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PO Box 843, Zebulon, Georgia 30295. You can donate through PayPal at the link on the bottom of the page. Becky Watts: Phone # 770-468-7583 editor(@)pikecountytimes.com
 
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UPDATED: Gordon State College Will Temporarily Suspend All Instruction
COVID-19 Information Update for Gordon State College (#3)

BARNESVILLE - This information update has been issued to Gordon State College students from President Kirk Nooks as of today regarding the COVID-19 outbreak.

Highlander Nation-

Although we are in unchartered territory, we want to assure you that one commitment remains first and foremost in our planning: the health, wellbeing, and safety of our Gordon State College community.

All of us, through our various roles and functions, are providing critical campus support to mitigate the impact of this global pandemic on our local community. Whether preparing to deliver instruction in the virtual setting or ensuring daily processes continue uninterrupted, we are devoting every available resource at our disposal to addressing this significant challenge. We will not waver in this commitment.

The past several days have demonstrated that in order to successfully navigate this unprecedented situation, we must be flexible, responsive to new developments and cooperative in our responses.

Last week, in coordination with the Governor’s Office and the Department of Public Health, the University System of Georgia provided guidance resulting in Gordon State College temporarily suspending instruction for two weeks beginning Monday, March 16, 2020.

On March 16, updated guidance was issued resulting in Gordon State College delivering instruction “on-line only” for the remainder of the Spring 2020 semester effective March 30, 2020.

This email includes the latest information regarding this decision. This information will be posted to our COVID-19 landing page, and we encourage you to continue checking your email and our campus website regularly for updates. If you have questions related to this on-going situation, you can also send a message to COVID19@gordonstate.edu

First, based on the USG release, “Students will receive specific instructions from campus leaders regarding when they will be allowed to return to campus to retrieve their belongings from residence halls. Students must follow those instructions. For those students who are unable to depart campus, we will make every effort to accommodate these students.” Should you have any questions during this time, please reach out to Dean Matthew Robison at matthewr@gordonstate.edu. Again, until instructions are issued and permission is granted, students will not be allowed back on campus or in the residence halls. We are aware that students will have questions about refunds. The “USG will be providing guidance to campuses on refunds for housing, dining, and other services. Students should wait for their campus to contact them.”

Second, the campus will continue to operate in a limited capacity through Sunday, March 29, 2020, with essential personnel, which includes Public Safety and Facilities staff members. All other faculty and staff should be telecommuting at this point. Faculty and staff have through Wednesday, March 18 to pick up essential belongings. Please pick up items and do not congregate on campus. If staff need to be on campus to conduct an institutional transaction or process, it will require Presidential approval via your Vice President. All visitors to campus are required to seek service at the Student Services Center (at the corner of Spencer and College).

Third, as a reminder, Gordon State College is postponing or cancelling on-campus or off-campus events between now and March 29. This includes recruitment events, tours, Open House, student programs, advisory board meetings, reunions, concerts, performances, conferences, athletics, community education, competitions, club and social events. In addition, all GSC non-essential travel has been cancelled.

We will continue to work with the University System of Georgia to develop plans that are tailored to meet the specific needs of our institution. Further decisions that affect the continuity of our operations—including the status of campus events and instruction beyond March 29, 2020—will be provided to you via updates as the situation evolves.

In closing, we would remind you that each of us has important responsibility in managing this public health crisis. You can find the latest CDC guidelines here: www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/index.html.

We are calling on each of you to closely review and abide by these guidelines. We must stand together, support each other and protect each other during this difficult time. We know we will because we have often demonstrated a great capacity to care for one another and to care for others. That’s the Power of WE! Together, we will persevere.

[Note from the Editor: There are two articles below this article. Please scroll down to read more.]

Submitted 3.17.20
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UPDATED: Gordon State College Will Temporarily Suspend All Instruction

BARNESVILLE - For the last several weeks, the Gordon State College Task Force has been working diligently to prepare for and plan our institution’s approach to Coronavirus (COVID-19). Phase One included “Education and Prevention,” which was captured in the Nooks’ Notes from March 6. Phase Two included “Readiness,” in which we prepared for the possibility of online instruction and remote services should there be a confirmed outbreak or guidance by the University System of Georgia and the Department of Public Health. As of yesterday, we find ourselves entering into Phase Three of “The Response.”

Per the direction from the University System of Georgia, Gordon State College, will temporarily suspend instruction for two weeks starting March 16, 2020. We take very seriously the responsibility to make prudent and well-informed choices for the well-being of our campus communities and the public. We continue to prepare for all scenarios in this rapidly evolving situation. All USG institutions have plans to ensure academic continuity as operations are impacted. The USG is providing regular updates to all institutions and the public at its website, www.usg.edu/coronavirus.

Today in consultation with the GSC Task Force and Cabinet, we have made some decisions that will guide our actions over the next couple of weeks.

1. Beginning Monday, March 16, 2020, Gordon State College will be open to the public in a limited capacity. Visitors to the campus will be greeted and served at the Student Services Center. We know there may be a delay in our response time and we appreciate your patience.

2. The Facilities team will continue to sanitize per CDC guidelines and deep clean campus buildings during the break.

3. Effective immediately, Gordon State College is postponing or cancelling on-campus or off-campus events between now and March 29. This includes recruitment events, tours, Open House, student programs, advisory board meetings, reunions, concerts, performances, conferences, athletics, community education, competitions, club and social events. In addition, all GSC non-essential travel has been cancelled.

4. We will provide timely and updated information as it becomes available to our GSC website in order to keep you informed with factual information. Please monitor frequently.

This is a significant challenge for our college, region and nation. This is also an opportunity to demonstrate “The Power of WE” and our commitment to our campus community as we learn to adapt and support one another through these circumstances. We are an institution with a history of putting self aside and focusing on the common goal. Thanks for all you continue to do on behalf of our students and Highlander Nation.

[Note from the Editor: The original article remains below this article. Please scroll down to read more.]

Submitted 3.13.20
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Gordon State College Will Temporarily Suspend All Instruction

BARNESVILLE - Gordon State College will temporarily suspend all instruction until Monday, March 30, 2020 in accordance with the University System of Georgia guidance.

Additionally, Gordon State College's theater production of "Our Town" is cancelled for Thursday, March 12, 2020 and all athletic events through March 29, 2020 are also postponed or cancelled.

The University System of Georgia (USG) is consulting constantly with the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) and the Governor’s Coronavirus Task Force.

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp today announced state agencies, school systems and local communities have been given the flexibility to implement closures.

Effective Monday, March 16, 2020, all 26 USG institutions will temporarily suspend instruction for two weeks to allow time for USG institutions to test their business continuity plans and online instruction modules and for state officials to continue to assess the current situation regarding Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Georgia.

Students who are currently on spring break are strongly encouraged not to return to campus. Students on campus are asked to depart campus by close of business Friday, March 13, 2020, and to remain away from campus until March 29, 2020. At this time, students are not being asked to move out of their dorms for the remainder of the semester. All institutions are being asked to work with students who are unable to leave campus.

We take very seriously the responsibility to make prudent and well-informed choices for the well-being of our campus communities and the public. We continue to prepare for all scenarios in this rapidly evolving situation. All USG institutions have plans to ensure academic continuity as operations are impacted.

The USG is providing regular updates to all institutions and the public at its website, www.usg.edu/coronavirus.

In the interim, all Gordon State College students, faculty and staff who may be traveling in any capacity (either domestically or internationally) are being encouraged to register their travel information. This can be done using the following link: falcon.gordonstate.edu/scripts/survey/rws5.pl?FORM=GSCTravelSurvey.

The CDC strongly advises against anyone traveling to a location subject to a Level 3 or higher Travel Health Notice, including most of Europe, South Korea, China and Iran. We also encourage community members to check with the U.S. Department of State website, and talk with family and travel companions to make a wise decision about travel plans, particularly related to travel in Europe.

We urge all community members to practice good preventive measures and to visit the USG resource guide for the latest information concerning travel advisories and other guidance. You can also find additional information from the CDC here.

Prevention of COVID-19 is paramount, and we urge everyone to take appropriate measures such as:

· Wash hands regularly.
· Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
· Cover coughs and sneezes with tissues.
· Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
· Be responsible and courteous to others and stay home if you are sick or experiencing symptoms.
· Respect personal space when greeting others and during conversations.
· Be mindful of those in high risk populations such as those with underlying health conditions and the elderly.
· Follow CDC and DPH guidance on personal and business travel to avoid increasing your risk and that of others.

Guidance from DPH identifies those with the highest risk to contract COVID-19 are travelers to countries with widespread outbreaks, as well as those travelers’ close contacts. Additionally, those most likely to develop serious illness after contracting COVID-19 include persons who are older than 60, as well as persons with chronic health conditions.

Health officials advise that the incubation period of COVID-19 is 2-14 days, with an average period of 5 days. Symptoms include coughing, fever and shortness of breath. Most people experience mild to moderate symptoms. Those who experience flu-like symptoms are urged to contact the Department of Public Health at 1-866-PUB-HLTH.

The health of our students, faculty and staff is our highest priority. We will continue to work with USG leaders in collaboration with state officials and DPH to act on the most up-to-date guidance available.

Submitted 3.12.20
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