A. Yes, the Student Code of Conduct has been updated to include language specific to the safety of our community. GVSU will enforce compliance with health and safety expectations including at events and activities that take place off-campus.

A. No. Please visit the GVSU Catalog for the current Class Attendance Policy. 

A. Your first step should be to communicate with your professor about any struggles or concerns you have. Additional resources include online academic coaching (please call 616-331-3588 for support), the Student Academic Success Center and Tutoring. In addition, your professional advisor will help you determine your best path for successful completion of the semester. You can call or make an appointment online.

A. Students experiencing on-going issues should notify the dean to whom the faculty member reports. Please send the faculty member’s name, course number, and section. Colleges and contacts can be found here. If you are unsure where to send your e-mail, please contact the Office of the Provost at [email protected].

A. No, most courses do not.  For students who want a fully online schedule, adjustments to academic plans may be necessary to accommodate this modality. Students should work with their assigned faculty or professional advisor to see if this is possible.

A. Students should be directed to the Office of Financial Aid for assistance on all financial needs. GVSU remains committed to supporting students because of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and is available to help students in times of financial need. Financial Aid has several different options, including Hardship funds. Hardship funds are available to assist in paying for the following expenses and can be accessed by students who are not receiving traditional financial aid:

• GVSU account balance
• Textbooks, Course Materials, and Supplies
• Food
• Housing costs (rent, mortgage, utilities, etc.)
• Internet Access
• Technology (computer, tablet, etc.)
• Healthcare costs
• Childcare expenses

All financial aid options offered, including loans, must be utilized prior to offering additional grant funding.

Special Circumstance & Financial Hardship Requests: https://www.gvsu.edu/financialaid/financial-hardship-requests-226.htm

A. See the Information Technology website for the latest information about hours and locations. https://www.gvsu.edu/it/lab-hours-and-locations-188.htm

A. Universities across the state are creating wifi access points in parking lots. GVSU has two “drive up wifi” sites: Lot B in Allendale, and the in the Eberhard Center parking lot in Grand Rapids. Grand Valley Students can access the campus network from their cars, and visitors from other institutions can use The Eduroam network at either site. (The Eduroam network is available at most universities and can be accessed using GV sign-in credentials.) In addition, the Michigan Public Service Commission is compiling public drive-up wifi location information. The interactive map is located here: https://connectednation.org/michigan/hotspotmap

A. The Business and Finance Department has provided the policy on their site.

A. Historically, the university has posted signs in selected areas, such as computer labs, where eating and drinking is banned, but campus-wide rules for classrooms have never been established. Individual faculty have the authority to allow or ban eating and drinking in their classrooms, with advice to consider the length of the class and the scheduling of breaks. (For example, three-hour classes are scheduled so that two, 10-minute breaks are included.)

During the COVID pandemic, there is no change to this approach, but the requirement of face coverings adds new concerns. Included in the university’s Face Coverings Policy is an exemption: “In other public indoor locations, face coverings may be removed briefly for eating and drinking.” Classrooms and other academic areas are considered public locations. An acceptable example of “briefly” is to remove one’s mask, take a few sips of water, and then re-mask. Spending twenty minutes unmasked in a classroom or other public, non-dining space to eat a meal is not acceptable.