JSU Operations Update
March 16, 2020 4:30 PM
The university continues to adjust operations in response to COVID-19. In accordance with the Center for Disease Control’s new recommendations regarding social distancing, the university is making the following modifications to operations to help keep our campus safe.
On Tuesday and Wednesday, March 17-18, all non-essential JSU personnel will test their ability to continue operations while working remotely. Essential personnel, as identified by their supervisors, will report to campus these two days.
The university will extend Spring Break by two days, beginning on Thursday, March 19, for all faculty, staff and students. Offices will be closed through Sunday, March 29. Some essential staff may need to be available on Thursday and Friday, March 19-20, to assist students with registration and payment. Supervisors will notify these individuals. On March 27, the administration will evaluate and announce when 12-month staff will return to campus.
Classes will resume online following Spring Break on March 30. The administration will evaluate and announce on April 3 when and if the university will resume in-person classes this semester. Students who need to reach faculty or advisors during this time should email them directly.
Priority registration for the summer and fall semesters has been changed as follows:
- March 17 – Seniors, 96+ hours earned, 8 a.m.
- March 17 – Juniors, 64+ hours earned, 12 p.m.
- March 18 – Sophomores, 32+ hours earned, 8 a.m.
- March 18 – Freshmen, 12 p.m.
Hours of Operation
- Housing will remain open for students who wish to remain on campus. Please check out through your RA if you choose to leave.
- Dining: Jack Hopper Dining Hall will be open regular hours March 16-18; beginning Thursday, March 19 through Sunday, March 29, it will be open for Brunch, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and for Dinner, 5-7 p.m. In the TMB Food Court, Chick-fil-A, Freshens, and Mein Bowl will be open March 16-18, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. then closed for spring break. The Gamecock Diner, The Peak Cafe, Starbucks, Jazzman's, and WOW are now closed until further notice. The Red Rooster will be open Monday-Saturday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- The Student Health Center will remain open as follows: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Transportation for students from campus to the health center, if needed, is available by calling 256-782-5885.
- On-call counseling is available to students. Please call campus police at 256-782-5050 and they will connect you with an on-call counselor.
- The University Police Department will remain open 24/7. Call 256-782-5050 if you need assistance.
- The Recreation and Fitness Center will reduce hours to Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Sunday, 12-8 p.m. Intramural sports and Adventure Rec activities are cancelled until further notice. Guest and dependent passes are not available for purchase at this time.
- The Gamecock Express will suspend operations after 7 p.m. tonight until further notice.
- The Library will be open March 17-18, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and will be closed during Spring Break. Library virtual reference chat will be available from 7:30 am – 4:30 pm Thursday, March 19, and Friday, March 20. All electronic resources currently available through the Library’s web pages will remain remotely accessible through the duration of the semester.
- The Bookstore will be open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. until Friday, March 20, then closed March 21-29.
- The Mail Center will provide delivery through Wednesday. The departments can pick up mail Thursday and Friday. The center will be closed next week.
- Student Success will provide tutoring services and students will be able to request an online tutoring session by emailing acetutoring@jsu.edu. Once the form is filled out, a tutor will reach out to students directly to set up an appointment for their session. For students who already have assigned Success Coaches in ACE, coaches will be contacting them directly to set up a time to meet. We suggest that students have access to a computer or smartphone with strong internet in order to complete the session.
- We understand graduating seniors are concerned about spring commencement. The administration has not yet made a decision and will revisit this issue following Spring Break.
As we dismiss for Spring Break, we urge all faculty, staff and students to be mindful of the spread of COVID-19 around the nation, practice social distancing, and maintain awareness of travel restrictions by continuing to visit our web site as well as the CDC web site. We wish you a happy and health spring break and appreciate all the work everyone has done to convert our campus to best serve our students and community as we move ahead.