FSU SHIFTS FROM IN-PERSON CLASSES TO REMOTE CLASSES MARCH 23 FOR TWO WEEKS. UNIVERSITY REMAINS OPEN FOR BUSINESS. IN-PERSON CLASSES RESUME APRIL 6.
POSTED 3:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 11, 2020
Florida State University has proactively monitored and responded to daily developments as the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has spread in Florida and across the United States.
Administrators campus-wide have met every day for several weeks to assess and carry out protocols and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), World Health Organization (WHO), Florida Department of Health, and other medical authorities.
Our highest priority remains the health and safety of our students, faculty and staff. Therefore, we will shift to online instruction for all courses on March 23 for a period of at least two weeks.
FSU has a robust emergency plan in place and is fully prepared to provide instruction online or by other methods. We are taking this action proactively to protect not only our campus community but the larger community as well.
Important Dates:
March 14 – Residence halls will close at noon to visitors and for those residents who depart for spring break. Residents who stay may remain in the halls.
March 23 – April 5 – Classes will be held via remote instruction.
April 4 – Residence halls are anticipated to reopen at noon to visitors and those residents who traveled for spring break.
April 6 – Face-to-face classes are anticipated to resume.
Campus Operations:
• Beginning at the end of the academic day on Friday, March 20, and through at least April 4, Florida State University will move from face-to-face instruction to online instruction and other alternative methods.
• During the two-week period of online instruction following spring break, the university will remain generally open for normal business operations.
• Students are encouraged to leave campus for spring break and the two-week period after.
• Students who leave campus should take with them any devices, textbooks and other materials they will need to continue their coursework remotely.
• They should take any personal effects, valuables or other items they might need for an extended period of time away from campus.
• Students who choose to remain in our residence halls on campus during spring break and during the period of online instruction will not be allowed to travel away from Tallahassee and come back to their residence hall.
• Campus services will remain open and operational with limited or reduced services for students during the two-week online instruction period, such as dining, library services and counseling.
• Official guidelines around special events will be forthcoming.
• The university will continue to implement CDC-recommended social distancing on campus.
• Units that have invited an external speaker or external groups to campus between March 30 and April 6 should postpone, cancel or virtually conduct those events.
• The university will provide guidance on athletic events and competitions based on coordination with the Atlantic Coast Conference and the NCAA.
• Despite changes to the delivery of academic content and our residential status, Florida State University remains open and fully operational.
• University Administrators and Emergency Management officials will continue to take measures to protect the health and safety of our community.
• Faculty and Staff will play an important role in helping transition coursework to online content and continuing the operations of the institution. As such, faculty and staff who are well are expected to report to work as normal in their regularly assigned work locations.
• We have asked all employees who have duties that can be performed elsewhere to begin preparing for remote work. Those preparations should continue; however, we do not anticipate any immediate change to schedules and work locations at this time.
• OPS employees should continue to work if work is available. Absent the availability of work, OPS may extend work hours upon return to normal operations to mitigate any hours missed during this period.
• During the next few weeks the Office of Human Resources, in consultation with University Administration and Emergency Management, will continue to monitor the impacts of COVID-19 and communicate any future adjustments impacting the workplace.
• Guidance for faculty and staff regarding working from home and other policies will be provided soon.
Florida State will continue to closely monitor and evaluate information and guidance provided by state and federal agencies as we go forward. As you know, this is a rapidly changing, dynamic situation, and we appreciate your patience as we make some difficult decisions.
Please check back on fsu.edu/coronavirus by April 5 to get the latest information in case we must change our plan. Above all, practice good handwashing hygiene and other healthy habits not only for your own safety but for the health and safety of others.
Florida State University has suspended ALL international university-related travel to prevent the potential spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19).
UPDATED 3:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 11, 2020
International travel requests will require approval by a university vice president until further notice. ANY international travel must be deemed essential in order to be approved by the traveler’s vice president.
Florida State University requests that all individuals who have traveled internationally — for work or personal reasons — to comply with new university guidelines, based on U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) recommendations:
- Travel to CDC Level 2 & 3 Countries and all Cruises: mandatory 14-day self-quarantine upon re-entry into the United States
- The CDC and U.S. State Department strongly discourage all travel by cruise ships worldwide.
If you travel to any other area with an outbreak, contact the Division of Student Affairs or Department of Human Resources if you need to self-quarantine or self-isolate.
Have a plan
With spring break approaching, we strongly recommend you formulate a plan in case you are required to self-quarantine for a 14-day period for any reason (including illness, international and cruise ship travel or close contact with a COVID-19 case).
Your plan should include a possible quarantine location that is not a shared living space, residence hall or multi-occupancy apartment.
FSU will continue to follow CDC, state and county health department guidelines, which means those who are required to self-quarantine, should practice social distancing as explained here:
New FSU coronavirus webpage
The university has created a new website to aggregate all the university’s coronavirus information, messaging and instructions. Please refer to fsu.edu/coronavirus for the latest official updates on coronavirus (COVID-19), including a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ). The page will be updated frequently.
The FSU Alert webpage will remain the online location for urgent emergency information and instructions. Continue to visit alerts.fsu.edu anytime the operational status of the university may be in question (e.g., severe weather or dangerous situations).
University guidance for possible encounters with COVID-19
No cases of the virus have been reported at FSU, but the university is being proactive to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
If you have recently returned from travel to an event or location (e.g., a conference or other large gathering) where a potential novel coronavirus COVID-19 case occurred or was present, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends self-quarantine only for individuals who were in close contact with a case of COVID-19. The CDC defines close contact as being within approximately 6 feet of a COVID-19 case for a prolonged period of time; or having direct contact with infectious secretions of a COVID-19 case (e.g., being coughed on).
If you were NOT in close contact with a case of COVID-19, here are some reminders on what to do to keep yourself healthy:
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
If you WERE in close contact with a case of COVID-19, or during the next 14 days you feel sick with fever, cough or difficulty breathing, please do the following:
- Seek medical advice. Call ahead before going to a doctor's office or emergency room. Tell them about your recent travel to an area with potential community spread of coronavirus, and your symptoms.
- Avoid contact with others and do not travel while sick.
- Avoid using public transportation if possible.
Please notify the university if you self-quarantine or self-isolate
Students who self-quarantine and need assistance should contact Tyler Shannon in Case Management Services, at tdshannon@fsu.edu or 850-644-9561.
For faculty or staff matters related to this issue, please contact Tracey Pearson (staff) at 850-644-3694 or Rebecca Peterson (faculty) at 850-645-2202, both in the Office of Human Resources.
International Programs summer 2020
A status update regarding the summer 2020 International Programs will be made at the end of March. Program participants will be notified directly of any cancellations. A status update regarding the fall 2020 programs will be made at a later date. Visit FSU International Programs for more information.
For additional detailed information on FSU's coronavirus response visit fsu.edu/coronavirus
If you have received an FSU Alert notification, additional emergency information and instructions will be posted here as they become available. Refresh this page for updated information any time the operational status of Florida State University may be in question.