The Coronavirus (COVID‑19) Information and Resources web page is being updated regularly. In addition, you can read past ArchNews messages related to coronavirus on the “campus message” page. Furthermore, there is a specific section of Frequently Asked Questions relevant for students and faculty/staff, respectively, further down the page.
Click here to visit the University’s COVID-19 Information and Resources web page.
General Information
– CDC: Evaluating and Testing People : Guidelines on how testing is being organized
– Georgia Department of Public Health COVID-19 Daily Status Report : Updated daily at noon
– Data Tracking : Keeping track of confirmed cases around the world
– UGA Coronavirus Info Page : Keeping track of UGA policies and activities
– Athens Clarke-County COVID MB-19 Response : Keep up to date on how Athens-Clarke County is tracking this situation. Spanish-language version of site: https://www.accgov.com/9222/Enfermedad-de-Virus-Corona-2019
Academic Resources
– Academic Advising will be conducting all advising appointments remotely. If you have a scheduled appointment to occur in the duration of the UGA closure, keep it! Reach out to your advisor to schedule an appointment via Zoom, email, or similar.
– The Career Center has cancelled all in-person career fairs, drop-in hours, etc. However, they are offering a variety of online and remote resources. Schedule an appointment through Handshake. Your Career Counselor will then send you an invitation to a Zoom meeting. Arch Ready presentations will be conducted remotely through GoToWebinar. Visit the event page on Handshake or the Career Center website and click the webinar link in the description to get started. Remember to register using your UGA MyID email address.
– The Division of Academic Enhancement is offering Academic Coaching, tutoring sessions, presentation help, and other resources online & via Zoom meetings.
– UGA Libraries: Miller Learning Center is closed to the public March 16-March 28. UGA Science Library is closed to the public March 17-March 28. Special Collections Library is open only to UGA faculty researchers by appointment. UGA Main Library continues to be open Monday-Friday 8-5. Please keep in mind that these decisions are subject to change based on evolving circumstances and University guidance.
Financial Support
– Declined student loans earlier in the semester and now want to use them? You can easily reinstate them through Athena.
– The UGA Student Emergency Fund is available to provide limited, one-time financial assistance to enrolled students who are unable to meet immediate, essential expenses because of temporary hardship related to an emergency situation.
– Financial Aid for Service Industry Workers: If you or someone you know in the service industry is facing quarantine from COVID-19/has COVID-19 or is experiencing hardship during this time, the Giving Kitchen is providing financial support.
– The Bartender Emergency Assistance Program is run by the USBG National Charity Foundation and you do NOT need to be a USBG member to apply for a philanthropic grant. If you need assistance or have any questions please contact the Foundation Staff at foundation@usbg.org.
– The Ark United Ministry Outreach Center provides emergency financial assistance when individuals and families have had a loss of income.
– MusiCares provides emergency funds for musicians in need.
Food Access / Bulldog Basics
– Athens Area Emergency Food Bank : This food bank is available for all who are facing financial struggles, and worry about where their next meal will come from.
– Food Bank of Northeast Georgia : This food bank is trying to meet the growing demand and need for folks who are finding they cannot make ends meet.
– Our Daily Bread : Our Daily Bread will cease its breakfast distribution during the outbreak, but will provide a brown bag lunch at noon every day at First Baptist Church of Athens: 355 Pulaski St, Athens, GA 30601.
– Bulldog Basics/ Hygiene Essentials Assistance : Students in need of basic hygiene materials may submit a request to Bulldog Basics. Click here for instructions on submitting a Bulldog Basics request.
Health & Wellness: If you are feeling isolated or facing other mental health challenges during this time, please seek help through:
– These resources and recommendations shared by the NCAA Sport Science Institute.
– For students of color, The Steve Fund and Crisis Text Line provides 24/7, free and confidential support for mental health and wellbeing. Text STEVE to 741741.
– For the LGBTQ community, The Trevor Project provides 24/7 counseling for crisis intervention and suicide prevention. Call 866-488-7386, text START to 678678 or message a counselor online here.
– The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for individuals in distress. Call 800-273-8255 or chat here.
– A list of international suicide hotlines are available here.
– All University Health Center in-person activities and programs are postponed until further notice. CAPS Mental Health Crisis Lines: During business hours: 706-542-2273; After-hours: 706-542-2200; Sexual Assault 24 Hour Hotline: 706-542-SAFE
– Public Health Hotline 1-866-PUB-HLTH (1-866-782-4584). After dialing the number, press 3 for the COVID-19 extension, then press 1 for information and answers to common questions.
– Crisis Text Line : Anyone in Georgia experiencing an emotional crisis can text GA to 741741 to communicate with a trained Crisis Counselor. The service is free, confidential and available 24/7.
– Georgia Crisis and Access Line: : Call 1-800-715-4225 and a free 24/7 helpline providing mental health crisis assistance and access to mental health resources in Georgia.
– National Disaster Distress Helpline : National, US-based crisis counseling and support phone line for people experiencing emotional distress related to natural or human-caused disasters. Call 1-800-985-5990 or text “TalkWithUs’ to 66746.
– Recreational Sports : No gym? No problem! Follow UGA Recreational Sports on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for at-home workouts, mindful activities, fitness challenges, UGA-themed exercises, and live and pre-recorded group fitness sessions. All members of the University community are invited participate.
– BeWellUGA at Home : The trained dietitians, mindfulness instructors, wellness coaches, health educators, and clinicians at the University Health Center, as well as other campus partners, are here to support your wellbeing no matter how far from campus you are. They will share ways to stay organized; strategies to wake up feeling rested; and live virtual sessions on mindfulness, yoga, mental wellbeing, and stress reduction, among other topics. Click here for more information and links to online BeWellUGA sessions.
Student Care and Outreach
Students, please do not hesitate to contact sco@uga.edu to speak with a staff member about any resources you may be seeking during this time.
Housing & Storage
– If your current place of residence is a UGA dorm, you may register to stay on campus during the duration of the UGA closure. UGA Housing should have sent an email to all current residents with instructions on how to do so on March 16th.
– Embark@UGA is a campus-based effort providing support to students who have experienced homelessness and/or foster care. You may be eligible for their support services if you are at risk of losing housing, sharing rooms with others, sleeping on friends’ couches, residing in hotels or motels not paid for by a govt. or charitable organization, facing eviction, or facing persistent instability due to frequent moves.
– Sparrows Nest : TEMPORARILY CLOSED for one week (3/16-3/20). Will reevaluate next steps as they receive more information.
– Bigger Vision of Athens continues to operate on normal schedule as of 3/16. Offers temporary shelter for those experiencing homelessness.
– Hotel Indigo is offering a special rate for UGA students that have been displaced. Please call the front desk at 706-546-0430 and press 0 to be connected with an operator for more information.
– U-Haul is offering 30 days free self-storage for students.
Utilities
– Charter/Spectrum are offering limited-time (60 days) free internet to displaced students: Phone number: 1-844-488-8395
– Georgia Power will temporarily suspend residential disconnections for the next 30 days, beginning on March 14, 2020, and will reevaluate the policy and timeframe as the situation develops.
– ACC Public Utilities Water will not terminate water service for customers with past due bills for the next 60 days, starting March 14th. Residents who have been disconnected for non-payment will have service restored by March 14th.
– AT&T, Charter, CenturyLink, Comcast, Cox, Sonic, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon, among others, have pledged to not terminate service for residential or small business customers, and open access to public Wi-Fi hotspots to “any American who needs them.” AT&T is also suspending data caps for broadband internet customers.
Online Activities/Resources
– Virtual museum tours
– Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra Streaming : Log on to the Digital Concert Hall ticket page with the code BERLINPHIL and use the Digital Concert Hall free of charge for 30 days.
– Athens Regional Library is closed to in-person traffic, but still offers digital services: RBdigital — eBooks, audiobooks, and magazines, all ages (library card required). Free access to online New York Times – card not required.
– Art ideas/projects
– Free PC games, magazines, audiobooks, and more
– Free online yoga classes
– 30 day free trial of online fitness videos
Other Resources/Opportunities
– United Way 211 is a 24/7 resource designed to connect you to local resources in your area.
– List of Human Services agencies
– Compilation of resources for the artist community
