Academic and Research Continuity

Alcorn State University has dedicated classroom spaces, computer labs, auditoriums, and conference rooms across the main campus, Natchez, and Vicksburg site that can be converted to academic spaces with minor to extensive modification. Various parameters are being assessed, such as air handling, lighting, biological and ecological issues that could rule some spaces out as conducive to student learning.

1. Students, faculty, and staff are REQUIRED to wear a face mask in the classroom, unless exempted with documentation by a medical professional.
2. Disposable masks will be available in a designated main office for every building, in the event, someone shows up to class without a face covering.
3. The Office of the Provost, has proposed an adjustment to the 2020 Academic Calendar
4. The mode of course delivery will be Face to Face (FTF) as mandated by IHL. However, a combination of in-person, hybrid (a mixture of both in-person and online delivery), Digital Off Ramp model and online instruction will be available to any student should they contract or be suspected of contracted COVID-19, while maintaining a new normal, traditional, on-campus experience for fall 2020.
5. Faculty will be asked to create course delivery contingency plans that could be implemented at any time throughout the academic year in response to the fluidity of the COVID-19 situation.
6. The examination of classroom and laboratory spaces throughout all sections of campus will continue to occur.
7. Research and non-classroom instructional spaces may be used to continue research and individuals may study in the space as long as work areas are distanced in accordance with CDC guidelines, with PPE worn where practicable.
8. The Office of the Provost is developing a common course syllabus that will include the A Brave Start Guidelines that will be required for all faculty to use.
9. Faculty will continue to afford that any student who is disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 will not be left behind academically.
10. The University’s faculty and staff will offer enhanced tutoring, advising, and alternate course delivery methods for students who may need to isolate or quarantine during the semester.
11. Trainings for new and existing technology will be developed and made available for students, faculty, and staff in face-to-face and virtual format. The training schedule will be published and communicated broadly.
12. The University is exploring purchase of laptops and wifi to distribute to faculty and staff to support working remotely. The appropriate software will be added to the laptop along with tracking software.
13. CITS will conduct an assessment to determine what additional network and personnel support would be needed to support the additional technology services.
14. The Office for Academic Affairs is working in consultation with the Schools and Registrar to determine the feasibility of offering a 100% online mini-mester between the Fall and Spring terms.

With the approval of Mississippi’s Institutions of Higher Learning Board of Trustees, Alcorn has modified its Fall 2020 academic calendar. The University’s Academic Calendar has been condensed this semester to minimize student travel to and from campus during the holidays for the safety and well-being of our students. Virtual classes will begin on Monday, August 17, 2020, with in-person classes starting on Wednesday, September 9, 2020. The University will hold midterm examinations from October 5-9, 2020. In-person instruction is finalized on Wednesday, November 25, 2020. There will be a finals week of three days, Wednesday through Friday, December 2-4, 2020.

Alcorn State’s Commencement will be determined at a later date. The Spring Semester will begin on Monday, January 11, 2020.

The modified calendar and delivery mode of instruction is subject to change
based on prevailing guidance and in consultation with IHL instructions.

Click here to view full calendarPlease continue to check back for updates to the academic calendar.

Alcorn State University’s overarching guidance on Fall 2020 classes was provided by the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning at May Board Meeting. IHL and Alcorn recognize that face-to-face instruction is a vitally important element for all students attending the university, and as long as health guidance does not prohibit, ASU is committed to in-person instruction to the extent possible. The following health and safety procedures are being implemented to support face-to-face instruction for fall 2020.

1. Facial coverings will be REQUIRED for all students and faculty in classrooms and teaching labs.
2. Physical distancing to the extent possible in teaching spaces is required
3. Facilities will provide nightly sanitization and cleaning
4. Additional cleaning supplies available in each classroom
5. The University will invest in posting signage throughout all spaces to reinforce polices and safety measures
6. Faculty will build a digital shell in CANVAS for every course
7. A thorough evaluation of all space on campus that could be used for in-person instruction is being completed. The appropriate room capacity will be used for in-person instruction based on classroom layout with safety considerations in mind.
8. Schools and departments are working with the Provost to develop course continuity plans for instruction and academic support. A plan is being developed to support continuous remote delivery in the event that we must halt in-person instruction at some point during the semester as well as to support students who may not feel well or develop COVID-19 symptoms to continue education.

1. Research activities, labs and facilities may resume operations if university safety protocols and physical distancing requirements are met.
2. Specific protocols were provided in the research continuity document and will continue to be updated regularly. Guidelines for Alcorn State University Research
3. Supervisors and PIs are responsible for training and communicating all safety requirements to students and others who use the facility.
4. Human Subject Research and IACUC guidance regarding approvals and conducting research are provided in the research protocol.

1. Organizers are required to determine maximum occupancy based on social distance guidelines prior to the meeting
2. Participants are expected to minimize physical interactions
3. Organizers are expected to disinfect and sanitize all furniture and equipment before and after meeting
4. Participants are required to wear face coverings during the meeting
5. Use technology (i.e. Zoom, WebEx, etc.) should be used whenever possible
6. Participants should limit the use of shared items (i.e. pens, notebooks, tools, etc.)