Home Page

An Update on Fall 2020 Return to Campus
June 23, 2020 

We have 55 days until August 17 – the day we will launch our fall semester together on our campuses. The seven planning teams working within the Presidential Task Force for Fall 2020 Return to Campus continue with their significant information gathering to help us attain our goal of a return to campus with a focus on the safety and well-being of our students, faculty and staff. The planning work is ongoing with multiple decisions still in progress. Please click here for an update of activities currently underway by the Presidential Task Force teams as we plan for the fall semester.

I would like to take the opportunity in this week’s blog to provide a few noteworthy highlights:

• The Fall Calendar: We will maintain the same calendar for Fall 2020, which includes an August 17 start date for classes. After the Thanksgiving break, all classes will have a virtual wrap-up week of instruction, and Final Exams/Projects/Papers will be conducted virtually as well.
  
  Schedule:
  Aug. 17: First Day of Classes
  Sept. 7: Labor Day Holiday
  Nov. 23-29: Thanksgiving Break
  Nov. 30 - Dec. 7: Final wrap-up week of classes (to be virtual)
  Dec. 7 - Dec. 14: Final Exams/Projects (to be virtual)
  Dec. 15-16: Graduation ceremonies

• Safety Protocol: KSU has established a rigorous protocol for classrooms, labs, food service areas, residence halls and office buildings. These plans adhere to CDC guidelines and use EPA-approved disinfectants. Most areas of campus will be cleaned multiple times per day. Faculty, staff and students will be provided with supplies to clean their desks and workstations in between use. Additional training has been provided to custodial staff, University Dining staff, Housing & Residence Life (HRL) staff as well as athletics training staff. Custodial staff also have allotted greater time to focus on high-touch, high-traffic areas. In addition, guidance from the Georgia Department of Public Health and the CDC indicates that masks are an effective strategy in limiting the spread of the Covid-19 virus. In response, we will be providing a KSU-branded cloth mask to every student, faculty and staff on both campuses.
• Covid-19 Testing: KSU has partnered with Wellstar Health System to provide diagnostic testing for Covid-19 for all students, faculty and staff. Testing for the fall semester will be available on both the Marietta and Kennesaw campuses.
• Health Helpline: Wellstar will also provide a Health Helpline where KSU students, faculty and staff can call seven days per week if they have questions about symptoms related to Covid-19.

I am so proud of how the Owl Family has come together to support our students and each other. Your dedication and ability to adapt to an ever-changing landscape is an ongoing bright spot during this most unusual and challenging time. While there is still work to be done, we have made immense progress. I look forward to seeing everyone back on campus in August.

Pamela Whitten
President