Students at Georgia Highlands College (GHC) will have a number of options to choose from when taking classes during the upcoming fall semester, including both online and in-person as well as hybrid formats, depending on the student’s preference. Additionally, GHC has posted new guidelines and taken extra health and safety measures to ensure students and employees can proceed with the fall semester while continuing to help stem the spread of the coronavirus in Georgia.

GHC and each of the University System of Georgia (USG) institutions are proceeding with a return to campus for the upcoming fall semester set to kick off in August should guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Georgia Department of Public Health allow it.

GHC faculty have adapted fall classes to fit a number of variations for students to choose from.

Fall 2020 Class Options:

• In-person: Classes meet on the days and times listed in “Course Offerings” at the location detailed. Social distancing measures are in place, so the class size will be smaller so students can spread out.
• Hybrid: Classes meet in person on the day, time, and location listed in “Course Offerings,” and there is also a required online component, typically delivered via D2L (an online student learning platform).
• Web-Based: Classes do not meet at a designated location or time. Students log-in to D2L to complete coursework. Students should be motivated and great at time-management. Much of the work is self-paced, but assignments and assessments must be completed by due dates outlined in the course syllabus.
• eClassroom: Classes meet live online on the day and time listed in “Course Offerings.” Students must use GHC’s Zoom web meeting system, which is a free application that can be accessed via a computer, tablet, or phone.
• eCore/eMajor: Online classes that are offered through a partnership with the USG and are taught by faculty from various institutions in the USG.

Additional information and details about these types of classes can be found by visiting GHC’s Return to Campus page at chargeahead.highlands.edu and clicking “Fall 2020 Class Options.” Guidelines for returning to campus as well as additional measures GHC is taking can also be found on this site.

“We understand the COVID-19 situation is fluid and we will continue to work with the University System of Georgia in relying on expertise and guidance from the Governor’s COVID-19 Task Force, the Georgia Department of Public Health, and the CDC,” GHC President Don Green said. “Our full return to campus will require patience, adaptation to change, and deliberate implementation as we move forward.”

“The highest priority in our plan to return will remain the health and safety of our students, employees, and community,” Green added, “as well as our mission to graduate our students.”

GHC has also taken extra health and safety measures at each of its locations, including providing access to over 7,000 cloth masks for students and employees and nearly 300 clear masks and face shields for classroom instructors; an additional 750,000 disinfectant wipes for increased cleaning, including disinfectant spray bottles and wipes for exercise facilities; plexiglass stations in main offices; increased sanitizer stations; extra nightly cleaning measures including the use of disinfectant foggers on restrooms, hallways, and classrooms; and much more. GHC will continue to evaluate and add more health and safety measures as needed throughout the semester.

Additionally, all USG institutions will require all faculty, staff, students, and visitors to wear an appropriate face covering while inside campus facilities/buildings where six feet social distancing may not always be possible. Face covering use will be in addition to and is not a substitute for social distancing.

Face coverings are not required when alone in an enclosed office or study room or in campus outdoor settings where social distancing requirements are met.

Anyone not using a face covering when required will be asked to wear one or must leave the area. Repeated refusal to comply with the requirement may result in discipline through the applicable conduct code for faculty, staff or students.

Reasonable accommodations may be made for those who are unable to wear a face covering for documented health reasons.

You can learn more about the details regarding face covering at usg.edu/coronavirus

Note: All USG institutions switched to remote delivery for courses in March and continued this way for the remainder of the spring and summer semesters to help stem the spread of the coronavirus. Please visit GHC’s information and resource page, which includes FAQs for prospective students, current students, and employees and is reviewed and updated frequently.