The University System of Georgia recognizes COVID-19 vaccines offer safe, effective protection and urges all students, faculty, staff and visitors to get vaccinated. Additionally, everyone is encouraged to practice good hygiene and take steps for cleaner air. Additional prevention strategies you can choose to further protect yourself and others include: masks, physical distance, and testing. The system continues to work closely with the Georgia Department of Public Health to prioritize the health and safety of our campus communities.

Alternate Work Arrangements (AWA) or accommodations granted to employees for fall 2020 or spring 2021 due to increased risk for severe illness with Covid-19 have expired.

All employees are returning to their previous work arrangement at this time.

Should an employee have medical requirements for accommodation, they should contact Cory McElroy in Human Resources: cmcelroy@highlands.edu.

Any other requests for Alternate Work Arrangements (AWA) should be discussed with the employee’s supervisor.

Lack of vaccination is not grounds for a request for an accommodation.

All Covid-19 related telework/remote work arrangements have expired. Per the directive from the leadership at GHC telework/remote arrangements may be approved on a defined basis and after approval from the VP of the Division and HR.  It is important to note that while the institution may institute telework/remote work options that at any point in time these can be withdrawn for an individual, department or college as a whole.  Should the arrangement be revoked it is expected that the individual will return to their respective campus and continue their position responsibilities.

Pursuant to USG policy, department heads or their designees have the authority to establish teleworking arrangements. In no circumstance should telework be considered an employee right or entitlement. All telework requests and designations are based upon management discretion and in accordance with determination of what best serves the institution and students.

Statement from the University System of Georgia (USG): “Since the beginning of the pandemic, the University System of Georgia has worked closely with the Georgia Department of Public Health and the Governor’s Office and Task Force to carry out its primary mission of educating students in a healthy and safe manner.

Through effective planning, USG in the current academic year succeeded in providing in-person instruction and serving students. We will take the same approach to the coming academic year. Our campuses have directly administered thousands of vaccine doses and are continuing to work to vaccinate their communities.

We strongly encourage faculty, staff, students and visitors to get vaccinated and will continue to do so.

While the vaccines are safe and effective, it is an individual decision to receive one and will not be required to be part of our campuses.”

GHC currently has contract tracing measures in place. Employees and students will be individually contacted by email regarding any possible on-campus exposures.

Students and Employees should report Covid-19 positive test results by contacting hr_covid-19@highlands.edu

By continuing to follow campus guidelines and self-reporting Covid-19 cases, everyone at GHC can help stop the spread.

Click here for more information about GHC’s quarantine protocol.

GHC will continue to coordinate with the USG in order to implement all relevant guidance and to update policies and procedures as circumstances warrant. Instructors are asked to develop contingency plans in their syllabi to take classes online at any time if the need arises. Faculty are also asked to prepopulate D2L with course materials.

Please visit the FAQs page for more information and details. On this page, you will find a full list of FAQs. If you have additional questions not answered there, please work with your instructor or manager and reach out to HR_COVID-19@highlands.edu