Updated: March 17, 2020 | 4 PM 

 

Dear LGS Community,

 

As you are aware, Emory University is taking extraordinary steps to prevent the transmission of COVID-19. I write to provide guidance on what this means for LGS.

 

All LGS students should begin working remotely immediately, to the fullest extent possible, with transitions completed no later than Friday, March 20, 2020. Faculty advisors should work with their graduate students to develop individualized plans to continue their research remotely.

 

All LGS students who currently receive stipends, including those supported by research grants, will continue to receive their stipends.  

 

LGS students should not be assigned as essential lab personnel with on-campus responsibilities. No student may be compelled to come to campus for any purpose. Faculty must be flexible to support remote work arrangements for LGS students. In the event that a laboratory engaged in essential research activities requires an LGS student to maintain a physical presence in the lab, this must be approved by the Director of Graduate Studies/Program Director, the PI’s Department Chair, and the Dean of the Laney Graduate School. The resulting decision will be reported to the PI’s School/Unit Dean. LGS will provide additional guidance and update the FAQs on the LGS COVID-19 webpage.

 

LGS will work closely with graduate programs to mitigate the impact on student academic progress in order to meet the academic needs of each student. We recognize that transitioning certain kinds of research activities to remote work will require careful planning and may affect academic progress. We will provide further guidance as the implications for the research environment continue to unfold.

 

If you have questions or concerns about academic progress, please reach out to your Director of Graduate Studies/Program Director. Students outside of lab environments should contact Interim Assistant Dean Mackenzie Bristow. Students in lab environments should contact Associate Dean Amanda Marie James. Directors of Graduate Studies/Program Directors should contact Senior Associate Dean Cathryn Johnson.

 

During these rapidly evolving circumstances, we must work together and stay connected to protect our community. We appreciate your partnership and efforts to keep our community safe. Please regularly check the Emory University and LGS COVID-19 webpages for more information.

 

Stay strong and resolute in your practices to curtail and stop transmission. Be patient and responsibly flexible and take time for self-care.

 

 

With you,

 

Lisa A. Tedesco, Ph.D.


 

Vice Provost for Academic Affairs – Graduate Studies


Dean, James T. Laney School of Graduate Studies

Professor, Rollins School of Public Health