Emory strongly encourages you to limit and seriously consider your personal domestic and international travel. If you must travel, the CDC recommends testing one to three days before you travel and three to five days after you travel and self-quarantining for seven days after travel. Schedule a test here, and review Emory’s travel policy hereto help you plan.

Innovation for All: Hatchery Conference.

Connect with fellow innovators, entrepreneurs, and founders to learn how innovation can make your life better—right now. Join the Hatchery from March 29-31 for the most innovative innovation conference Emory has ever seen, the Innovation for All Conference! Click here to learn more and sign-up

Dooley After Dark: SPC Music Sweet Treats & Chill

Friday, April 2 | 5:00- 7:00 PM
McDonough Field

Anxiety Toolkit

Monday, April 5 | 1:00-2:30 PM
More information

Conversations with Seniors: Transitions

Thursday, April 8 | 5:00-7:00 PM
More information

Dear Faculty and Staff,

All Emory faculty and staff can now register online for vaccination through Emory Healthcare. To support Emory University members getting vaccinated, appointments are available to the campus community across multiple locations, including an extended session for members of the Emory University community this Saturday, March 27, at the Emory Northlake Mall Vaccine Clinic. Please consider scheduling your appointment for this Saturday.

Vaccine appointments become available on a rolling basis, so continue monitoring appointment availability throughout the day.  

We continue to stress that the best vaccine for you is the first one made available to you. If you are able to get vaccinated outside of Emory Healthcare sooner, please do so. A list of public vaccination sites across Georgia is available online.

For those who do not have a vehicle on campus or need transportation assistance to their appointment at the Emory Northlake Mall Vaccine Clinic, the university will provide transportation to and from Northlake Mall. 

• Please book your shuttle ride as soon as you have confirmed your vaccination appointment. Shuttle appointments should be made at least 24 hours in advance.
• Call 404.727.7555, Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. to schedule a shuttle appointment.
• Shuttle service appointments will be available Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

As you move through the vaccination process, you will receive documentation verifying you received the vaccine. Please keep and secure all relevant documentation. Given potential future requirements (i.e. travel, events, etc.), you may need to confirm vaccination status. 

Vaccination plays an important role in protecting Emory community members, creating a safe and healthy campus environment, and moving us forward towards our goal of a full return in the fall. Thank you for being active partners in keeping our community safe. 

Sincerely,

Amir St. Clair
Associate Vice President and Executive Director for COVID-19 Response and Recovery

COVID-19 Testing.

Visit Emory Forward for the latest news about testing requirements and the kinds of COVID-19 tests we will be offering this spring, when each type will be used, testing locations and hours (they’ve been expanded!). Members of faculty and staff who are onboarded are strongly encouraged to test weekly, and can schedule a screening test here. 

Quick Guides.

Visit the Quick Guides page on Emory Forward to access handy references in case you or someone else feels sick or tests positive for COVID-19.

Request for Volunteers.

Emory Healthcare has issued an urgent request for volunteers as they roll out the COVID-19 vaccine. They need clinical and non-clinical volunteers who are current Emory Healthcare or Emory University staff, providers or students to assist at the Northlake COVID Vaccine Clinic location. Please consider registering to help with this critical initiative.

Faculty Mitigation Plan.
In response to COVID-19, the Office of the Provost has developed a suite of measures intended to mitigate the major difficulties facing faculty across the university. Click here to read about the plans to address faculty development opportunities, affording faculty time, and adjustments for lost resources.

Travel Guidance.
Aside from university-sponsored travel, Emory strongly encourages you to limit and seriously consider your personal domestic and international travel. If you must travel, the CDC recommends testing one to three days before you travel and three to five days after you travel and self-quarantining for seven days after travel. Schedule a test, and review Emory’s travel policy to help you plan. 

Learning and Organizational Development Updates.
Take time for your own professional development by utilizing upcoming programs designed to help build skills and expand learning using specially developed learning playlists and training series for staff and supervisors featuring courses such as Surviving Work-Life Through COVID.

Introduction to Accessibility in Canvas
Tuesday, March 30 | Noon-1:00 PM
Registration required

Poll Everywhere: Getting Started
Wednesday, March 31 | 2:00-3:30 PM 
Registration required

Emory University Buddhist Club: Guided Meditation
Thursday, April 1 | 6:00-7:00 PM
More information

Mid-Week Musical Reflections
Wednesday, April 7 | Noon-12:15 PM
Registration required

Dear Emory community,

Today the state of Georgia opens up vaccine eligibility to everyone over the age of 16. Please visit Emory Forward for more information on how Emory faculty, staff, and students can register online for vaccination through Emory Healthcare.

To support Emory University members getting vaccinated, appointments are available to the campus community across multiple locations, including an extended session this Saturday at the Emory Northlake Mall Vaccine Clinic. Please consider getting vaccinated during the first time made available to you.

Vaccine appointments become available on a rolling basis, so continue monitoring appointment availability throughout the day as slots may open at additional Emory Healthcare locations or at different times. 

We continue to stress that the best vaccine for you is the first one made available to you. If you are able to get vaccinated outside of Emory Healthcare sooner, please do so. A list of public vaccination sites across Georgia is available online.

Sincerely,

Amir St. Clair
Associate Vice President and Executive Director for COVID-19 Response and Recovery

Dear Emory community, 

Today Governor Kemp expanded the COVID-19 vaccine eligibility to all Georgians over the age of 16 as of Thursday, March 25. Please review the following for further information on the vaccination process at Emory.

Registration Process for FACULTY AND STAFF.

If you meet current state eligibility guidelines, you may now sign into your Employee Health Portal and complete your COVID-19 vaccination consent. After your vaccination consent is complete, and when appointments are available, you will receive an email from noreplywebchart@med-web.com where a link will be provided to schedule your appointment through Emory Healthcare.  

Beginning Thursday, March 25, ALL faculty and staff can follow the registration process outlined above. Please remember that scheduling appointments is subject to vaccine availability. 

Registration Process for STUDENTS.

The form for vaccine-eligible students to attest to their eligibility, consent and schedule a vaccination through Emory Healthcare can now be accessed online.  Beginning Thursday, March 25, ALL students can follow this registration process. Please remember that scheduling appointments is subject to vaccine availability.

Students can contact studentvaccineschedulinghelp@emory.edu with questions.

Transportation Support.

For students, faculty, and staff (on both the Atlanta and Oxford campuses) who do not have a vehicle on campus or need transportation assistance to their appointment at the Emory Northlake Mall Vaccine Clinic, the university will provide transportation to and from Northlake Mall. 

• Please book your shuttle ride as soon as you have confirmed your vaccination appointment. Shuttle appointments should be made at least 24 hours in advance.
• Call 404.727.7555, Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. to schedule a shuttle appointment.
• Shuttle service appointments will be available Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

Vaccine Documentation.

As you move through the vaccination process, you will receive documentation verifying you received the vaccine. Please keep and secure all relevant documentation. Given potential future requirements (i.e. travel, events, etc.), you may need to confirm vaccination status. 

Last week’s vaccine presentation is now available online. Please watch the video and share it with your friends and family and complete the presentation survey. The presentation provides information about Emory’s vaccine registration and distribution process, types of vaccine currently available, and key tips for those eligible for vaccination.

Sincerely,

Amir St. Clair
Associate Vice President and Executive Director for COVID-19 Response and Recovery

Dear Faculty,

The Office of the Provost is keenly aware that COVID-19 has had significant and differential impacts on faculty success and professional progress. In partial response, we have extended the tenure clock twice—once for faculty already at Emory and once for those who joined us this academic year. In addition, we’ve now developed a suite of measures intended to mitigate the major difficulties facing faculty across the university. Knowing COVID-19’s impact on faculty will extend beyond the initial response and recovery, these measures have been created to anticipate need for a minimum of three years. 

These measures fall under three primary categories, including faculty development opportunities, affording faculty time, and adjustments for lost resources. After holding four town halls with faculty in the fall, these steps and interventions were developed through conversations with deans, associate deans, and standing groups of faculty. The principles guiding these measures are to provide relief to faculty without negatively impacting student success and to have the lowest possible administrative burden on faculty who might seek relief and/or additional support.

Enhanced Faculty Development Opportunities

Disruptions to research and shifting balances of teaching expectations with the move to remote learning could result in reduced productivity and potentially break the rhythm that faculty need to sustain their creative, scholarly, and research activities.

• To meet this need, the Office of the Provost will sponsor additional cohorts in the Faculty Success Program and the post-tenure Pathfinders program of the National Center for Faculty Development and Diversity. NCFDD offers the programs several times a year. To learn more, visit their website, and contact Vice Provost Tim Holbrook in the Office of Faculty Affairs if you are interested in joining a cohort.

Affording Faculty Time

For faculty for whom time for scholarship is the most precious resource, shifts to remote learning and disruption of travel and writing time could be the most significant impacts.

• A postdoctoral fellow program in the humanities, social sciences, and other areas with intensive semester-long classroom teaching responsibilities will afford greater scholarship time for faculty. A key issue that arose from faculty town halls held in the fall is that faculty need more time to devote to their research. To address this challenge, deans of schools and colleges with intensive classroom teaching obligations may request resources to support hiring postdoctoral fellows to provide additional teaching resources that can be used to reassign faculty time from teaching to research. Postdoctoral fellows may also provide research support that can enhance faculty research productivity. The university will support up to 14 postdoctoral positions each year, beginning in 2021. The Office of the Provost is working with deans’ offices to implement this program. 
• The Office of the Provost will sponsor writing retreats beginning in summer 2021 to aid faculty as they jump start (or restart) their scholarship during and after the pandemic. Retreats may be virtual if public health conditions warrant such, although efforts to convene in person will be a high priority. 
• The Office of the Provost will support hiring teaching assistants to reduce the significant investments of faculty time required by both remote teaching and modified in-person teaching. Faculty have expressed a strong interest in having teaching assistants to help facilitate the classroom experience in terms of technology, such as monitoring Zoom chats, etc., and faculty who have recently used such TAs spoke favorably of their impact. The Office of the Provost will set aside a pool of resources to support broadening this effort. Interested faculty should address questions to Vice Provost Tim Holbrook in the Office of Faculty Affairs.

Adjustments for Lost Resources

COVID-19’s impact on financial support may be a significant concern to two specific faculty cohorts: those involved in the tenure and promotion process and faculty concerned with specialized research needs.  

• The Office of the Provost will provide funds to backfill pay raises an extra year for those faculty members availing themselves of the tenure clock extension. This is subject to the discretion of the dean and the normal compensation practices of the schools and colleges. Impacted faculty should speak with their department chair or associate dean. Schools and colleges will address tenure-and-promotion associated pay increases as they normally would.
• The Office of the Provost has set aside a COVID mitigation fund of up to $300,000 to provide replenishment of lost funds or funding for additional COVID-related costs. This fund may be used to assist faculty members who have faced research disruptions such as the delayed use of start-up funds, greater equipment needs, needs for specialized and additional PPE, or losses of opportunities bearing financial impact. Funding requests are capped at $20,000, and faculty need to demonstrate that they have exhausted other resources in their schools and other Emory units. For more information, contact Vice Provost Tim Holbrook in the Office of Faculty Affairs.

Other Interventions

Faculty might have lost important time not only for writing and productivity but also for discovery of funding opportunities.

• The Office of the Provost will increase support for retreats specifically devoted to securing support from foundations. In partnership with the Office of Foundation Relations, the retreats will introduce faculty to funding opportunities through foundations. This measure is intended to broaden the support base for faculty research. For details, watch for campus-wide announcements, and contact Vice Provost Tim Holbrook in the Office of Faculty Affairs.

We encourage you to take advantage of these measures by reaching out to your associate deans; Tim Holbrook, vice provost of faculty affairs; or Lanny Liebeskind, vice provost for strategic research initiatives. 

Sincerely,

Jan Love
Interim Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

Dear Staff Colleagues,

It has been one year since COVID-19 transformed our university and our world. There is so much to reflect upon—much to process, much to understand, and much change to absorb. Yet this is also a time to look ahead with hope for the future.

I am excited about welcoming back all Emory students for the fall semester, the first time in more than a year. I am eager to get back to the vibrant and thriving community that Emory can be only when we are carrying out our mission with in-person teaching, learning, and research. You, as a staff member, are a key part of this. By our very nature as a university, we are an in-person, experiential workplace. Because of this, staff are expected to return to campus this fall for in-person work.

Each school and division is developing policies and plans for a phased return for their staff. In the coming weeks, your school or division leadership will share their plans with you and will keep you engaged and updated as we near the fall. School and divisional plans may include options for flexible work where suitable for specific jobs. There are some staff members who will be exempt from the expectation of return to campus based on specific criteria.

Because of recent announcements at the federal and state levels, I am confident that COVID-19 vaccines will be widely available by the summer so that any staff member who wants to be vaccinated can be prior to returning in the fall. I strongly urge you to schedule a vaccination appointment when you are eligible according to the state’s criteria. We will continue to provide information about vaccinations through Emory Forward.

Even as the number of individuals who are vaccinated increases, we will continue to follow the CDC guidance regarding mask wearing, physical distancing, and COVID-19 testing into the fall semester. As the pandemic situation and public health guidelines change, we will adjust our policies.

I hope you share in my excitement about returning to our beautiful and vibrant campus. Your work is part of what makes Emory such a special place. The past year has been difficult, but I’ve seen how you’ve been able to adapt and still do excellent work despite incredible challenges. I am grateful for the unwavering commitment of our staff. Thank you for all that you do!

Sincerely,

Gregory L. Fenves
President

Dear Emory community,

As I noted yesterday, Governor Kemp expanded the vaccine eligibility as of March 15 to include adults aged 55 and over, individuals with disabilities, and those 16 years and older with certain medical conditions that increase their risk of severe illness from COVID-19. The full eligibility list can be found here.

Please review the following for further information on the vaccination process at Emory. 

Registration Process for both Employees and Students.

If you are aged 55 or older, Emory will automatically upload you into the registration process beginning March 15, and you will receive further notification to consent and schedule your appointment as slots become available. 

For those eligible based on other new criteria, the COVID-19 Vaccine Criteria Self-Attestation form will be updated on the Emory Forward vaccine webpage by noon on Monday, March 15. Completing this self-attestation will allow you to register based on eligibility.  You will then receive further notification to consent and schedule your appointment as slots become available.

The demand for vaccine continues to be much greater than the supply available within the state. Please be patient as you await your turn to schedule an appointment and, remember, if you can get vaccinated outside of Emory Healthcare, including at a pharmacy or clinic, please do so. Information on available vaccination locations in Georgia are available online. 

Transportation Support

For employees and students (at either Atlanta or Oxford) who do not have a car on campus or need transportation assistance to their appointment at the Emory Northlake Mall Vaccine Clinic, the university will provide transportation to and from Northlake Mall.   

• Please book your shuttle ride as soon as you have confirmed your vaccination appointment. Shuttle appointments should be made at least 24 hours in advance. 
• Call (404) 727-7555 Monday-Friday, from 9 am-5 pm to schedule a shuttle appointment.
• Shuttle service appointments will be available Monday-Friday, from 8:30 am-5:30 pm.

Vaccine Documentation.

As you move through the vaccination process, you will receive documentation verifying you received the vaccine. Please keep and secure all relevant documentation. Given potential future requirements (i.e. travel, events, etc.), you may need to confirm vaccination status with proper documentation.

Last week’s vaccine town hall is now available online. Please watch the video and share it with your friends and family. In it, you’ll learn more about Emory’s vaccine distribution and advocacy efforts, the new Johnson & Johnson vaccine, and key tips for those eligible for vaccination.

Sincerely,

Amir St. Clair
Associate Vice President and Executive Director for COVID-19 Response and Recovery

Dear Emory Staff Members,

I write you today with pride in how each of you rallied to beat back the recent COVID-19 surge among our students. Your actions provided for our students’ most pressing needs and quickly contained what could have become a very dangerous situation. 

The scope of your collaboration was impressive—from those who swiftly coordinated information technology, operations, and infrastructure to the hands-on efforts of compliance coordinators, testing and lab operations staff, and Emory emergency response teams.

In a matter of hours, you expanded and enhanced testing and notification procedures, strengthened safety protocols, and communicated the university’s response, including the urgent need for increased compliance and safer off-campus behaviors. 

Most important, our students received heartfelt care and support from isolation and quarantine staff, academic liaisons and Campus Life coordinators, and health care and mental health professionals. 

Aided by your comprehensive planning and dedication, COVID-19 case counts returned to pre-surge levels within 10 days—an incredible turnaround!

Thank you for your outstanding service to Emory and for your commitment to the health, safety, and well-being of our campus community.

With respect and gratitude,

Gregory L. Fenves
President

Dear Emory community, 

Yesterday, Governor Kemp provided an update on an expansion of vaccine eligibility for Georgians effective March 15. Emory’s planning will adjust accordingly to support the state’s roll out and reflect these new changes to the state’s distribution process.

As of March 15, those eligible for vaccination now also includes: 

• Adults aged 55 and over; 
• Individuals with disabilities; and 
• Individuals aged 16 years and older with certain medical conditions that increase their risk of severe illness from COVID-19.  

Those who fit the new criteria now join those already eligible for vaccination, which can be found at this link.

The COVID-19 Vaccine Criteria Self-Attestation form will be updated on the Emory Forward vaccine webpage on Monday, March 15 to reflect when the new eligibility groups go into effect. Completing this self-attestation form will allow you to register for vaccination through Emory’s HOME system. 

Further details and guidance on this process for both employees and students will be provided in a campus message tomorrow.

Please remember, the demand for vaccine continues to be much greater than the supply available within the state. If you can get vaccinated outside of Emory Healthcare, including at a pharmacy or clinic, please do so. Available vaccination locations in Georgia are available online.

Finally, we want to recognize the work of the state and governor in supporting medically vulnerable Georgians, including members of the Emory community, in receiving the vaccine quickly and for expanding the eligible categories in ways that maximize vaccine supply and demand. 

While many Emory members are still waiting for their turn, I want to thank all of you for your continued patience and resilience through this quickly changing process.

Sincerely, 

Amir St. Clair
Associate Vice President and Executive Director for COVID-19 Response and Recovery

Dear Emory community,

Emory remains committed to having everyone safely back on campus this fall. To achieve our collective goal, we will begin incorporating expanded levels of activity and programming in measured stages.

While we remain in the ‘orange’ operating condition, current COVID-19 indicators have been assessed to support policy expansion within this operating status. Based on our campus community continuing to comply with public health practices and testing protocols, the following outlines initial expanded gathering and activity levels this spring.

Beginning today, March 10, the following changes will be implemented: 

• The indoor and outdoor gathering policy limit will be raised from 10 to 25. The inclusion of a faculty/staff member present at the gathering or event is at the discretion of the event sponsor. Gatherings are still subject to our other safety protocols, including wearing face coverings, physical distancing, and registering events and activities.
• The visitor policy will be updated to allow for visitors to come to campus to perform in a small, organized social activity in an outdoor setting — i.e. an outdoor performance — with size limits as outlined above.

• Emory Athletics at Atlanta will progress to their next recovery phase and resume some intercollegiate competition, beginning with away games and matches for spring sports. A comprehensive safety plan, that includes enhanced testing, cleaning, and compliance protocols, was developed in collaboration between athletics and public health groups to help guide and direct a safe return to competition for athletics. 

Beginning March 15:

• Access to recreation facilities currently open on both campuses will be expanded to include all Emory students, both those living on and off campus, who are subject to and in compliance with mandatory screening testing protocols.  Reservations for recreational use at the Woodruff PE Center can be found at this link.

As a reminder, off campus students who access campus for any reason are required to onboard, test weekly, and complete a screening test within 7 days of visiting campus. Students living on campus need to continue testing twice weekly.

Events are still required to follow their respective approval processes.  Please carefully consider the need to host an in-person event based on its function and if all attendees can uphold the compliance measures necessary to execute a safe gathering.

All policy changes undergo a formal review process within our COVID governance model and will continue to be evaluated regularly. As changes are made, each may be supported in new and enhanced ways with differing protocols — all with the purpose of supporting the safest and healthiest environment possible as we move forward towards our collective goal for a full return.

Sincerely, 

Amir St. Clair
Associate Vice President and Executive Director for COVID-19 Response and Recovery

Dear Emory community, 

Yesterday, Emory hosted its fourth vaccine town hall and featured a program focused on answering questions submitted by faculty, staff and students. Recordings of the sessions and additional information are housed on the Emory Forward website and are available for viewing at any time. The following provides important details and further guidance on items discussed: 

Types of Vaccine

On February 27, the FDA granted an emergency use authorization (EUA) to a new vaccine from Johnson & Johnson. Like the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines currently being administered, this new vaccine is highly effective and underwent the same rigorous safety protocol reviews. All three vaccines provide significant protection against death, serious illness, and hospitalization. When eligible to be vaccinated, please get whichever vaccine is made available to you. 

March 8 Eligibility Expansion

On Monday, March 8, the state of Georgia will expand its eligibility criteria for vaccination. Details and definitions of these new groups can be found on the Georgia Department of Public Health website including for parents of children with complex medical conditions. If you meet any of these new criteria, you will need to submit a self-attestation beginning Monday on the Emory Forward vaccine page verifying you meet the state’s requirements if you plan to be vaccinated through Emory Healthcare. If you meet the eligibility criteria and can get vaccinated outside of Emory Healthcare, including at a pharmacy or clinic, please do so.

Emory’s Advocacy Efforts

We continue to partner with the Georgia Independent College Association and keep in close communication with our contacts at the Georgia Department of Health and the governor’s office. We will continue requesting information and clarity at the state level, so that we can clearly communicate vaccine policy and distribution updates to Emory students, faculty, and staff. And we are advocating for the inclusion of our essential workers and most vulnerable populations by the state for vaccine access. 

Community Mobilization

Emory is coordinating outreach to underserved and under resourced communities in Atlanta to dispel myths and rumors so that people can make informed decisions about the vaccine. We are also hosting a series of webinars as another point of access to the information about the vaccine that will target places of worship, as well as working with the Latin American Association to collaborate and share information. 

For those of you who are currently eligible and have already received the vaccine, thank you for doing your part to protect yourself and your community. For those who are not yet eligible for vaccination, we ask for your patience and understanding with this dynamic process. Your partnership and resilience will continue to be critical as we move forward.

Sincerely, 

Amir St. Clair
Associate Vice President and Executive Director for COVID-19 Response and Recovery

Dear Emory community,

Last week, Governor Kemp provided an update on an expansion of vaccine eligibility for Georgians effective March 8. The governor also announced the state will no longer use tiers - such as 1A or 1B - to outline current and future groups eligible for vaccination. Emory’s planning will adjust accordingly to support the state’s roll out and reflect these new changes to their distribution process.

As of March 8, those eligible for vaccination include:

• Pre-K through 12 educators and staff;
• Adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their caregivers; and
• Parents of children with complex medical conditions.

Determination of what constitutes a disability or pediatric complex medical condition is being determined by the Georgia Department of Public Health. Once definitions are confirmed, I will share additional information and resources with you. 

Those who fit the new criteria join those who were already eligible for vaccination including:

• Individuals 65 years of age and older and their caregivers;
• Health care personnel and long-term care facility residents and staff; and
• Law enforcement, fire, EMS personnel and 911 operators.

Information on the state’s new eligibility groups and available vaccination locations in Georgia are available online.

The work of our university vaccine planning group, which includes researchers, ethicists, academics and administrators, will continue facilitating a vaccine distribution model for faculty, staff, and students who fit current and future eligibility criteria. This model is aligned with Georgia Department of Public Health and Emory Healthcare principles.

The demand for vaccine continues to be much greater than the supply available within the state. Please be patient and, remember, if you can get vaccinated outside of Emory Healthcare, including at a pharmacy or clinic, please do so.  

Thank you for your understanding and resilience with this dynamic process.

Sincerely, 

Amir St. Clair
Associate Vice President and Executive Director for COVID-19 Response and Recovery

Dear Faculty Colleagues,

It has been nearly a year since COVID-19 transformed our university and our world. There is so much to reflect upon—so much to process, so much to understand, and so much change to absorb. Yet this is also a time to look ahead with hope for the future.

We are committed to bringing all Emory students back to campus for the fall 2021 semester to reestablish our vibrant learning community. And I write today to outline expectations so that you can prepare for the fall return.

During the past year, there is no evidence that COVID-19 has been transmitted in our classrooms, and that is a direct result of our public health protocols and practices. We expect by the summer that vaccinations will be available to all members of the Emory community, which will provide crucial protection for our students, faculty, and staff.

To continue delivering Emory’s world-class education at the highest level, all faculty are expected to be available for in-person teaching this fall as determined by each school’s or college’s curricular plan. Any exemption from in-person teaching for individual faculty members will require a physician statement and approval by the Emory University Office of Human Resources or the Department of Accessibility Services. 

While our goal is to maximize in-person learning, we know that achieving it will require flexibility. Health guidelines, for example, will result in space constraints that could limit in-person formats for certain courses. In some cases, faculty could be asked to offer different sections of the same course in alternative formats as specified by their dean.

In the coming weeks, I will send another message to Emory staff, outlining expectations for return to work. I am writing to faculty now because of the upcoming deadlines for setting next year’s academic schedule. 

We will approach the fall academic schedule with mindfulness and creativity as we continue to monitor the health and well-being of the Emory community. As always, your exceptional talents as educators, innovators, mentors, and guides will lead the transition back to in-person learning. 

I am confident that the university can safely return to the in-person education that has long defined and elevated the Emory experience for our students. Thank you for your collaboration and dedication to Emory as we pursue this goal.

Sincerely,

Gregory L. Fenves
President

President Fenves sent a message earlier today outlining the requirement for students living on campus to take a COVID-19 screening test twice per week. This testing cadence will be in effect until further notice.

To help facilitate this process, students will be required to test either on a Monday/Thursday or Tuesday/Friday cadence based on their housing location:

Beginning next week, Emory will have four testing sites at the Atlanta campus: ECCH, WoodPEC, SAAC-Clairmont, and the Goizueta Business School. Please note, students residing at Clairmont will only be able to test at the SAAC-Clairmont site.

Every effort should be made to maintain your assigned schedule. COVID-19 testing exceptions requests, due to schedule or extenuating circumstances, can be submitted online.

The scheduling of COVID-19 screening tests will still occur through the Emory Forward website. When you log in, the testing site will automatically populate with your next required testing date options. After completing your test you can immediately schedule your next test. We encourage you to schedule your next test before leaving the screening site.

If you have already scheduled a test for next week, you will need to reschedule your test even if your scheduled test was on your newly assigned test date. All scheduled appointments for next week have been canceled and need to be rescheduled.

Twice a week testing compliance is an important expectation to keep our community safe and healthy. If you are notified that you are out of compliance, you can quickly return to compliance by scheduling your next screening test. If you receive a noncompliance email — just schedule your next appointment and take a test.

Any questions about this update or the necessary compliance steps should be directed to covidcompliance@emory.edu.

Sincerely,

Amir St. Clair
Associate Vice President and Executive Director for COVID-19 Response and Recovery

Sharon Rabinovitz, MD
Executive Director, Student Health Services

Dear Emory community,

The number of COVID-19 diagnoses at Emory has risen this week—106 new cases in two days, which is the highest increase we’ve seen since returning to campus last August. Given this significant uptick in COVID-19 cases, I am asking for your cooperation to stop a surge within our campus community.

Since Emory reopened last year, students, faculty, and staff have done an outstanding job of embracing public health practices, keeping positive test results low and the university open. But with new variants of the virus circulating and general fatigue with adhering to COVID-19 protocols, this is a crucial moment at Emory.

I need your help so we can make this semester safe for everyone.

Preventative and safety measures 

It is vitally important that you continue to wear a face covering, wash your hands, and socially distance. Please make sure you have a face covering that fits properly and that you wear it when you are around others—both on and off campus. And please stay away from crowds and crowded settings.

On-campus gatherings are limited to ten or fewer people and must have a faculty or staff sponsor present, and off-campus gatherings should be very small as well. If you attend a gathering of any kind, it’s important that you wear a face covering and maintain social distance. 

Additional mandatory testing for on-campus students

With the recent increase in cases, we will now require students living on campus (at Emory and Oxford) to test twice a week in our screening program beginning this Monday—February 22. Further information about this change will be sent to students later today.

To be clear, COVID-19 testing is not a replacement for adhering to COVID-19 safety practices. Testing interrupts transmission but does not fully stop it. Behavior does. Testing helps us identify those who have the virus so we can limit spread to students and others on campus. But make no mistake, getting a negative result on your COVID-19 test does not makes it safe to change your behavior when it comes to social distancing, wearing face coverings, and hand washing.

General testing expectations

Students who live off campus must still take a screening test once per week if they are coming to campus, and faculty and staff who go to campus and have onboarded are encouraged to test weekly.

One final note: If you are keeping up with our COVID-19 dashboard, please remember that there can be a slight delay in the updated number of positive tests reported. This is because all positives are verified through additional confirmatory testing.

Thank you all for your participation in preventing the spread of COVID-19 in the midst of this ongoing pandemic. You have done an incredible job throughout the last year under extraordinary circumstances. With vaccine distribution ramping up, we are on a path to recovery. But we need to stay the course.

Please stay safe this weekend and in the coming weeks.

Sincerely,

Gregory L. Fenves
President

Dear Students,

Whether you made it through your exams last semester without cramming, or you crammed and learned the lesson the difficult way, you know something about balance. Balance is a state we envision when we discuss self-care, and it’s the ideal we aim for when we talk about the divide between work, school, and life. Though it can lead to happiness, balance is something different: it’s often a choice we make today for our future selves. Achieving balance may involve a certain degree of self-discipline as well as an intrinsic reward. 

With the arrow of our Swoop Gathering Risk Meter pushed more firmly back into the orange zone, we hope you take a balanced approach towards changes to the university’s operating status. This includes the opening of recreational centers to residential students and resumption of indoor gatherings of 10 or fewer students with a faculty or staff member present. Grant your future self the gift of self-care (getting a screening test, wearing a mask, washing your hands, and watching the distance between yourself and others).

Sincerely,  

Jan Love
Interim Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs 

Christopher L. Augostini 
Executive Vice President for Business and Administration,
Chief Financial Officer 

Jonathan S. Lewin
Executive Vice President for Health Affairs,
Executive Director, Woodruff Health Sciences Center,
CEO, and Chairman of the Board, Emory Healthcare 

Enku Gelaye
Vice President and Dean of Campus Life 

Amir St. Clair
Associate Vice President and Executive Director for COVID-19 Response and Recovery

COVID-19 Testing.

Visit Emory Forward for the latest news about who is required to test weekly this spring (students living in residence halls, and off-campus students accessing campus to take in-person classes, access labs or conduct on-campus research) and the kinds of COVID-19 tests we will be offering this spring, when each type will be used, testing locations and hours (they’ve been expanded!). And don’t forget to schedule your next mandatory screening test now.

Testing Exceptions.

If for any reason you are unable to complete a screening test during a specified phase, be sure to request an exception. Find more information about how to request a testing exception and the circumstances for which they will be granted here.

Attention: Off-campus Students.
Your adherence to safety protocols is paramount to the health of the entire community. Please wear face coverings and refrain from hosting social gatherings and events.

COVID-19 Vaccine.

Georgia is currently on phase 1A+ of vaccine distribution, during which healthcare professionals and people 65+ are among those receiving the vaccination. Find more information about Emory’s role in vaccine distribution here.

Gathering Status Update.

As of February 8, recreation centers in Atlanta and Oxford are open to residential students, and indoor gatherings of 10 or fewer people, including a faculty or staff member, may resume.

Quick Guides.

Visit the Quick Guides page on Emory Forward to access handy references in case you or someone else feels sick or tests positive for COVID-19.

Stay Healthy Any Time, Any Place.

Emory Student Telehealth has been expanded through a partnership with TimelyMD. Now whether in or outside of the US, students have access to medical and mental support through the expansion of telehealth services 24/7 or anytime. 

Talk Now.

TalkNow, a service of Emory Student Telehealth, connects students to mental health professionals 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 

Graduate and Professional Students, Let’s Talk.

Let’s Talk is an informal, free and confidential consultation service that allows students to speak with a clinician and receive support for any challenge they may be experiencing. It’s not a substitute for counseling, but it can be used to receive short-term support and resources. Click here for more information.

CAPS Virtual Workshop Series.

Having trouble falling asleep? Feel Zoomed out? Take time to focus on your well-being with weekly workshops on subjects such as improving relaxation and sleep, building on strengths and purpose, and avoiding burnout. Click here for more information.

Emory Connects Mentor Programs

Whether it’s time to begin looking for a job, or you’re ready to begin looking more seriously for a mentor, Emory Connects has a variety of options that make finding an alumni guide quick and easy. 

Cognitively Based Compassion Training (CBCT) for All Students.

CBCT® is a method for cultivating greater well-being through contemplative practice. This nine-week extracurricular course explores the theory and practice of compassion and provides tools to deepen understanding through meditative practice. Free and open to full-time, current Emory students. Click here to learn more about CBCT. Click here to register.

Sessions:

Tuesdays, February 15-April 12 | 3-4:30 PM

Thursdays, February 18-April 15 | 4:30-6 PM

Copyright and Your Emory Thesis or Dissertation.

Learn how to navigate copyright and author rights in a digital environment from Emory Libraries.

Two individual sessions:

Wednesday, February 17 | 12-12:50 | register here

Monday, February 22 | 12-12:50 PM | register here 

"Race, Social Justice, and Contemporary African-American Art": A Talk with Artist Kevin Beasley.

The series focuses on the representation of Black persons in contemporary African American art, and on the various ways in which contemporary artists have engaged with the project of representing Blackness. How do such representations attend to past and present articulations of race; how do they deal with such pressing issues as the imbrication of race and class; what diagnostic and/or therapeutic strategies do they apply to the vexed relation between race and social (in)justice? 

Thursday, February 18 | 4:15 PM | register here

“The End of Knowledge: How Data Killed Facts” lecture by Jill Lepore.

Join Dr. Jill Lepore of Harvard University for The Emerging Technologies and the Future of the Humanities lecture.

Thursday, February 25 | 6 PM | register here

Dear Emory community, 

Last week President Fenves, Dr. Nadine Rouphael, Dr. Nicole Franks and Assistant Vice President Alan Anderson joined me for a vaccine town hall to discuss the COVID-19 vaccine and Emory University’s faculty, staff and students’ access to the vaccine; the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine, and how Emory is working in the greater community to increase vaccination rates.

Thank you to those who attended. Please complete this short survey to help us understand what future topics you would like us to address and to ask any questions you may have.  

Last week’s presentation provided answers to important community questions including: 

Who is Emory including in the state’s phase 1B category for vaccination? Emory is awaiting further guidance from the state on phase 1B and, concurrently, a university planning group is moving forward with its vaccine distribution model for faculty, staff, and students who may fit 1B eligibility criteria. Our distribution will be equitable across all eligible university populations.

What is your advice for members of our community who wonder if they should get one vaccine over another and/or from Emory Healthcare or otherwise? When you are eligible to be vaccinated, get the version available to you and get it wherever available. Don’t wait for a specific type of vaccine and get it from any of Georgia’s vaccine providers, which may or may not be Emory Healthcare.

Do people have to do anything to be added to Emory’s tiered vaccine roll out list? No. You do not need to contact us to be added to a list. We are already planning for vaccination of the entire Emory community as the state’s phases and vaccine supply allows, and you will be contacted by the HOME system once you are eligible.

Is the vaccine provided to Emory Healthcare redirected in ways that prevent availability for eligible university members? No. Emory receives vaccine allocation based on an enterprise-wide approach that includes both Emory Healthcare and Emory University. As we move through each vaccination phase, any prioritization will be based on the state’s tiering system and guiding principles. Vaccines are not being redirected. 

The next vaccine town hall will be held on Thursday, February 18, at 11:30 AM and feature President Fenves, Dr. Monique Smith and Allison Chamberlain. The town hall will:

• Include additional vaccine and distribution information.
• Share Emory’s work with the Georgia Independent Colleges Association and Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) to clarify what phase 1B will mean for the Emory community.
• Delineate how Emory’s practices on its vaccine distribution system informed efforts by DPH along with hospital and health care system colleagues across the state and through the Georgia Hospital Association. 

An invitation will be sent early next week with a Zoom link.

Finally, Emory Healthcare issued an urgent request for volunteers as they roll out the COVID-19 vaccine. They need clinical and non-clinical volunteers who are current Emory Healthcare or Emory University staff, providers or students to assist at the Northlake COVID Vaccine Clinic location. Please consider registering to help with this critical initiative.

Sincerely,  

Amir St. Clair
Associate Vice President and Executive Director for COVID-19 Response and Recovery

Dear Emory Community, 

Our January 19 message outlined university restrictions for certain gathering opportunities on campus. As of February 8, the university will allow these restrictions to expire, and we will immediately RESUME the following activities for residential students:

• Recreation centers will be OPEN on the Atlanta and Oxford campuses.
• Indoor gatherings of groups of ten or fewer students, with a faculty or staff member present, will be ALLOWED.

As before:

• In-person offices, classes, and labs will continue.
• Outdoor gatherings of ten people or fewer, with a faculty or staff member present, will be permitted.
• Face coverings will be required on campus as well as distancing and other hygiene practices.

This is a critical moment in our fight against COVID-19. Now, more than ever, it’s important that each Emory community member practice important preventative measures. Maintaining forward progress this spring depends on you being an active, vigilant partner both on and off campus.

Our partnership requires your compliance with weekly testing (if required) and the consistent use of face coverings, physical distancing and other safety measures, regardless of location. Adhering to these healthy behaviors will allow us to maintain this level of activity on campus. 

With increased capacity this spring, we encourage faculty and staff who have completed the onboarding process to test weekly, as capacity allows. Faculty and staff can schedule a screening test online today.

As before, the gathering meter may be adjusted based on multiple factors related to our operating status. The shifts within the orange range of the gathering policy or even a move into the red category can still occur, and there is always the possibility that we will need to increase restrictions and adopt additional safety measures. 

As always, our goal is to have a vibrant campus filled with our students, faculty, and staff. Please partner with us to ensure that we can gather safely. Practicing these safe behaviors will enable us to further expand campus activities. 

For more information about factors that influence the gathering policy status, please visit the COVID-19 dashboard, which is updated daily.

Thank you.

Sincerely,  

Jan Love
Interim Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs 

Christopher L. Augostini 
Executive Vice President for Business and Administration,
Chief Financial Officer 

Jonathan S. Lewin
Executive Vice President for Health Affairs,
Executive Director, Woodruff Health Sciences Center,
CEO, and Chairman of the Board, Emory Healthcare 

Enku Gelaye
Vice President and Dean of Campus Life 

Amir St. Clair
Associate Vice President and Executive Director for COVID-19 Response and Recovery

Dear Students,

There’s no time like the beginning of the semester to refresh productive habits or start something new. We’re pleased to announce that the Emory Forward website has undergone a refresh of its own, and we encourage you to check it regularly for updates about what’s new and what’s changing as we work towards a healthy semester.

We know habit formation can be a challenge, and it’s important to us that you know how proud we are of how quickly you’ve managed to adjust to these changes during your college experience. From learning online to gathering outdoors in groups of ten or fewer to taking the extra time to check in on a friend, you’ve shown great grit and great growth. As we begin the first full month of the semester, we rely on you to continue demonstrating both of these qualities as you form and refine the habits we’ll need to be a healthy, strong, and kind community this spring.

Sincerely,  

Jan Love
Interim Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs 

Christopher L. Augostini 
Executive Vice President for Business and Administration, Chief Financial Officer 

Jonathan S. Lewin
Executive Vice President for Health Affairs, Executive Director, Woodruff Health Sciences Center, CEO, and Chairman of the Board, Emory Healthcare 

Enku Gelaye
Vice President and Dean of Campus Life 

Amir St. Clair
Associate Vice President and Executive Director for COVID-19 Response and Recovery

COVID-19 Testing.

Visit Emory Forward for the latest news about the kinds of COVID-19 tests we will be offering this spring, when each type will be used, testing locations and hours (they’ve been expanded!) and requirements for testing and screening. And don’t forget to schedule your next mandatory screening test. 

Testing Exceptions.

If for any reason you are unable to complete a screening test during a specified phase, be sure to request an exception. Find more information about how to request a testing exception and the circumstances for which they will be granted here.  

COVID-19 Vaccine.

Georgia is currently on phase 1A+ of vaccine distribution, during which healthcare professionals and people 65+ are among those receiving the vaccination. Find more information about Emory’s role in vaccine distribution here.  

Gathering Status Update.

The university is temporarily adjusting how we gather and interact as a community. Emory University continues to operate the orange category on the gathering meter, but the needle has shifted toward the red category. As a result, the following community changes will be in effect until February 8:

Here is what will not change: 

• In-person offices, classes, and labs will continue to be in-person (unless indicated otherwise) as safety protocols have proven effective in these arenas.
• Outdoor gatherings of ten people or fewer, with a faculty or staff member present, will be permitted.
• Face coverings as well as distancing and other hygiene practices will be required on campus.

Stay Healthy Any Time, Any Place. 

Emory Student Telehealth has been expanded through a partnership with TimelyMD. Now whether in or outside of the US, students have access to medical and mental support through the expansion of telehealth services 24/7 or anytime. 

Talk Now.

TalkNow, a service of Emory Student Telehealth, connects students to mental health professionals 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Celebrate Black History Month in February.

Attend a lecture, listen to a conversation, join a discussion, or enjoy a podcast sponsored by the Office for Race and Cultural Engagement and the Black Student Union.

Dooley After Dark.

Dooley’s made his PM plans — virtual and in-person — for the spring semester. Click here to check out his calendar. 

Undergraduate Virtual Spring Student Activities Fair.

Plan to get involved with your university this semester by attending the Student Activities Fair February 1-4, 1-3 PM daily.

Stretch Yourself.

Whether you’re interested in intramural trivia nights or prefer yoga classes, Emory Recreation and Wellness has an option for you. Visit my.recwell.emory.edu to find something new. 

New for Graduate and Professional Students: Let’s Talk.

Let’s Talk is an informal, free and confidential consultation service that allows students to speak with a clinician and receive support for any challenge they may be experiencing. It’s not a substitute for counseling, but it can be used to receive short-term support and resources. Click here for more information. 

Welcome Home to Hygge at Oxford.

Oxford is embracing hygge—the Scandinavian concept of creating a cozy, convivial environment to let students gather outdoors, within safe capacities. Around campus there are picnic spaces with pillows and blankets, fire pits with comfortable chairs, and aesthetic lighting to extend hours on the quad well into the evening.

Dear Faculty and Staff,

There’s no time like the beginning of the semester to refresh good habits or start something new. We’re pleased to announce that the Emory Forward website has undergone a refresh of its own, and we encourage you to check the site regularly for updates about what’s new and what’s changing as we work toward a healthy semester.

As Emory faculty and staff, you’ve formed habits that allow you to perform at a level of excellence unseen in many other workplaces. For nearly a year now, your reliable excellence has been pushed to a new level. Some face new challenges in the laboratory or clinic; others must find ways to balance a deeper compassion for students with time for self-care and caregiving responsibilities for loved ones. We have all faced changes in the way we live our ordinary lives. 

However ubiquitous challenge, innovation, and excellence are in a university setting, we want you to know that we see you and the ways you’ve adjusted, adapted, and persevered, and we are so very grateful.

Sincerely,  

Jan Love
Interim Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs 

Christopher L. Augostini 
Executive Vice President for Business and Administration, Chief Financial Officer 

Jonathan S. Lewin
Executive Vice President for Health Affairs, 
Executive Director, Woodruff Health Sciences Center, 
CEO, and Chairman of the Board, Emory Healthcare

Amir St. Clair
Associate Vice President and Executive Director for COVID-19 Response and Recovery

COVID-19 Testing.

Visit Emory Forward for the latest news about the kinds of tests and screenings Emory will be offering this spring, when each type will be used, testing locations and hours as well as requirements. Asymptomatic faculty and staff can schedule a test online. Faculty and staff who are symptomatic and/or exposed to COVID-19 should contact the Emory Healthcare COVID-19 Information and Nurses’ line at 404.71.COVID-19 (404.712.6843) to schedule a test.  

COVID-19 Vaccine.

Georgia is currently on phase 1A+ of vaccine distribution, during which healthcare professionals and people 65+ are among those receiving the vaccination. Find more information about Emory’s role in vaccine distribution here. 

COVID-19 Community Updates.

Join President Fenves, Associate Vice President for COVID-19 Response and Recovery Amir St. Clair and guests for biweekly community updates, the next of which is scheduled for February 4 (Zoom link forthcoming). Click here to watch the January 21 update.

The Qs and As of Teaching in Spring 2021.

If you have questions about teaching in-person or remotely this semester, the Center for Faculty Development and Excellence has answers. 

Gathering Status Update.

The university is temporarily adjusting how we gather and interact as a community. Emory University continues to operate the orange category on the gathering meter, but the needle has shifted toward the red category. As a result, the following community changes will be in effect until February 8:

• Indoor gatherings of any size will not be allowed. 

Here is what will not change:

• In-person offices, classes, and labs will continue to be in-person as safety protocols have proven effective in these arenas.
• Outdoor gatherings of ten people or fewer, with a faculty or staff member present, will be permitted.
• Face coverings as well as distancing and other hygiene practices will be required on campus.

Celebrate Black History Month.

Attend a lecture, listen to a conversation, join a discussion, or enjoy a podcast sponsored by the Office for Race and Cultural Engagement and the Black Student Union.

Dear Emory Community,

To-date, Emory Healthcare (EHC) has distributed over 33,000 COVID-19 vaccines, including to 7,700 Emory University members eligible in phase 1A of the state’s vaccine roll out and who have been offered vaccinations by EHC. University members eligible at this time include faculty and staff serving as health care workers, medical staff, clinical researchers, adults aged 65+, and first responders as well as eligible students in the School of Nursing, School of Medicine, and other academic units.

Phase 1B

The state estimates that Georgia will move to Phase 1B in March. Emory University is preparing for this phase through the work of our university vaccine planning group, which includes researchers, ethicists, academics and administrators. As we await further guidance from the state on 1B, the planning group is moving forward with its vaccine distribution model for faculty and staff who may fit 1B eligibility criteria. This model is aligned with Georgia Department of Public Health and Emory Healthcare principles, and provides guidance on priority tiers based on risk assessment factors and work-related exposure. 

Emory’s vaccination model considers all members of our community who may be eligible in 1B—from our faculty and non-clinical researchers to our campus life and residential staff to our facilities and maintenance staff. Our distribution will be equitable across all eligible university populations. 

When the state moves to 1B, Emory is ready. 

Three notes: 

• When Emory University faculty, staff, or students become eligible, and as based on vaccine availability, they will be notified via the HOME system. Please refer to this link for further information.
• We encourage you to get vaccinated through Emory Healthcare or elsewhere based on availability. If you can get a vaccine outside of Emory Healthcare, please do so. 
• If you are currently undergoing mandatory COVID-19 testing through Emory University, you still need to complete those tests even if you are vaccinated. All members of our community, vaccinated or not, will still be required to wear a face covering and continue community health measures, including washing hands and physical distancing.

You are always welcome to reach out for clarification or further information on Emory University’s COVID-19 approach by contacting campusresponse@emory.edu.

Sincerely,

Amir St. Clair
Associate Vice President and Executive Director for COVID-19 Response and Recovery

Sincerely,

Gregory L. Fenves
President

Dear Students,

Welcome! Wherever you are joining us from, you are an important part of the Emory community. We rely on you. Your decisions to pursue critical inquiry and creative expression, to express compassion to your fellow students, and to contribute to community health by adhering to health and safety guidelines all impact the university. 

We rely on you to begin the semester as an active partner: complete the onboarding process, adhere to the compact, and participate in COVID-19 testing and screening. We also rely on you to start this semester with kindness and goodwill. Extend a metaphorical hand to students who are new to campus, and extend to yourselves the compassion you’d show your peers by seeking help when you need it. 

Finally, we know you will join us in welcoming Amir St. Clair, Associate Vice President and Executive Director for COVID-19 Response and Recovery, whom we have come to rely on since he joined Emory in December. In his short time at the university, Amir has worked with university planning groups to advance and streamline testing operations, communicate about the university’s vaccine rollout, and think critically about how to create a safe learning environment in which students can thrive. Communication is one of Amir’s priorities, so in addition to emails, webinars, and social media posts, you can expect to hear from Amir in these digests, too.

Please join us in welcoming Amir and creating a semester in which we can all take pride.

Sincerely,  

Jan Love
Interim Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs 

Christopher L. Augostini
Executive Vice President for Business and Administration, 
Chief Financial Officer 

Jonathan S. Lewin
Executive Vice President for Health Affairs, 
Executive Director, Woodruff Health Sciences Center, 
CEO, and Chairman of the Board, Emory Healthcare 

Enku Gelaye
Vice President and Dean of Campus Life

Onboarding.

Take the first step to support community safety this semester—complete the eight-step onboarding process! Once you have completed all required steps, you will receive a confirmation email that you are cleared for campus activities. Use the link available on the onboarding page to check your status, which may change throughout the semester. 

Let’s Keep in Touch

Stay informed with the latest COVID-19 testing and vaccination news by updating your contact information in OPUS.

COVID-19 Testing

Visit Emory Forward for the latest news about the kinds of tests and screenings we will be offering this spring, when each type will be used, testing locations and hours (they’ve been expanded!) and requirements for testing and screening. And don’t forget to schedule your next screening test  now. 

COVID-19 Vaccine

Georgia is currently on phase 1A+ of vaccine distribution, during which healthcare professionals and people 65+ are among those receiving the vaccination. Find more information about Emory’s role in vaccine distribution here.

Gathering Status Update

The university is temporarily adjusting how we gather and interact as a community. Emory University continues to operate the orange category  on the gathering meter, but the needle has shifted toward the red category. As a result, the following community changes will be in effect until February 8:

•     Recreation centers will be closed on the Atlanta and Oxford campuses.
•     Indoor gatherings of any size will not be allowed.

Here is what will not change:

• In-person offices, classes, and labs will continue to be in-person (unless indicated otherwise) as safety protocols have proven effective in these arenas.
• Outdoor gatherings of ten people or fewer, with a faculty or staff member present, will be permitted.
• Face coverings as well as distancing and other hygiene practices will be required on campus

Stay Healthy Any Time, Any Place. 

Emory Student Telehealth has been expanded through a partnership with TimelyMD. Now whether in or outside of the US, students have access to medical and mental support through the expansion of telehealth services 24/7 or anytime. 

Talk Now.

TalkNow, a service of Emory Student Telehealth, connects students to mental health professionals 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 

Celebrate King Week, January 21-January 28.

Honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., with a week of online events.

Undergraduate Virtual Spring Student Activities Fair

Plan to get involved with your university this semester by attending the Student Activities Fair February 1-4, 1-3 PM daily.

Faculty and staff continue to have access to optional COVID-19 testing and can schedule a screening test online, as capacity allows. If faculty and staff are symptomatic or have been exposed to COVID-19, they should contact Emory Healthcare COVID-19 Information and Nurses’ line at 404-71-COVID-19 (404-712-6843) to schedule a test. Faculty and staff who are symptomatic and/or exposed to COVID-19 should NOT visit the screening locations for testing.

Testing procedures may be adjusted or increased based on resources, COVID-19 factors, and campus needs. Any changes to testing will be shared widely with the campus community.

Gathering Status Update

To ensure a safe and healthy campus amid the rising prevalence of COVID-19 in our region and in recognition of how the pandemic is taxing our healthcare providers, the university is temporarily adjusting how we gather and interact as a community. Emory University continues to operate in the orange category on the gathering meter, but the needle has shifted toward the red category. 

The revised gathering meter necessitates the following community changes that will be in effect until February 8:

Here is what will not change:

The February 8 date noted above may be adjusted based on multiple factors related to our operating status, and any updates will be shared widely. A quick reminder that our online COVID-19 dashboard is updated daily with factors that influence the gathering policy status.

Vaccine Update

A vaccine town hall was held in December. Based on feedback from our community, we will be holding additional vaccine-specific presentations this spring. The next presentation is scheduled for this Thursday, January 21, from 11:30 AM until noon. This presentation will build off the email sent by Associate Vice President and Executive Director for COVID-19 Response and Recovery Amir St. Clair, which shared the vaccination phases and outlined how Emory University is approaching the vaccination process. If you have a question about vaccination, please submit it online so that it can be addressed on the presentation, become part of an online FAQ, or so that we can have someone follow up with you directly.

And a final reminder that the onboarding process is open for those students living in residence halls, students who are taking classes in person and/or will access campus resources in person, and faculty and staff who will be accessing campus during the spring.

Safety at Emory is a campus-wide partnership. Each student, faculty, and staff member is empowered to play a role in creating a safe and healthy campus environment. We look forward to the start of a new semester and thank you for being an active partner across a dynamic environment this spring. 

Sincerely,

Jan Love
Interim Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs  

Christopher L. Augostini 
Executive Vice President for Business and Administration, Chief Financial Officer  

Jonathan S. Lewin
Executive Vice President for Health Affairs, Executive Director, Woodruff Health Sciences Center, CEO, and Chairman of the Board, Emory Healthcare  

Enku Gelaye 
Vice President and Dean of Campus Life 

Amir St. Clair
Associate Vice President and Executive Director for COVID-19 Response and Recovery

Dear Emory Community, 

Many members of our community are eager to learn about Emory University’s plans for the delivery of the COVID-19 vaccine. This letter is the first update on planning for distribution of the vaccine to the Emory community. Additionally, I’ll share our guiding principles, and let you know what to expect in terms of future communications. 

Vaccine distribution is a critical part of Emory’s plan to maintain campus health and safety. University leaders and public health experts have developed a set of principles to guide Emory’s distribution efforts. Aligned with the CDC and Georgia Department of Public Health, these principles set forth how Emory University works within the State of Georgia’s phased rollout to distribute the vaccine. At Emory, vaccine delivery will:  

• Maximize benefits and minimize harm 
• Mitigate health inequities 
• Promote justice 
• Promote transparency 

As Emory’s Associate Vice President and Executive Director for COVID-19 Response and Recovery, I work with a University Planning Group, along with a number of operational units, which are mobilized to make timely decisions about vaccine distribution in alignment with these public health guidelines. I’m proud to say we are putting these principles to work in vaccine delivery at Emory. 

To date, university faculty, staff, and learners whose work includes direct patient care under the currently authorized Tier 1A have already or will shortly receive an invitation to be vaccinated. This includes clinical-facing students in the School of Medicine, School of Nursing, and Allied Health Programs. Emory will continue to follow distribution guidelines based on supply and capacity as we move forward.

We appreciate the strong support of our Emory Healthcare colleagues, who have been national leaders in rolling out the vaccine as quickly as possible while simultaneously battling this latest COVID surge.  

Over the course of the semester, I will share updates about the vaccine along with information about testing and campus safety. Beginning in January, these communications will come in several different formats across email, webinars, social media, and the Emory Forward website. 

With so much changing so quickly, know you are always welcome to reach out for clarification or information. Please direct all questions to campusresponse@emory.edu. 

Sincerely,  

Amir St. Clair 
Associate Vice President and Executive Director for COVID-19 Response and Recovery 

Emory University has established a comprehensive clearance process for faculty/staff who plan to be on the Atlanta and Oxford campuses this spring (January-May). These guidelines will help our community stay safe as we access campus during the COVID-19 pandemic.

For those who are instructed to work on campus, rest assured that Emory’s health and safety guidelines for offices, classrooms, and common areas to help reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus and mitigate risk to our students, faculty, and staff will continue to be in place, as in the fall semester. 

It is imperative that everyone understands what is expected when on campus to ensure we are doing our part to keep our community safe. We have prepared a six-step onboarding clearance process for all faculty/staff to complete PRIOR to coming to campus. If you are planning to return to campus for any amount of time this spring, you are required to complete the clearance process. If you are not planning to return to campus at any time during the spring term, you DO NOT need to complete this clearance process. (Note: COVID-19 asymptomatic screening remains optional for faculty and staff and as capacity is available. Completion of the spring onboarding process is required to be screened for COVID-19 on-campus.)

If you were previously approved to return to campus, the spring 2021 onboarding portal will indicate the new items that are now required for the new term.

The onboarding clearance process can be accessed through the Emory Forward website beginning Tuesday, January 5, 2021. (Those needing to access campus the week of January 4 will be given a grace period to complete the onboarding process). To be cleared for access to campus, faculty/staff will complete the following six steps: 

1. EMORY COMMUNITY COMPACT: Faculty/staff will review and indicate their commitments to the new expectations and guidelines for the campus environment during the COVID-19 pandemic.  
   
   
2. COVID-19 RETURN TO CAMPUS TRAINING: Faculty/staff will complete a required training module for physical distancing, face covering requirements, other personal protective equipment, hygiene, self-monitoring for symptoms, and other important health and safety guidelines for returning to campus. If your return to campus includes research activities in laboratories or in research settings that include human participants or animals, you may have additional guidelines and procedures that require knowledge about protocols in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.
   
   
3. HEALTH ASSESMENT: Faculty/staff will complete a confidential health screening questionnaire that includes questions about exposure to COVID-19, contact with persons who have tested positive, travel, and symptoms you might have experienced.
   
   
4. EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION CONTACT: Faculty/staff will enroll in Emory’s Emergency Notification System and ensure their mobile phone numbers are current. Mobile numbers will be used for COVID-19 contact tracing in the event that a faculty/staff is exposed to COVID-19.
   
   
5. CONTACT TRACING: Faculty/staff will provide a baseline list of close contacts with whom they regularly encounter at Emory for the purpose of effective contact tracing in the event of COVID-19 exposure. The CDC defines a “close contact” as someone who was within 6 feet of an infected person for at least 15 minutes starting from 2 days before illness onset.
   
   
6. FLU SHOT: Emory University now requires that all faculty/staff returning to campus for the spring semester must receive a flu shot preferably at least two weeks before returning to campus. Faculty/staff can visit any in-network retail pharmacy such as CVS, Walgreens, Target, Publix, or Kroger. You will need to present your Emory CVS/Caremark prescription drug card. Another option is to receive the flu shot from your doctor’s office or www.vaccinefinder.org. Individuals who need a medical, religious, or other exemption from the flu shot requirement will have the opportunity to request an exemption.

If your return to campus includes research activities in laboratories or in research settings that include human participants or animals, you may have additional guidelines and procedures that require knowledge about protocols in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Please visit:  

• The Emory Institutional Review Board
• The Emory Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee
• The Emory Environmental Health and Safety Office
• The Emory Office of Research Administration

Once you have completed all required steps, you will receive a confirmation email stating you are cleared for on-campus activities. Thank you in advance for your adherence to the onboarding clearance process and for keeping our community safe.

Return to Campus Planning

Currently, and continuing for spring semester of 2021, many faculty and staff are already working on campus, and they will continue to do so.

During the spring semester, a number of additional staff in schools, Campus Life, and other selected areas will be coming back to work on campus to support the student experience and academic success. These schools and units are working through their plans and will be in touch with their employees over the next month. Until that time, staff in these areas should continue to work remotely, if they are currently doing so.

Staff in areas that do not provide student or academic support, and who are currently working remotely, should continue to work remotely during the spring semester unless they are notified differently by their manager. Faculty will continue to work with their schools and departments regarding their individual situations.

Emory’s current plan is for all students to return to campus by fall 2021. Over the next few months, we will be developing plans for the fall semester, and will provide information regarding working on campus as plans are finalized.

Dear Emory students,

Thanks to your sacrifices and diligence this fall, Emory University was able to complete the semester as planned. As a result of this, the university was able to expand residential living and begin planning for Commencement. To continue to keep campus safe, Emory University has established a comprehensive clearance process for students who plan to be on the Atlanta and Oxford campuses for the spring 2021 semester. Spring onboarding, which will begin in early January, will help support community safety as we continue to access campus during the COVID-19 pandemic and is one of the first steps to reuniting the entire Emory community for the 2021-2022 academic year. 

If you are an undergraduate, graduate, or professional student living on campus or in the area and plan to access campus, you are required to complete the onboarding process in order to ensure familiarity and compliance with healthy and safety protocols related to COVID-19 and the flu and to meet the university’s expectations in terms of keeping the community safe. Campus is open to anyone who plans to take in-person classes or has been assigned on-campus housing for spring 2021. (Approval to take in-person courses will be determined by your school). Campus is also open to any enrolled student living in the Atlanta or Covington area who plans to be on campus for any reason, including meetings with advisors or counselors, and/or using libraries, computing facilities, or dining venues. Please note, students who completed the fall onboarding process and plan to be on campus this spring must complete the spring onboarding process. Additionally, students who will not be on campus this spring do not need to complete the onboarding process.

We have prepared an eight-step onboarding clearance process for students to complete prior to coming to campus. The onboarding clearance process can be accessed through the Emory Forward website beginning Tuesday, January 5, 2021. (Those needing to access campus the week of January 4 will be given a grace period to complete the onboarding process). To be cleared for campus access, students will complete the following eight steps. Links to each step will be sent on Tuesday, January 5, 2021 when the onboarding portal opens.

1. EMORY STUDENT COMMUNITY COMPACT: Students will review and indicate their commitment to the expectations and guidelines for the campus environment during the COVID-19 pandemic.
   
   
2. HEALTH AND SAFETY TRAINING: Students will complete a required training module for physical distancing, face covering requirements, personal protective equipment, hygiene, self-monitoring for symptoms, and other important health and safety guidelines for returning to campus. Additional training may be needed for some students based on the school of enrollment. 
   
   
3. HEALTH ASSESMENT: Students will complete a confidential health screening questionnaire that includes questions about exposure to COVID-19, contact with persons who have tested positive, travel, and symptoms.
   
   
4. EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION CONTACT: Students will enroll in Emory’s Emergency Notification System and ensure their mobile phone numbers are current. Mobile numbers will be used for COVID-19 contact tracing in the event a student is exposed to COVID-19. 
   
   
5. CONTACT TRACING: Students will provide a baseline list of close contacts with whom they regularly encounter at Emory for the purpose of effective contact tracing in the event of COVID-19 exposure. A close contact is defined as someone who was within 6 feet of an infected person for at least 15 minutes starting from 2 days before illness onset. 
   
   
6. RETURN TO CAMPUS COVID-19 TEST: Emory is committed to creating a safe environment for our community as we return to campus. This includes procedures to ensure our community is healthy upon arrival to campus.  COVID-19 screening appointment dates have been pre-determined by your school based on program start dates. COVID-19 screening appointments will continue to be scheduled through the Emory Forward website.
   
   Students moving into the residence halls (January 19,22,23,24): COVID-19 "move in screening” is required for students who plan to live in a residence hall during the spring term. The rapid nasal swab will be administered at this appointment and you will receive your results within the hour.  Students should schedule their on-campus screening appointment to align with the day they move in. Weekly screening will be required after move in.
   
   Students who have remained on campus over winter break will not be required to schedule a rapid nasal swab appointment, but rather should continue their weekly COVID-19 saliva-based screening. 
   
   Off-Campus students accessing campus (undergraduate, graduate students and professional schools' students) (Screening program begins January 2): If you are living off campus, but plan to access campus during the Spring term, you are required to be screened for COVID-19 and complete the full onboarding process.
   
   
7. IMMUNIZATION RECORD: It is incredibly important that all students are immunized against vaccine-preventable diseases. Students are required to upload immunization records with Student Health Immunizations that require a series of vaccinations can be completed after arrival to Emory.
   
   
8. FLU SHOT REQUIREMENT: Emory University now requires that all students returning to campus for the spring semester must receive a flu shot. Anyone who has not yet received a flu shot should make sure to get one preferably at least two weeks prior to returning to campus. Please work with Student Health Services to ensure the appropriate flu shot documentation is on record.

Once you have completed all required steps, you will receive a confirmation email that you are cleared for on-campus activities. 

If your return to campus includes research activities in laboratories or in research settings that include human participants or animals, you may have additional guidelines and procedures that require knowledge about protocols in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Please visit:

• The Emory Institutional Review Board
• The Emory Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee
• The Emory Environmental Health and Safety Office
• The Emory Office of Research Administration

Thank you in advance for your adherence to the onboarding clearance process. Please remember: We are all in this together, and collectively we do this for you, for us, and for our community’s safety. We look forward to seeing you on campus soon.

Sincerely,

Jan Love 
Interim Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs   

Christopher L. Augostini  
Executive Vice President Business and Administration,  
Chief Financial Officer 

Jonathan S. Lewin 
Executive Vice President Health Affairs,  
Executive Director, Woodruff Health Sciences Center,  
CEO, and Chairman of the Board, Emory Healthcare   

Enku Gelaye 
Vice President and Dean of Campus Life 

Dear Emory community,

We hope that you had a restful and restorative Thanksgiving holiday and break. As Emory heads into the final weeks of the semester, we wanted to share additional details about our modified in-person Commencement ceremonies scheduled for May 14-16 at the Georgia World Congress Center (GWCC). 

Below are the dates and start times for undergraduate, graduate and professional school diploma ceremonies for the Class of 2021. In addition we are pleased to have an in-person ceremony for graduates of the Class of 2020 who are able to return to Atlanta. 

Please note some of the dates have shifted from the Nov. 20 Commencement message outlining the initial plans. These revised dates for the ceremonies reflect feedback from our campus community and the timing of ceremonies incorporates GWCC’s safety and cleaning protocols between events.

Friday, May 14 

• School of Medicine, Genetic Counseling Training Program: 9:00 a.m.
• Rollins School of Public Health: 9:00 a.m.
• Laney Graduate School: 9:30 a.m. 
• Goizueta Business School, Fulltime MBA and MSBA: 10:00 a.m.
• School of Medicine, Medical Imaging Program: 1:00 p.m.
• Candler School of Theology: 3:00 p.m.
• School of Medicine, Doctor of Medicine: 3:30 p.m. 
• School of Law: 3:30 p.m.
• Goizueta Business School, Evening MBA: 4:00 p.m.
• School of Medicine, Doctor of Physical Therapy: 5:00 p.m.

Saturday, May 15

• Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing: 9:30 a.m.
• Oxford College: 10:00 a.m.
• Class of 2020: 4:30 p.m.

Sunday, May 16

• Emory College of Arts and Sciences: 10:00 a.m.
• Goizueta Business School, BBA: 11:00 a.m.

As outlined in our previous message, each graduating student, and members of the Class of 2021 and Class of 2020, will be invited to bring up to two guests; additional family and friends may share in the activities via live (and on-demand replay) webcasts of the ceremonies. We will also recognize and honor those students who cannot attend in person. Further updates will be posted on the university’s Commencement website and shared with the Emory community as our planning progresses, including any adjustments due to the evolving pandemic. 

Best wishes to you and your family and friends for a peaceful and healthy holiday season. We look forward to celebrating many special Emory milestones together in the new year.

Sincerely, 

Gregory L. Fenves
President 

Jan Love
Interim Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

Dear Emory community,

There is no event or experience more representative of excellence and achievement at Emory — or that is cherished more by us as president and provost — than Commencement, where we celebrate the successes of our graduating students. Recognizing the important milestone that Commencement offers, we are pleased to share that we are moving forward with plans to hold a modified in-person ceremony in May 2021. 

As with so many aspects of our lives today, we will need to be creative in adapting traditional elements of our ceremonies while incorporating COVID-19 health and safety protocols. For this reason, we have contracted to host enhanced diploma ceremonies at the Georgia World Congress Center (GWCC), located a short drive from campus in the heart of downtown Atlanta.

Although we are still confirming details, and we are cognizant that our plans will need to align with the Georgia and Atlanta event guidelines in place next May, we did want to provide you with preliminary information so you can plan around these dates:

• We anticipate graduate and professional school diploma ceremonies will take place Friday, May 14, with all undergraduate ceremonies, including Oxford College, scheduled for Saturday, May 15.
• Each graduating student will be invited to bring up to two guests; additional family and friends may share in the activities via live (and on-demand replay) webcasts of the ceremonies. We will also find ways to recognize and honor those students who cannot attend in person.
• Plans are also being developed to celebrate the Class of 2020 in person on May 16, for those able to return or those desiring to attend virtually from their locations around the world. The Class of 2020 graduates will also be invited to bring up to two guests as we recognize their academic accomplishments.

Protecting the health and safety of our community remains paramount. Holding our Commencement ceremonies at the GWCC provides us with the space we need for our graduates and guests while adhering to our campus protocols — including distancing, face coverings, and hygiene measures — as well as adhering to the safety standards required by the GWCC.

Since the pandemic is still evolving, our Commencement plans may need to be adjusted as planning progresses. A complete schedule of events will be available as details are confirmed, and any new developments will be promptly communicated.

As we approach the close of our fall semester, we hope that you will join us in looking forward, anticipating the opportunity to come together in celebration of the remarkable, resilient graduates of Emory University.

Sincerely, 

Gregory L. Fenves
President 

Jan Love
Interim Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

Dear Emory faculty and staff,

I am deeply proud of the resolve and resilience you have shown as we’ve navigated the COVID-19 pandemic at Emory University. You’ve helped us further our education, research, and health care missions while rising to meet, and overcome, challenges and hardships that are without precedent in recent history.

As many of you know, in July, members of the President’s Leadership Team and deans had their salaries reduced by 15% per month. In September, employees with an annual salary of $75,000 or more experienced a 5% salary reduction. The eligible savings for COVID-related expenses across the university as a result of these salary reductions is anticipated to total $5.5 million. I am grateful for your understanding and commitment, which made these cost reductions possible.

I am very pleased to announce that, because these salary reductions have reached the budgeted savings targets for this fiscal year, all salaries that were reduced will be restored to their original levels, effective January 1, 2021.

Even though we are returning to the original salary levels on January 1, the university’s overall financial outlook is still very serious. We have additional operational expenses and revenue shortfalls as a result of the pandemic, which we expect to carry on into the 2021-22 academic year. I strongly urge you to be mindful of the budgetary constraints we continue to face and remain fiscally prudent about expenditures in your schools, departments, and units.

I want you to know how much I appreciate your hard work through the challenges of 2020. Although my time at Emory has been brief, I am impressed by your accomplishments and can see how truly special this community is. We will get through this difficult time together. Our future is bright.

Sincerely, 

Gregory L. Fenves
President

We are pleased to provide important updates regarding enhancements to Emory University’s COVID-19 screening program for asymptomatic individuals.  On Monday, November 16, 2020, we will begin transitioning to a saliva-based collection platform (replacing the rapid antigen nasal swab). This new testing platform is highly sensitive, provides increased testing capacity for the Emory community, and employs a significantly more comfortable collection methodology. The transition from rapid antigen nasal swab to the saliva-based collection, will take place as follows:

November 16-20: Transition to saliva-based collection

November 20: Last day of the rapid antigen nasal swab 

November 23-25: Full transition to saliva-based collection

November 26-27: Thanksgiving Holiday (no screening tests)

November 30- December 29: Screening tests will only be performed on Mondays and Tuesdays of each week 

January 4: Return to campus screening program begins for the spring term

From November 30-December 29 COVID-19 asymptomatic screenings will only be performed on Mondays and Tuesdays of each week. These dates coincide with the end of the fall semester and winter recess for the university. 

Students living on campus in residence halls during winter break will be required to test each week; faculty and staff testing remains optional and is only available to those who have completed the onboarding process. The saliva-based collection method does not require you to wait on-site as results will be provided by email within 24-hours. To learn more about saliva-based collection process review the infographic below and visit the Emory Forward website.

As a reminder this screening test is for individuals who do not have COVID-19 symptoms and have no known exposures to the COVID-19 virus. To schedule a COVID-19 screening test, click below:

Undergraduates Students (required each week)

Graduate and Professional Students (optional)

Faculty (optional)

Staff (optional) 

Thank you for continuing to do your part in keeping our community safe. As you depart for the holidays, please keep in mind that testing is only a piece of an effective strategy to reduce your risk and the risk to others. Remember to wear a mask, keep your distance, wash your hands, and get your flu shot. 

Sincerely, 

Jan Love
Interim Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs 

Christopher L. Augostini
Executive Vice President for Business and Administration,
Chief Financial Officer

Jonathan S. Lewin
Executive Vice President for Health Affairs,
Executive Director, Woodruff Health Sciences Center,
CEO, and Chairman of the Board, Emory Healthcare 

Enku Gelaye
Vice President and Dean of Campus Life

Dear Emory community,

We are now halfway through the semester, and I’m proud of the many ways Emory’s faculty, staff, and students have come together to protect the health of our community and support each other both inside and outside the classroom. You have taken to heart our goal of keeping COVID-19 off campus, so we can stay on campus.

I am writing to share news about the spring semester and to look ahead at the possibilities for summer and fall 2021. Since early in this fall semester, I’ve worked closely with the provost, deans, public health experts and leaders from across campus on the plans for the spring semester. The strategy we developed was based on projected COVID-19 cases, forecasts for flu in the coming months, and the possibility of safely accommodating more students on campus.

Today, I’m pleased to announce Emory’s plan for spring 2021, as described below.

What is different for the spring semester:

• Spring 2021 calendar. For most Emory colleges and schools, the spring semester will begin on January 25, with medical school classes resuming on January 4. Classes will conclude by May 3, with most final exams held between May 4 and May 14. Students will receive information from their respective dean with specific dates, further details, and any college or school-specific differences from the university’s calendar. To accommodate this compressed schedule and limit COVID-19 exposure, we will not have spring break this year. With this change, please know we have heard requests for additional mental health offerings and have added and will add additional resources and services for all members of our community.
  
  
• Additional residential students. The university will modestly increase the number of students in residence on campus while maintaining one student per room.
  
  
  • For the Atlanta campus, the categories of students who will be considered for housing in university residence halls are: students in ECAS Undergraduate Research Programs, first-year students not presently living on campus, experiential learners engaged in professional development necessary for spring degree completion, and international students unable to return for the fall semester. Students meeting one of these criteria will receive an email with information by the end of next week if they are eligible for on-campus housing in the spring semester.
    
    
  • For the Oxford campus, the housing density will increase slightly while still maintaining single occupancy per room. In addition to those already on campus, first-year students and international students who are studying remotely this fall will have the opportunity to live on campus in the spring. A very limited number of sophomores may be invited to campus for specific academic or other reasons. Housing details will be outlined in additional communications from Oxford College.
    
    I know this announcement is difficult for many of our undergraduate students who were hoping to return to campus in the spring. We would have liked to bring more students back, but this decision was based on the importance of students living in single occupancy rooms, the rate of transmission in the Atlanta area, and the health of all of our students, staff, and faculty.

• COVID-19 testing. Testing of residential students at frequent intervals has helped us maintain the health of our community this semester. The university plans to move to a saliva-based COVID-19 test this spring, which will allow the tests to be done more frequently and with much less discomfort. Additional information about the testing format, protocols, and frequency of required testing will be communicated once they are established for the coming semester. 

What will remain the same this spring:

• Class formats. For most undergraduate students, courses will continue as a mixture of in-person and remote classes, and many students will still have a majority, and possibly all, of their courses taught remotely. Students will be allowed to take a full course load remotely should they so choose. For most graduate and professional students, we anticipate course formats in the spring will be similar or the same as course formats this fall.
  
  
• Campus access and testing.
  
  
  • All students in the residence halls will be required to take a COVID-19 test on a consistent basis. Students who take in-person classes, visit university buildings, or access in-person campus resources will be required to perform an onboarding process this spring and take a COVID-19 test upon returning in January, whether or not they live in the residence halls.
    
    
  • Undergraduate students living off campus who take in-person classes, visit university buildings, or access in-person campus resources will be required to perform an onboarding process and take a COVID-19 test upon returning in January for the spring semester.
    
    
  • All professional and graduate students who take in-person classes, visit university buildings, or access in-person campus resources will be required to perform an onboarding process and take a COVID-19 test upon returning in January for the spring semester.
    
    
  • All faculty and staff who will be visiting university buildings or accessing in-person campus resources will be required to perform an onboarding process for the spring semester. Faculty and staff who have completed the onboarding process and are asymptomatic will have access to optional COVID-19 testing as capacity permits.
    
    
• Gathering and visitor guidelines. This fall, the university implemented a gathering policy and will soon share a visitor policy that outlines what events can occur on campus and who is allowed to visit campus. We anticipate those policies will remain in place this spring.
  
  
• Students currently housed in residence halls. Those students who currently live in the residence halls, have maintained their COVID-19 testing schedule, and abide by the campus compact will be invited back to their original rooms in their current residence halls for the spring semester. International students and students who need to remain on campus during the winter break will be housed on the Clairmont campus and will return to their original rooms following the break. These students will receive direct communications from Residence Life with further details in the coming weeks.

What is evolving:

• A working group will be formed to review if and how intercollegiate athletics, club sports, and intramurals will be reintroduced in the spring. An update will be shared with the community once this group’s review is complete.
  
  
• We intend to have events in mid-May to celebrate the accomplishments of the Class of 2021 and the milestone of graduation from Emory University. Planning for a socially distanced, limited attendance event is underway, and we will keep you posted in the coming months once details are finalized. 

We are already looking ahead to the summer session and fall semester 2021. The summer will be an opportunity to further increase the number of students on campus, and we are committed to providing the hallmark programming vital to many of our academic experiences. If our increased campus presence is implemented successfully this spring and summer, our current plan is to have all students return to campus by fall 2021.

If you have any questions, please email emoryforward@emory.edu or contact your dean’s office.

Thank you for your commitment this semester to making Emory a healthy and vibrant community in spite of the unprecedented challenges we’ve faced. You’ve done an outstanding job and because of you, we have a very bright future of learning, discovery, and creativity to look forward to in the year ahead.

Sincerely,

Gregory L. Fenves
President

Dear Oxford College Students,

By now you have received the letter from President Greg Fenves announcing Emory’s decisions for spring 2021. I am following up to give you further information about how we at Oxford will shape our community and educational work for the spring semester. I understand that this information will affect various students differently, depending upon your class year, health concerns, and current living situation. Let me assure you that leaders across Emory are doing everything we can to support all students amid the unwelcome constraints of this pandemic. 

In all our decisions, we are guided by the University’s health and epidemiology experts, who have advised continued vigilance. We regret deeply that this means that we cannot welcome back to campus the entire student body for the spring. We know this is a great disappointment, and we will do all we can to help all our students flourish, whether on campus or elsewhere. We are committed to our Oxford community wherever we may find ourselves.

Briefly stated:

• Emory will begin the semester on Monday, January 25.
• There will be no spring break, but we are working to build in days that offer students a respite during the semester.
• Classes and exams will conclude by May 14, about one week later than the original schedule.
• As with the Atlanta campus, Oxford must maintain single occupancy in our residence-hall rooms.
• We can increase modestly (by 75 from this fall’s population) the number of students living on campus.
• The university-wide approach allows students living on campus this semester to continue living in their current rooms next semester, and we will invite to campus those first-year students and other international students who were not able, or chose not, to come to campus this fall.
• We are also able to host a limited number of sophomores for academic reasons related to in-person research or work that cannot be done virtually.
• In addition, as we did prior to this current semester, there will be a request process for sophomores to live on campus who otherwise would not have a suitable learning environment to make academic progress.

I am keenly aware that these decisions are heartbreaking for sophomores, most of whom will not be living on campus for their final semester as Oxford College students. I wish I had better news to share with you. I wish we had a different public health situation or more certainty about the path of the pandemic. This situation is not what you (or any of us) hoped for.

Despite this COVID-constrained framework, we are confident that all of you can have a meaningful spring semester and we will strive to live up to your highest expectations of us, for that is the Oxford way.

As we have in this current fall semester, Oxford will offer a hearty menu of spring courses in both online and in-person formats, with the opportunity to cross-register for online courses across other Emory schools. Each of you will continue to make academic progress and have opportunities to engage deeply in co-curricular activities. 

Upcoming Webinars

Many of you will have follow-up questions as you plan for the spring semester, and we want to help you get the information you need.  We will hold online sessions to listen to your concerns and discuss the details of the plan, and we welcome you to join any sessions. You will have a chance to submit questions during the meeting and we will be happy to respond. 

Sophomores, I will host a webinar tomorrow, Friday, October 16, at 2 p.m. ET.  Oxford colleagues and I will cover topics including spring course availability and registration, the request process for on-campus housing or other housing options in the spring, emerging plans to celebrate your commencement and transition to the Atlanta campus, and possibilities for the summer, such as coursework and internships.

First year-students, we will host a webinar for you next Monday, October 19, at 8 p.m. ET, to cover various topics related to spring semester.

International students, in addition to the relevant webinars above, we will host an online session on Wednesday, October 21, at 8 a.m. ET with specific information for you, covering information on visas, travel, and related issues.  

Next Steps

Sophomores not currently living on campus: Tomorrow you will receive an email from RES with information about the housing request process if you face a hardship in your current living situation that keeps you from completing your academic work. Sophomores who have been invited to undertake essential on-campus research or work—for instance, some Oxford Research Scholar projects—will be contacted separately about next steps.

First-year students and all international students not currently living on campus: Tomorrow you will receive an email from RES, with instructions on how to complete your housing addendum, indicating whether or not you are going to live and study on campus for spring semester.

Students currently living on campus: Early next week, you will receive an email from Michele Hempfling, director of Residential Education and Services (RES), with further information about the winter break and how to let us know if, for any reason, you won’t be living on campus in the spring semester. 

Continued Resources for Studying Remotely

Faculty and students have established a track record of effective remote-learning experiences this semester. For those of you who will continue learning away from campus in the spring, I want to remind you of your continued access virtually to campus resources, including the Oxford College Library, Academic Support Center, the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life, and the Office of Accessibility Services. Oxford Student Health Services and the Office of Counseling and Career Services are also available to you, and there are expanded physical and mental health options available through Emory Student Telehealth provided by TimelyMD, which provides services well beyond the traditional business hours to help meet all our students' needs.

Additional Information

Please continue to consult the Emory Forward website, and look for information more specific to Oxford on our Oxford Forward website.  
 
In addition, always feel free to contact your academic advisor or any of these offices across Oxford with your questions:

• Housing: Residential Education and Services at RES@emory.edu or 770-784-8383.
• Coursework, class schedules, or other academic questions: the Advising Support Center at oxadvising@emory.edu or 770-784- 4507.
• For admission or financial aid: the Office of Enrollment Services at ox.finaid@emory.edu, oxadmission@emory.edu, or 770-784-8328.
• For general questions or other matters: oxforddean@emory.edu or 770-784-8300. 

Your well-being and the quality of your education remain our central commitments, and we will do everything we can to make the spring semester as smooth and rewarding as possible for all of you. No matter where you are, you are an important part of the Oxford community, and its resources are open to you. Thank you for your courage during this most extraordinary of all academic years.

Best regards,

Dean Doug Hicks

Please accept our congratulations—with ingenuity, perseverance, and the support of your professors, families, and friends, you have passed the midway mark in a condensed semester filled with new and unusual challenges. Well done, Eagles.

Reaching this point in the semester offers us the opportunity to refocus on the steps we must take to keep COVID off campus so we can stay on campus. Regular testing and continued compliance with physical distancing, wearing masks, and handwashing is key to maintaining public health and is required of all those living on campus.

Remember: for you, for us, for Emory. 

Sincerely, 

Jan Love
Interim Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

Christopher L. Augostini 
Executive Vice President for Business and Administration, Chief Financial Officer 

Jonathan S. Lewin
Executive Vice President for Health Affairs, 
Executive Director, Woodruff Health Sciences Center, 
CEO, and Chairman of the Board, Emory Healthcare 

Enku Gelaye
Vice President and Dean of Campus Life

Digest for October 2, 2020

Testing.

If you are a student residing on campus, you are REQUIRED to get a COVID-19 test every week as a condition of remaining in campus housing.

Testing is available Monday through Friday by appointment at the Woodruff Physical Education Center (WoodPEC) and Emory Conference Center Hotel (ECCH). You can now schedule your appointment for the coming week on the Emory Forward website. 

You will receive future updates from covidtest@emory.edu regarding testing and reminders to register.

Ongoing Testing.

Off campus undergraduate, graduate and professional students who are asymptomatic and have completed the onboarding process can request a COVID-19 test. Please visit Emory Forward to schedule a COVID-19 test. 

Reporting COVID-19 Positive Tests.

Should you test positive for COVID-19, there are three easy steps you need to take to let Emory officials know you tested positive. This process allows us to provide or suggest medical, academic, and wraparound services to help you while you are sick. This applies to all students, not just undergraduates or those on campus.

Operating Status and Gathering Policy.

Emory currently has an operating condition status of “orange”, during which groups of 10 or fewer onboarded students with a faculty or staff sponsor may gather outdoors for a maximum of 90 minutes. All activities must continue to adhere to the COVID-19 safety precautions (wearing a mask, keeping a 6-foot physical distance and washing hands often). You can check the operating status by visiting the COVID-19 Dashboard.

Wearing is Caring. For You. For Us. For Emory. (all)

Get Your Flu Shot!

Flu shots are now available. They’re quick, they’re easy, and they’re free for all students and those on the Emory medical plan—get one now to protect yourself, your family, and your community. Visit the Student Health Services site to learn when and where vaccines will be offered.

Food Insecurity

If you are experiencing food insecurity, Emory has resources available to help. Please fill out the direct service form and you will be paired with resources. 

Food Insecurity

Eagle Food Co-op, part of Bread Coffeehouse Atlanta, also assists Emory undergraduate and graduate students in need. Place your food pantry order and schedule a safe pickup using this form.

Wellness Goals

Add “optimize my nutrition” to your fall wellness goals by signing up for this session of the Wellness Workshop series led by registered dietitian Brittany Verras, MPH, on Tuesday, October 6, from 5-6:30 PM. 

School Websites. 

Don’t forget to visit your school’s website for the most up-to-date information from your dean and their teams. Direct links to each college can be found on the Emory Forward site.

Thank you for all that you are doing across campus to keep Emory strong and our community safe. Keeping our campus safe depends on all of us working together to practice safety protocols. To ensure your continued compliance with our onboarding process to keep our community safe, please review the critical items below.

If You Plan to Come On Campus:

If you plan to come to campus for any reason complete the 5-step onboarding process and receive clearance notification by email prior to coming to campus.

If You Want a COVID-19 Test:

Faculty and staff who are asymptomatic and have completed the onboarding process have access to optional COVID-19 testing. Information about testing can be found on the Emory Forward website.

Face Covering Adherence:

Emory currently has an operating condition status of “orange”, which means everyone who is on campus is required to wear a face covering. Please follow the guidelines below should you need to remind someone of the face covering requirement.

Thank you for helping to keep our campus and community safe.

Sincerely,

Jan Love
Interim Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

Christopher L. Augostini
Executive Vice President for Business and Administration,
Chief Financial Officer

Jonathan S. Lewin
Executive Vice President for Health Affairs,
Executive Director, Woodruff Health Sciences Center,
CEO, and Chairman of the Board, Emory Healthcare

Food and Housing Insecurity.

If you need emergency housing or are experiencing food insecurity, Emory has resources available to help. Please fill out the direct service form and you will be paired with resources.

Mental Health Services and Resources.

The Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) site provides a variety of mental health services and resources for students. CAPS is also using OrgSync to post programs and offer Zoom-in hours in addition to providing additional offerings. We encourage you to log in to OrgSync and make the CAPS site a go-to favorite or bookmark on your browser.

Oxford’s CCS department provides students with a range of services devoted to helping them navigate their personal and professional challenges and opportunities. CCS provides mental health services, career counseling, and a range of programs and materials to help students discover who they are becoming, develop skills to navigate college and Life after graduation, and reflect on ways to integrate their Academic, Personal, and Vocational experiences.

Visit the CCS website to learn more

RAVE Text Alerts.

We ask that all students accept RAVE (campus safety) text alerts on their phone. To ensure you are registered, send a text to 67283 with the message "START." You must text from the cell number registered in Emory's emergency alert system. You will receive a confirmation text in return.

To verify your cell number in Emory's Emergency Notification System:

• Log in to OPUS.
• Go to "Profile Tab."
• Click on "Emergency Alert Notification."
• Verify you have checked "Yes" to "I am willing to allow emergency text messages to this phone." 
• Verify your cell number is correct or enter the correct cell number.
• Click "Yes" to "I have reviewed the information above and it is correct."
• Then click the “OK” button to save.

Peers4Peers.

Active Minds, along with other student partners, are piloting weekly virtual peer-led support groups. Peers4Peers will be held on Tuesday and Friday afternoons on Zoom. This effort is in collaboration with CAPS. 

Healthy Behaviors.

Recommendations to maintain community health can be found on the Emory Forward website. The page also includes a copy of the Student Community Compact and a reminder that anyone on campus is required to wear a face covering at all times.

Checking on the Health of the Community.

The Emory COVID-19 Dashboard is updated daily to keep our community informed about reported cases of COVID-19 among faculty, staff, and students on and off campus. We encourage you to explore the Dashboard and ask for your help in continuing to keep COVID-19 numbers low.

Ongoing COVID-19 Testing.

A reminder that residential students will be tested once a week and must visit the test scheduling portal every five business days to schedule their COVID-19 tests.

Reporting COVID-19 Positive Tests. 

Should you test positive for COVID-19, there are three easy steps you need to take to inform Oxford officials. This process allows us to provide or suggest medical, academic, and wraparound services to help you while you are sick.

Symptom Tracker.

Access the new Emory COVID-19 Symptom Tracker from your desktop or the LiveSafe Mobile App to:

• Increase your awareness of signs and symptoms and learn what to do if you develop them.
• Provide useful epidemiologic data for monitoring outbreaks within the Emory community.  

Healing through Art- Sharing Our Grief, Loss, and Changes in COVID-19.

You are invited to share a representation of the grief and loss you are experiencing as this academic year begins. You can choose to express this through any medium you wish, whether it be visual, auditory, or written. OSRL and ORSL will compile all submissions to share as a virtual gallery on their common Instagram account (@emory_hta).  

Free Flu Shots.

Next week you will receive an email with information regarding when and where you can get a free flu shot. Please read your messages for important details.

Dear faculty and staff,

This past spring, a set of foundational principles guided the many decisions we made related to COVID-19 and directed our fall plan. The principles affirmed our commitments to compassion, honesty, respect and concern for the greater good, which were rooted within Emory’s long-standing values. When President Fenves started in August, he added and prioritized transparency in decision-making. With this standard in mind, last month Emory launched the COVID-19 dashboard. 

Today we are sharing key indicators and a resultant operating status that informs decisions related to campus activities and gatherings. The university’s operating status will be updated daily based on the COVID-19 dashboard data, and will in turn determine what types of events can be held and hosted on campus. The up-to-date gathering policy condition and guidance can be found on the Emory Forward webpage.

Based on the current COVID-19 numbers in our community, the request by faculty to meet with their students outside of class, the desire of students for co-curricular programming, and the responsible way in which our students, faculty and staff have handled our opening, we are lifting the moratorium on campus events and will allow restricted events as follows:

At the ORANGE gathering policy level, all gatherings must include no more than 10 people and requires the presence of a faculty or staff advisor for the duration of the in-person event/meeting and the faculty or staff advisor will serve as a liaison should contract tracing be necessary. If students do not have a faculty or staff advisor present in person, then meetings must remain virtual.

It is the responsibility of the individual student, staff, or faculty member to ensure they have completed all the steps required for return to campus before attending an Emory-sponsored event or gathering. Only community members who have been cleared to be on campus can attend Emory sponsored activity. All activities will continue to adhere to the COVID-19 safety precautions (wearing a mask, keeping a 6-foot physical distance and washing hands often). 

In-person faculty or student colloquia and guest speakers remain prohibited through Fall 2020. Off-campus Emory-sponsored events and gatherings are also prohibited through Fall 2020. 

It is expected that all members of the Emory community will adhere to the gathering policy and campus gathering conditions may return to a more restrictive level if COVID-19 numbers rise and/or other dashboard indicators change. 

Please note the university’s leadership and administrators, in consultation with the deans, are determining a plan for the spring semester and the data and inputs outlined in this email, as well as the continued observance of all safety measures, will inform our decisions and the spring calendar. We anticipate announcing a decision in the coming weeks.

Thank you, again, for all you are doing to keep COVID-19 off campus.

Sincerely,

Jan Love
Interim Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs 

Christopher L. Augostini 
Executive Vice President for Business and Administration, 
Chief Financial Officer

Jonathan S. Lewin
Executive Vice President for Health Affairs, 
Executive Director, Woodruff Health Sciences Center, 
CEO and Chairman of the Board, Emory Healthcare 

Enku Gelaye
Vice President and Dean of Campus Life

Healthy Behaviors.

Recommendations to maintain community health can be found on the Emory Forward website. The page also includes a copy of the Student Community Compact and a reminder that anyone on the Emory campus is required to wear a face covering at all times.

Checking on the Health of the Emory Community.

The Emory COVID-19 Dashboard is updated daily to keep our community informed about reported cases of COVID-19 among faculty, staff, and students on and off campus. We encourage you to explore the Dashboard and ask for your help in continuing to keep COVID-19 numbers low.

Reporting COVID-19 Positive Tests. 

Should you test positive for COVID-19, there are three easy steps you need to take to let Emory officials know you are ill. This process allows us to provide or suggest medical, academic, and wraparound services to help you while you are sick. 

Documenting Your Health 

Are you interested in increasing your awareness of signs and symptoms of COVID-19, learning what to do if you develop signs and symptoms of COVID-19, and providing epidemiologic data that could be useful in monitoring for outbreaks within the Emory Community? Please consider participating in a quick and easy daily symptom checker. 

Ongoing COVID-19 Testing 

A reminder that residential students will be tested once a week and are expected to visit the test scheduling portal every five business days to schedule their COVID-19 test within the next 7-day range.

Mental Health Services and Resources 

The Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) site provides a variety of mental health services and resources for students in Atlanta. CAPS is also using OrgSync to post programs and offer Zoom-in hours in addition to providing additional offerings. We encourage you to log in to OrgSync and make the CAPS site a go-to favorite or bookmark on your browser. 

Oxford’s CCS department provides students with a range of services devoted to helping them navigate their personal and professional challenges and opportunities at Oxford. We provide mental health services, career counseling, and a range of programs and materials to help students discover who they are becoming, develop skills to navigate college and Life after graduation, and reflect on ways to integrate their Academic, Personal, and Vocational experiences. Visit our website at InsideOxford to learn more.

Library Information and Resources

The staff of Emory Libraries have compiled a Quick Start summary filled with tips on how to access materials, ask our experts for help, and book virtual and on-site appointments. Their Fall 2020 overview page includes answers to many of your frequently asked questions and a summary of their services and spaces. 

The staff of Emory Libraries have compiled a Quick Start summary filled with many tips. The Oxford College Library web pages include answers to many of your frequently asked questions and a summary of their services and spaces.

Physical and Rec Center Information 

Woodruff Physical Education Center:

Please visit RecWell’s new website for the most up-to-date information on programs and services. In addition, please note:

• RecWell’s free live group fitness classes will be offered from September 8 – November 22 on Zoom. Classes are open to Emory students, faculty, and staff and require registration at IMLeagues with your Emory University NetID and password. Select recorded class content will be posted to RecWell’s YouTube account.
• Personal trainers are available for virtual consultations and training. Visit Recwell's personal training page for more information. For questions, please e-mail Troy Morris at m.morris@emory.edu. 
• Register now for free fall intramurals with your Emory University NetID and password at the IMLeagues' website. The fall schedule includes fantasy football, FIFA20, Rocket League, Trivia, iMessage games, and a virtual 5K. For questions, please email Matt Urbanczyk at murbanc@emory.edu. 
• The fall semester schedule of clinics, an adventure challenge, and virtual special events will be shared on Recwell's website soon! For questions, please email Kristin Sliger at kslige2@emory.edu. 

Oxford on and off campus students:

Please be sure to check for remote recreation offerings as they become available.

Job Opportunities

Emory and Oxford Employee-Student Job Network uses Handshake to allow students to search for part-time jobs. As an extension of this network, students seeking part-time work for childcare and tutoring services can submit their resumes to a “book of resumes”. Of note, both in-person and virtual childcare assistance are needed. Contact the Career Center for more information.

Childcare Program Available

Located at the Miller-Ward Alumni House at 815 Houston Mill Road, Atlanta, GA 30329, this pop-up childcare center has been created specifically for employees, graduate and professional students of Emory University and Emory Healthcare and will be run by the YMCA. The center will accept children in grades K-6, and the YMCA staff will be able to support children in completing their online learning. Learn more about the Childcare Program.

Next Up... Flu Shots!

We will be updating you with free flu shot options later this month—keep reading these digests for when and where you can get a flu shot this fall.

Dear Emory community, 

Yesterday, I was joined by faculty, staff and student leaders for a webinar to talk about Emory’s strategies and progress in preventing and containing the spread of COVID-19. We had a wide-ranging conversation about the status on campus and I’m grateful to all who participated.

Another purpose of the webinar was to announce the university’s new COVID-19 Dashboard — an online resource to provide daily updates on COVID-19 cases within our community. The dashboard can be found on Emory Forward. In addition to the number of COVID-19 positive cases reported for Emory faculty, staff and students, the dashboard shows information on infection rates for the counties in which our campuses are located and Atlanta area hospital capacity.

We’ve also launched “For You. For Us. For Emory,” a public health campaign to unite all members of the Emory community around our shared responsibility to keep COVID-19 off campus so that we can stay on campus. You can read more about it here. 

In recent weeks, Emory student groups have created their own initiatives to help slow the spread of COVID-19. The Emory Student Government Association (SGA) has used social media takeovers, videos and a student logo design competition to reinforce health practices. The Oxford College SGA has been doing great work in spreading the word about safe protocols, and I saw them in action during my visit to Oxford yesterday. The Graduate Student Government Association has created a robust engagement strategy, in collaboration with all graduate and professional divisional councils, to build community via virtual events while encouraging students to stay safe. I’m proud of our students who have answered the call and instilled a sense of shared purpose among their classmates. 

I want to reiterate how important it is for anyone with COVID-19 symptoms to get tested and self-isolate, pending test results. We are pleased to announce that we’re adding additional testing on campus for students. Right now, we have capacity for more than 2,500 tests per week. Tests will also be available to off-campus students, faculty and staff who have been approved to be on campus. 

On Tuesday, I convened the first meeting of Emory’s new COVID-19 Presidential Advisory Committee — a panel of public health experts and student and university leaders. We had an excellent discussion and identified important considerations for shaping the university’s strategy for the weeks and months ahead. Their expertise and counsel will be invaluable as we meet throughout the academic year. 

I am inspired by how the Emory community has come together during this challenging time. Thank you for your ongoing commitment.

Sincerely,

Gregory L. Fenves
President

Dear students, 

Congratulations on completing the first week of the fall semester. We welcome all first-year students to the Emory family and welcome returning students back home. We are pleased to have you join us, even if remote. We are happy to report that the number of COVID positive cases are low in the Emory community, and we want to keep it that way by taking care of ourselves and each other.

Below are some resources, information and links that may be helpful now that you are ready to tackle this semester. You will receive an informational digest each week, and we hope it will serve as a resource in case you missed critical information shared during the course of the week.

And as we head into the weekend, please remember to wear a mask, practice physical distancing, wash your hands frequently and stay healthy. After all, it takes all of us to keep COVID off campus so we can stay on campus.

Sincerely, 

Jan Love
Interim Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs 

Christopher L. Augostini
Executive Vice President for Business and Administration, Chief Financial Officer 

Jonathan S. Lewin
Executive Vice President for Health Affairs, Executive Director, Woodruff Health Sciences Center, President, CEO, and Chairman of the Board, Emory Healthcare 

Enku Gelaye
Vice President and Dean of Campus Life

Digest for the Week of August 17-21 

Healthy Behaviors.

Recommendations to maintain community health can be found on the Emory Forward website. The page also includes a copy of the Student Community Compact and a reminder that anyone on the Emory campus is required to wear a face covering.

Contact Tracing.

If you are identified as a close contact to someone who tests positive for COVID-19, you will be notified. This chart details the communication through the RAVE text messaging system and email.

Reporting COVID-19 Positive Tests.

Should you test positive for COVID-19, there are three easy steps you need to take to let Emory officials know you are ill, even if remote. This process allows us to provide or suggest medical, academic, and wraparound services to help you while you are sick, as appropriate.

Instructional guide for students for notification and communications of a COVID-19 positive test.

Classroom Safety.

Please watch a short video that demonstrates safe use of personal protective equipment, classroom building access, in-class protocols, and the “three W’s: Wear a face covering, Watch your distance, and Wash your hands.” 

Library Information and Resources.

The staff of Emory Libraries have compiled a Quick Start summary and an undergraduate guide filled with tips on how to access materials, ask our experts for help, and book virtual and on-site appointments. Their Fall 2020 overview page includes answers to many of your frequently asked questions and a summary of their services and spaces.

Fall Book and Supply Purchases.

The most efficient means of obtaining materials for your classes is through the Barnes & Noble at Emory University website. All students can follow these easy steps: 1) Add your courses into the textbook wizard to easily find your books; 2) Choose your textbook format, Rent or Buy; New, Used or Digital; and 3) Choose how you would like to receive your books and other materials.

Mental Health Services and Resources.

The Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) site provides a variety of mental health services and resources for students. CAPS is also using OrgSync to post programs and offer Zoom-in hours in addition to providing additional offerings. We encourage you to log in to OrgSync and make the CAPS site a go-to favorite or bookmark on your browser.

Undergraduate Student Activities Fair.

Learn how you can get involved and connect with other students through co-curricular activities in a drop-in, virtual event. This year the fair will be held online on Saturday, August 22 and Sunday, August 23 from 2-4 pm. 

Fall Undergraduate Campus Experience Guide.

Campus Life launched a website with details on the campus experience for residential and off-campus students for fall. They will continue to update these pages as new information comes available. And be sure to visit the Emory OrgSync on a regular basis for Campus Life, Spiritual Life and student organizations’ virtual events and gatherings.

Office of Spiritual and Religious Life.

The Office of Spiritual and Religious Life will provide online and virtual offerings and resources this fall. You can also sign up for their newsletter to receive additional information. In addition, search the Emory OrgSync for additional events and services from religious and faith-based student organizations.

School Websites.

Don’t forget to visit your school’s website for the most up-to-date information from your dean and their teams. Direct links to each college can be found on the Emory Forward site.

Dear Emory students,

As the fall semester begins, we want to thank everyone in the Emory community — faculty, staff and students — for all that you’ve done to make this moment possible. Our goal was to start bringing students back to campus in a safe, measured way this term, and achieving that has required months of intense planning, hard work and motivated community members.

Employing campus-wide health and safety protocols — including face coverings, physical distancing, handwashing and COVID-19 tests — was a critical and necessary step in our ability to bring back students. And as the semester unfolds, your ongoing commitment to uphold these guidelines will be essential to the ability to continue to live and learn on campus.

The success of our residential learning experience this semester truly rests on all of us coming together to care for and protect one another. Thank you for recognizing that responsibility and partnering with Emory to keep our community safer for everyone.

As indicated in the Emory Community Compact, we will continue to aggressively monitor the effectiveness of our campus-wide health and safety measures. For that reason, today we are announcing plans to conduct additional mandatory residential student testing for COVID-19. This follow-up testing will be critical to help evaluate the ongoing effectiveness of our health and safety protocols, and your participation is both expected and appreciated.

Beginning this week, all Emory students living on the Atlanta and Oxford campuses will be required to sign up for additional COVID-19 testing here.  

At Oxford College, RAs and those students who moved from the Clairmont campus will be tested Friday, Aug. 21. For all other Oxford students, testing will begin Monday, Aug. 24. Students seeking more information can contact Oxford Student Health Services at OxfordSHS@emory.edu or 770-784-8376.

Testing for students living on the Atlanta campus will begin Saturday, Aug. 22.

If you are symptomatic for COVID-19 or have been exposed to a positive case, please contact Emory Student Health Services or Oxford Student Health Services. Additional testing options for off-campus students are being explored and will be communicated soon.

As you know, all students living on Emory’s Atlanta and Oxford College campuses this semester were required to participate in COVID-19 testing earlier this month. Based on tests performed on faculty, staff and students between Aug. 1 and Aug. 18, we’re pleased to report that the incidence of positive tests was significantly lower than state averages. Beginning next week, we will post updates on reported cases of COVID-19 on the Emory Forward website. As encouraging as this initial report may seem, please remember that our continued vigilance is critically important.

Your return to campus is an important first step in proving that there is a way we can live and learn safely amid a global pandemic. But in order to remain on campus as a community, to preserve our progress, we must continue to take care of ourselves and each other — a form of service written into our very mission. 

We’re all counting on you to do your part in our fight against COVID-19. 

Let’s keep COVID off campus so we can stay on campus.

Sincerely,

Gregory L. Fenves, President

Jan Love, Interim Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

Christopher L. Augostini, Executive Vice President for Business and Administration, Chief Financial Officer

Jonathan S. Lewin, Executive Vice President for Health Affairs, Executive Director, Woodruff Health Sciences Center, President, CEO, and Chairman of the Board, Emory Healthcare

Dear Emory faculty and staff,

As the fall semester begins, we want to thank everyone in the Emory community — faculty, staff and students — for all that you’ve done to make this moment possible. Our goal was to start bringing students back to campus in a safe, measured way this term, and achieving that has required months of intense planning, hard work and motivated community members.

Employing campus-wide health and safety protocols — including face coverings, physical distancing, handwashing and COVID-19 tests — was a critical and necessary step in our ability to bring back our students. And as the semester unfolds, the ongoing commitment of everyone to uphold these guidelines will be essential to the ability of students to live and learn on campus.

As indicated in the Emory Community Compact, we will continue to aggressively monitor the effectiveness of our campus health and safety measures. For that reason, we are announcing plans to conduct additional mandatory residential student testing for COVID-19. This follow-up testing will be critical to help evaluate the ongoing effectiveness of our health and safety protocols. Testing will begin on Emory’s Atlanta campus on Saturday, Aug. 22, and at Oxford College on Friday, Aug. 21. Additional testing options for off-campus students are being explored and will be communicated soon.

With the help of our new protocols, we’re starting the semester in a strong position. As you know, all students living on Emory’s Atlanta and Oxford College campuses this semester were required to participate in COVID-19 testing. Out of 8,527 tests performed on faculty, staff and students between Aug. 1 and Aug. 18, we’re pleased to report that the incidence of positive tests was significantly lower than state averages:

• Of the total campus population tested, there were 14 positive results, a prevalence of .16 percent.
• Out of 6,888 student tests, there were 10 positive results, a prevalence of .15 percent.
• Out of 1,639 tests administered to Emory faculty and staff, there were four positive results, a prevalence of .24 percent.
• The Atlanta campus accounted for 8,052 participants, or 94.4 percent of the total test population. Oxford College represented 475 of the total tests taken, or 5.6 percent.
• All positive test results occurred on the Atlanta campus; to date, Oxford College has reported no positives. Students testing positive were required to isolate for at least 10 days, either at home or with campus support at designated locations.
• Beginning next week, updates on reported cases of COVID-19 in our community will be posted on the Emory Forward website. 

As encouraging as this may seem, please remember that these numbers are only a snapshot of one moment. Without our continued vigilance, the numbers could swiftly change. Nor do they dilute our heartfelt concern for those in our community — and their family members — who have tested positive. 

Our return to campus for the fall semester is an important first step in proving that there is a way we can live and learn safely amid a global pandemic. But in order to remain on campus as a community, to preserve our progress, we must continue to take care of ourselves and each other — a form of service written into our very mission.

Sincerely, 

Gregory L. Fenves, President

Jan Love, Interim Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs 

Christopher L. Augostini, Executive Vice President for Business and Administration, Chief Financial Officer

Jonathan S. Lewin, Executive Vice President for Health Affairs, Executive Director, Woodruff Health Sciences Center, President, CEO, and Chairman of the Board, Emory Healthcare

In preparation for the fall semester, Emory University has partnered with Peachtree Immediate Care to provide on campus COVID-19 testing to all students who are returning to campus. We also have limited capacity to offer optional tests for asymptomatic (those without COVID-19 symptoms) faculty and staff who will be working on campus this fall.

This testing will be offered from August 1-August 18, 2020 on both the Atlanta and Oxford campuses. Peachtree Immediate Care will conduct a Rapid Antigen test with a Nasal (Anterior Nares) collection and test results will be available within 20-30 minutes. The entire testing visit should take about 1 hour.

This testing is ONLY open to faculty and staff who will be working on campus this fall. Due to the prevalence of COVID-19 in the community and the low availability of testing supplies, we are unable to offer testing to all asymptomatic faculty and staff at this time.

Those faculty and staff who have already received approval to return to campus this summer as part of the return to research, as well as those who are being asked to return to work on campus this fall, will receive an email invitation later today to make an appointment for this optional COVID-19 test. If you receive an email invitation but do not plan on working on campus this fall, please do not make an appointment. Due to limited capacity, testing is only available for those who need to be on campus and would like to be tested.

This testing is only for individuals who do not have symptoms of COVID-19. If you have symptoms, or you have been in close contact with someone who has been diagnosed as positive for COVID-19, you should not come to this appointment. Instead, you should call Emory Healthcare’s COVID-19 hotline at 404-712-COVID (404-712-6843) for guidance.

After this initial testing period, testing will be available for those faculty and staff who are working on campus and who develop COVID-19 symptoms. Emory has also launched its own internal case investigation and contact tracing program to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19 on campus.

Those who are working on campus and develop COVID-19 symptoms must:

• Notify their manager;
• Immediately leave campus;
• Call Emory Healthcare’s COVID hotline to schedule an initial test: 404-712-COVID (404-712-6843); and
• Self-isolate until test results are received.

Our biggest priority is the health and safety of our community. Access to testing is one of many safety measures Emory is putting in place as we prepare for the return to fall semester. To stay safe, remember to:

• Wear a face covering while on while on site on an Emory University or Affiliate property;
• Adhere to physical distancing guidance (minimum of 6 feet or two arm lengths);
• Cough or sneeze into the crook or your arm or a tissue;
• Routinely sanitize frequently touched surfaces and items; and
• Wash your hands (minimum of 20 seconds with hot, soapy water).

For more information on protecting yourself, view the CDC’s How to Protect Yourself & Others.

Thank you for everything you do to keep our Emory community safe.

Del King, Vice President, Human Resources

Theresa Milazzo, Vice President, Human Resources

Dear Emory Community,

As noted in a message to you last week, when planning for a fall return we have balanced our core principles with the ability to deliver in-person courses because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Two principles rise above all others during this unprecedented time: the continued pursuit of our mission to provide the quality of education associated with Emory’s rigorous standards and the protection of the health and safety of our community. 

Based on the current COVID-19 conditions in Atlanta, we have made very difficult decisions that will affect all members of our community but are necessary to create a safe learning environment while upholding our principles. Emory University will be reducing the number of students allowed to live in residence halls and take in-person classes this fall. We will still deliver a first-class education to all students but will do so in ways that allow us to maintain community health for students, faculty and staff. 

Specifically, we will limit on-campus housing to students who have an approved housing agreement for the coming academic year and fit into the following categories: first-year and new transfer students, international students, undergraduate students receiving scholarships as part of a Scholarship Program specifying on-campus housing as a condition of their scholarship, and students with specific on-campus housing needs pending review and approval of a form found here.

Undergraduate, on-campus classes will be limited to: courses that must be taken in-person for students to make meaningful progress toward graduation in the coming academic year (this will predominantly apply to seniors), international students, select first-year seminars, and a small number of courses that mandate in-person labs, performance and studio time, academic research or necessitate campus-specific library access.

Sophomores, juniors and seniors not included in the categories listed above will have remote-only learning this fall. This decision will be revisited for the spring semester and will be contingent upon a decrease in COVID-19 prevalence in Atlanta and the ability of Emory community members to practice safety measures this fall. Students who are not identified above should stay where they are and not travel to Atlanta for the fall semester. All faculty and students may elect remote academic options, and in this regard, we are encouraging everyone to make their own decisions for their Emory fall semester experience.

We know that the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the finances of every Emory family. In recognition of the financial stress on students, Emory will be holding undergraduate tuition at 2019-2020 rates for the coming year. Previously approved tuition rates for graduate and professional programs will remain in place for 2020-21. In addition, families can request to have their financial aid reassessed if they have experienced changes in economic status since filing their FAFSA. Additional information can be obtained by contacting the Office of Financial Aid. 

Graduate and professional programs are being addressed on a case-by-case basis with online classes offered for those courses that do not necessitate in-person instruction. Schools and programs will reach out with specific details. 

Please know that we appreciate and value all of our students, faculty and staff, and our hope for the spring is to expand the in-person opportunities if conditions allow. We look forward to the collective impact we all will have in Atlanta and in the world, whether remote or in person.

Our campuses will be different this fall. The items below outline the new community landscape and include details for your planning purposes.

Student Experience

Housing and Dining. Students with an approved housing agreement for the coming academic year and who fit the categories listed above will receive further communications outlining their housing assignment and meal plan options and pricing. Housing will now assign one student per room and bathrooms will be shared between smaller numbers of students. Not all residence halls or buildings will be used this fall. Residence hall move in will occur August 13-17, and students will receive further information with their specific move in date and new move in procedures. 

Student-led Programming Including Fraternities and Sororities. All undergraduate and graduate student clubs and activities, including fraternities and sororities, will be held virtually for the fall semester. Off campus events will not be allowed and travel associated with student groups will be prohibited. Campus Life will be working with these organizations to ensure they continue to thrive during the fall semester and that all students have access to the Emory Community.

Alumni Mentors. The Oxford and Emory alumni network is a great resource for you as you explore your professional pathways and provides an opportunity to connect to other Emory graduates. Alumni can be helpful in serving as mentors, locating internships or volunteer opportunities, conducting informational interviews, or finding other points of connection. We encourage you to visit EmoryConnects, fill out a profile and begin your lifelong professional connection with Emory’s global network. 

Intercollegiate Athletics, Club Sports and Intramural Teams. The University will not have competition for Division III athletics, club sports or intramurals through January; the DIII decision aligns with a recent announcement from the University Athletic Association. Emory will also restrict practices for all teams until public health conditions allow for safe participation for all of our student-athletes. Students should not return to Atlanta this fall solely for intercollegiate athletic, club sport or intramural opportunities. 

Academic Experience

Orientation. Orientation for first-year students, new transfer students, and their families will be online this August for students studying on campus or remotely. To learn more about Orientation, visit the Orientation page for your school. For undergraduates, visit the orientation page for your campus: Atlanta campus; Oxford campus.

Course Registration and Advising. Each school and college has specific procedures and associated dates for course registration, add/drop and advising. There is one consistency — we welcome the opportunity to help students develop their schedule for the fall. We have consolidated information for the undergraduate and graduate and professional schools online for ease. We apologize for the changes that have been made to schedules thus far and appreciate your patience moving forward. 

Safety of the Community

The safety of every member of the community is paramount and central to the return this fall semester. Every community member is expected to adhere to safety measures and practices that include face coverings, social distancing, hygiene, and reporting any symptoms of illness. Furthermore, containment of illness is dependent upon a robust process of testing, contact tracing and quarantine and isolation. This section describes the safety requirements at Emory University for the fall.

Note: Face coverings will be required at all times on campus. The face covering requirement applies to students, faculty and staff.

COVID-19 Testing. Emory University will be implementing testing protocols as follows:

Undergraduate and graduate students:

• COVID-19 testing will be required for those students in categories outlined above before they can return to campus.
• Students will receive an email with details, including how to schedule their on-campus testing to align as close as possible with their return to campus arrival date.
• Peachtree Immediate Care will conduct rapid antigen testing on anterior nasal samples (using Quidel’s Sofia 2 technology).
• Results will be processed on-site and generally take 20-30 minutes.
• Students will also be tested if they become symptomatic or are determined to be a close contact of a COVID-19 positive individual. By returning to the on-campus Emory community, students are agreeing to cooperate with case investigators and tracers.

Faculty and staff:

• Employees who are symptomatic should call the COVID-19 hotline for evaluation and instructions about testing.
• By returning to the on-campus Emory community, faculty and staff are agreeing to cooperate with case investigators and tracers.

Student, Faculty and Staff Expectations. The COVID-19 2020-2021 Emory Community Compact outlines behavioral expectations for members of our community for the 2020-2021 academic year. Faculty/staff and student versions of the Compact apply to members of our community who are/will be physically on campus. The expectations are built on our collective responsibility to maintain a safe, educational and vibrant living and learning environment for all. By returning to the on-campus Emory community during the 2020-2021 academic year, students, faculty and staff are agreeing to adhere to the behavioral expectations in the Compact. You will receive an email once the Compact is available for the community to access in the Emory Learning Management System. 

Contact Tracing. Contact tracing is an essential public health function during infectious disease epidemics that aims to identify persons who have come into close contact with an infected individual. Close contacts are quarantined and tested with the goal of reducing the chain of transmission of infections in a population. To enhance the health and safety of our community, Emory University has implemented a case investigation and contact tracing program to augment the work of the local and state public health departments. By returning to the on-campus Emory community, students, faculty and staff are agreeing to cooperate with case investigators and tracers. Students will be tested if they are determined to have been in close contact with a COVID-19 positive individual.

Student Isolation and Quarantine. We recognize that students may be exposed to others who are COVID-19 positive or may themselves test positive. Students living on campus in Atlanta for whom quarantine (exposed to others) or isolation (test positive) is determined necessary will receive a temporary housing assignment at the Emory Conference Center Hotel. For students at Oxford College, a parallel process is in place using a local hotel and campus facilities. Students will receive a list of personal items to pack in a ‘go bag’ should they need to transition to a temporary housing assignment. Emory will provide transportation to temporary housing, meals, laundry, academic, medical and wellbeing support while in quarantine or isolation. 

Emory Learning Management System (ELMS) Module. All students, faculty  and staff will be required to complete online training and onboarding modules that outline health and safety background information and expectations, which can be found by logging into the ELMS portal.

• For undergraduate, graduate and professional students, the ELMS module will be available soon and will be titled "Putting Our Health and Safety First (200773-17218)." You will receive further information in the coming weeks.
• Faculty and staff can access "COVID-19 Return to Campus Training - (200845-17045)" now by logging into the ELMS portal.

Cleaning and Coordination of Academic Space. Emory has developed detailed plans for cleaning classroom spaces for in-person classes and safety measures for other classroom and common spaces. Routine classroom cleaning, which follows CDC guidance, is as follows:

• Deep cleaning each evening, including a disinfectant fogging of classrooms.
• Cleaning of high touch surfaces throughout the day.
• Cleaning stations with disinfectant wipes and other disinfectant cleaning supplies to allow additional cleaning of desks or lecterns, if desired.

Additional measures for safety in academic areas include:

• Seating removed, if possible, to ensure physical distancing of students in classrooms.
• In rooms with fixed seating there will be clear markings to identify available seats that maintain physical distancing.
• All students, faculty and staff will be required to wear face coverings in classrooms, hallways and academic spaces in which they will interact with others.
• In the classroom faculty will have a choice of wearing a face covering, using a face shield, and/or teaching behind a plexiglass barrier.
• Voice amplification will be available to faculty as they teach to compensate for the use of face coverings.
• Installation of additional hand sanitizer stations in academic buildings. 

Other Information

Campus Parking and Transportation. This fall there will be changes to shuttle operations and safety protocols, including physical distancing, mask requirements, increased disinfection and maximum shuttle capacity. Likewise, fall parking assignments will be made to decrease shuttle demand for shorter trips, whenever possible. Flexibility with these changes will allow resources to be allocated to non-walkable routes and to implement social distancing. We are also shifting to a parking pricing structure based on usage, which may result in cost-saving alternatives. Transportation and Parking Services will adjust and finalize all details of parking and shuttle changes by July 20. Please refer to the Parking and Transportation website to learn more.

Visitor Policy. Visitors are not allowed on campus at this time; this decision will be revisited once COVID-19 conditions improve in Atlanta. For this reason, both Family Weekend and Homecoming will be offered as virtual events this fall. This means that we will not be encouraging members of our community to come to campus during those weekends but will provide programming that allows them to share their Eagle pride.

Note that our intention was to bring all members of our community back this fall but the current conditions in our region prevent this option. We value all members of our community and apologize to those we are currently unable to host on campus. We will revisit this decision for the spring and our hope is to expand the number of in-person opportunities. We, too, are disappointed that we must limit the number of people in our residence halls and on our grounds and look forward to a time when we can all be together on the Atlanta and Oxford campuses. We appreciate your understanding and are thankful to have you in our community. 

Sincerely, 

Claire E. Sterk, President

Gregory L. Fenves, President-elect

As we continue to monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact it has on our workforce, we also continue to make updates to our existing policies and programs. We have recently made some HR policy changes that we wanted to make you aware of. Please note that some of these policies apply to University staff only (not faculty).

Guidelines for Faculty and Staff on the Use of Face Coverings While on Emory University or Affiliate Property

Emory University faculty and staff are required to wear face coverings as an integral part of their business, personal, or uniform attire to ensure the safety and protection of all Emory constituents while on site on an Emory University or Affiliate property. Emory will provide face coverings for those employees who are required to work on campus.

Every employee who has been approved to work on campus has agreed to observe the face covering requirement as part of the return to work expectations, and anyone who does not comply with this requirement is subject to disciplinary action.

The new face covering guidelines provide more specific details on the use of face coverings, including wearing personal face coverings and the allowance for units to require certain types of face coverings as part of a uniform. View the face covering guidelines.

COVID-19 Emory-Paid Leave

Effective July 6, 2020, Emory will provide benefits-eligible staff members a one-time bank of up to 4 weeks of COVID-19 Emory-Paid Leave. This leave can be used if you cannot work on campus or from home because of any of the following reasons:

• You are diagnosed with the COVID-19 virus;
• You are subject to a federal, state, or local quarantine or isolation order related to COVID-19;
• You have been advised by your medical provider to self-quarantine due to concerns related to COVID-19;
• You are caring for immediate family members who are subject to a federal, state, or local quarantine or isolation order related to COVID-19;
• You are caring for immediate family members who are experiencing the symptoms of COVID-19 or who have been advised by your family members’ medical provider to self-quarantine due to concerns related to COVID-19.

To use this leave, you must provide documentation supporting your request. For details, please refer to https://hr.emory.edu/eu/rewards/time-away/covid-leave.html. 

Cap on Maximum Vacation Hours

In April, we announced that the 320 hour (40 day) maximum accrual for vacation leave would be temporarily suspended due to the COVID-19 outbreak. This temporary suspension will end on August 31, 2020. If you have a vacation balance that exceeds 320 hours on September 1, 2020, you will not lose these additional hours that you have accrued. However, if your balance exceeds 320 hours as of September 1, you will not accrue any new vacation hours until your balance falls below the maximum of 320 hours. Tip: Use up any excess vacation hours prior to September 1.

Changes to Voting Policy

Emory strongly encourages all employees to exercise their right to vote. Due the difficulties many voters experienced during Georgia’s recent primary election, Emory is making changes to our Voting Policy (Policy 4.89). The policy now allows staff to take up to 4 hours (changed from 2 hours) paid time for the purpose of voting in the upcoming 2020 election. Additionally, these 4 hours can be used for early voting as well as Election Day voting. If you intend to use this paid time in order to vote, please let your manager know ahead of time.

Labor Day Holiday

Emory recently announced that classes will be held on Labor Day which has raised some questions about the holiday. For the majority of staff, there are no changes to the Labor Day Holiday. In some cases, staff may be needed to work on the holiday to support faculty and students who are on campus. Please check with your manager to determine whether or not you will be required to work.  Staff members required to work on the holiday will be paid in accordance with our policies:

• Holidays Policy (Policy 4.25)
• Holiday Premium for Non-exempt Staff (Policy 4.41)

Summer Flexibility Programs
As a reminder, we have launched two voluntary summer leave programs to help you with personal needs over the summer. The Voluntary Summer Leave Program and Voluntary Summer Reduced Hours Program allow staff members, in consultation with and subject to approval by their supervisor, to reduce their work time through the end of August.

Remote Work to Continue

While some faculty and staff have returned to campus for the purposes of research, many are continuing to work remotely. We anticipate that remote working will continue through January 4, 2021. In order to maintain as low a density on campus as possible, no one should come to work on campus until they are notified by their unit they can do so. If you have any questions about returning or coming to campus, please direct those to your manager or HR leader.

If you have any questions about any of these policy changes, please direct them to your department or school HR leader. As Emory continues to monitor the COVID-19 situation and plan for a return to campus, be sure to check the Emory Forward website for the latest community updates.

Dear Emory University faculty and staff:

In May, the Office of the Provost, in consultation and collaboration with the offices of the Executive Vice President for Health Affairs and the Executive Vice President for Business and Administration, outlined a multi-phase approach to Return to Campus for Research in order to uphold academic continuity for the university while protecting the health and safety of our faculty, staff, students, and trainees. During Phase I, working with CEPAR, we defined green-light and red-light indicators to guide our progress and mitigation efforts. This memorandum documents our current assessment of those indicators, and actions we are taking to mitigate their impact on university operations connected with the Return to Campus for Research activities. 

COVID-19 prevalence in the community

All indicators for the extent of transmission in the community of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, are up and trending unfavorably. Greater numbers of cases and hospitalizations are being reported each day, and a greater percentage of samples obtained are testing positive. While the case fatality rate is dropping, a favorable sign, this is likely a consequence of a younger population being impacted, and the outcomes of recent hospitalizations not yet determined. Increases in death rates often lag behind increases in infection rates.

Demand for healthcare resources

State data indicate an overall rise in demand for hospital resources, specifically, the increase in number of hospitalizations per day. Emory Healthcare and our local health system partners have also observed the rise in demand for healthcare resources. Emory Healthcare and health system partners are still able to perform some elective procedures while managing demands for health services driven by COVID-19, but, since COVID-19 demand is increasing, the situation is regularly being reassessed. 

Operational impact on testing and contact-tracing

Increased community demands for testing are putting pressure on the university’s testing capacity. This has affected both the scheduling and the processing of tests for Emory University students and employees. Delayed test results for symptomatic students and employees impact the effectiveness of the contact-tracing process. While Emory’s augmentation of the public health department’s contact tracing program is enhancing our ability to reduce the chain of transmission of infections in our community, greater density and greater demand for services are impacting our ability to operate at the desired performance level.

Phase I of our process involved planning at the university, school, college, and research support unit levels to devise plans for implementing necessary health and safety measures. Phase II involved gradually onboarding personnel and a limited number of students through a metered and monitored re-opening of broader on-campus research activities aligned with unit-level and university guidelines. Phase III, to which we transitioned during the week of June 21, was to mark a further expansion of research activity with a goal of achieving a steady state and sustainable total population density on campus for the duration of the pandemic. We continue to pursue this goal, but our assessment of the current health and safety conditions have led us to make the decision to slow the process for inviting additional faculty, research staff, postdocs and related trainees, graduate and professional students, and visitors to return to campus.

Thus, effective immediately, we are taking the following actions:

1. During the next few weeks, at least until July 21, we will suspend approval of additional persons to return to campus. During this period, we will monitor and reassess the factors identified above to determine whether conditions support increasing density on campus. An exception process is available for personnel who are critical to the research effort and who are slated to begin their employment after today’s date and prior to July 21. Research leaders should reach out to the Office of the Provost for further instructions about this process.
2. Only persons who have been approved for return to campus activities and completed the required onboarding process will be allowed access to campus buildings. This is necessary to support our health and safety measures, including our campus contact-tracing program. As of 5 p.m. on July 10, 2020, card access to campus buildings will be limited to those who have fully completed the onboarding process. This applies to all faculty, staff, postdocs and related trainees, as well as graduate and professional students, including those who were previously designated as contributing to critical functions during the ramp-down.
3. We are still operating under conditions during which all visitors—other than vendors approved by Human Resources—are prohibited on campus and in our academic buildings. 

Faculty, staff, and students who are authorized to be on campus should be regularly monitoring their health. Those with any symptoms associated with COVID-19 are prohibited from coming to campus. In the event of symptoms of illness, students should access the student health portal and send a message to the “COVID Assessment Provider” daily between 9am and 4pm and a clinician will call you and provide further guidance.  For urgent matters after hours and on weekends, call 404-727-7551 and press “0” to speak to the medical call center. Faculty and staff with symptoms should contact their primary care physicians and/or call the COVID-19 hotline for assessment and further instructions 404-71-COVID. 

Thank you for your dedication and perseverance as we continue to gradually open up campus for research and limited educational activities. We also note that some of Emory’s sponsored research activities continue to be limited as a result of the pandemic. If your government funded research is negatively impacted, please review OMB Memorandum M-20-26 and coordinate with your school regarding short-term flexibilities for salary continuity under certain and limited situations. Your cooperation and feedback have been vital to successfully returning to research and will be essential as we continue to plan for the fall. 

Sincerely,

Jan Love, Interim Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

Dear Emory community,

As we begin a new month during the COVID-19 pandemic, we want to recognize the effort and long hours the faculty, staff and administrators are contributing to the ongoing effort to build the academic, research and co-curricular opportunities for our students this fall. We are thankful for the patience of our students and their families as our timelines have stretched to allow us to make sound decisions and share accurate information for our community that keep health and safety at the forefront of our planning. 

We recognize the heightened anxiety and share the concerns being raised regarding the rising number of COVID-19 cases in Atlanta and Georgia. We are accessing data and following the directions of the Georgia Department of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and relying on our Rollins School of Public Health, Emory School of Medicine, Emory Healthcare colleagues and other experts to provide guidance to assist in health and safety decisions.

Our decision announced in June, to have in-person and remote academic offerings this fall, was made through a scientific review of available data at that time and its application to our campus needs. Our goal is to make a sound decision for our Emory community that balances a set of core principles with our ability to deliver in-person courses that meet Emory’s rigorous standards. We plan to allow members of the academic campus community to have access to the in-person and remote resources of our research university to enhance their scholarship. 

If we feel at any point we cannot meet our goal through the current plan while also maintaining the health and safety of our community, then we will shift course on some or all of our previous decisions for the fall semester. Should this occur, we will communicate as swiftly as possible with you as we recognize that our decisions impact the lives of our faculty, staff, students and their families.

Please make sure that you are reading emails from the university as many routine and fall-specific updates are planned for the coming days and weeks. Information will continue to be emailed from relevant offices/schools and archived on the Emory Forward website. In addition, information will continue to be shared through the Emory Report e-bulletin and Dooley Report newsletter.

And as always, you are welcome to ask questions of deans, administrators and staff members. Our offices are happy to share what we know, connect you with other offices, outline what decisions are still to come and provide options for you to make informed choices and to have confidence in our planning. 

Sincerely, 

Jan Love, Interim Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

Christopher L. Augostini, Executive Vice President for Business and Administration, Chief Financial Officer

Jonathan S. Lewin, Executive Vice President for Health Affairs, Executive Director, Woodruff Health Sciences Center, President, CEO, and Chairman of the Board, Emory Healthcare

Dear Students,

As Emory University continues to plan for a safe and healthy fall 2020 semester, Residence Life, Housing Operations, and Campus Dining are committed to providing an on-campus residential experience that supports the academic mission of the University, while following the health and safety recommendations and guidelines of healthcare and public health professionals. We know that the campus will undoubtedly be different in the fall; still, student leaders, faculty, and staff are working tirelessly to provide as enriching and engaging an experience as possible.

To help you plan for reopening in the fall, we are writing to share our preliminary plans and changes to our housing and campus dining programs in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Residence Life and Housing Operations

• Students living on campus will be screened by Emory University by testing for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, prior to moving into their fall housing assignment.
• We anticipate student move-in beginning approximately one week before b and occurring over several days to accommodate physical distancing and testing. Students will receive additional instructions on move-in times in the coming weeks.
• Residents will be required to wear face coverings in all residential common areas.
• A maximum of two students per bedroom, or four to six students per apartment or suite, will be applied without exception.
• Students may be assigned or reassigned by Housing Operations to reduce density, improve bathroom ratio and reduce opportunities for congregation in residence halls. As we reduce density in the residence halls as part of the assignment/reassignment process, we will try to accommodate roommate requests.
• Single rooms will be available. Students who request these rooms due to medical conditions or circumstances will be prioritized for single-room assignments.
• During the academic year, room changes will not be granted, except for emergencies or extenuating circumstances.
• Communal bathrooms and other high-touch, high-volume common spaces will undergo enhanced cleaning protocols and schedules.
• Occupancy in common spaces will be limited, based on Emory’s physical distancing guidelines.
• Students will be required to sign the COVID-19 Addendum to the 2020-21 Housing Agreement and Residence Life and Housing Policies for on-campus living.
• Students who no longer wish to reside on campus will be allowed to cancel their housing agreement until August 1. Additional information regarding the cancellation process will be provided in future communications.
• During the week of June 22, students will receive an email from Housing Operations with access to a Housing Preference form in their MyHousing portal. If you wish to request a single room or cancel your housing agreement you may indicate so on the Housing Preference form.
• Students may only be allowed into residential facilities in which they reside.
• Quarantine and isolation spaces will be provided for residential students who have been exposed to COVID-19 or become sick. If a student has close contact with an individual who tests positive for COVID-19, the student will receive quarantine instructions from the university.
• For students who are isolated or quarantined, they should expect to receive a temporary room assignment where they will receive academic support, meal services (inclusive of dietary and religious needs), and support from Student Health Services. Additional details will be provided later in the summer in email communications from residence life and housing operations.
• All students are encouraged to pack light for the semester. Please refer to the “What to bring to campus” document on the residence life and housing website. Students will also have the opportunity to ship items to campus. Additional details will be provided later in the summer in email communications from residence life and housing operations.
• If a student lived on campus in spring 2020 and their belongings were packed and stored by Emory University, these items will be moved to their fall on-campus housing assignment. Unidentified or unclaimed items, or items belonging to students living off campus will be available for claim from a central location at a future date. Details will come in future communications.
• Parking Services will do their best to accommodate campus parking requests, but space may be limited. More detail on parking will be available over the next two weeks at parking.emory.edu.

Campus Dining

Emory campus dining remains committed to providing a full complement of dining choices and locations for the upcoming academic year.

• The campus community standard of physical distancing will always be required in campus dining facilities.
• Students will be required to sanitize hands before entering any campus dining location. 
• Face coverings will always be required when not eating.
• Most dining locations will be take-out only; dining room seating will be limited or eliminated with occupancy based on Emory guidelines for physical distancing.
• Self-serve stations have been eliminated across campus. All food will be either grab and go or served by staff following strict safety guidelines.
• We remain committed to meeting the needs of all community members and will continue to offer Halal, Kosher, made without gluten, vegan, and vegetarian options. We will strive to offer as much variety as possible.
• We are revising our campus meal plan requirements and offerings for all students to provide greater flexibility. Students assigned to housing on the Clairmont Campus will not be required to enroll in a campus meal plan this year. Students who live off-campus are not required to enroll in a campus meal plan.
• To expedite service, Dobbs Common Table (residential dining commons) and Cox Hall Food Court will have scaled-down menus and during the first few weeks of the semester may be accessible to “students only” between the hours of 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., Monday - Friday.
• The Dobbs Common Table menus will continue to be peanut-free, tree-nut-free, and shellfish-free.
• Dining will offer mobile ordering for pick-up only at locations where it is possible and practical.
• Meal swipes may be used in a to-go format at the Eagle Emporium in the Student Center, the SAAC, Woodruff Residential Café, as well as other new locations on campus.
• Dining is working to bring additional mobile food vendors to campus during peak lunch hours on weekdays.
• Vending machines on campus will accept Dooley Dollars.

Future communications from the Office of Housing Operations will provide additional information regarding your housing assignment/re-assignment and the move-in process for the fall 2020 semester.

Please watch your email and regularly visit https://www.housing.emory.edu and https://www.emory.edu/dining for updates as they become available.

Sincerely,

Elaine Turner
Senior Director, Housing Operations

Dave Furhman
Senior Director, Campus Life Operations

Dear Emory faculty,

As noted in the message from President Sterk and President-elect Fenves last week, we are planning for a fall semester with in-person and remote class options. As faculty are being asked to submit their teaching preferences, I am writing to share details about the planning and considerations the university has undertaken to support healthy and safe experiences in the classroom for members of our community this fall. 

We recognize the complexity of the feelings surrounding a return to campus. While there is excitement to interact with students in person, and eagerness to resume scholarship with colleagues there is also justifiable concern for personal and community health and safety.  

I have charged an Academic Continuity Group with determining what steps are necessary to allow for a safe return to research this summer; and in-person teaching, faculty-to-faculty and faculty-to-student interactions this fall. The Academic Continuity Group continues to keep faculty and students at the forefront of our planning efforts to resume on-campus activity on August 19, with the faculty led Classroom Logistics subgroup and a number of technical teams focused solely on developing robust safety guidelines for our classrooms to support effective instruction while maintaining our community’s health. Our work is informed by Emory University’s very own public health experts, CDC guidelines, as well as by all federal, state, and local directives and guidance, and requirements of our accrediting bodies. 

While specific classroom safety protocols will evolve over the weeks leading to the fall semester as our knowledge of COVID-19 evolves, our safety guidelines for fall have been decided. These protocols and safety guidelines include: 

Health and safety measures

• Continual evaluation of the health of members of the campus community such as:

  • Baseline COVID-19 testing for students returning to campus this fall.

  • On-going monitoring of community health, including temperature checks, on demand COVID-19 testing and contact tracing for members of our community—all through a well-staffed infrastructure.

• Routine classroom cleaning, which follows CDC guidance as follows:

  • Deep cleaning each evening, including a disinfectant fogging of classrooms.

  • Cleaning of high touch surfaces throughout the day.

  • Cleaning stations with disinfectant wipes and other disinfectant cleaning supplies to allow additional cleaning of desks or lecterns, if desired.  

Changes to the fall calendar and classroom scheduling

• Calendar modification to complete the term as quickly as possible including: Moving up the start of the semester to August 19, teaching on Labor Day, no fall break and ending classes by Thanksgiving. These calendar changes are designed to complete the semester as quickly as possible and to minimize travel by members of our community during the semester.

• Class schedules adjusted to keep entering and exiting students from crossing paths. 

Other classroom safety measures

• Energy efficiency features of heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems will be turned off to ensure maximum airflow through buildings.

• Clear and consistent signage will be in place to guide safe and physically distanced entrance and exit from classes.

• Additional measures for safety in academic areas include:

  • Seating removed, if possible, to ensure physical distancing of students in classrooms. 

  • In rooms with fixed seating there will be clear markings to identify available seats that maintain physical distancing.

  • All students will be required to face coverings in classrooms, hallways and academic spaces in which they will interact with others.

  • Faculty will have a choice of wearing a face covering, using a face shield, and/or teaching behind a plexiglass barrier. A cross unit team of faculty is evaluating barrier options and will make recommendations to the Classroom Logistics group.

  • Voice amplification will be available to faculty as they teach to compensate for the use of face coverings.

  • Installation of additional hand sanitizer stations in academic buildings.

The Classroom Logistics group will continue to provide guidance regarding instructional delivery and safe classroom practices as planning evolves, and the group will think through how to provide resources so that faculty can safely provide equivalent, but not identical, experiences while upholding our mission to create, preserve, teach and apply knowledge in the service of humanity.

Thank you for your partnership, patience, creativity and positivity to prepare and plan creative and effective teaching in this new landscape. We are eager to safely come together as a community this fall.

Sincerely,

Jan Love, Interim Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

An essential element of our academic continuity planning entails supporting the resumption of research activities. For many faculty members, travel is essential for the conduct of their research. Lifting the present proscription on travel is important to support the overall return to research effort. Effective immediately, faculty are exempt from the current suspension of university-sponsored travel. Certain qualifications shall be in place as follows:

• During Phase 2 of Return to Campus for Research, faculty returning from domestic air travel will be required to contact the COVID-19 Hotline (404-712-6843) for screening for the SARS-CoV-2 virus and COVID-19 prior to returning to campus. Faculty will be required to follow any resulting restrictions, such as testing. 
• Currently, all countries are subject to a CDC level 3 travel advisory notice, which, while in force, requires all Emory travelers to file requests for international travel through the Executive Travel Safety Committee process. During Phases 2 and 3 of Return to Campus for Research, faculty returning from international travel will be required to contact the COVID-19 Hotline for screening for the SARS-CoV-2 virus and COVID-19 prior to returning to campus. Faculty will be required to follow any resulting restrictions. 
• In the event that any travel might result in the subsequent need to quarantine during times that would make it difficult for faculty to fully perform their duties, the deans shall have the authority to impose specific limitations.
• Lifting prohibitions on travel for other researchers, such as students and staff, will be contemplated for implementation in Phase 3.

Dear LGS Community, 

Earlier today President Claire Sterk and President-elect Gregory Fenves announced the University’s preliminary plans to offer a mix of on-campus and online instruction in fall 2020. You can find that message here. 

The academic calendar will shift to start on August 19, with classes ending by Thanksgiving and exams conducted remotely. The traditional schedule will be further modified by holding classes on Labor Day and eliminating fall break. This change in schedule will affect previously announced dates that will be updated shortly on a revised Registrar’s academic calendar found here.  

All LGS preterm activities will be online and begin on August 10. The LGS New Student Orientation will take place on Monday, August 10. JPE 600 will take place on Tuesday, August 11, and TATTO 600 will take place on Wednesday, August 12 and Thursday, August 13. We will provide a detailed schedule and additional updates soon. 

The University developed a health and safety plan, based on scientific and public health evidence. Consultations occurred with our own medical, public health, and other experts in scientific areas. Federal, state and local health directives were part of the consultative process, as well. LGS participated in this planning process, which was cautious and thorough. We are guided by two absolute and complementary core principles:  

• An uncompromising commitment to the health and safety of the Emory community and beyond. 
• A fervent dedication to the highest quality education.

Health and Safety 

Last month, the University instituted rigorous policies governing the return to campus as part of the research ramp-up. Those policies will remain in effect through fall 2020. In order to maintain low density on campus, it is crucially important for faculty, staff, and students to evaluate their ability to work from home and all are urged to do so, where possible. For those who come to campus, the University will implement a three-pronged strategy to minimize exposure. 

1. Testing: All students enrolled in on-campus classes will be required to be tested for COVID-19 shortly before classes begin. Testing will be available at any time during the semester for those who are symptomatic and for their close contacts.  
2. Monitoring: All members of the Emory community who come to campus will be required to self-monitor on a daily basis for signs of COVID-19. Trained university staff will conduct random temperature checks across campus each day. Those individuals with fevers will be required to have a clinical evaluation and to be tested, as appropriate.  
3. Cleaning: Strict cleaning protocols for classrooms and other common spaces will be implemented. Students will be appropriately spaced in classrooms and will be required to follow protocols for entering/exiting classrooms to avoid overlap with other students. We will employ multiple measures to ensure cleanliness and safety and will communicate those to the campus community in advance of the resumption of courses. 

It is our collective responsibility to uphold the practices of hygiene, distancing, health testing and reporting of conditions in order to keep ourselves and our community safe. We ask this in the spirit of respect for each other and for what it means to be in community during the time of this pandemic. These include: 

• Wearing masks in all public places, including labs, classrooms, and offices 
• Physically distancing at all times 
• Avoiding campus when ill or feeling ill  
• Reporting confirmed cases appropriately 
• Upholding quarantine and isolation protocols, when necessary 
• Limiting in-person gatherings 

Highest Quality Education 

LGS boasts a world-class faculty committed to teaching and mentoring master’s and doctoral students of the highest caliber. Graduate faculty and graduate students who teach online in fall 2020 will have the benefit of a suite of new training resources offered by the Center for Faculty Development and Excellence.

LGS remains committed to offering an array of support programs, including writing and language support, community building, professional development and career planning. In fall 2020, these services will be provided virtually in a combination of synchronous and asynchronous sessions.  Please visit our diversity and professional development pages and weekly LGS notices of upcoming events to stay informed and connected.    

In the coming weeks, as programs confirm their fall teaching plans and the University finalizes fall planning, we will keep you informed.  

Finally, the University will send a survey invitation soon. Please take a moment to complete the survey. 

Thank you for your patience and your feedback. We recognize that this is not easy and appreciate your flexibility as we continue to navigate a path forward. Please visit the LGS website for updated information. Stay well.  

With you, 

-Lisa

Lisa A. Tedesco, Ph.D.


Vice Provost for Academic Affairs – Graduate Studies


Dean, James T. Laney School of Graduate Studies

Professor, Rollins School of Public Health


Emory University


Dear Emory faculty, staff and students,

We are writing to provide important updates on Emory University’s plans for the fall semester. As we have prepared to share this plan with you, we have been heartened by the requests from many in our campus community to reconvene this fall in person. We have heard your hopes and aspirations to have options to return to campus or study remotely and we are confident that this plan allows us to partner with you to work toward these goals. 

Over the past several months, we have convened leadership across the university, engaged with our leading medical and science experts and consulted federal, state and local health directives to develop a science- and data-based plan that works for Emory. We have made decisions on which we are confident we can deliver, including contingency plans for various scenarios, and that allow us to best serve the academic needs of our students. 

Our topline decisions are as follows:

• We will offer both online and in-person classes this fall, allowing us to provide the excellence of an Emory education to all students.
• The academic calendar will shift to start on August 19, with classes ending by Thanksgiving and exams conducted remotely.
• Residence halls will be open with a standard of no more than two students per room. 

We want to stress that faculty, staff and students will have options for returning to campus or interacting remotely. Our goal is for everyone to feel comfortable participating in the community and to have options that reflect your preferences for continuing your education, conducting research and teaching, or serving our students. We want to provide options for you to make the best decisions and to have confidence in our planning should you decide to return in person.

While much will be different this fall, there are core elements of the Emory experience that will remain the same: We will deliver courses that meet Emory’s rigorous standards and that are taught by our world-renowned faculty, members of the academic campus community will have access to the tremendous resources of our research university, and students will be part of a community known for its support while our students are pursuing degrees with us and throughout their careers. We will deliver an equivalent Emory experience, knowing the necessity of health and safety protocols will prevent us from providing an identical experience to past years.

One lesson from the current pandemic is that plans must stay flexible to adapt to global, national and regional changes. For this reason, we ask that as you review how we envision the fall experience at this time, you also understand there may be a need for us to pivot our plan to maintain community health and preserve academic continuity. Know we have contingency plans in place should we need them.

Fall Classes

With faculty, student and staff health and safety as necessary considerations, the academic calendar was modified so that undergraduate classes will begin no later than August 19 and conclude by Thanksgiving, with the final evaluation period conducted remotely. The traditional schedule will be further modified by holding classes on Labor Day and eliminating fall break. Graduate and professional schools may amend this schedule slightly to meet curricular needs. (Note: The calendars for graduate, professional and select undergraduate programs may start a bit earlier or later and include different milestone dates. Please refer to your school’s website for further details.)

To maintain choices for our students, Emory will offer expanded online class options that are designed for a comprehensive remote learning experience. For our classroom environments, we will cap most in-person, large lectures to minimize class sizes and to follow physical distancing guidelines. Any rare but essential large lecture classes will be held in facilities that can accommodate appropriate physical distancing measures. It is important to note that we expect students will need to adjust their schedules to accommodate changes in course offerings and formats. Further, we expect that students’ schedules will have either online courses or a mix of in-person and online courses, based on their preference. It may be rare for students to have entirely in-person schedules. Students will receive forthcoming emails explaining the new process and options in detail. Tuition will be applied uniformly regardless of the mix of online and in-person courses as we will provide equivalent experiences regardless of type of delivery.

We are committed to working with faculty to accommodate their preferred course format and with students to offer courses that meet their preferences and continue their progress toward graduation. Again, our efforts are focused on providing choice while maintaining our community’s health.

Please note that strict cleaning protocols for classroom spaces will be implemented. Students will be appropriately spaced in classrooms and will be required to follow protocols for entering/exiting classrooms to avoid overlap with other students.  We will implement multiple measures to ensure cleanliness and safety and will communicate those to the campus community in advance of resumption of courses.

Residence Halls

Emory and Oxford Colleges are designed to offer residential learning opportunities that are valued by students. Therefore, we will offer on-campus housing options for the fall but will limit dorm room occupancy to two students per room. We will work with students to accommodate single room requests for those who are immunocompromised or have other health considerations. We are also expanding housing options beyond the residence halls to include Emory Conference Center Hotel for Atlanta students, and hotel options for Oxford students. Housing decisions were made after consultation with national housing experts and our own medical and health-based faculty and in accordance with multi-level health directives. As importantly, we know we have the ability, resources and expertise to implement this plan.

Similar to our planning for classroom and common spaces, we will implement enhanced cleaning protocols, and all residence hall students will be made aware of our shared responsibilities to maintain cleanliness.

For our students in our residence halls, know that this fall’s experience will be different. Students may be taking online courses from their rooms, community spaces will have new distancing and restricted occupancy expectations, and we will limit the size of gatherings—including those held in residence halls—to maintain a healthy environment. 

If you are planning to reside in the residence halls this fall, please watch for an email from our housing staff that outlines move-in dates and procedures, fee schedules and policies, additional checklists and considerations, and tools to help with the transition back to campus.

Testing, Social Norming and Expectations for Students

COVID-19 testing will be mandatory for all students living in residence halls, along with those taking in-person classes, upon or shortly before returning to campus, and will be available at any time during the semester for those who are symptomatic and for their close contacts. Faculty and staff will have access to testing on demand.

Testing of symptomatic people, as well as those in close contact with people diagnosed with COVID-19, is currently underway on campus and will continue in the fall. Testing, contact tracing, isolation, quarantine, and other measures will be implemented to limit transmission of COVID-19 in our community. We cannot guarantee you will not get sick, but together we can support each other in our academic pursuits, in community and in health.

All members of the Emory community who come to campus will be required to self-monitor on a daily basis for signs of COVID-19. Trained university staff will conduct random temperature checks across campus each day. Those with fevers will be required to have a clinical evaluation and to be tested, as appropriate.

We are developing health education programs and materials to ensure community awareness and understanding of indications of illness as well as risks that lead to the spread of the disease. We will also clearly delineate what we expect from members of our community to maintain health and cleanliness standards, including face covering, distancing, cleaning protocols and general health guidance. Students may not opt out of community expectations for health and safety—everyone must participate for our campus community to stay healthy. Further information on testing and community awareness efforts will be sent to you in the coming weeks.

Details Still Forthcoming

While this letter outlines the broad strokes of what we know, decisions that have been made and health-based protocols, there are still elements we are working through based on a changing virus and world. In addition to adjusting our plan as the external environment may necessitate, we are still working through specific details that are dependent upon how many members of our campus come back in person versus online and how we can safely allow community experiences. These decisions will be based on a scientific review of information and its application to our campus needs so that we can continue to make sound decisions on behalf of our Emory community.

Additional information will be sent with specifics on social distancing and norming to best reflect growing knowledge of COVID-19 and how it is transmitted. This information will also influence policies regarding campus visitors and decisions about traditions like Family Weekend and Homecoming. Our protocols for cleaning, testing and contact tracing may need to be updated and any changes will be clearly articulated. We have heard requests to retain as much of the college experience as possible and we ask for your understanding as we implement equivalent, but not identical, experiences.

Next Steps

We know you will have a number of questions about your return online or in person this fall. You will receive communications from additional leaders across campus over the coming days that will provide additional specificity and resources. We apologize for any repetition, but we want all members of the community to make decisions about returning to campus that are in their best interest.

Ongoing resources will be available on the Emory website. Please bookmark the Emory Forward page for questions or concerns. And please mark your calendar for a campus presentation today at 4:30 PM with President-elect Fenves, Interim Provost Love and Executive Vice Presidents Lewin and Augostini. They will provide further depth on the fall planning details and rationale behind the decisions. In the coming days, deans and additional campus leaders will hold town hall discussions to delineate what the fall decisions mean for their communities. We encourage you to attend and participate. These presentations will be archived on the Emory Forward site, where you can also view a video message from President Sterk.

In addition, you will receive a survey. It is critically important that you participate in the survey as it will help us to make final decisions that need community input and to plan for your return to campus. We want your experience this fall to reflect your preferences, and this will be a critical step in our planning process.  

We know that our community wants to be back together on campus and we look forward to welcoming you or introducing ourselves upon your return, too. It will be a different kind of semester, one filled with changes and choices, with new ways to connect and build relationships. But it will still be a uniquely Emory experience. Please look for additional information in the weeks to come and we welcome your feedback and questions. 

Sincerely,

Claire E. Sterk, President

Gregory L. Fenves, President-elect

On behalf of the leadership of Emory University, we extend our sincere appreciation for your remarkable commitment and dedication to our shared work in the face of considerable disruption due to the COVID-19 epidemic. 

We understand that many of you may be anxious about meeting the needs of your family this summer. In recognition of those concerns, we are pleased to offer two voluntary programs for staff who may desire extra flexibility this summer. Please keep in mind that the needs of your work area, as Emory’s plans for the fall semester become clear, may affect your ability to participate.

The Voluntary Summer Leave Program and Voluntary Summer Reduced Hours Program allow staff members, in consultation with and subject to approval by their supervisor, to reduce their work time through the end of August. Additional details are available here, but in short, the Voluntary Summer Leave Program will allow staff to request longer periods of leave (between two and 10 weeks) while using a combination of accrued vacation days and unpaid leave. The Voluntary Summer Reduced Hours Program will allow staff to reduce either their hours worked per day or their days worked per week while accepting a commensurate – and temporary – reduction in pay.

We encourage you to review the details of these programs on the HR website and speak with your supervisor to determine if either of the volunteer programs are of interest and available to you. Regardless of whether you participate in these programs, Emory remains committed to providing a flexible work environment to support your life and family needs, to the extent we can do so, while still meeting the needs of our mission.

Thank you again for your commitment to Emory.

Dear Members of the Laney Graduate School Community:

As you know, Emory has initiated a plan to gradually return to campus, beginning with a phased return to research facilities at a lower density. LGS has continued to work with University leadership to establish an effective and comprehensive clearance process for students to be part of this return. The plan ensures students are equipped with the knowledge and understanding of public health safety protocols and affirm their readiness to return to laboratory research and research in other settings.  

Over the next week, lists from research units will be submitted to and processed by the Office of the Provost. As LGS receives the lists, students who were identified by their advisor/mentor and approved by their research unit as part of the limited return to research facilities will receive an email from LGS to begin the clearance process to return to campus. Students should not come to campus until they have completed the full process.

Students who were previously exempted and allowed to conduct essential research on campus must also be identified as part of the limited return by their advisor/mentor and then will complete this clearance process too.

All others should engage in remote activity to continue academic progress. To protect the health and safety of the Emory community, it is critical to maintain a low density of people on campus. Students should not come to campus unless they have received prior approval to do so and have completed the required clearance process.

As the University prepares to move into the next phases of on-campus activity, other facilities and services that support research and teaching may also be approved to reopen in limited ways. When these plans develop, we will update you.

--

Lisa A. Tedesco, Ph.D.


Vice Provost for Academic Affairs – Graduate Studies


Dean, James T. Laney School of Graduate Studies

Professor, Rollins School of Public Health


Emory University


As you know, Emory University has initiated a multi-phased plan to gradually return to campus to support our missions of research and teaching. The plan begins with a return to research at lower density. Over the past month, the various schools and colleges, as well as research, academic, and administrative support units have worked very hard to prepare for the first wave of researchers to return to campus. We want to provide you with an overview of where we are.

The target date for metered, small-scale research activity to resume is May 28, 2020. Only those faculty and staff who are identified as part of the selected research efforts, as well as those who had previously been identified as essential to work on campus, will be approved to return to campus. All others should continue to work remotely. It is critical to maintain a low density of people on campus at this time to protect the health and safety of those whose work requires them to be on campus. Do not come to campus unless you have received prior approval to do so and have completed the required clearance process described below. 

Over the next month, other functions and services may also be approved to return. As these plans are completed and if you are needed to return to campus, you will be notified by your supervisor and HR. 

During the initial ramp up phase, visitors to campus will be prohibited, and our buildings will remain card-access only. Suspension of all university-sponsored travel will remain in effect, except as approved by the Office of the Provost for research purposes.

Emory is implementing health and safety measures to protect faculty, staff and students who will be returning to work on campus. Each of the individuals who will be working on campus has a critical role to play in keeping the campus safe. 

Health and Safety Measures

Working with the Office of Critical Event Preparedness and Response (CEPAR), the Environmental Health and Safety Office (EHSO), the Office of Injury Management (OIM), Student Health Services (SHS), Emory Healthcare colleagues, and Emory medical and public health experts, and in compliance with state and local public health and regulatory guidance, Emory has taken a number of actions to protect the health of our community. These actions include: 

• Development of a mandatory confidential screening questionnaire to assess the health of faculty and staff prior to their return to campus.
• Implementation of mandatory physical distancing, hygiene, and face covering protocols.
• Implementation of a testing and contact-tracing process with clear guidance for anyone working on campus who develops symptoms of COVID-19.
• Implementation of random temperature checks.
• Installation of signage to support physical distancing requirements.
• Rearrangement of physical spaces, where possible, to support physical distancing.
• Escalation of frequent cleaning and disinfection of all public spaces, including Emory shuttles.
• Provision of supplies for cleaning, face coverings, and other necessary PPE.

It is important to note that maintaining the health and safety of those working on campus is highly dependent on each of us rigorously observing the required individual behaviors. These behaviors are outlined in the Return to Campus Guidelines. This guide also contains helpful information about working on campus.

It is critical that those of us who are returning, and those of us who have already been working regularly on campus, follow certain steps as part of the return process. This requirement applies even if you are only working occasionally on campus. You will receive a separate communication that gives you specific instructions about this, but the required steps include:

• Review and acknowledge an understanding of the expectations and guidelines as you return to campus.
• Complete necessary training that gives guidance about physical distancing, face covering and other PPE, hygiene, self-monitoring for symptoms, and other important health and safety aspects.
• Complete a confidential health screening questionnaire online that asks about your exposure to COVID-19, contact with persons who have tested positive, travel, and symptoms.
• Ensure your mobile phone number is up to date in the Emergency Notification System in PeopleSoft Self Service. If you have not enrolled in the Emergency Notification System, you will be required to do so. This is a key part of the contact tracing process.
• Provide a list of “close contacts” through a PeopleSoft Self Service module. This is a key part of the contact tracing process.

Clearly, we have a shared responsibility for implementing the practices that will support our community’s safety during the return to research at a lower density. Whether you are returning to campus or continuing to work remotely, we thank you for your commitment to Emory during these challenging times.

Attachment: Return to Research at Lower Density 

Dear Members of the Laney Graduate School Community: 

LGS continues to work with University leadership and faculty leaders across campus to refine the process we will use for students to affirm their readiness and facility safety to return to resume laboratory research and research in other settings.  

The LGS form will look for three pieces of information from graduate students.  

1. Confirmation that re-entry into an Emory research facility is needed for your academic progress. The LGS form will require you to upload an email sent to you from your Advisor, cc-d to your Director of Graduate Studies or Program Director, affirming that your access at this stage meets the academic criterion provided in the research return guidance: “Graduate students will be allowed to return to laboratories that have been cleared for limited reopen, and only where critically necessary to maintain or establish research initiatives related to their academic progress.” 
   
   
2. Confirmation that the facility has been approved for limited re-opening in accordance with the guidance from the Office of the Provost. This approval process will be initiated by the department, school or unit that houses a specific facility, and must be centrally verified. The process of re-opening will happen in a limited and phased way for different kinds of facilities in different areas across campus. 
   
   
3. Confirmation that you have completed the University-required training to ensure compliance with COVID-19 safety standards in your research environment. The training will be required of any member of the Emory community entering facilities during this phase. The LGS form will ask you to upload a certificate that is generated at the conclusion of the training.  

Once all elements of the process for the Office of the Provost have been completed, LGS will open the form, using the three items above, for graduate students to submit their affirmation and statement of readiness to re-enter research facilities. 

Our concern is for your safety and the safety of those you work with. We will open the LGS process when all elements are in place and can be easily verified. 

Best,

Lisa 

---

Lisa A. Tedesco, Ph.D.


Vice Provost for Academic Affairs – Graduate Studies


Dean, James T. Laney School of Graduate Studies

Professor, Rollins School of Public Health


Emory University


Dear Emory community,

I hope this message finds you safe and well. We are writing to provide updates for you on two important matters.

We know that everyone’s first question is the status of the fall semester. Answering that question is the focus of our daily work, as we plan for what we hope will be in-person instruction, albeit with many important adaptations and protections in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19 within our community. This work is guided by the principles for decision making that we discussed during last month’s town hall. While we would like to share with you a definitive decision about our status for the fall, we are simply not yet prepared to do so and likely cannot for some weeks. However, we commit to providing an update on our progress by June 15. 

As was shared during last month’s town hall, we continue to assess the financial impact COVID-19 will have on the university. While we anticipate an approximately $10 million shortfall for our current fiscal year due to lost revenue related to the suspension of mission-related activities, costs related to supporting students’ financial needs, faculty and staff salary continuation, and new incurred COVID-19 related costs, we do not know the full scope of loss for the upcoming fiscal year. As we approach the traditional beginning of the fall semester, we expect a clearer financial picture, but we should not wait any longer to implement additional financial measures that will help mitigate additional losses. 

In keeping with our decision-making principles, noted above, we are writing today to share the first of what will be several actions in the coming months. Effective July 1, President Sterk, the President’s Leadership Team and the deans will reduce their compensation by 15 percent. This reduction, which will be subject to review at the end of calendar year 2020, is not just a cost-savings step, but also a representation of the commitment the leadership team has to preserving Emory’s academic and research missions in the face of financial challenges. 

Thank you for your continued resilience during these uncertain times and for your patience as we thoughtfully and systematically work through many decisions for our Emory community to continue to move forward this Fall.

Sincerely, 

Claire E. Sterk, President 

Jan Love, Interim Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs 

Christopher L. Augostini, Executive Vice President for Business and Administration, Chief Financial Officer

Jonathan S. Lewin, Executive Vice President for Health Affairs, Executive Director, Woodruff Health Sciences Center, President, CEO, and Chairman of the Board, Emory Healthcare

Dear Members of the Laney Graduate School Community:

First, let me express my sincere wishes for your health and the health of your loved ones. I spent much of the weekend signing master’s theses and doctoral dissertations, and I continue to be moved by the breadth and depth of scholarship produced by Laney Graduate School students. Even in these unspeakable times, graduate students relentlessly push the boundaries of our knowledge in exciting directions. 

On Friday, May 15, the Office of the Provost released a Return to Campus for Research Framework, a phased plan informed by public health guidance, pragmatism, and caution. If you have not read the document, I urge you to do so. You will find it here.

To support this plan, LGS is developing a simple form to be completed by graduate students who decide to return to research facilities that have been approved for re-opening by the appropriate departments, offices, schools, or units. The form will be posted Friday, May 22.   

In Phase 2, starting on May 31, once a facility has been approved for limited opening, graduate students will gain access only if their presence is determined to be “critically necessary to maintain or establish research initiatives related to their academic progress” by their advisor and Director of Graduate Studies or Program Director.   

As Emory evaluates our readiness for Phase 3, on-campus research facilities, including libraries and other areas, may become available to a broader segment of graduate students, insofar as mitigation protocols for different facilities can sustain increased density. 

Detailed instructions will be available on Friday, May 22, with the form.

In the meantime, stay in close touch with your advisors and your DGS or PD. And stay well.

With best regards,

Lisa

Dear members of the Emory community,

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis, Emory’s focus has been on the academic continuity of the university while protecting the health and safety of our faculty, staff, students, and trainees. This communication is to let you know that beginning immediately, Emory University will commence a multi-phased plan to gradually return to campus for research. As described below, the first phase involves planning at the levels of schools and colleges as well as research support units. Safely resuming additional on-campus and community-based research activities is crucial to our mission to create, preserve, teach, and apply knowledge in the service of humanity. What we learn will inform our decisions about how and when to return to campus for other activities, including teaching and learning.

Our priority is to protect the health and safety of all members of our community and campus visitors. Our overarching and long-range goals include a return to on-campus, clinical and community-based research, teaching, and learning as soon as it is safe to do so.

To be clear, our campus is presently a safe place, but higher levels of activity will require implementation of a variety of public health measures that necessitate careful planning and monitoring. We will use all available public health data and guidance as well as data relating specifically to the health and safety of the Emory community to inform decisions and make any necessary updates or adjustments to this plan. This means that our plans may change. Circumstances may require us to adjust timelines, change venues, and shift the format of our planned activities, but our priorities, commitments, and values will be unwavering: we will deliver extraordinary educational and research outcomes while implementing the highest standards of care for the well-being of our community.

The following plan outlines how we will do this together. In making this announcement, we want to underscore what this togetherness entails—we have a shared responsibility for implementing the practices that will support our collective success.

Activities to be supported

The return to campus to support research in all its forms—physical laboratory and non-laboratory (clinical and epidemiological), funded and non-funded, humanistic, creative, and social scientific, as well as libraries and core facilities, and offices both local and global—must be done gradually and pragmatically based on the best medical, scientific, and public health evidence. It should also be informed by our institutional commitments to support and maintain progress for students and trainees, and to diversity, equity, and inclusion as we make decisions that necessitate prioritization and the exercise of authority and oversight. Re-engagement of research and scholarly activities must also comply with all federal, state, and local laws and regulations and requirements of our accrediting bodies. The larger principles for decision-making that are informing the university return to campus research activity will also guide this effort. 

Importantly, the COVID-19 pandemic remains dynamic. All steps in this process are subject to legal and public health contingencies, such as new governmental restrictions or other public health measures that emerge in response to a resurgence. To support effective communication, necessary collaboration, and clear designation of responsibilities, a return to campus calendar is detailed in the Return to Campus for Research Framework documents, and will be updated and maintained on the university website. Implementation dates and procedures may need to be adapted to fit community- and public health-circumstances. Thus, activities should be resumed with resilience strategies in mind to minimize set-backs in the event of revisions to the calendar or process. 

Resumption of campus- and community-based research activity will be linked with a systematic approach to detecting and controlling the spread of infection in the Emory community. Human Resources (HR) will provide a process to support those with underlying conditions or living situations that put them at greater risk for infection or severe complications from the disease. Those working in clinical partner sites should follow the instructions and requirements for the specific facilities:

• Emory Healthcare (Login Required)
• Grady Health System (Login Required)
• Atlanta VA Health System
• Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta

Key strategies

A robust practice of health monitoring and testing will be combined with public health guidance for mitigating risk. Data will inform real-time assessment of whether and when to advance in the staged recovery efforts.

Phases

Progress through phases will be determined by the Office of the Provost in consultation with the Executive Vice President for Health Affairs. Decisions about changes in phases will take into account guidance and data from the CDC and from local public health authorities.

Phase 1: Preliminary Planning & Assessment of Readiness (Immediately-May 27)

Phase 1 involves a review of guidance by the Office of the Provost in the Return to Campus for Research Framework. The various schools and colleges as well as research and academic support units on campus are tasked with preparing unit-specific planning documents to identify faculty, staff and postdoctoral fellows and trainees who will participate in increased activity necessary for the support of research on campus. Among the plans to be developed are those providing for the limited reopening of critical research facilities such as research cores, libraries, the museum, and laboratories.

While we implement Phase 1, all faculty and staff who are able to work remotely should continue to do so unless otherwise instructed by their dean, department or program director, or supervisor. Visitors to campus are prohibited, and our buildings will remain card-access only. Additionally, the suspension of all university-sponsored travel remains in effect.

Phase 2: Metered Small-Scale Restart (May 28-June 21)

Based on what we learn from Phase 1 and our assessments of operational readiness, we will work to carefully bring back additional personnel to increase capacity and functionality as needed to support core academic operations and related student services. The target date for commencement of this phase is May 28, 2020. During this phase, we expect to include, once approved, postdoctoral fellows and trainees as well as graduate students in return to research-related campus activities. Once again, it will be important for all faculty and staff who are able to work remotely to continue to do so unless otherwise instructed by their dean, department or program director, or supervisor. It is expected that during this phase, visitors to campus will continue to be prohibited, and our buildings will remain card-access only. Suspension of all university-sponsored travel is expected to remain in effect. The data we collect as part of Phases 1 and 2 will inform our assessments of both the health and safety of the community and our institutional operational capacity to support greater numbers of students, faculty, and staff on campus. What we learn from these two phases will make us more resilient and capable in the months ahead.

Phase 3: Expansion of Activity (June 22-date to be determined)

On or about June 22, 2020, we are planning for a metered and monitored re-opening of broader on-campus research activities aligned with university guidelines to maintain a sustainable total population density on campus. Local population densities monitored by local unit leaders, in collaboration as required for shared-use facilities, including:

• Faculty (per guidelines from dean/director/chair);
• Staff required on campus to perform their duties;
• Postdocs and related trainees; and
• Graduate and professional students (per guidelines from the Laney Graduate School and relevant dean).

Once again, it will be important for all faculty and staff who are able to work remotely to continue to do so unless otherwise instructed by their dean, department or program director, or supervisor. It is expected that during this phase, visitors to campus will continue to be restricted, and our buildings will remain card-access only. At this time, we will revisit suspension of university-sponsored travel.

The Return to Campus for Research Framework was developed through a collaborative and highly consultative process arising from the activities of the Faculty and Research Academic Continuity Group led by Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs Tim Holbrook, and Vice Provost for Strategic Research Initiatives Lanny Liebeskind. We are deeply grateful for their leadership and for the contributions of many others who participated in the planning activities. 

We will continue to communicate decisions, updates and next steps once available, and thank you for your help in bringing Emory together again.

Sincerely,

Jan Love, Interim Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs 

Jon Lewin, Executive Vice President for Health Affairs

Dear Emory community,

We’ve been proud to see Emory faculty and staff continually working to support our students, maintain essential campus operations and help Emory discover innovative new ways to achieve its mission during the pandemic.

The path forward hasn’t always been easy. But we’ve been impressed to watch our campus communities — comprised of more than 12,600 staff and faculty members — working together with dedication, professionalism and unflagging energy to make it happen.

Our appreciation also goes out to the courageous health care employees who put their own health at risk working on the front lines of the current pandemic, from healers and hospital chaplains to cleaning crews and those who keep patients fed and well-cared for.

To recognize these outstanding efforts, Emory Report has launched “All Hands on Deck,” a series that profiles individuals who are working tirelessly behind the scenes to help Emory during the COVID-19 pandemic. From police officers who keep our campus safe and faculty members who’ve swiftly transitioned to remote teaching to staff members at the Michael C. Carlos Museum who’ve created new ways to share exhibits online with the public, Emory staff and faculty are doing what is required to keep our institution operating every day. 

Sometimes, the work is invisible. But many hands make it happen. And so often, the success of keeping Emory open and functioning rests squarely upon the shoulders of those who aren’t in the spotlight. Please know that we see you.

If you would like to recognize an Emory staff or faculty member — or a group of individuals — for going above and beyond to navigate the current crisis, a new web-based tool is available to provide a public shout-out. Submissions may be offered anonymously or with a name; all submissions will be reviewed by Emory Human Resources and shared here. To thank an Emory Health Hero, or share a note of encouragement, we invite you to leave a note here.

Typically, this is the week when we celebrate the end of the academic year by gathering on the Emory Quad for Staff Fest, an annual community celebration filled with food, activities and fun. A time-honored tradition, the Emory Staff Fest has brought us together for the past 41 years. And while we may not be able to gather physically quite yet, we can still come together as a community to celebrate each other and the successes of the past academic year.

With a theme of “Stronger Together,” Emory’s 42^nd annual Staff Fest will take place from 12 to 2 p.m. on Friday, May 15 — our first ever virtual celebration. Please take a break from your workday, slip on a favorite Staff Fest t-shirt from years past and reconnect with co-workers with engaging, interactive activities that focus on fun and wellbeing.

Festivities kick off at noon with a special message from Emory President Claire E. Sterk. You can step outside to participate in a virtual fun run/walk, join a team for an Emory trivia challenge, participate in Zumba and WERQ dance fitness classes, learn about healthy eating at home, and more. A full schedule of activities can be found on the Staff Fest website. 

To Emory faculty, staff and health care workers, please take a moment to celebrate your own contributions, all that you’ve done to help us make it through a challenging academic year — both those working at home and employees who are still on campus.

Your hard work not only inspires others, it helps set a standard for educational excellence.

For all that you do, we thank you.

Sincerely,

Claire E. Sterk, President

Jan Love, Interim Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

Christopher L. Augostini, Executive Vice President for Business and Administration, Chief Financial Officer

Jonathan S. Lewin, Executive Vice President for Health Affairs, Executive Director, Woodruff Health Sciences Center, President, CEO, and Chairman of the Board, Emory Healthcare

Enku Gelaye, Vice President and Dean of Campus Life

Dear Emory community,

In the life of a university, Commencement is a time for celebration and reflection — an opportunity to recognize the fulfillment of long-held goals and dreams, the transformational arc of the academic journey and the supportive community that has made it all possible. 

As we prepare to celebrate the remarkable achievements of the Class of 2020, we also want to take time to recognize the essential work of the entire campus community in seeing us through an academic year that has presented historic challenges. For demonstrating the resolve and perseverance needed to make this happen, we thank you.

Beyond recognizing the considerable achievements of our students, Emory’s Commencement exercises have also traditionally offered a public forum to honor faculty and staff members with the presentation of university awards for exceptional teaching, leadership, citizenship and distinguished service.

In the coming days, you will learn more about these major university awards and about the inspirational individuals who will be receiving them this year. 

These awards represent some of the most prestigious honors bestowed by the university. For students, they include the Marion Luther Brittain Award, Emory’s highest student honor, and the Lucius Lamar McMullan Award. For faculty and staff, university honors include the Thomas Jefferson Award, the Exemplary Teacher Award, the Emory Williams Teaching Award, the Provost’s Distinguished Teaching Award and the George P. Cuttino Award for Excellence in Mentoring, among many others.

We hope you’ll join us in expressing our heartfelt admiration and gratitude to this year’s award recipients for their extraordinary commitment to enriching the intellectual and civic life of the Emory community, which is foundational to our academic mission. For all that you do, we thank you. 

The qualities these individuals embody help to make Emory what it is today — a vibrant incubator for the creation and sharing of knowledge, a community deeply rooted in service and civic impact, and an innovative academic leader in both scientific research and the humanities.

For the entire Emory community, this time of year brings us closer — if not physically, certainly emotionally — as the larger community joins with students and their families to celebrate the completion of one journey and the beginning of an even greater one. Please visit emory.edu/2020 to join in Commencement presentations and ceremonies, as well as to share messages with graduates.

Commencement brings with it so many stories to celebrate, but also a wonderful reminder of why Emory exists – to support and educate exceptional scholars who, in turn, will help shape our communities, our world, our very future. 

And that is something to celebrate.

Sincerely, 

Claire E. Sterk, President

Jan Love, Interim Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

Christopher L. Augostini, Executive Vice President for Business and Administration, Chief Financial Officer 

Jonathan S. Lewin, Executive Vice President for Health Affairs, Executive Director, Woodruff Health Sciences Center, President, CEO, and Chairman of the Board, Emory Healthcare

Enku Gelaye, Vice President and Dean of Campus Life

Dear Emory community, 

At last week’s virtual town hall, we discussed some of the foundational principles that have helped shape the many decisions we’ve made in guiding Emory University through the new challenges of COVID-19. They affirm our commitments to compassion, honesty, respect and concern for the greater good, which are rooted within Emory’s long-standing values.

The principles include: 

• Emory will continue to vigorously pursue our mission to create, preserve, teach and apply knowledge in the service of humanity.
• The health and safety of Emory’s students, faculty and staff is paramount in moving forward into recovery. We will make decisions based on the best medical, scientific and public health evidence and will be compliant with all federal, state and local laws and regulations and requirements of our accrediting bodies.
• Emory will continue to provide excellent academic offerings, ensure student progress and protect our students’ ability to afford to attend Emory.
• The ability of faculty, staff and students to conduct research and engage in scholarship will be fully supported. Interrupted and suspended activities will resume as soon as it is safe to do so.
• Decisions will be reached in the context of shared governance and through processes that are transparent and collaborative. They will be supported by the best available data and draw upon the considerable expertise and intellectual capital of the university.
• Decisions will allow for flexibility to respond to rapid and perhaps unanticipated changes in circumstances.
• Financial well-being will be assessed with respect to the short-, medium- and long-term impacts on our community and Emory’s financial health.
• Cost reductions through efficiencies and discretionary spending will be prioritized so as to minimize the impact on employment or compensation of our employees. If reductions affecting employment or compensation become necessary, they will be done in a fair and equitable manner that protects the most vulnerable (lowest paid) populations to the greatest extent possible.
• We will communicate the basis and rationale for decisions to our community.

While we have been called to make many decisions during this pandemic, one pending decision is the plan for reopening campus this fall. To that end, we assembled a Recovery Implementation Team that is using the principles above to outline solutions for a safe return to campus.

This process includes a thoughtful review of important elements, including availability for COVID-19 testing, contact tracing procedures, isolation of COVID-19 positive individuals, plans to maximize social distancing and protection for the most vulnerable or for those who could be disproportionately impacted on campus. We will need to have procedures in place to continue physical distancing, oversee cleaning processes, establish universal face covering protocols and adhere to infection prevention strategies to maintain the health and safety of the Emory community.  

Our planning scenarios outline options for both in-person and remote learning modules as well as a combination of the two and are designed to dynamically adapt to public health guidelines and safety recommendations. However, there are still many variables to be considered for a fall reopening and many questions that need to be answered before we can release a definitive plan. We will communicate a decision and share what this means for the Emory community once important information is collected and analyzed, and a plan is developed for our community. 

While we thank you for your patience and understanding during this time, we also charge the entire Emory community — faculty, staff and students — to be imaginative and innovative as we work on creative and flexible solutions to meet our collective needs. It is certainly in Emory’s nature to be optimistic, and it is through interdisciplinary thought and courageous action that we can keep our community safe and healthy. 

Sincerely,

Jan Love, Interim Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

Christopher L. Augostini, Executive Vice President for Business and Administration, Chief Financial Officer

Jonathan S. Lewin, Executive Vice President for Health Affairs, Executive Director, Woodruff Health Sciences Center, President, CEO, and Chairman of the Board, Emory Healthcare

Enku Gelaye, Vice President and Dean of Campus Life

Dear Emory community,

This week marks the beginning of final exams, a time that brings late nights and heightened stress as students and faculty conclude months of teaching and learning, preparing for next steps along the academic journey. 

Finals can be demanding in the best of times. But for everyone, this year has posed challenges unlike anything we’ve ever before experienced, as our spring semester was disrupted by a global pandemic.

We want to acknowledge the remarkable resilience demonstrated by students, faculty and staff in adapting to significant changes, including an abrupt transition to online education. 

Our students had to adjust to a new way of learning in a very different environment. Faculty members swiftly pivoted to remote teaching, and across campus, staff members coordinated the technology and training needed to make it all work. Together, you’ve tackled these changes with creativity, talent and resolve. For that, we thank you.

This is a very different kind of semester. Students may be feeling anxious about online tests or studying under stressful conditions at home without the convenience and reassurances of in-person study groups. They may be missing friends or finding it hard to concentrate and stay motivated. Meanwhile, faculty and staff are balancing their Emory-related responsibilities with additional demands at home as they care for family members and, in many cases, invest considerable time in their own children’s remote learning. We’re all juggling a lot and experiencing increased stress and anxiety.

There are people and services here to help you make it through what has, for everyone, been an incredibly difficult time. 

If you are a student feeling stressed and unmotivated, please don’t hesitate to reach out to faculty members or academic advisors to answer questions, to better understand your academic support options. They understand the challenges you’ve had to face and are invested in seeing you succeed.

For additional mental health and emotional support, a range of services are available to help with end-of-the-semester pressures, even if you are no longer on campus. Emory’s Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) now offers telehealth clinical services, where you can speak with a counselor or talk with a member of a triage team who can make assessments and help guide next steps. Learn more about CAPS services during COVID-19.

We’ve created opportunities for social connections, which can be accessed through the Emory Virtual Community Hub, and you can also find messages of encouragement and support and connect with student voices through Emory social media accounts. 

Support is available to faculty and staff through the Faculty Staff Assistance Program (FSAP), which offers free and confidential services to help promote emotional, behavioral and organizational health. To support the increasing needs of our faculty, staff, physicians, trainees and their families throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, FSAP now offers tele-mental health services through telephonic and video-conferencing sessions and consultations.

As the end of the semester quickly approaches, we want to extend our best wishes to all Emory students, faculty and staff for a safe and healthy conclusion to what has been an extraordinary year.

Sincerely,

Jan Love, Interim Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

Christopher L. Augostini, Executive Vice President for Business and Administration, Chief Financial Officer

Jonathan S. Lewin, Executive Vice President for Health Affairs, Executive Director, Woodruff Health Sciences Center, President, CEO, and Chairman of the Board, Emory Healthcare

Enku Gelaye, Vice President and Dean of Campus Life

Dear Emory community,

Earlier today, we hosted a virtual town hall — an opportunity to address the many questions that you may have as we developed new ways to learn and work together during a global pandemic.

Our goal was to connect as a community and share information about Emory’s plan for the future, to shed light on our decision-making process and to hear your concerns. In order to give voice to as many individuals as possible and due to the large size of the webinar, questions were solicited in advance.

If you contributed questions, thank you. They helped guide an important conversation that touched upon how we are supporting students with financial constraints and housing needs, financial impacts to the university, and questions about reopening campus. 

To find answers to questions that may not have been touched upon during the webinar, we encourage you to visit Emory’s COVID-19 website; you’ll find many of those questions are addressed on our FAQ page, which is regularly updated as new information emerges.

If you were unable to attend the town hall, here is a link to the recording. If prompted, please enter your NetID and password.

As the fluidity of this situation continues to develop and additional decisions are made, communication will remain crucial to sustaining a strong Emory community. We will continue to bring you up-to-date information about new decisions and developments through Emory Together emails. We’ll also invite your participation in additional town hall meetings.

Thank you for being part of the conversation.

Sincerely,

Claire E. Sterk, President

Jan Love, Interim Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

Christopher L. Augostini, Executive Vice President for Business and Administration, Chief Financial Officer

Jonathan S. Lewin, Executive Vice President for Health Affairs, Executive Director, Woodruff Health Sciences Center, President, CEO, and Chairman of the Board, Emory Healthcare

Enku Gelaye, Vice President and Dean of Campus Life

--This message is sent on behalf of the leadership of Emory’s Academic Continuity Group, which is coordinating Emory’s response to COVID-19--

Dear Emory community,  

Without a doubt, this semester has provided lessons for all of us. Many of us have become newly acquainted with public health terminology, and extraordinary measures such as quarantine, stay-at-home orders, and physical distancing have clarified just how interconnected our lives — and our health — really are. Many of us have also experienced uncertainty the likes of which we might never have imagined. We all want to know how and when it will end, and we all want to bring a semblance of order, predictability and regularity to our lives. 

Since early February, the Office of the Provost, working with colleagues throughout the university, has been laser-focused on the spread of COVID-19, its impacts on our community, and the forms of support our students, faculty, and staff need as we do our part to respond and seek to flatten the curve.

This required many decisions and rapid actions, including:

• Implementing remote learning for 4,239 classes taught by 1,662 professors;
• Supporting thousands of employees in transitioning to remote working;
• Developing a pandemic mitigation plan that resulted in ramping down and redirecting all but critical activities in our nearly $690 million research operation;
• Recalling more than 150 undergraduate students from study abroad;
• Helping 4,100 students move out of the residence halls;
• Accommodating and relocating more than 300 students, including 49 from our Oxford campus, who were unable to return home before the end of the semester to the Clairmont campus;
• Issuing student credits for housing, dining, and fees totaling nearly $14 million;
• Providing students with lump sum payments of nearly $400,000 for federal work study, and paying non-federal work-study student employees $1,075,197 for anticipated on campus work contributions;
• Providing $1.55 million in cash stipends to undergraduate students with the greatest financial need;
• Disbursing $2.2 million to graduate and undergraduate students through the EmoryTogether fund, processing more than 6,000 requests for aid; and we expect to process another 1,000 applications for assistance;
• Creating a virtual community hub to pull together ways that students can connect online with old friends, make new friends and take care of themselves and others;
• Treating more than 700 student patients in student health services, and preparing a secondary facility in the event of a surge in illness;
• Adapting grading policies for students, and extending the tenure clocks for faculty;
• Combatting health stigmatization and racism by reaffirming and communicating our core values;
• Aligning academic affairs, health sciences, and business administration to effectively manage our resources with the greatest of care so that we can be in the strongest possible position for the fall.     

Alongside all this activity, we have been planning for the future by drawing on the expertise of our world-renown and pioneering faculty in public health. We are assessing the capacities of our extraordinary health care system, learning from our peers, and consulting our partners at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the CDC. 

The outstanding question on the minds of all of us at Emory is what will happen in the fall? We don’t have a decision for you just yet. However, we do want you to know that we are working on a plan for the coming academic year, and we thought you might appreciate more insight into the process and framework we’re using to reach decisions.                                                        

The health and safety of our students, faculty, and staff is paramount. And we’ll settle for nothing less than excellence in the arenas of teaching and learning. Colleagues from across the university have been meeting in teams with leaders from each and every school and college, including Campus Life, Campus Services, Occupational Safety, Research Administration, Student Health, General Counsel, Communications and Public Affairs, Business Affairs, Enrollment Services, Admissions, Financial Aid, the Registrar’s Office, and Procurement to tackle problems and rapidly identify possible solutions.  

Together with CEPAR, we are drawing on all of these insights and operational expertise to develop a plan that will allow us to deliver on our academic mission, maintain standards, support path-breaking research, and advance the priorities of the university.  

All of us want to be together again to study and learn, explore and share just as soon as it safe for us to do so. We all want a return to life on campus, to classrooms and residence halls, libraries and labs, and clinical placements. When might we do so? How can we best support a healthy campus? These are among the many factors we are integrating in our planning.  

As we do this work, we’re inspired by the creativity, commitment, and resolve of our community. We will get through this together. Moreover, we are confident that — because of the efforts of so many — we are building an Emory that is even more capable and adaptive to change. That resilience will serve us well in both the short- and the long-term.  

Thank you for your patience as we explore what’s possible. Our resolve remains to “create, preserve, teach, and apply knowledge in the service of humanity.” And that mission matters now more than ever.   

Sincerely, 

Christa Acampora, Deputy Provost for Academic Affairs

Enku Gelaye, Vice President and Dean of Campus Life

Please visit the Academic Continuity page on Emory’s Coronavirus website for additional information.

As we approach the final day of classes, we wanted to remind you about the various grading options still available to you this semester, and clarify information about the petition process if you decide change your grading basis beyond the initial deadline.

The deadline to change your grading basis in OPUS (from letter grade to S/U or vice versa) is 5 p.m. EDT on Monday, April 27.

Grading Basis Changes

S/U Option
Some students may be reluctant to use the S/U option due to concerns about the impact of S/U on medical or professional school applications. Colleges and Universities fully understand that grades from this semester will need to be understood within the context of COVID-19 and many have publicly stated this. If S/U is the best option for you this semester, please consider this choice.

After April 27, you can request a change to your grading basis through a simple petition process. The petition is our mechanism to ensure that a late change to S/U won’t negatively affect your academic progress, and to safeguard against changes by a student undergoing an Honor Council investigation.

We anticipate approving most requests.

The Spring 2020 Grading Basis Petition process will open at 12.01 a.m. on Tuesday, April 28. The deadline for petition submission varies.

• For graduating seniors - 11.59 p.m. on Monday, May 11.
• All other students - 11.59 p.m. on Monday, May 18

Incompletes
Students are still eligible to request an incomplete grade in Spring 2020 courses. Students considering this option should reach out to their OUE Academic Advisor as soon as possible.

If you have any questions or concerns about these grading options, please reach out to our team at oue.advising@emory.edu and you may also review the FAQ about grading options.

Sincerely,
Shari Obrentz, Associate Dean, Office for Undergraduate Education
Dan Dillard, Assistant Dean, Office for Undergraduate Education
Steve Savage, Associate Director, Office for Undergraduate Education

Dear LGS Students,

I know you have received many messages over the past few weeks related to the COVID-19 pandemic. I appreciate your patience as we adjust to the new reality and continue to comply with public health guidance.

We recognize that the changes have been disruptive, and we understand there are concerns about how this crisis will impact your plans. We are working closely with your program faculty to address immediate needs and emerging challenges. Together, we are committed to providing flexibilities and resources to best support you during this time. Please be assured that we are working on ways to move forward as we navigate these uncertain times with you. 

Town Halls & Virtual Forums

In addition to the ongoing LGS virtual sessions, many programs have organized virtual forums to learn more about your questions and concerns. The feedback you have provided has been instrumental during this transition. In addition to the upcoming university-wide town hall, LGS will host virtual conversations with students after the spring term ends. 

Academic Progress

We have asked programs to be as flexible as possible regarding degree requirements, such as qualifying exams and defenses. LGS will also offer flexibilities for policies and deadlines related to leave of absence, candidacy, and degree completion.

We understand that restricted access to laboratories, libraries, museums, fieldwork sites, and other research resources will delay progress for many students. We also recognize that these issues are complex and that it may take time both to assess obstacles and to adapt plans. We are working with Directors of Graduate Studies and Program Directors to address these needs.

Financial Support

We know that you are concerned about funding support. We remain steadfast in fulfilling our commitments in the form of stipends, admissions fellowships, tuition scholarships, health insurance subsidies, back-up care, PDS funds, awards, and advanced fellowships. If you have immediate needs related to your individual funding situation, please let your advisor and Director of Graduate Studies/Program Director know as soon as possible.

For the summer 2020 term, LGS students will not be responsible for paying student fees (Enrollment, Computing, Mental Health, Athletics, and Activity Fees). Please note that you will continue to have access to these services remotely.

As a reminder, if you are facing financial hardship related to COVID-19, please apply for assistance through the EmoryTogether Fund.

Health, Well-being, Community

We care deeply about your health and well-being, and want to remind you of the ongoing opportunities to connect virtually:

• LGS offers weekly Fireside Chats and Virtual Office Hours with Amanda Marie James and Rob Pearson. Please reach out to the LGS leadership team anytime if you have questions or need assistance. We are here to support you.
• Campus Life offers ongoing workshops, seminars, and small group discussions about belonging and community.
• Student Health Services (SHS) offers telehealth visits and assessments for COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 concerns. SHS also provides enhanced EUSHIP benefits, including waiving out-of-pocket expenses related to COVID-19.
• Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) offers clinical services via telehealth and Let’s Talk drop-in consultations by phone (404-727-7450) on Wednesdays from 2:30-4pm and Fridays from 12-1:30pm.

In the coming days, I will share self-care tips on Twitter, and I encourage you to share yours as well. Please tag me @LisaATedesco and use #SelfCareLGS.

We will continue updating you as more information becomes available. Please monitor the Emory and LGS COVID-19 websites for ongoing updates.

Stay safe, stay well.

With you, 

--Lisa 

Lisa A. Tedesco, Ph.D.
Vice Provost for Academic Affairs – Graduate Studies
Dean, James T. Laney School of Graduate Studies
Professor, Rollins School of Public Health
Emory University 

Dear Emory community,

As we enter our seventh week of remote learning and work due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we know that you likely have many questions about how Emory is planning for the future and the basis for its decision making. While a video meeting certainly isn’t the same as coming together on campus face-to-face, we want to connect with you and address your questions via a virtual town hall meeting on Friday, April 24, 2020, from 2-3 p.m. EDT.

Please note that while attendees are capped at 10,000 people, we will record the discussion and send any materials presented via email shortly after the meeting concludes to all students, faculty and staff.

Questions for the town hall will be collected in advance to ensure that we can get to as many as possible. To submit a question for consideration, please visit this Google Form. Questions that are not answered during the town hall will inform additions and updates to our COVID-19 FAQs, which can be found here.

We look forward to the conversation and continue to wish for health and safety for the entire Emory community.

Please click the link below to join the webinar:

https://emory.zoom.us/j/91454601423

Or iPhone one-tap:

US: +14703812552,,91454601423#  or +14702509358,,91454601423#

Or Telephone:

Dial (for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):

US: +1-470-381-2552 or +1-470-250-9358 or +1-646-558-8656 or +1-312-626-6799 or +1-301-715-8592 or +1-346-248-7799 or +1-669-900-6833 or +1-253-215-8782

Webinar ID: 914 5460 1423

International numbers available: https://emory.zoom.us/u/acObjeOLBn

Sincerely,

Claire E. Sterk, President

Jan Love, Interim Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

Christopher L. Augostini, Executive Vice President for Business and Administration, Chief Financial Officer

Jonathan S. Lewin, Executive Vice President for Health Affairs, Executive Director, Woodruff Health Sciences Center, President, CEO, and Chairman of the Board, Emory Healthcare

Enku Gelaye, Vice President and Dean of Campus Life

--The following message was sent to Emory students who will be graduating in the spring of 2020--

Dear Emory Class of 2020,

Emory’s Commencement ceremonies represent a soaring pinnacle of student achievement as our entire academic community comes together — along with beloved family and friends — to celebrate the culmination of your academic journey. We understand and share in your sense of loss not only for the formal Commencement festivities, but also for the very personal farewell and “thank you” moments with friends, faculty, mentors, and staff. While these in-person moments will have to wait for another day, we are eager to join your family and friends in celebrating the extraordinary accomplishments of your class in May.

Over the past few weeks, a Commencement Task Force has gathered invaluable ideas and input from students, faculty, staff, and alumni. Students specifically — both undergraduate and graduate — were integral in guiding the final decisions and shared valuable feedback regarding key aspects of the traditional event they hold most dear. The goal was to create meaningful experiences that honor some of our beloved Commencement traditions and invite your voices to be part of the celebration in a way that can be preserved and cherished for years to come.

In addition to the individual school events, a new interactive website will launch on May 4, to allow the entire community — family, friends, faculty members, staff, alumni and students — to honor graduates through uploaded messages, photos, and videos celebrating both your time within the Emory community and your induction as our newest alumni class. One website example is the “Y/our Moment,” a short film that helps tell the story of the Class of 2020 from your perspective and that of your faculty. These videos, along with many other ceremonial and celebratory pieces, will be featured on the website and shareable with your network of friends and family.

We hope that you will take the time to engage in these interactive opportunities and add your personal thoughts and memories. Throughout the week of May 4, several other events will be featured on the site including Class Day and Baccalaureate presentations. Oxford College and several of Emory’s schools will host unique live and recorded award presentations and ceremonies, all leading up to the special events on May 11 when your degrees will be conferred (Oxford will be conferred on May 9). One special opportunity on that day will be an interactive address from our 2020 Commencement speaker, Bryan Stevenson, acclaimed human rights lawyer, activist, founder, and executive director of the Montgomery, Alabama-based Equal Justice Initiative.

Rest assured, Emory plans to invite graduates from the class of 2020 back to campus to gather, celebrate, and be recognized with family and friends. In today’s uncertain environment, we do not know the date that may be possible or exactly what the Commencement celebrations will look like —but we are committed to figuring out a path forward with you, Class of 2020. We know how important this is to so many of you and acknowledge the challenges that segments of the class may face in attending a future event on campus. The feedback of student representatives has been a critical part of the Commencement planning process and will remain so as we plan for these celebrations.

In the meantime, we hope that these special Commencement activities, both university-wide and from your schools, will provide a real sense of completion and acknowledgement of a job well done under extraordinary circumstances. You’ve earned it, and we cannot wait to share in these experiences with you. We applaud your accomplishments, and look forward to joining you online soon, and in-person very soon.

Sincerely,

Claire E. Sterk, President

Jan Love, Interim Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

Christopher L. Augostini, Executive Vice President for Business and Administration, Chief Financial Officer

Jonathan S. Lewin, Executive Vice President for Health Affairs, Executive Director, Woodruff Health Sciences Center, President, CEO, and Chairman of the Board, Emory Healthcare

Joshua R. Newton, Senior Vice President for Advancement and Alumni Engagement

Enku Gelaye, Vice President and Dean of Campus Life

Thanks for your patience as we continue to help reimburse students impacted by conference cancelations due to COVID-19. LGS will now reopen the Professional Development Support (PDS) application portal for Non-Competitive Training and Research awards. Students with proposals that comply with public health guidelines for travel and social distancing may apply for PDS funds in the Training and Research categories. 

Please refer to the PDS website for guidelines and instructions. If you have any specific questions, please direct them tolgs.profdev@emory.edu. 

Sincerely,

LGS Office of Professional Development and Career Planning

Dear Emory community, 

In our rapid transition to a new style of learning, teaching and working, many members of our community have helped ease the way for others. It’s within those moments that we find individuals who support the greater good. While examples of such service can be found in every corner of our campus and health care communities, we particularly want to acknowledge the creativity, patience and determination that have been demonstrated by our Emory students.

Graduate and undergraduate students at Emory’s Atlanta and Oxford College campuses have worked with other graduate and undergraduate students, staff, faculty and administrators to create new systems and portals and to identify resources that have helped make our new model work.

Even amid the disruptions of packing to leave campus and adjust to remote learning, Emory students helped one another. During last month’s move-out, the Emory Student Government Association (SGA) quickly arranged free MARTA passes to help with transportation needs and collected and shared student concerns about remote learning. At the same time, the Emory College Council shifted to public online meetings and produced COVID-19-specific resources. 

The Emory Graduate Student Government Association (GSGA) has provided a range of resources, including sharing virtual fitness, health and wellness activities via social media; hosting a weekly online “Quarantine Quiz Show;” and facilitating discussions about ways to create and maintain a sense of community online. GSGA has maintained open lines of communication with each division to keep abreast of the remote student experience and related needs.

The Oxford SGA also played a driving role in providing support and secured free boxes for students who returned to campus to pack up their rooms, while Oxford student residence life staff offered hands-on help to pack belongings for the transition to remote learning. Using social media, the Oxford SGA also launched a spotlight series to illustrate how students are managing the call for physical distancing.

And as everyone has settled into a new online learning, graduate and undergraduate governance on both campuses opened new avenues for student involvement, moving governance meetings online, hosting virtual town halls and providing digital voting options for this month’s regularly scheduled elections.

When students choose Emory, we know that they bring with them exceptional qualities, including leadership skills, creative minds, a desire to serve others, and an appreciation for the rewards that come from hard work.

During these challenging times, it has been inspiring to see these skills applied to the larger good. From a grateful community, please know that your investments in supporting Emory are both acknowledged and deeply appreciated.

Sincerely, 

Jan Love, Interim Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

Christopher L. Augostini, Executive Vice President for Business and Administration, Chief Financial Officer

Jonathan S. Lewin, Executive Vice President for Health Affairs, Executive Director, Woodruff Health Sciences Center, President, CEO, and Chairman of the Board, Emory Healthcare

Enku Gelaye, Vice President and Dean of Campus Life

Today’s issue of the Faculty Focus includes new information on assessment resources, next week’s Virtual Undergraduate Research Symposium, and course evaluations, as well as a call for side-car course applications, faculty videos, and Faculty 180 reporting deadlines. The next issue of the Faculty Focus will be sent Tuesday, April 21. In the meantime, visit the Emory College Remote website for updates and resources.

Remote Teaching Resources

Canvas Assessment Webinar

LITS and the Emory College remote teaching team will host a webinar on Canvas Quizzes for Remote Assessment from 11 a.m.-Noon, Wednesday, April 15. To register, visit the LITS training calendar.

Proctoring Exams

The Center for Faculty Development and Excellence, the Canvas team, and Emory College Honor Council recently hosted a webinar on Remote Proctoring with Zoom and Respondus Monitor. You may access a recording of the webinar on the Remote Teaching site as well as additional guidelines about final exams and proctoring.

Report Zoombombing

If you are hosting a Zoom call with an Emory-sponsored Zoom account and the call gets Zoombombed, please report the incident to the Emory Police Department by calling 404.727.6111 (TDD/TTY 404.320.1024) or by reporting the incident via LiveSafe.

CFDE Faculty Support Workshops

The Center for Faculty Development and Excellence is offering several online workshops and webinars for faculty, including:

Maintaining Community and Connections Online
10 a.m., Every Friday

At the end of every week of remote teaching, CFDE and the Emory Libraries will provide a space to hear how things went in your class, share strategies, resources, and ideas for building community in a remote teaching environment. Join us on Zoom.

Faculty Balancing Student Support and Personal Stress
2 p.m. - 3 p.m., Thursday, April 16

The session will offer important self-care strategies and academic resources available to assist faculty with managing pressures that come from their students, departments, and individual expectations. For more information and to register to receive Zoom information, visit this link.

For more information on all of these programs plus additional new resources for faculty during the COVID-19 pandemic, visit the CFDE website.

Spring 2020 Course Evaluations

The College will administer online course evaluations this semester as it has in recent terms via EvaluationKIT, with customization access for faculty (via Canvas) open through Wednesday, April 15, and for department staff (via EvaluationKIT) through Friday, April 17. Most evaluations will take place on April 20-29.

Evaluations for this semester will be primarily used for pedagogical purposes and to provide some insight into the altered landscape of our academic activities.

The Spring 2020 responses gathered will remain archived in the system; however, they will NOT be incorporated into T&P dossiers, unless specifically desired by the individual instructor. No instructor or faculty member should worry that the obvious contingencies of this term will affect their records.

Please send any questions you have regarding course evaluations to ec-courseevals@emory.edu. If you missed last week’s EvaluationKIT Basic Training session, you can access the recorded sessions.

Virtual Undergraduate Research Symposium

Undergraduate Research Programs will host a virtual symposium during the week of April 20 utilizing Emory’s Learning Management System (LMS), Canvas, and VoiceThread software. The deadline for faculty and staff who would like to participate is Friday, April 17. Register online here.

Once registered, participants will be enrolled in the URP symposium Canvas course to engage with the student presentations. The symposium will be asynchronous in nature, and participants can access the course at any time and any day starting on Monday, April 20. Email questions about the URP virtual symposium to ec.sire@emory.edu.

Emory Writing Center Remote Support

The Emory Writing Center is open for remote tutoring. Undergraduate tutors and graduate fellows are eager to connect with and support their fellow students. Students can learn more and make appointments via the Writing Center website.

Students will continue to make appointments via our regular appointment system and then talk with their tutors and share documents via Zoom. The center is working to make this process as simple and as close to in-person appointments as possible.

Please note that students now need to make appointments at least five hours in advance to accommodate remote staff. All of the distance tutoring policies are available on the Writing Center website.

COVID-19 Emory Research Ramp-down Reminder

The COVID-19 research ramp-down continues and isolation plans on file with Emory College need to continue to be followed. This includes faculty, staff, postdocs, and students. If exceptions to lab access are essential, they may be addressed to Ron Calabrese, biolrc@emory.edu, for review; in no case should unauthorized access by any person to an Emory College lab occur without this prior review.

Reminder: Academic Action Requests for Students

Students now have various academic action request options as they complete their coursework this semester.

Students can make the following changes:

• Option 1: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory grading basis (in OPUS)
• Option 2: Course Withdrawal (through online petition form)

As the semester continues, students will be able to request incompletes or other academic actions to respond to difficulties related to the Covid-19 crisis.

Note: Returning Study Abroad students must contact the Study Abroad office (studyabroad@emory.edu) with requests for academic action.

Grading for this semester is a point of extreme anxiety for many students this semester. Please encourage students considering their options to schedule an advising appointment through College Connect or ask questions via email to oue.advising@emory.edu or prehealth@emory.edu. Faculty may emailoue.facultysupport@emory.edu for additional guidance.

Full details are available on the Emory College Remote site. An FAQ for students also is available.

Stay Connected

Faculty Videos

Emory College faculty are invited to submit brief 20-30 second videos to share compassionate and encouraging messages to students and the greater College community as we enter the final weeks of the semester.

Faculty interested in participating should contact College communications director Beverly Clark, beverly.clark@emory.edu, for guidelines and an invitation to the Box folder to upload videos. Videos, which should be submitted by April 19, will be shared across the College’s social media channels. Many thanks to the faculty who have already participated in this effort.

Emory College Social Media

Social media is providing an important tool for staying connected with our students and each other. If you or your department is active on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram, please be sure to follow @emorycollege on your posts. Please share, comment and like our posts as well to help build and support our virtual college community. Email April Hunt, april.hunt@emory.edu, with any questions.

The College Communications team also welcomes your ideas for stories or virtual events. Please email College communications director Beverly Clark,beverly.clark@emory.edu.

Be Part of the Multifaith Baccalaureate Service for the Class of 2020

Each year, Religious Life celebrates graduating seniors and sends them into the world with blessings from the Multifaith Baccalaureate Ceremony. Although that cannot happen in the usual way this year, Religious Life is seeking to create a Baccalaureate video production that celebrates the Emory Class of 2020, and College faculty and staff are invited to participate.

Words of Congratulations: Please submit a brief, 10-second video message or 20-word written message of congratulations to the senior class. These do not need to be professionally produced – an informal message from home on your laptop or phone is fine. The deadline to submit videos is Friday, April 17.

The finalized video will be broadcast through Emory communications channels on Friday, May 8. To learn how you can submit a video or written message to be a part of the final production, please see the full message here or email religiouslife@emory.edu.

Wellness Resources

For faculty and staff who may need emotional support, the Faculty Staff Assistance Program (FSAP) offers free and confidential services to help promote emotional, behavioral, and organizational health.

FSAP now offers tele-mental health services through telephonic and video-conferencing sessions and consultations. Videoconferencing services are conducted through a HIPAA-compliant Zoom platform. To learn more about the emotional support services offered by FSAP or to find help for you or a family member, contact FSAP at 404-727-WELL (9355), efsap@emory.edu, or www.fsap.emory.edu.

For more information about working through the COVID-19 pandemic, Emory Human Resources has launched a dedicated website offering guidance, support, and tips for the unique challenges we now face. Resources include:

• Work-life balance wellness webinars
• Healthy Emory Connect
• Bright Horizons videos for resources on parenting, school success, elder care, managing work, life, and family
• Blomeyer is offering free online classes via zoom and other resources.
• FSAP Daily Refresh from 2:30 – 2:45 p.m., a 15-minute virtual “huddle” to learn and practice a resilience tip for the day (scroll down on the webpage to access the zoom link)

In Other News: Call for side-car courses, faculty reporting deadline extension, Hathi Trust resources

ILA Invites Proposals for "Side-Car" Courses

The Institute for the Liberal Arts invites applications from Emory College faculty members interested in developing a side-car course as part of a team that includes a faculty member in another department or discipline and two undergraduate IDEAS fellows. A side-car course brings together two courses (and instructors) that overlap, either through methodologies or topics, to create a short, one-hour, interdisciplinary course that runs simultaneously with its two sponsoring courses.

Each faculty member in the team receives a $1,000 stipend. No more than six side-car courses will be funded in Fall 2020. Contact Kim Loudermilk, klouder@emory.edu for more information about the program. Contact Emma Ellingson, emalise.ellingson@emory.edu, about the application process. Applications are due April 24.

Research Resources: Hathi Trust Emergency Temporary Access Service

Emory now has access to the HathiTrust Emergency Temporary Access Service (ETAS). Emory University faculty, students, and staff who log in to HathiTrust will be able to access online versions of in-copyright titles which are also in our print collections. You need to log into HathiTrust as an Emory user at https://www.hathitrust.org/.

Faculty 180: Reporting Deadline Now June 1

This spring all tenure-track and lecturer-track faculty will enter their activity information encompassing the past year (May 2019 – May 2020) in Faculty 180 instead of through OFARs. Activity information will need to be entered and completed by all regular faculty by the extended deadline on Monday, June 1.

Faculty 180 Training Sessions

Your department chair may have already arranged for a department-specific session but there are also general training sessions available through Zoom. The next session will take place from 2 – 4 p.m., Monday, April 20. These sessions will be posted on the Dean of Faculty Outlook calendar so faculty can go there to claim the session link(s). You may also RSVP to the Dean_of_Faculty@emory.edu email and we will send you a calendar invite with the Zoom link information.

Reminder: Charges Related to COVID-19

Reminder: College departments and programs may incur extraordinary expenses related to COVID-19. In an effort to track these unexpected expenses, Emory’s Finance Division created a new SpeedType 8300100218 (Project ID 00094049) for the College.

If you’re unsure if an expense should be charged to ST8300100218 or if you have additional questions, please contact your dedicated College Finance Representative. Thank you for your patience while College Business Operations attempts to provide support and guidance to your department through this extraordinary time.

University Updates

Refer to the University’s COVID-19 Website for the latest University-wide updates, including useful information and resources specifically for faculty, staff, and students.

Quick Contacts List

Student Advising: oue.advising@emory.edu

Faculty: oue.facultysupport@emory.edu

Tech Support: echelp@emory.edu

Parents: family@emory.edu

Housing: housing@emory.edu

Dining: dining@emory.edu

Admissions: apply@emory.edu

International students: isss@emory.edu

Remote teaching: http://college.emory.edu/oisp/remoteteaching/index.html

Dear Emory community,

Living through a global pandemic has driven home a truth that we’ve known all along: Emory is much more than a physical place. Whether you are on campus or a world away, we know that you carry with you the connections, the spirit and the values that, woven together, constitute the fibers of our cherished Emory bond. 

As we continue to adjust to the realities of remote learning, teaching and working, we want to make it easier for you to feel your connection to the Emory community. While we miss the ease of running into friends on the quad or attending our favorite club and athletic events, know that we are working on new ways to sustain a sense of community and stay connected.

Student organizations, clubs and departments have created a growing selection of online meet-ups and virtual events that we hope you’ll explore and experience. Whether you’re used to meeting at the library for a study group, making new friends at the Emory Student Center or taking a break at the Michael C. Carlos Museum, please know that many Emory events and activities are available to you in new, online platforms.

To make it easier to find the types of events and activities now available online—both familiar and exciting new opportunities—we have created the Emory Virtual Community Hub. This informational hub is designed for students to connect with friends and engage in Emory activities no matter where they may be. 

Here, you’ll find a place to connect, whether it’s joining the Buddhist Club for weekly meditation sessions or attending a virtual symposium or webinar. Explore how others are processing this unprecedented experience by visiting the Student Artist Virtual Gallery. There is even a place to record your own thoughts by writing a “Note to Self”—a reflection that will be kept in a “digital time capsule” and emailed back to you a year from now.

To learn more, or to submit information about online events that you are organizing, we invite you to visit https://links.emory.edu/community. As we respond to the limitations of COVID-19 with new ideas and innovations, we invite you to join the conversation with your own creative suggestions. 

Together, let us face our shared challenges with community and connection.

Sincerely,

Jan Love, Interim Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

Christopher L. Augostini, Executive Vice President for Business and Administration, Chief Financial Officer

Jonathan S. Lewin, Executive Vice President for Health Affairs, Executive Director, Woodruff Health Sciences Center, President, CEO, and Chairman of the Board, Emory Healthcare

Enku Gelaye, Vice President and Dean of Campus Life

Dear student,

As you recently heard from the Provost’s office, courses will not be held on campus this summer. However, Emory College Online courses are still available, and most scheduled Emory College Summer School courses will be transitioning to the online format. You may view a list of all of the courses that will be transitioning to an online format, as well as all of the existing Emory College Online courses on the Summer Programs website.

The Course Atlas and OPUS will be updated over the coming week to reflect the shift of courses to the online format and to update each course with its new synchronous meeting times. Please be patient as we make these updates.

For those of you that were already enrolled in an on-campus Summer School course, you will remain enrolled as that course transitions to online. You will receive an email next week once all synchronous course times have been updated. At that point, we will encourage all enrolled students to check the required meeting times and decide if you would like to remain enrolled in the online version of the course. If you are no longer interested in being enrolled in a course as it transitions to an online format, you may drop the course via OPUS.

If your on-campus course is not transitioning to the online format, it will be cancelled, and you will receive an email notification to that effect. This will be rare, as most planned on-campus summer courses are transitioning to online.

Please note that all online summer courses will follow the Emory College Online format, which means that:

• All courses will include a combination of required synchronous sessions and asynchronous course content. Students are expected to attend the live synchronous sessions, just as they would be expected to attend classes on campus.
• All students will need a webcam and a reliable internet connection in order to participate in their course. Please see the other technology requirements here.
• All regular Emory College academic policies (including add/drop/swap deadlines, S/U deadlines, Honor Code, etc.) apply to Emory College Online courses.

Many online summer courses are at or near enrollment capacity. Please use the waitlist feature to indicate your intent to enroll in a course, even if it is full. The waitlists will be used to determine when additional sections of courses should be opened.

We are hopeful that those of you who desire to make academic progress this summer will be able to do so. Please email oue.advising@emory.edu to connect with an Academic Advisor or summerprograms@emory.edu with questions about summer online course offerings.

Sincerely,

Emory College Summer Programs

Dear Emory community, 

I have been so inspired by the creativity and commitment of our community as we have drawn together to meet the unprecedented challenges this semester presented. As we approach the end of the academic year, I wanted to provide you with updates on two important decisions so that you can plan accordingly for both summer and fall semesters. The health and safety of our students, faculty and staff remain our top priority and guide our decision-making process. 

First, an update on summer academic programming at Emory: To protect public health and minimize risks for disruption, Emory University will offer only summer programming that can be completed off-campus and in remote learning formats. Information about online programming for the summer is available through your school registrar and on the Course Atlas website. Many of Emory’s summer offerings were specifically designed for online learning and are routinely offered in that format. If you were considering enrolling in summer courses, I encourage you to review these offerings, connect with your advisor if necessary, and complete your summer registration by the deadline established by your school or program.  

As previously announced, residential learning has been suspended for the remainder of the semester. Emory transitioned to remote learning for graduate and undergraduate classes on Monday, March 23. All university-sponsored events and gatherings of any size are indefinitely suspended.

All university events and gatherings, both on and off campus, should shift to virtual venues or be postponed. If essential, brief meetings may be held in spaces large enough to accommodate appropriate social distancing. 

Also, Emory made the difficult but necessary decision to cancel Commencement exercises planned for May. We realize that this is enormously disappointing, but this was the one option that ensures the safety and well-being of our Emory community members in the face of the spread of COVID-19. Planning is already underway to celebrate and commemorate the Class of 2020 later in the year, once we are able to do so safely. More information will be shared as these plans proceed. 

Second, an update on the status of undergraduate study abroad programs for fall 2020: University-sponsored study abroad for undergraduate students in fall 2020 is canceled. We have made this difficult and disappointing decision based on the health and safety concerns associated with global and domestic travel and the uncertainty of conditions in various countries abroad. These considerations are also combined with concerns about the stability and resilience of the sponsoring organizations responsible for providing a quality experience that would allow students to achieve their academic and personal goals. 

For those of you who were planning on a study abroad experience this fall, I know this is difficult news to hear. While the uncertainty surrounding COVID-19 makes planning for fall difficult, know that as we work to provide a year of rich learning experiences for students during the 2020-21 academic year, we will strive to create new and unique travel and study opportunities for students.

I remain profoundly impressed by the resilience, patience and understanding shown by the Emory community as we all adjust to the many changes being forced upon us by COVID-19. I thank you all for your continued commitment to the life and work of the university, even at a distance, and wish you and your loved ones continued health and safety. 

Sincerely,

Jan Love

Interim Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

Please help us make sure your dissertation information will be included in the 2020 Commencement Program!

While we are all saddened by the news of our in-person commencement being canceled, the University is moving forward with alternative plans, including designing a commemorative Commencement Program for Spring 2020 Graduates. 

To help us make sure all graduates’ information appears in the program, we are asking all PhD students who plan to graduate this spring to fill out the survey below with their Name, Dissertation Title, Program and Advisors, etc. 

If you have not submitted your LGS completion items, please submit this form as soon as possible, and no later than April 15, 2020.

Even if you are unsure if you will complete in time, please submit the form; it is much easier to remove your information from the program than it would be to add it later. 

If you have already submitted your LGS completion items, we will send the information to the program designers. However, it will do no harm if you also complete the form.

Normally, we would provide this information from your LGS completion form, but with our deadline extension, the timing is very tight. It will help if you complete this form, which sends the information directly to the program designers.   

We hope you are well and staying safe in these unprecedented times.

Dear Emory community,

By now, we’ve all experienced what it feels like to teach, learn and work remotely during a global pandemic. And what a sweeping transition it has been — from adjusting to new virtual classroom experiences to expanded responsibilities at home, balancing work with the challenges of homeschooling our children or caring for loved ones as we shelter in place. 

While these changes are necessary to fight COVID-19, they aren’t always easy. Social isolation and physical distancing is hard. Working long hours amid looming economic uncertainties is trying. Being forced to abruptly develop a new way of teaching and learning mid-semester has been a challenge. 

Please know that you are not alone. At Emory, we recognize the many adjustments you face and feel the stress of those changes, too. We also have the resources and ability to help, even in this new age of physical distancing.

Undergraduate and graduate students should know that Emory’s Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) is offering telehealth clinical services, where you can speak with a counselor or talk with a member of a triage team who can make assessments and help guide next steps. CAPS is also offering virtual workshops at 2 p.m. on Friday afternoons via Zoom to help manage stress, anxiety and feelings of social isolation. In addition, a series of peer-led virtual discussion groups begins April 13 to address academics, concerns about the future, home life and feelings of loneliness. Learn more about CAPS services during COVID-19.

Student Health Services is offering telehealth appointments for both COVID-19 and Non-COVID-19 related health questions. To learn more, please visit Campus Life. 

For faculty and staff who may need emotional support, the Faculty Staff Assistance Program (FSAP) offers free and confidential services to help promote emotional, behavioral and organizational health. To support the increasing needs of our faculty, staff, physicians, trainees and their families throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, FSAP now offers tele-mental health services through telephonic and video-conferencing sessions and consultations. Videoconferencing services are conducted through a HIPAA-compliant Zoom platform. To learn more about the emotional support services offered by FSAP or to find help for you or a family member, please contact FSAP at 404-727-WELL (9355), efsap@emory.edu, or www.fsap.emory.edu.

FSAP also offers a range of educational webinars and group support sessions focused on leadership and team services, addressing topics that range from stress management strategies and tips for healthy remote working to resilience and conflict management coaching.

For more information about working through the COVID-19 pandemic, Emory Human Resources has launched a dedicated website offering guidance, support and tips for the unique challenges we now face, whether it’s balancing work and family life, learning how to work remotely, taking care of ourselves, or figuring out how to get bills paid.

Usha Rackliffe, associate professor of practice at Emory’s Goizueta Business School, consolidated publicly available resources that we have added to the COVID-19 site to help students, faculty and staff access information and resources, including information on mortgage payments, student loans, rent, taxes and credit cards to help our community get the help that we need during this unprecedented time.  

Knowing where to find reliable, accessible support along the way can help in managing challenging times, and we encourage you to explore and take advantage of the resources available to you. 

Throughout the journey, Emory stands with you. 

Sincerely, 

Jan Love, Interim Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

Christopher L. Augostini, Executive Vice President for Business and Administration, Chief Financial Officer

Jonathan S. Lewin, Executive Vice President for Health Affairs, Executive Director, Woodruff Health Sciences Center, President, CEO, and Chairman of the Board, Emory Healthcare

Enku Gelaye, Vice President and Dean of Campus Life

Today's Issue

Today’s issue of the Faculty Focus contains new remote teaching resources on recording video for courses and exam proctoring, Spring 2020 course evaluation information, as well as a call for side-car course applications and Faculty 180 reporting deadlines. The next issue of the Faculty Focus will be sent Tuesday, April 14. In the meantime, visit the Emory College Remote website for updates and resources.

Remote Teaching Resources

Exams and Proctoring Resources

The Center for Faculty Development and Excellence, the Canvas team, and Emory College Honor Council hosted a webinar last week on Remote Proctoring with Zoom and Respondus Monitor. You may access a recording of the webinar on the Remote Teaching site. Faculty can find additional guidelines about final exams and proctoring on the College’s Remote Teaching website.

In addition, CFDE will hold two webinars next week on Reimagining Assessment that will focus on alternative means of assessment beyond high-stakes exams. The webinars will be held:

• 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Wednesday, April 8
• 1 – 2 p.m., Friday, April 10

More details are on the CFDE website.

Exams and Honor Code Webinar

Jason Ciejka and Blaire Wilson from OUE will host an open discussion about exams and the Honor Code from 3:30 p.m.- 4:30 p.m., Monday, April 13. Join the meeting here. The session will have a brief overview of options for final exams followed by an open question and answer session. Participants are welcome to join the session at any point during the meeting.

Asynchronous Teaching Workshop

The Remote Teaching team will offer a workshop at 1 p.m., Wednesday, April 8 on “Engaging Students in Asynchronous Activities”. This workshop will focus on using VoiceThread to deliver content and engage students as well as best practices for online discussions. It will include time for Q&A. Visit the Remote Teaching website to access the webinar details.

Prevent “Zoom-Bombing”

Multiple resources and advice on best practices to prevent “zoom bombing” are available on the Zoom page of the Emory College Remote Teaching website. In addition, Zoom has a blog post providing more context and information.

Recording Video: Best Practices

Many College faculty are recording lectures and announcements for students to view asynchronously. Information on best practices in asynchronous instruction, including the recommendation to break lectures into 5-10 minute videos, can be found on the Remote Teaching site. You can also find information about when to use Zoom and when to use Canvas Studio to record content.

CFDE Faculty Support Workshops

The Center for Faculty Development and Excellence is offering several online workshops and webinars for faculty, including:

Maintaining Community and Connections Online
10 a.m., Every Friday

At the end of every week of remote teaching, CFDE and the Emory Libraries will provide a space to hear how things went in your class, share strategies, resources, and ideas for building community in a remote teaching environment. Join us on Zoom.

Faculty Balancing Student Support and Personal Stress
2 p.m.-3 p.m., Thursday, April 16

The session will offer important self-care strategies and academic resources available to assist faculty with managing pressures that come from their students, departments, and individual expectations. For more information and to register to receive Zoom information, visit this link.

For more information on all of these programs plus additional new resources for faculty during the COVID-19 pandemic, visit the CFDE website.

Pulse Survey Results on Remote Teaching

More than 50 percent of College faculty responded to the brief survey last week from the College administration to assess the first week of remote teaching and to identify unmet needs. Many thanks to all who responded, and continued thanks to everyone for your work to support students with tremendous effort and compassion.

The survey found that 85% of faculty reported they agree (or strongly agree) that they have been provided the right tools and resources to be effective while teaching online.

The most common technical challenges for faculty are WiFi connections, Canvas’s video storage capacity, and how to replicate a whiteboard or other forms of writing/annotation in a remote setting. Many faculty have questions about formulating, administering, and proctoring exams, which are being addressed through workshops and individual advising (see above).

Requests for equipment or software have been shared with IT and the Remote Teaching team is providing ongoing support. Additional information and resources for faculty are continually being added to the Remote Teaching website.

Faculty also remarked upon their – and their students – relief and gratitude at seeing each other’s faces or to otherwise connect, and many faculty observed that students are experiencing significant stress. The most common student technological obstacle is poor WiFi, with many faculty remarking upon differences in time zones and difficult home or housing situations as additional challenges for some students. These concerns were shared with OUE support staff and advisors.

For College-focused support information for our students, please see the Student Resources section of the Emory College Remote website. Faculty may also reach out to OUE for student concerns at oue.facultysupport@emory.edu or fill out a Student of Concern Referral form, especially if a student is out of contact for more than three days.

Spring 2020 Course Evaluations

The College will administer online course evaluations this semester as it has in recent terms via EvaluationKIT. Evaluations for this semester will be primarily used for pedagogical purposes and to provide some insight into the altered landscape of our academic activities.

While the Spring 2020 responses gathered will remain archived in the system, they will NOT be incorporated into T&P dossiers unless specifically desired by the individual instructor. No instructor or faculty member should worry that the obvious contingencies of this term will affect their records.

Please send any questions you have regarding course evaluations to ec-courseevals@emory.edu. Two workshops are available this week for administrative department staff:

EvaluationKIT Basic Training

1:30 pm, Wednesday, April 8

This session is targeted to department staff who will be assisting with course evaluations this term or in the future but are new to the process or feel they could use a refresher. Following an overview of the evaluation process, we’ll step through the interface together online so that each participant can actually log in and see their own department’s courses and details. We’ll cover user account basics, course review, deployment date modification, custom questions, response rate monitoring, reporting, departmental Box folders, and everything in-between.

EvaluationKIT Configuration Workshop

10 a.m., Friday, April 10

This workshop will be a collaborative working session and will assume participants already have a basic understanding of EvaluationKIT and the College’s evaluation process. During the workshop participants will step through the Spring 2020 CE Configuration Checklist together, with College staff available to guide the process, answer questions, and address any technical issues as they arise. Our target will be to complete as much of the department-level work for the term as possible, leaving only those portions that must wait or that require direct interaction with instructors.

Academic Action Requests for Students

Students now have various academic action request options as they complete their coursework this semester. Students can make the following changes:

• Option 1: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory grading basis (in OPUS)
• Option 2: Course Withdrawal (through online petition form)

As the semester continues, students will be able to request incompletes or other academic actions to respond to difficulties related to the Covid-19 crisis.

Note: Returning Study Abroad students must contact the Study Abroad office (studyabroad@emory.edu) with requests for academic action.

Full details are available on the Emory College Remote site. An FAQ for students also is available.

Grading for this semester is a point of extreme anxiety for many students this semester. Please encourage students considering their options to schedule an advising appointment through College Connect or ask questions via email to oue.advising@emory.edu or prehealth@emory.edu. Faculty may email oue.facultysupport@emory.edu for additional guidance.

University Updates

New University-wide guidelines were sent Monday, March 30. Read full details on the COVID-19 website. For the health and safety of everyone, please practice social distancing both inside and outside. Social distancing is defined as remaining out of group settings, avoiding gatherings, and maintaining a 6 feet distance from others when possible per the CDC guidelines.

Refer to the University’s COVID-19 Website for the latest University-wide updates, including useful information and resources specifically for faculty, staff, and students.

Stay Connected: Emory College Social Media

Social media is providing an important tool for staying connected with our students and each other. If you or your department is active on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram, please be sure to follow @emorycollege on your posts. Please share, comment and like our posts as well to help build and support our virtual college community. Email April Hunt, april.hunt@emory.edu, with any questions.

The College Communications team also welcomes your ideas for stories or virtual events. Please email College communications director Beverly Clark, beverly.clark@emory.edu.

In Other News: Call for side-car courses, faculty reporting deadline extension, Hathi Trust resources

ILA Invites Proposals for "Side-Car" Courses

The Institute for the Liberal Arts invites applications from Emory College faculty members interested in developing a side-car course as part of a team that includes a faculty member in another department or discipline and two undergraduate IDEAS fellows. A side-car course brings together two courses (and instructors) that overlap, either through methodologies or topics, to create a short, one-hour, interdisciplinary course that runs simultaneously with its two sponsoring courses.

Each faculty member in the team receives a $1,000 stipend. No more than six side-car courses will be funded in Fall 2020. Contact Kim Loudermilk, klouder@emory.edu for more information about the program. Contact Emma Ellingson,emalise.ellingson@emory.edu, about the application process. Applications are due April 24.

Research Resources: Hathi Trust Emergency Temporary Access Service

Emory now has access to the HathiTrust Emergency Temporary Access Service (ETAS). Emory University faculty, students, and staff who log in to HathiTrust will be able to access online versions of in-copyright titles which are also in our print collections. You need to log into HathiTrust as an Emory user at https://www.hathitrust.org/.

Faculty 180: Reporting Deadline Now June 1

This Year’s Faculty Activity Report for Performance Review: This spring all tenure-track and lecturer-track faculty will enter their activity information encompassing the past year (May 2019 – May 2020) in Faculty 180 instead of through OFARs. Activity information will need to be entered and complete by all regular faculty by the extended deadline on Monday, June 1.

The College is proceeding with replacing the Online Faculty Activity Report (OFARs) with Faculty 180 activity reporting as part of the faculty review and evaluation process.

Faculty 180 is a system that allows faculty to enter all professional activities in one system that can then be used to generate CVs, reporting, biosketches, etc.

This platform will provide Emory-wide uniformity for university reporting that supports faculty, administrative, and accreditation needs. This easy-to-use system will streamline data collection for your use as well as for reporting purposes in Emory College, and Emory University.

Faculty 180 Training Sessions: Your department chair may have already arranged for a department-specific session but there are also general training sessions available through Zoom. They are scheduled for:

• Tuesday, April 14, 2020
  8:30 – 10:30 a.m.

• Monday, April 20, 2020
  2:00 – 4:00 p.m.

• Tuesday, May 19, 2020
  9:00 – 10:00 a.m.
  3:30 – 4:30 p.m.

• Thursday, May 21, 2020
  9:00 – 10:00 a.m.
  3:30 – 4:30 p.m.

• Wednesday, May 27, 2020
  9:00 – 10:00 a.m.
  3:30 – 4:30 p.m.

These sessions will be posted on the Dean of Faculty Outlook calendar so faculty can go there to claim the session link(s). You may also RSVP to the Dean_of_Faculty@emory.edu email and we will send you a calendar invite with the Zoom link information.

Reminder: Charges Related to COVID-19

Reminder: College departments and programs may incur extraordinary expenses related to COVID-19. In an effort to track these unexpected expenses, Emory’s Finance Division created a new SpeedType 8300100218 (Project ID 00094049) for the College.

If you’re unsure if an expense should be charged to ST8300100218 or if you have additional questions, please contact your dedicated College Finance Representative. Thank you for your patience while College Business Operations attempts to provide support and guidance to your department through this extraordinary time.

Quick Contacts List

Student Advising: oue.advising@emory.edu

Faculty: oue.facultysupport@emory.edu

Tech Support: echelp@emory.edu

Parents: family@emory.edu

Housing: housing@emory.edu

Dining: dining@emory.edu

Admissions: apply@emory.edu

International students: isss@emory.edu

Remote teaching: http://college.emory.edu/oisp/remoteteaching/index.html

Covid-19 Emory Updates: https://www.emory.edu/coronavirus/

Hey there,

Welcome to April! We've made it into our third week of remote teaching, and spring has definitely sprung. We hope that you, and your loved ones are well.

In the College Weekly today, we're going to cover what you need to know for the week ahead, information on walk-in advising and academic success resources. We've also got part 2 of "Cool Courses."  Read on for more... 

S/U Grading Basis

Last week we announced that we have extended the deadline for you to choose between the letter grade or S/U grading basis for this semester. The new deadline is April 27. After this date you will be able to petition to change the grading basis. All of the details can be found in the email we sent you, or by clicking here. 

Advising Walk-In Hours

In addition to our regular advising appointments, our advising team is offering virtual walk-in hours until the end of semester. The schedule and Zoom links can be found on the College Connect Home Page 

EPASS Academic Success Programs

Want to finish the semester strong and stay connected to other students? Join EPASS for a Remote Learning virtual coaching group. In this collaborative group, you’ll share ideas with a small group of your peers, create weekly action plans, and learn success strategies to help you finish strong this semester. The Remote Learning coaching group meets Thursdays, 5:00-6:00pm EST via Zoom. Register through College Connect to join!

Looking for ways to improve your time management, reduce your academic stress, and successfully navigate the remote learning environment? Check out these helpful handouts and self-coaching tools from the EPASS office! 

Honor Council Reminder

The Emory College Honor Council would like to remind students that while you are completing coursework remotely, the Honor Code is still in effect. Be cautious as you interact and collaborate with others, or when you discuss or share your own work or the work of others. Please take a moment to review the Emory College Honor Code’s Appendix 3: Academic Misconduct in the Remote Learning Environment. Be mindful as you navigate remote teaching and learning as the new normal for the remainder of the semester. Most importantly, if you are in doubt about whether your actions may be problematic, you should contact your professor directly for clarification.

Pre-Registration

Pre-Registration continues this week for Emory College students. This week, students with 45+ earned hours will enroll. Please note that earned hours only includes courses that you have already completed. Hours that you are currently enrolled in this semester are NOT included in this count.

In preparation for pre-registration we encourage you to:

Review your enrollment times in OPUS

Schedule an advising appointment with your major or pre-major faculty advisor. If you are not sure who your advisor is, their name and email address can be found in OPUS.

Visit the University Course Atlas to explore courses for the Fall 2020 semester 

With pre-registration underway, here is part 2 of our Cool Courses feature. This feature is designed to highlight interesting opportunities, open to Emory College students, for credit. These are courses which typically have no pre-requisites.

BUS 499: Design Thinking

Do you want to learn a powerful approach for developing practical, creative solutions to real-world, messy, wicked problems? At its core, design thinking uses the mindset and methods of design practitioners to identify and address human needs by developing functional and emotionally meaningful products, services, processes, and spaces that address those needs. This highly experiential course, taught by Prof Jan Barton, is open to all Emory students, regardless of degree or major.

Through short lectures and guided teamwork, you will learn a design thinking framework and a set of tools to help you navigate ambiguity, improve your ability to empathize with others, integrate diverse preferences and points of view, reframe challenges, ideate creative solutions, develop a “just-try-it” mindset for rapid experimentation, and enhance your presentation skills with storytelling and graphic design elements. You will showcase your learning in a final project addressing one of Emory’s current strategic challenges.

REL 200R: LGBTQ Religion & Spirituality

Rather than asking what religious traditions say about sexuality and gender, this course will focus on what LGBTQ-identified people have had to say about religion and spirituality, exploring their cultural agency and creativity. Here are a few examples of topics we will explore: the identification of the assassinated gay activist and politician, Harvey Milk, as "Saint Harvey Milk" by some LGBTQ people; lesbian feminist embodied goddess spirituality; the Radical Faeries movement; the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence order of "queer nuns"; the spiritual dimensions of Native American "Two-Spirit" identities; LGBTQ-affirming expressions of Pentecostal Christianity; LGBTQ atheism. The course will include site-visits, participant observation in cultural events, and guest speakers representing a variety of groups and communities.

Dear Emory community,

Emory University’s motto — the wise heart seeks knowledge — underscores one of our key institutional principles: Our work here is driven by the heart. Care and compassion are essential to our mission of education and service. These values have proven crucial in guiding our response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Emory has long strived to create a community of belonging. Within that charge, we recognize the importance of standing together during difficult times to support and encourage one another.

Across the nation and the world, however, fears over COVID-19 have sometimes erupted into anger and accusations, racism and xenophobia. Globally, reports of anti-Asian bias and blatant harassment have been on the increase. Sadly, these behaviors have even been directed at frontline health care workers in hospitals throughout the U.S. as they work to treat patients, save lives and serve the public — all under incredibly stressful conditions. And our students, while pursuing their education and resuming their lives, have not been spared from the hate.

As we find our way forward, let us not forget our essential Emory values. Mean-spirited, untruthful, socially stigmatizing remarks, slurs and actions do not represent who we are as a community. In fact, they stand in direct opposition to our most foundational principles.

Simply put, there is no room for hate at Emory.

Please know that bias and harassment within our community will not be tolerated. Indeed, harassment of any person or group of persons on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, handicap or veteran’s status is a form of discrimination specifically prohibited by university policy.

If members of the Emory community encounter such behaviors, on or off campus, we want to hear from you. For more information and support, please contact the Emory University Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at 404-727-9867 or oei@emory.edu.

We recognize that harassment takes many forms. Some members of the Emory community have recently reported encountering incidents of “Zoombombing” — instances of uninvited guests crashing online Zoom meetings, classrooms and webinars in order to shout slurs and share offensive materials.

While Zoom has options to combat such intrusions, Emory’s Library and Information Technology Services (LITS) team recommends that those concerned with unwanted intrusions should require meeting passwords or, for smaller meetings, use a “waiting room.” For step-by-step guidance, please visit here. Additional questions may be directed to videoservices@emory.edu.

Spreading inaccurate information can too easily lead to scapegoating and other forms of disrespect, particularly aimed at persons of Asian descent. During this challenging time, we also urge members of the Emory community to seek out factual information, consulting official and evidence-based sources. For accurate information and updates on how the coronavirus is impacting Emory, please visit COVID-19 updates.

At Emory, we all have a role in building our community of belonging aided by members who are respectful of one another and find value in the richness and complexity of our shared diversity. Our inability to be physically present with one another offers an opportunity for us to demonstrate support for each other and to form an even deeper connection to our core values.

Now more than ever, let us celebrate our Emory values and strengthen our fundamental bond, affirming the dignity and humanity of each other through our words and actions.

Though apart, we remain, as always, in community.

Sincerely, 

Jan Love, Interim Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

Christopher L. Augostini, Executive Vice President for Business and Administration, Chief Financial Officer

Jonathan S. Lewin, Executive Vice President for Health Affairs, Executive Director, Woodruff Health Sciences Center, President, CEO, and Chairman of the Board, Emory Healthcare

Enku Gelaye, Vice President and Dean of Campus Life

Some Emory community members have reported incidents of “Zoombombing” where uninvited guests crash their Zoom meetings, classrooms and webinars, and sometimes share upsetting or offensive content using the screen share option.

Tips for preventing Zoombombing

To avoid having your Zoom meetings interrupted, take the following precautions: 

• Do not share Zoom links on social media or external facing websites; only communicate your Zoom links through email or other secure means.
• In your meeting settings, add a Password, which you would then communicate to your participants. They will be prompted to enter the password any time they attempt to enter the meeting room.
• In your meeting settings, enable a Waiting Room. This means you have to manually allow in any of your participants. Be sure to keep an eye on the waiting room, and click “admit” in the participant window to allow people in. Encouraging participants to enter the room with their full name will help you keep track of them. If you have a second meeting leader, this is a great job for them, so that you can lead the meeting and someone else can manage the participant list.
• While in the room, you can also limit the screen sharing capacity just to the host. This will not work if your participants need to share their screens, but if they do not, follow these steps to limit the sharing.

Be sure to take the time to familiarize yourself with Zoom’s settings and features so you understand how to protect your virtual space when you need to.

Resources

• LITS has tips and advice on Zoom settings to avoid Zoombombing.
• The Emory Police Department also has some helpful tips. 

What to do if you experience Zoombombing

If you are hosting a Zoom call with an Emory-sponsored Zoom account and the call gets Zoombombed, please report the incident to the Emory Police Department by calling 404.727.6111 (TDD/TTY 404.320.1024) or by reporting the incident via LiveSafe.

Today we are announcing changes to the S/U grading basis plan, which now includes an extended deadline and petition option. We want to share more information on how these changes will affect Emory College students specifically.

Changes to S/U Grading Option

• We will extend the current S/U change deadline until April 27 (the last day of class for this semester).
• After April 27, students will have the option to submit a petition to request a change from a letter grade to S/U basis. Petition information will available on the Committee on Academic Standards website no later than April 24, 2020. Students must submit their petition for consideration by the following deadline:
  • Graduating Seniors – May 11
  • All other students – May 18
• Spring 2020 Study Abroad students who are considering changes to the grading basis of their courses must contact their Study Abroad Advisor in order to make any changes. They cannot make changes in OPUS.

Other Academic Options

There have been no other changes to the academic options available to you.

• Withdrawal Petition is available until April 10
• Extended Withdrawal Deadline (for First-Year, Oxford and Transfer students) is April 3
• Incompletes may be requested in discussion with your academic advisor through April 27.

We have been listening to the concerns that students have raised that S/U grades may put them in less competitive positions without a universal mandate.  We especially appreciate the desire expressed in an on-line petition, and elsewhere, to protect the most vulnerable members of our student community.  At the same time, we understand that many students want to pursue letter grades this semester. Please be assured that these issues are happening across higher education, and graduate and medical schools will all be aware of the extraordinary circumstances facing students in Spring 2020.

In weighing the different grading possibilities for this semester, we have worked to understand and meet the different needs of our students as they seek to continue their academic careers during the distress of this global health crisis. There is no grading system that does not involve some tradeoff, and we recognize that no system will address all the concerns of all of our students.

We know that this semester is an extraordinary one, and we want to assure everyone that faculty and staff are working tirelessly to help our students thrive during a challenging time.

For questions or concerns about grading policies and practices, students should contact oue.advising@emory.edu 

Best wishes,

Shari Obrentz, Associate Dean, Office for Undergraduate Education

Dan Dillard, Assistant Dean, Office for Undergraduate Education

Steve Savage, Associate Director of Communications, Office for Undergraduate Education 

Dear Friends,

Across our communities, at Emory, and in our homes with family and friends, we are all experiencing circumstances that we would never imagine. I want you to know that I am thinking of you and your loved ones and hope that you are safe and well.  

At the onset of the global public health crisis and continuing as long as it is needed, Emory is taking extraordinary steps to safeguard the health and well-being of the campus community. On March 23, the University transitioned to remote learning and remote work for our students, faculty, and staff. We will closely monitor and assess next steps as this situation continues to evolve.

I am so very proud of how our students, faculty, and staff at Emory University and in Emory Healthcare are working together to address the needs of our communities.  We need each other now more than ever. The impact of COVID-19 has created logistical and financial implications for many members of our communities. Emory is working to provide support in various ways and has launched the EmoryTogether Fund to assist with emergency needs. The added support of our alumni and donors will amplify efforts to provide funds for food, housing, health, travel, remote learning, family, and other COVID-19-related expenses. 

Here's how you can help. If you are able, please donate to the EmoryTogether Fund and join us in response to this pandemic.

Alumni play an essential role in all that we do at Emory.  We need your help now to ensure the continued progress and success of our students. We value your partnership and ask that you join with the Laney Graduate School to help students navigate these trying times with minimal disruption to their academic progress.

Thank you again for your continued support of our students and the Laney Graduate School. Please stay safe and stay hopeful.

With you, with great appreciation,

-Lisa

Lisa A. Tedesco, Ph.D.

Vice Provost for Academic Affairs – Graduate Studies

Dean, James T. Laney School of Graduate Studies

Professor, Rollins School of Public Health