Classroom management policy
Sent on behalf of:
S. Jack Hu, Sr. Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost
Rahul Shrivastav, Vice President for Instruction
It has come to our attention that some faculty members have decided to move their classes online for two weeks as a result of a student in the class reporting COVID-19 symptoms. Please note our classroom management policy below.
If a student receives the notification of a positive COVID-19 test result during a class period (e.g., via email or a text message), the student should leave the classroom and record the positive test in DawgCheck. If the instructor believes that the test result notification to the student has created a significant distraction, the instructor may decide to dismiss the class for the remainder of the class period. The Preventative Measures Advisory Board (PMAB) has reviewed this matter and indicates that there is, however, no need to cancel classes in the classroom for the remainder of the day, as maintaining social distancing and the mandatory use of face coverings, as well as the disinfecting wipes provided for faculty, staff, and students to use as they deem appropriate, will keep the risks low for all others.
When a student reports a positive COVID-19 test through DawgCheck, the Student Care and Outreach (SCO) and the Facilities Management Division (FMD) teams are notified automatically. SCO works with the student to ensure they have the necessary resources and support to quarantine and get the necessary medical attention. FMD will reach out to the contact person for the affected spaces where the student may have been (including classrooms) to schedule sanitation protocols as needed. Student information is also shared with the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH), which has the responsibility for contact tracing.
Faculty should not notify others about the positive test as it may violate student privacy, even when a name is not specified in these messages. Information that a student has tested positive for COVID-19 is considered sensitive health information and is protected by FERPA. The exception is GTAs. If the instructor of record receives notification that a student has tested positive, that instructor of record should tell the GTAs working with that class of students. The GTAs are fulfilling an instructional role and need to know this information. Instructors of record should reinforce to their GTAs when notifying them (1) that the information is highly sensitive, (2) that they are receiving it in their instructional capacity, and (3) that it should not be further disclosed.
If supervisors become aware of multiple faculty, staff, or students testing positive in a single classroom or other shared space, they should contact their department/division head, dean, or vice president as appropriate to coordinate engagement with PMAB by email or through the PMAB help desk. The PMAB and unit leadership—together with the Medical Oversight Task Force, FMD, and/or others—will discuss the next steps and additional measures that may be appropriate.
Instructors should remind students that physical distancing via seating modifications, mandatory face coverings, and disinfecting measures are designed to reduce the likelihood of classroom transmission. Please also notify students that anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 should record the positive test in DawgCheck and that Student Care and Outreach will be in contact with them to support them and provide guidance on isolation.