Georgia State University President Mark Becker addresses a myriad of questions and concerns about the university’s direction forward in a virtual town hall on April 17.
A palette of topics such as student aid, graduation and the pass-fail grading system received updates.
Georgia State will receive $45,243,852 through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act. The money will be divided in half for financial assistance to students and the university.
The university is not able to announce dates for a commencement ceremony due to the uncertainty of how long social distancing measures will last. But, President Becker ensures Georgia State will honor graduates in the future with an in-person ceremony.
This comes a few hours after the University of Georgia announced its plans for an in-person commencement ceremony in the fall.
President Becker also says the university is unable to implement a pass-fail grading system due to the University System of Georgia’s policy.
In March, the university system issued a statement that they will not adopt pass-fail.
Continue below for a detailed summary of President Becker’s response to each question.
How will the university distribute money through the CARES Act?
Since the money will be split in half, over $22.6 million will be allocated to students. Two-thirds of the student funds will be distributed to those who have already expressed financial need, based on financial aid models. Through the process, President Becker says over 20,000 students will receive assistance.
The funds will also be allotted toward Georgia State’s emergency assistance fund. This initiative offers financial support to students in need. According to the president, hundreds of students have already applied for the fund.
The remainder of the money will assist students already enrolled in the university who plan to continue their education.
The other half of the $45 million will be allocated to the university, including employees. Before the transition online, paychecks for employees relied on fee-based services.
Since then, President Becker says the university refunded about $16 million to students for the spring semester.
The money will also be used to pay for the cost of moving instruction online.
The funds have not yet been distributed, but President Becker says the university expects to receive more information from the U.S. Department of Education by today.
What financial measures may be needed to address the budget during and after the coronavirus, specifically towards furloughs and layoffs?
Several unknown factors lead President Becker to say it’s too soon to know about furloughs and layoffs.
First being, the 2021 fiscal year budget has not been passed. This makes it unclear what the university’s budget will be. Plans for additional funding from the federal government are also unknown.
In terms of potential sources of revenue, the university does not know what student enrollment will look like for the fall semester. Student fees, along with state and federal support, contribute to paying faculty and staff. The university also does not know what safety measures will be needed for the fall semester.
In efforts to reduce the impact on employees, university units are undergoing cost containment, and the university is cutting budgets where they can.
Can Georgia State adopt a pass-fail grading system?
“The simple answer is no,” President Becker begins.
He explains the University System of Georgia’s policy on the grading system “is extremely narrow and extremely limited,” making it’s adoption unavailable, even on a course-by-course basis.
On March 25, Provost Hensel told professors to rethink grading habits because of the transition both faculty and students have to undergo.
Since then, President Becker says faculty and students have adjusted “remarkably well.”
When will the university decide what the fall semester will look like?
“We have every expectation that the university will be open in the fall,” President Becker says. “What open means is again, widely unknown.”
He mentions the White House’s latest three-phase plan as a roadmap to maintaining social distancing practices and ultimately opening campus again. President Becker hopes Georgia will pass phase one by the end of May.
Provost Wendy Hensel contacted faculty to prepare for the chance that a majority of classes will remain online during the fall semester. Over 850 faculty members have signed up for training about online courses, according to the president.
President Becker hopes the university will know more by late May or early June for a final decision. This will also take into consideration what it means to have a university under social distancing measures.
Are Georgia State faculty involved in COVID-19 research?
President Becker mentions Dr. Gerardo Chowell’s contribution to COVID-19 research, which includes mapping out webs of transmission, among other pieces.
He adds, “[Dr. Chowell] is one of the country’s leading scholars there.”
Next week, President Becker will host a live podcast to explain several infectious disease models with Dr. Chowell.
He also discusses how Georgia State researchers found that a drug used to treat Rheumatoid Arthritis is “promising” against the coronavirus. Additionally, Georgia State has been able to provide testing to the state.
How is the university supporting students during this challenging time?
President Becker says the university has helped students in their transition to online learning.
The university has distributed internet hotspots and tablets to students who lack access to technology. Georgia State is also raising funds through the emergency assistance fund previously mentioned.
The University Advising Center has already provided over 8,500 virtual advising sessions for students, according to the president. More than 3,500 student interventions have also been made to keep students on track.
About 150 students were also able to stay in university housing under safe conditions because they were not able to go elsewhere. There they receive boxed meals.
The Atlanta Student Health Clinic, Counseling Center and University Library have also moved services online.
How can the university help in an impactful way?
“First, be safe. Take care of yourself,” President Becker begins. He then explains that this encompasses both mental and physical health.
President Becker also suggests donating to the university’s emergency assistance fund to support Georgia State students in need.
The Georgia Emergency Management Agency has reached out to Georgia State to examine the possibility of using one of the stadium parking lots for a drive through testing facility, according to the president. Georgia Tech has already begun similar testing sites on their campus.
President Becker advises visiting the university’s coronavirus website frequently for updates.
What is the plan for Georgia State’s commencement ceremony?
President Becker says it’s too early to announce dates for spring commencement. But, he does commit to celebrating student successes in-person in the future.
“We can’t commit to whether that’s going to be in August, whether it’s in September, whether it’s in December. It’s just impossible to know at this point, but we will have a commencement.” President Becker says.
Will there be widespread testing of students and faculty before returning to campus?
President Becker says the university will look to public health officials for guidance.
What has the reaction been from students and faculty to the transition to online instruction?
“I have to say, I’ve been inspired by the response,” President Becker begins.
He says faculty have been quick to adjust, and students have responded. Over 97% of Georgia State students are logging into their online classes, according to the president.
What impact does all this have on Georgia State athletics?
Potential scenarios about fall semester athletics are being explored, President Becker says.
He holds regular conference calls with the Sun Belt Conference to figure out what the semester will look like.
He also mentions the NCAA’s coronavirus task force that is looking into student safety. The president adds, “there won’t be intercollegiate athletics unless it can be done safely.”
The full town hall can be viewed here.
Note: This article was written for PRN, the student-led news station at Georgia State University.
