Dear EGSC Students,
EGSC’s devoted faculty and staff miss seeing you on campus. During the last two weeks, they have prepared intensely for the beginning of wholly online classes on Monday, March 30, 2020. I encourage you to login right now to GeorgiaView D2L Brightspace so that you are ready to go Monday morning.
At this time of year, Joyce Boehmer and I would normally be getting ready to have groups of students over to our home for taco dinners, smores, Klondike bars and conversation. Even though we are not going to be able to be with you personally, it is important to Joyce and me that you understand how much each of you means to us. Completing this semester successfully and registering for your next semester are critical to your success. So, please be patient and flexible to adjust to this new online environment and we will get through it together and we will all be better for it.
For the safety and well-being of all, we may be more physically separated right now than ever before. But one thing holds true: As East Georgia State College, we stand together, always. We are nearly 50 years strong, and we will navigate these difficult times together. No matter where you are right now, please know that our heartfelt concern is for every member of our Bobcat community. I sincerely appreciate everything you are all doing to meet these challenging times.
As you are aware, we have extended remote instruction for students and remote work for many of our faculty and staff through the end of this spring semester. In addition, all campus events are canceled or postponed for this time period, including commencement, honors night, athletic events and many other traditions that have helped to build our legacy. We will come through this and come out stronger than before.
I want to share some updates and resources that you will find helpful.
- Your On-line Classes Begin Monday, March 30, 2020
- EGSC Has a COVID-19 Website to Keep You Updated
- EGSC Has Adopted a Student Fee Refund Plan
- Here is More Important Information
Your On-line Classes Begin Monday, March 30, 2020
You will begin your new way of taking classes today, Monday, March 30. Be patient with yourselves and the system. It won’t be long before it all comes naturally to you.
Keep Learning USG was designed by the University System of Georgia to support you as you make the shift to virtual learning. The site is created to be easily accessed on a phone. The information will lead you step by step through best practices to succeed in a remote instructional environment.
https://www.usg.edu/keep_learning_usg
Our outstanding department sent you a message earlier about getting ready for your on-line classes. Here are some of the highlights:
- Remember ALL classes resume online-only this Monday, March 30, via GeorgiaView D2L Brightspace.
- Before Monday, login to GeorgiaView D2L Brightspace to view any course announcements/updates.
- http://www.ega.edu/help/details/how-do-i-access-my-online-courses-or-troubleshoot-problems-using-gaview-d2l
- For quick access to your online courses via your cell phone, download the GeorgiaView Brightspace Pulse app to your iPhone or Android device.
- For quick access to your EGSC student email (CatMail) via your cell phone, download the Microsoft Outlook App.
- http://www.ega.edu/help/details/im-a-new-student.-how-do-i-setup-email-on-my-phone.
EGSC Has a COVID-19 Website to Keep You Updated
This website includes an abundance of information that will answer most of your questions.
www.ega.edu/covid19
EGSC Has Adopted a Student Fee Refund Plan
East Georgia State College has adopted the following student fee refund plan:
Refunds of Student Fees (All 3 campuses are included as described below):
East Georgia State College will implement a prorated refund of various student fees for spring semester 2020 as outlined below for the campus designated as your home campus.
Our goal is to disburse refunds by April 16, 2020. We will communicate with you directly if there are any delays in this process.
The refund calculation date is March 16, 2020. This refund plan was completed in coordination with the USG.
*Students who did not pay the above fees because of the fee structure for the program in which they are enrolled (nursing students and students in the Fire and Emergency Services Administration program) will not receive a refund.
Refunds of Swainsboro Campus Housing and Dining:
- A prorated portion of housing rent charges will be refunded based on the March 16, 2020 refund calculation date.
- You will receive a pro-rata refund of the unused portion of your meal plan based on a March 16, 2020 refund calculation date. The exact amount of your refund will depend upon the specific meal plan which you purchased.
- Unused flex dollars will be refunded. The unused portion of any commuter meal plans and all other declining balance meal plans will be refunded.
- Students who were granted an exception to remain in the residence halls during the remaining part of spring semester 2020 will not be refunded their housing rent or base meal plan.
Additional information about refunds:
EGSC - Statesboro students who purchase a meal plan from Georgia Southern University should contact Georgia Southern University with any questions.
Refunds of these fees will mirror students' normal refund process via BankMobile Refund Selection. You must make a BankMobile Refund Selection.
Please see the following link on how to make your Refund Selection.
http://www.ega.edu/announce/bankmobile-presentation-02-19-20.pdf
Fees, other than those described above, have been carefully studied and vetted with the USG and deemed to be essential to the continuity of instruction and business operations.
Any outstanding balances owed to East Georgia State College (e.g., parking fines, lockout fines) will be deducted from your refund.
Students will not receive refunds of fees paid by any need-based scholarship. However, the scholarship reversal will not exceed the refund amount and will not create a balance due from the student. Please note that the deadline has passed for a student to withdraw without academic penalty from the Spring 2020 full-term.
Students who have registered for the Spring 2020 Mini-Session II term can withdraw without academic penalty through March 26, 2020 (Augusta Campus) and through April 7, 2020 (Swainsboro/Statesboro Campuses).
Refunds for Mini-Session II withdrawals will be processed under normal refunding guidelines.
We understand that these uncertain times have left you with many questions. Please rest assured that we are working diligently to provide answers as fast as possible.
Please reach out via email to accounts@ega.edu with any questions or concerns you have.
Here is More Important Information
- Remember to complete the Travel Registry found on the website www.ega.edu/covid19
- The Student Health Center will remain open to serve students who will continue to reside in the residence halls on Monday-Thursday from 1-5 PM. Swainsboro students not living on campus may call the clinic during those hours at 478-289-2182.
- All events scheduled with visitors on campus, including meetings, are cancelled for the rest of spring semester. No face-to-face meetings will be held. All meetings will be via telephone, Zoom or Skype or other electronic means.
- All events at the Fulford Community Learning Center and The Morgan House of East Georgia State College are cancelled. There will be no visitors to the Fulford Community Learning Center.
- The gym and fitness center, and our athletic facilities including outdoor basketball courts, playing fields and tennis courts are closed. EGSC’s dining hall, bookstore, campus café, and Common Grounds Coffee Shop are closed.
- We are following the guidance of the NJCAA and the GCAA: all spring athletic games and practices are cancelled.
- Study Abroad Programs have been cancelled.
- Plans for Student Center Grand Opening are cancelled. This will be rescheduled for a date in early fall 2020.
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Please follow the links below to learn more about COVID-19 responses and offerings from the providers/resources listed (offerings subject to change):
- Federal Communications Commission “Keep Americans Connected Pledge”
- Comcast COVID-19 Response
- Charter Communications COVID-19 Response
- AT&T COVID-19 Response
- Verizon COVID-19 Response
- Sprint COVID-19 Response
- T-Mobile COVID-19 Response
- Pineland Connect2PinelandFree Program
- Northland Communications Response to COVID19
- Another very useful website allows you to enter your zip code to determine internet options that are available in your area: www.broadbandnow.com -
Message from EGSC’s IT regarding Cybersecurity:
While we are all working through COVID-19 issues, threat actors and fraudsters are busy too. Don’t let your guard down during this time! -
Message from Representative Butch Parrish, Georgia General Assembly
To stay up to date on our state’s response to COVID-19 and explore options for financial relief during these uncertain times check out the following:
• https://dph.georgia.gov/novelcoronavirus
• https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html
• https://dph.georgia.gov/covid-19-daily-status-report
• https://gov.georgia.gov/press-releases
• https://gov.georgia.gov/executive-action/executive-orders/2020-executive-orders
• https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela
• https://dol.georgia.gov/blog/new-information-filing-unemployment-partial-claims-and-reemployment-services
It is also important to note that state and federal taxes will not be due until July 15, 2020. Stay safe and remain cautious! -
Message from Lori Burns, EGSC’s Director of Counseling to students:
I hope that each of you found a safe way to enjoy your Spring Break despite the serious impact that the Coronavirus Disease is imposing on the entire Nation.
As you already know, some very difficult decisions regarding the delivery of your education were made by the University System of Georgia in an effort to protect you during the next several months. Despite the recent change to wholly on-line instruction for the rest of the spring semester and strictly limited access to the East Georgia State College campuses, the Office of Counseling and Disability Services is here to help with this transition and any other needs that you may have. Due to recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to practice social distancing, our office has suspended all face to face counseling and disability services. We will work primarily in a remote capacity for the remainder of the Spring semester.
Please be mindful that it is not uncommon for people to notice changes in mental well-being during major disasters such the Coronavirus Pandemic. Increased worrying, sadness, and fear are only a few of the symptoms that someone may experience. If there is a change in your mental well-being, it is very important that you cope in a manner that does not increase your stress level during a time that is already stressful. I can assure you that promoting student well-being and resilience will remain our focus.
If you would like to schedule an appointment to speak to a counselor, please contact us via email (lrburns@ega.edu or sroyals@ega.edu). We will be monitoring our email accounts during normal operating hours, Monday-Friday from 8am-5pm. For emergencies, call 911 or the Georgia Crisis and Access Line by dialing 1-800-715-4225.
Stay in touch and check catmail, texts and social media regularly. Stay in touch with your professors and instructors.
I realize these emails are lengthy and I applaud your diligence in paying attention to each word. Stay strong and stay resilient. We remain focused on the health and safety of those in our campus community and we will emerge from this crisis with renewed commitment. With every challenge, there is opportunity.
My sincere wishes for a great week as you embark on this new venture.
Stay safe, EGSC Bobcat Family!
Bob Boehmer
President