Coronavirus (COVID‑19) Information and Resources

Dear UNG Faculty and Staff:

I appreciate so many of you participating in the virtual Town Hall Meeting we held last week. I know you continue to have many questions, and I will continue to keep you updated.

As you are aware, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the state’s economy. This April, state revenues declined by more than $1 billion (or 35.9%) compared to April 2019. With further revenue declines expected, the University System of Georgia (USG) and all state agencies have been asked to prepare budget plans with a target of 14% in reductions for Fiscal Year 2021, which starts July 1. However, nothing will be final until a budget appropriation is approved by the General Assembly and signed by the Governor, and that is expected to happen in June.

Chancellor Wrigley asked us to be strategic as we plan for this reduction at our institution. Included below is UNG’s proposed budget reduction plan, which includes both temporary and permanent actions that place the greatest priority on our core instructional mission and helping our students complete a college education I want to reiterate that this is only a plan, and final reductions will be determined in the weeks ahead.

Clearly, there are challenging days ahead. However, I am confident that, through your innovation and resiliency, UNG will continue to provide the best possible educational experiences for our students while also employing appropriate public health protocols to ensure health and safety.

Please be safe and stay well,
Bonita

Bonita C. Jacobs, Ph.D.
President

Dear UNG Faculty and Staff:

Yesterday, the USG Board of Regents approved a system-wide furlough plan and guidance for potential staff reductions as part of an overall plan to reduce the state budget by 14% for Fiscal Year 2021. Please remember that any actions related to furloughs and staffing reductions will be based on the final state budget appropriation, which will be determined in June. 

For UNG, the 14% potential budget reduction equate amounts to $12.1 million. Preliminary calculations show that the proposed five-tier furlough plan would have an impact of about $2.24 million at UNG. As shown below, the plan is based on salary scale and is designed to protect our most vulnerable employees.  If implemented, please know that employee benefits would remain intact. 

Chancellor and Presidents will take 26 furlough days which equates to 10% reduction.

We still need to identify nearly $10 million more for our budget reduction plan. Our budget team has already begun working on this, and we will be considering freezing vacancies, reducing travel and operating budgets—including summer utility savings from reduced operations, and, potentially, early retirement opportunities. Reductions in force will be a last resort as we strive to make strategic reductions that support our ability to serve students and fulfill our mission. 

I understand this is troubling information, on top of stress you may already be experiencing due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the disruptions we have all experienced. Your Faculty Senate and Staff Council leaders will be involved in my discussions with cabinet leaders next week as we navigate these very challenging decisions. This is still a planning process and will likely evolve; I pledge to keep you informed as our plans progress.

Sincerely,
Bonita

Bonita C. Jacobs, Ph.D.
President

Good morning,

The USG Board of Regents met this morning and approved a recommendation for potential furlough days as part of the previously announced 14% state budget reduction planning process. Because the legislature and governor have not yet approved the Fiscal Year 2021 budget, this information is preliminary and is subject to change based on the final budget. The news release issued by the USG is below for your reference. We will continue to provide updates as we have them.

Sincerely,
Bonita

Bonita C. Jacobs, Ph.D.
President

Board of Regents Provides Authority for Potential Reductions Due to COVID-19
May 7, 2020

The Board of Regents for the University System of Georgia (USG) provided authority Thursday for a plan for possible staffing reductions and furloughs due to rapid changes in expected state revenue caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

USG is working now with its 26 colleges and universities to develop a new spending plan for fiscal year 2021 that includes a 14% reduction from the current fiscal year.

Any action related to staffing reductions and furloughs will be based on the final budget appropriation to be approved in June. The Board’s approval allows institutions and the system office to respond to the state’s request for a plan to reduce spending by 14% starting July 1.

While this may include difficult decisions, the system’s top priority continues to be helping students complete a college education. USG remains grateful to all its employees for making a difference at a critical time for the University System, including keeping institutions and the University System Office (USO) accessible and responsive during this extraordinary time.

The Board’s guidance, to be reflected in each campus plan, requires faculty and staff at all 26 USG colleges and universities as well as the USO to take a minimum number of days of unpaid time off depending on their salary range, with the exception of those with the lowest base salaries. For most employees, this means either 4 furlough days or 8 furlough days, depending on their salary. Those with the highest base salaries will be required to take 16 furlough days, or the equivalent of a 6.2% pay reduction.

In addition, the Chancellor and all Presidents at every USG institution will take the equivalent of a 10% pay reduction which includes 26 furlough days for fiscal year 2021.

USG institutions and the USO may also need to adjust staffing levels to meet operational needs and address the immediate impact of revenue and funding losses. These plans, including the number of impacted employees, will be unique to each institution.

“Employees of the University System of Georgia and our 26 colleges and universities continue to show resilience and dedication despite facing uncertainty and unprecedented challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic,” USG Chancellor Steve Wrigley said. “Their work has been instrumental in supporting not only USG’s 333,000 students, but thousands of Georgians across the state. I deeply appreciate the contributions of our employees impacted by these measures, and ask all of us to show our respect, compassion and gratitude for their service to our students.”

Institutions have already experienced changes to campus operations caused by COVID-19, including a move to remote instruction and the departure of thousands of students from campuses, which has had an immediate negative impact on auxiliary operations and finances.

USG will continue to monitor the financial impact of COVID-19 and adjust as circumstances require. The system also continues to implement cost-cutting measures. These include a Comprehensive Administrative Review that will reduce administrative costs system wide by more than $100 million and a critical hire process that was implemented in December 2019.

While remote instruction will continue through summer, on-campus classes are tentatively expected to restart in the fall. A final decision will be based on guidance from the Georgia Department of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Dear UNG Faculty and Staff:

As you are aware, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on our economy. Earlier today, state leaders announced that all state agencies, including the University System of Georgia (USG), should plan to reduce their budgets by 14% for Fiscal Year 2021, which begins July 1. It is important for you to know that, at this point, this is a planning figure only. We hope that the impact on UNG will be partially mitigated by state funding based on our enrollment growth and federal stimulus funds.

The USG will provide additional direction in the days ahead on system-wide elements of the budget reduction plan. Institution-level plans will also be required. I will be working internally with institutional leaders, including representatives of the Faculty Senate and Staff Council, to develop strategic institutional budget reduction plans for submission to the USG by mid-May. Our goal will be to sustain the academic mission of the institution while minimizing, as much as possible, the impact on personnel.

I know this news generates many questions for you. We will have more information to share at our Town Hall meeting on May 14, and I will provide updates as they become available in the interim. These are unprecedented events that will test our ingenuity and our resourcefulness, and I am grateful for your continued patience and support.

Sincerely,
Bonita

Bonita C. Jacobs,
Ph.D. President

Dear UNG Faculty and Staff:

We are drawing near the end of the most unusual spring semester ever, and I don’t think any of us could have imagined the extraordinary level of disruption we have experienced. With instruction moved online, employees teleworking, and traditional events canceled or conducted virtually, our campuses have been strangely quiet during what is one of our most active times of the year. Yet, despite our physical separation, the UNG community has pulled together with a powerful shared commitment to our students and to one another. Our focus has remained on our mission of educating students, and there are many, many examples of faculty and staff members who have conducted exceptional work to support their continued success. Thank you!

As an update to the federal CARES Act funds, we disbursed more than $3.32 million to 11,292 spring semester students Tuesday. Additionally, 1,085 students have applied for UNG CARES Emergency Grants and those grants will be disbursed this week. The UNG Foundation is also providing emergency funds to students who are ineligible for CARES funding. This is an important step to provide aid to our students facing financial challenges and to help them remain enrolled.

We have been fortunate to be able to continue to pay all UNG employees under the current circumstances, but I know that some in our UNG family may be facing financial hardship based on employment changes in their household. While we are unable to use Foundation support to provide aid to employees, I want to remind you that our UNG Food Pantries are operating on all campuses, including Blue Ridge now, and that this service is available to staff and faculty, as well as students. I encourage you to take advantage of this as needed. For service hours and details, see the “Food Pantry Operations Updates”.

All of us are eager to resume normal operations, and we have begun a planning process for a staggered, phased-in approach to do so as soon and as safely as possible. However, there are many questions still to be answered. I have established six broad groups and numerous sub-groups to develop plans for a smooth transition to full operations at UNG. These working groups will address workplace and health safety, instruction, research, outreach and continuing education, student life, enrollment management, athletics, communications, and fiscal impact. The groups are being led by senior administrators and involve nearly 140 members of our faculty and staff.

We expect to receive additional guidance from the USG on these challenging issues. Our top priority in this gradual reopening over the summer is the safety of our faculty, staff and students. Our plans must promote a healthy and safe environment, and comply with directives from the Governor’s Office and guidance from the Georgia Department of Public Health. Conditions permitting, our plan is to resume in-person instruction for fall semester in August. However, please understand that this situation remains fluid, as guidance is subject to change, even after our plans are put in place. We still have much work to do in the days and weeks ahead, and I will continue to keep you updated on our progress. I have scheduled another virtual Town Hall meeting for faculty and staff on Thursday, May 14 at noon, and we will share additional details soon.

Finally, I want to let you know that we are planning a virtual celebration in honor of our spring graduates on May 8 through our Commencement website. Now through May 8, I encourage you to post congratulatory photos and short videos on Twitter and Instagram with the hashtags #UNG20grad and #UNGremotegrad as a way to show our support for our graduates. These messages and videos will be collected on the Commencement site starting May 8.

I know many of you are juggling an array of professional and personal responsibilities in this unusual environment. Thank you for your patience and flexibility over the past several weeks and in days to come.

Stay well,
Bonita

Bonita C. Jacobs, Ph.D.
President

Dear UNG Students,

UNG is committed to doing everything in our power to help our students overcome academic and financial barriers on their paths to graduation. To this end, the university will use resources from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act and the UNG Foundation to assist students during this difficult time.

UNG will use $6.8 million in CARES Act funding to provide UNG CARES Program grants to eligible students currently enrolled for spring semester who have experienced educational disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The funds will begin to be disbursed automatically to eligible students beginning April 28. Similar grants will also be available to students who continue their enrollment in summer semester.

Students who are facing specific hardships may apply for the UNG CARES Emergency Grant to receive up to $700 in additional assistance. Information and the link to apply for these grants are available at http://go.ung.edu/ung-cares. The Emergency Grant applications will be reviewed and placed on student accounts daily. 

Each student must select a refund preference to receive UNG CARES funds in a timely manner. Failure to complete this process will delay receipt of the funds for a minimum of 14 days. For additional information and assistance, visit the Office of Financial Aid or Business Office webpages. You may also contact the Office of Financial Aid at finaid@ung.edu or the Business Office at business.office@ung.edu.

In addition, counselors in the Student Money Management Center are available to advise students on how they can access other resources, including financial coaching and debt management.

For those students who are not eligible for CARES Act funding, please know that the UNG Foundation is partnering with UNG’s Office of Financial Aid and the Student Money Management Center to provide additional resources to assist with emergency needs. Please contact the Student Money Management Center or Office of Financial Aid for assistance.

The $6.8 million that UNG is receiving and awarding through CARES Act funds will not be sufficient to address all of the hardships faced by UNG students. Still, we hope that the various resources UNG is providing will reduce the burdens faced by a number of you. We understand how stressful and challenging this time is, and we appreciate your patience as we navigate these difficult times together.

Sincerely,
Bonita Jacobs
President

In a measure to support state and federal steps to stem the spread of COVID-19, UNG and all University System of Georgia (USG) institutions will deliver summer semester courses as regular online classes via D2L.  In response to these unusual circumstances, the USG Board of Regents has taken steps to reduce the cost of attendance to students for summer 2020.  

Previously, fully online students paid a differential that helped fund the development of online courses.  Moving forward, the online tuition fee for undergraduate programs will be the same as the regular in-state per credit hour rate for associate- and bachelor’s-degree students.  The exception is eCore courses, which will remain at $159 for all undergraduate students.  There are no tuition changes for graduate students.  

Additionally, the Board of Regents has reduced all mandatory fees for summer semester to only the institutional fee and technology fee, both of which may be prorated based on your credit hour registration.  You may use the "Semester Estimator" or tuition and fee charts for planning purposes.  

Please note that we have canceled some courses planned for face-to-face instruction that we are unable to transition online.  Faculty have adapted all other courses for online delivery.  UNG has added alternative online offerings that will be available for registration via your Banner Nighthawk Course Scheduler on Wednesday, April 15.  

Further, there will be no tuition increases when we resume face-to-face instruction in the fall for the 2020-2021 academic year.  This decision by the Board of Regents allows the USG, including UNG, to offer some of the lowest tuition rates among peer higher education systems.  We understand these are challenging times for you and your families, and we are taking all possible steps to support your continued educational success and progress. 

We anticipate summer semester invoices will be populated and distributed on Friday, April 17.  Be sure to monitor your student email account for that information.  Details about payment deadlines and Nelnet Payment Plan information, along with FAQs, are on the business office and UNG Remote Life webpages.  Please direct any questions to business.office@ung.edu.

Sincerely,
Bonita Jacobs, PhD
President

Thank you for your dedication to implement remote instruction this week and to serve our students as we progress toward the completion of spring semester.  We continue to closely monitor state and federal guidance to ensure we are operating in a manner that supports our mission and the safety and wellbeing of our students, employees and communities. Please note the following important information. 

Until further notice, based on direction from the University System of Georgia (USG) and Gov. Kemp’s April 2 Executive Order that requires a statewide shelter in place, UNG will continue reduced operations to minimize the number of individuals who remain on campus.  Please note that Gov. Kemp’s Executive Order includes an exception that enables USG institutions, including UNG, to continue distance learning and performing other essential functions. UNG faculty, staff and students can conduct Necessary Travel for these purposes. When there are necessary in-person operations, we must implement measures, as outlined in the order, to mitigate the exposure and spread of COVID-19.  To meet those mitigation requirements, UNG Facilities will curtail routine services to all UNG campuses next week.  However, the facilities staff will respond to any emergency needs for space cleaning or maintenance of building systems.  During this period, please call Public Safety at 706-864-1500 to report any emergency maintenance needs. 

Effective Monday, April 6, we will institute UNG’s Summer Hours, under which staff members work 9 hours, Monday through Thursday, and 4 hours on Fridays.  Our goal in implementing this early is to provide you additional flexibility.  I recognize that each of you faces different circumstances and demands in working remotely.  If, during this time, you need greater schedule flexibility, please coordinate with your supervisor. 

Non-Closure Emergency Leave will continue to be available, as needed, to ensure that eligible employees receive their regular compensation.  Additionally, the Office of Human Resources will send information about new benefits available as a result of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, which includes a provision for emergency paid sick leave and an expansion of Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) coverage.

I know that the instability of the past few weeks has touched each of us and that yesterday’s announcement from the USG that we would continue remote instruction through summer semester presents additional challenges.  Thank you for what you are doing to support our students and one another.  I hope you will take a moment to review the message that I sent to them earlier and the new UNG Remote Life website with resources for learning, teaching and working remotely. 

As I noted in our Faculty-Staff Town Hall meeting earlier this week, it is the best of times and the worst of times.  The communities where our campuses are located are experiencing community spread of COVID-19.  We continue to prioritize the safety of our students, faculty and staff as we do our part to help stem the spread of the coronavirus in Georgia and fulfill our missions of education, leadership development, service, and research.  I am grateful to each of you for your dedication, your service, and your leadership. 

Sincerely,
Bonita
Bonita C. Jacobs, Ph.D.
President

Thank you for your efforts to participate in online instruction as we progress toward the completion of spring semester.  We are committed to ensuring you have access to the resources you need to continue your courses.  If you do not have reliable access to any computer equipment at home, we have a limited supply of laptops that you can check-out.  You may make an appointment with Information Technology to receive the equipment.  Please submit this form to initiate that process.  If you are enrolled for summer, this equipment will be available to you then as well.  If you don’t have reliable Internet access, please visit our Connectivity Resources page for assistance.  

Until further notice, based on direction from the University System of Georgia (USG) and Gov. Kemp’s April 2 Executive Order that requires a statewide shelter in place, UNG will continue reduced operations to minimize the number of individuals who remain on campus. However, our faculty and staff are working remotely to support you.  If you need assistance, please see the resources available on the new Learning Remotely webpage or contact your faculty member or your Dean of Students. 

Please note that Gov. Kemp’s Executive Order includes an exception that enables USG institutions, including UNG, to continue distance learning and performing other essential functions. UNG students can conduct Necessary Travel for these purposes. When there are necessary in-person operations, we must implement measures, as outlined in the order, to mitigate the exposure and spread of COVID-19.   

As you know, we have extended the deadline for withdrawal with no academic penalty to April 10.  If, after trying the online format, you feel you must consider withdrawing, please submit this form.  We will consult with you on the next steps, as there may be other implications you need to consider. 

I know this has been challenging, and we continue to seek ways to support students in these unusual circumstances. I am grateful for your commitment to completing the semester strong.  As Nighthawks, we will soar together! 

Sincerely,
Bonita Jacobs
President

Yesterday, Gov. Kemp announced a statewide shelter-in-place order that will begin tomorrow and continue through April 13.  Many of you have had questions about Maymester and summer semester courses.  Dr. Steve Wrigley shared the following information just moments ago.  

May and summer semester instruction will be delivered remotely with limited exceptions.  USG institutions will return to normal operations for fall semester assuming health conditions allow for it. All institutions should continue to implement their current telework and flexible work strategies so that only a minimum number of staff are on campus to maintain operations and support remote instruction.  The Governor’s Executive Orders on schools and shelter in place allow for continued access to remote education and maintaining minimal operations for students, faculty and staff.

I wanted you to have this information as soon as possible.  Given this new guidance, Dr. Chaudron Gille, provost and senior vice president for Academic Affairs, will work with academic deans and department heads to develop a plan for these sessions.  Likewise, other administrators will work with units across the university to continue to serve students.  

We will continue to provide you additional information as it becomes available.  I encourage you to stay connected to UNG through this new resource site for students, faculty and staff, UNG Remote Life.

Sincerely,
Bonita C. Jacobs, Ph.D.
President

On March 12, 2020, the University System of Georgia (USG) issued direction to suspend instruction at all USG institutions beginning March 16 through March 29.  This decision was made after receiving new guidance from Gov. Kemp’s Coronavirus Task Force and the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) this afternoon. This two-week timeframe, which encompasses UNG’s Spring Break scheduled for the week of March 23, will give us time to test our business continuity plans and online instruction modules and for state officials to continue to assess the current situation regarding coronavirus in Georgia.  At UNG, this suspension of instruction includes all face-to-face and online courses.

While instruction is temporarily suspended for this two-week period, UNG will continue to operate. However, in-person services may be limited, as offices are encouraged to telework during this period. Students and consumers should review information on the UNG website for details. Employees should consult with their supervisors regarding expectations of essential personnel and teleworking opportunities. 

Any decision to alter operations or move classes online beyond March 29 will be determined by the University System of Georgia in consultation with the Georgia Department of Public Health.

Courses offered through the USG’s eCore/eMajor programs will continue to operate as planned and scheduled.

From March 16 through March 29, campus-based student activities will be canceled. Other events may be evaluated and change on a case-by-case basis. Please review the UNG Event Calendar or contact event organizers for updates. 

Please note that the NCAA and Peach Belt Conference have cancelled all remaining regular season competitions and championships. 

• As many of you may already have Spring Break travel plans, we encourage all students, faculty and staff who may be traveling in any capacity to register their travel information through UNG’s Office of Global Engagement International Travel Registry.
• Please note that Governor Kemp has suspended all non-essential professional travel, including conferences, for state employees.

All non-essential travel has been suspended indefinitely by Governor Kemp. The State Department has updated their travel advisory to a Global Level 3 Health Advisory – Reconsider Travel on March 12, and which will preclude travel by UNG personnel and most study abroad programs will be suspended. 

Our Center for Global Engagement is working with faculty and students who are affected by any program changes or cancellations.

Symptoms of coronavirus are similar to the seasonal flu, which remains a higher risk for our population. This is also the time of year when we typically see a rise in cases of seasonal flu. We encourage everyone on campus to follow the same preventative strategies used during a typical cold and flu season: getting a flu shot, washing hands regularly, covering coughs and sneezes, and staying home when experiencing symptoms of illness.

We continue to encourage all members of the university community to follow the same preventative strategies used during a normal cold and flu season: getting a flu shot, washing hands regularly, covering coughs and sneezes, and staying home when experiencing symptoms of illness. Additionally, UNG’s facilities teams are regularly disinfecting frequently touched objects and surfaces.

If a student becomes ill with symptoms related to COVID-19, which include a fever, cough, or shortness of breath, they should stay in place and contact Student Health Services or a medical professional who will help the individual evaluate their condition and determine the next steps. Similarly, faculty or staff should consult their personal healthcare provider. Anyone who is ill should avoid contact with other people (do not call friends to come over, walk around campus, etc.).

Check out the COVID-19 Apple App  -- it provides CDC recommendations on next steps including guidance on social distancing and self-isolating, how to closely monitor symptoms, recommendations on testing, and when to contact a medical provider.