Frequently Asked Questions
On this page, you will find a full list of FAQs. If you have additional questions not answered here, please work with your instructor or manager and reach out to HR_COVID-19@highlands.edu
GENERAL FAQs
Your health and safety are always our highest priority, and your success here at GHC remains our biggest mission. Just like every semester, we will work together to achieve completion, graduation, and academic success goals.
Sanitation stations are available in heavy traffic areas such as hallways, HUB, entrances of each building, and classrooms.
GHC is following the CDC/Ga. DPH cleaning guidelines, and continues to have sanitation stations throughout the campus. Other methods may include flexible schedules for students, including hybrid courses and online options.
Some courses that require a lab, clinical or practicum have developed customized plans to allow students to complete the courses.
For items such as keyboards (if a keyboard cover isn’t provided) and other types of technology equipment, alcohol-based wipes may be used. Do not allow cleaning products to pool on the surface during cleaning. It is recommended to use wipeable computer covers if available.
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.
The current guidelines for Covid-19 exposures are:
- You do not need to quarantine at home.
- You should wear a mask around others for 10 days.
- If possible, get tested on day 6.
- If you develop symptoms, get tested and isolate at home until test results are received, then proceed in accordance with the test results.
Should you choose to be tested, please let us know the results.
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.
The current guidelines for Covid-19 exposures are:
- You do not need to quarantine at home.
- It is recommended to wear a mask around others for 10 days.
- If possible, get tested on day 6.
- If you develop symptoms, get tested and isolate at home until test results are received, then proceed in accordance with the test results.
The University System of Georgia (USG) is composed of Georgia’s public colleges and universities, Georgia Archives and the Georgia Public Library Service. Georgia’s Constitution grants the Board of Regents the exclusive right to govern, control and manage the USG and USG institutions. The Board exercises and fulfills its constitutional obligations, in part, by promulgating rules and policies for the governance of the USG and its constituent units. The board elects a chancellor who is its chief executive officer and the chief administrative officer of the University System.
GHC is one of the 26 colleges and universities that comprise the USG, and the presidents of USG institutions report to the Chancellor. USG institutions are required to follow the policies and procedures established by the USG.
All GHC locations will be open Monday – Thursday (8AM – 5:30PM) and Fridays (8AM – 12PM)
Learn more about GHC's new Virtual Hub by clicking here.
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.
CURRENT STUDENTS
Absolutely! Follow the steps located here to get advised and registered. https://sites.highlands.edu/advising/how-to-register-for-classes/.
GHC has more options than ever before. Click here to learn more about our in-person, remote, and hybrid options.
Students are strongly encouraged to connect with an advisor to stay on track to graduate. Advisors are available by appointment or via drop-in during Virtual HUB hours. Schedule an appointment in Navigate at highlands.navigate.eab.com or join the Virtual HUB at https://ghcvirtualhub.highlands.edu/. If you have advising questions, email advising@highlands.edu.
Alternate Educational Arrangement (AEA) or accommodations granted to students in response to Covid-19 have expired.
All students are expected to return to their traditional educational arrangement beginning fall 2021 semester. Lack of vaccination is not grounds for a request for an accommodation.
If you would like to speak with a professional Counselor, please email sss@highlands.edu to schedule an appointment. Counseling sessions can be scheduled online via Teams, or in-person based on availability. Our full staff of Counselors are available for you Monday - Thursday, 8AM - 5:30PM. All operations on Friday will only be available from 8AM - noon. As a student, why not take advantage of this form of self-care?
Tutoring is available by appointment or drop-in and will be conducted virtually through Teams. To make an appointment or access the drop-in link, visit https://sites.highlands.edu/tutorial-center/schedule/. If you need help, email lechols@highlands.edu
To connect with a financial aid counselor, students may:
- Submit a ticket to GHC 411: https://www.highlands.edu/need-help
- Call (706)802-5000
Visit the Virtual HUB https://ghcvirtualhub.highlands.edu/
Please contact Amy Wise, Veterans Affairs Coordinator at awise@highlands.edu or 678-872-8005. If you have questions about your specific circumstances, please contact the VA Education Call Center at: 1-888-442-4551 between 8 AM and 7 PM Eastern Time, Monday-Friday.
Yes, students in need can request food assistance by visiting GHC’s campuses or by visiting the Charger Food Pantry webpage and completing a pantry pre-order-form.
For course/instructional questions, contact your instructor.
For advising or administrative questions, use the GHC 411 ticketing system at https://www.highlands.edu/need-help/.
As the Covid-19 outbreak continues to evolve, bad actors are taking advantage of the situation to not only spread misinformation through social media but are also using phishing emails to obtain personal information or spread malicious software. Here are some tips to avoid being victimized.
- Obtain information from trusted sources. Some web sites are providing misinformation and serving malicious software. Refer to the World Health Organization (WHO) (https://www.who.int), Centers for Disease Control (CDC) (https://www.cdc.gov) and the Georgia Department of Public Health (https://dph.georgia.gov/) for official information on Covid-19.
- Check email addresses and links.Inspect web links by hovering your mouse pointer over the URL to see where it leads. Review the sender’s email address.
- Beware of online requests for personal information.A Covid-19 themed email requesting personal information like your Social Security number or login information is a phishing scam. Never respond to these emails.
- Watch for spelling and grammatical mistakes.If an email includes spelling, punctuation or grammar errors, it is possible this is a phishing email.
- Look for generic greetings.Phishing emails are likely to use greetings like “Dear sir or madam.” These usually signal an email is not legitimate.
- Avoid Covid-19 themed emails requiring an immediate response.Phishing emails often create a sense of urgency. Stop. Then Click.
Report suspicious email. Contact our IT Help Desk at rt@highlands.edu or (706) 295-6775 if you receive suspicious email.
PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS
Absolutely! Visit futurestudents.highlands.edu to start your application today. Please visit: chargeahead.highlands.edu for more information on classes, campus guidelines, and more.
GHC has more options than ever before. Click here to learn more about our in-person, remote, and hybrid options.
Please continue to try requesting your transcript through normal online or electronic methods. If you cannot request your transcript via these methods and need more time, please email an extension request to admitme@highlands.edu
You can now take part in personalized, individual tours at GHC! Find out why thousands of students across Northwest Georgia choose to start #TakingCharge of their future with us. Register for your tour at visit.highlands.edu
Once you are admitted into Georgia Highlands College, your first step is to complete your Pre-Orientation found on your Check Application Status page. Once your Pre-Orientation is complete, the Check Application Status page will update to allow you to sign up for a Charger Orientation. You will receive an email close to the date you chose with next steps. Questions can be directed to orientation@highlands.edu.
Yes! Admissions Counselors are available to meet with you and answer your questions. See https://sites.highlands.edu/forms/lets-chat-admissions/ for more details.
FACULTY/STAFF
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.
Note: Remote work on Fridays will remain in effect.
Contact Cory McElroy, Leave Administrator (678) 872-8128 or cmcelroy@highlands.edu)
Work arrangements should be discussed with your manager. Leave options should be discussed with your manager and Cory McElroy, Leave Administrator (678) 872-8128 or cmcelroy@highlands.edu).
Employees who care for or live with individuals at higher risk for severe illness with Covid-19 should plan to return to campus by June 30, 2021 as scheduled. The individual should work with their direct supervisor to ensure that their work environment allows for social distancing and the ability to practice the behaviors known to reduce the spread of the Covid-19. Employees may utilize appropriate leave options as necessary. Employees should contact the Office of Human Resources to identify appropriate leave options.
Employees who care for or live with individuals at higher risk for severe illness with Covid-19 should discuss their concerns with their manager. It is the expectation of the USG that all employees will be on campus, unless they have an individual agreement supporting an alternate pre-approved plan. Employees may utilize appropriate leave options as necessary.
Sick or annual leave may be requested as well as a leave of absence may be requested.
The USG will follow the state government position on travel.
GHC maintains discretion on what is considered essential travel based on its mission and priorities.
As the Covid-19 outbreak continues to evolve, bad actors are taking advantage of the situation to not only spread misinformation through social media but are also using phishing emails to obtain personal information or spread malicious software. Here are some tips to avoid being victimized.
- Obtain information from trusted sources. Some web sites are providing misinformation and serving malicious software. Refer to the World Health Organization (WHO) (https://www.who.int), Centers for Disease Control (CDC) (https://www.cdc.gov) and the Georgia Department of Public Health (https://dph.georgia.gov/) for official information on Covid-19.
- Check email addresses and links.Inspect web links by hovering your mouse pointer over the URL to see where it leads. Review the sender’s email address.
- Beware of online requests for personal information.A Covid-19 themed email requesting personal information like your Social Security number or login information is a phishing scam. Never respond to these emails.
- Watch for spelling and grammatical mistakes.If an email includes spelling, punctuation or grammar errors, it is possible this is a phishing email.
- Look for generic greetings.Phishing emails are likely to use greetings like “Dear sir or madam.” These usually signal an email is not legitimate.
- Avoid Covid-19 themed emails requiring an immediate response.Phishing emails often create a sense of urgency. Stop. Then Click.
Report suspicious email. Contact our IT Help Desk at rt@highlands.edu or (706) 295-6775 if you receive suspicious email.
COVID-19 FAQs
For information about COVID-19 visit https://dph.georgia.gov/novelcoronavirus
The current guidelines for Covid-19 exposures are:
- You do not need to quarantine at home.
- It is recommended to wear a mask around others for 10 days.
- If possible, get tested on day 6.
- If you develop symptoms, get tested and isolate at home until test results are received, then proceed in accordance with the test results.
