The 2020-2021 academic year began Thursday at the University of Georgia, but it looks a bit different than in the past.

The COVID-19 pandemic introduced us to concepts like social distancing and flattening the curve, and those phrases are very much at the center of UGA’s preparations to reopen campus safely while still providing quintessential college experiences.

One of the most obvious changes is the mask mandate, which requires everyone to wear face coverings inside campus facilities where appropriate social distance may not always be possible. The mandate includes masking up in buses, too. But wearing a face covering isn’t a substitute for social distancing, and Bulldogs are encouraged to keep at least 6 feet away from others whenever possible—even outdoors. 

Disinfectant stations and hand sanitizer dispensers have been installed throughout central locations across campus. Auxiliary units such as university housing, the Ramsey Student Center, campus dining halls and campus transit, among others, have implemented additional measures to help students, faculty and staff stay healthy on campus. 

The Ramsey Student Center now requires patrons to wear face coverings while working out and has spaced out cardio and weight equipment to allow for a minimum of 6 feet for social distancing. Before entering the facility, people coming to workout are also asked to complete Dawg Check, the easy-to-use COVID-19 self-screening tool the university developed to help individuals monitor themselves for possible symptoms of the novel coronavirus. 

Dining halls on campus now offer online ordering for delivery or pickup and the option to make reservations to dine in-house, as a way to limit the number of people in a dining hall at the same time and maintain space for social distancing. Dining services also encourages students to explore other dining locations across campus—away from the highest-demand halls on central campus—and to visit outside of peak hours of 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for faster service and smaller crowds.

Transportation and Parking Services has implemented new bus schedules and sanitation procedures as well, including using disinfectant sprays on all buses every night and installing protective barriers around drivers. To accommodate social distancing requirements, the number of people permitted on a bus at one time has been reduced, and all passengers are required to wear face coverings and use the back entrance of the bus.

For the latest information on what UGA is doing to keep campus safe, visit the UGA Coronavirus (COVID-19) Response website.