Frequently Asked Questions
Last Update: 4/01/20 | 4:30 p.m.
COVID-19 Exposure, Health and Wellness
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness that can spread from person to person. The virus that causes COVID-19 is a novel coronavirus that was first identified during an investigation into an outbreak in Wuhan, China.
COVID-19 is a new disease, and the CDC is learning more about how the virus spreads. Please refer to the CDC website for the most current information.
Patients with COVID-19 have mild to severe respiratory illness with symptoms of fever, cough and shortness of breath. In severe cases, patients with COVID-19 have developed pneumonia in both lungs.
There is currently no vaccine to protect against COVID-19. The best way to prevent infection is to avoid being exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19.
The same measures that are urged to prevent the spread of any respiratory virus are increasingly important:
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing.
- Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Frequently clean and disinfect high touch surfaces with household cleaning spray or wipes.
- Practice social distancing (avoid shaking hands, maintain a 6-foot distance from individuals who are symptomatic and consider using teleconferencing instead of face-to-face meetings).
Practice other good health habits, including getting plenty of sleep, being physically active, managing your stress, drinking plenty of fluids, and eating nutritious food.
If you are a student and develop a cough or shortness of breath accompanied by a fever, immediately call the Student Health Center phone line at (478) 301-7425. The line is monitored 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Employees should call their health care provider. It is critical that employees do not report to work while experiencing symptoms including fever, cough, shortness of breath, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, and chills. Faculty, staff, and students can also access a coronavirus self-checker on the CDC’s website.
If you recently traveled to countries that are listed as a CDC Warning Level 3 Travel Health Notice for COVID-19, students should contact Mercer University Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. Doug Pearson by email at pearson_dr@mercer.edu or by phone at (478) 301-2685 and employees should contact Human Resources by phone at (478) 301-2786, as soon as possible. If you traveled internationally to other locations, it is recommended that you conduct a self-observation period and remain alert for subjective fever, cough, or difficulty breathing for 14 days as a precaution.
Faculty and staff who anticipate traveling abroad through Aug. 31, 2020, should register that travel online. While this registry is typically reserved for University-sponsored travel abroad, we are now asking that all international travel either for University business or for personal reasons be registered using this site.
Mercer’s custodial staff has been trained to use CDC-defined cleaning techniques to prevent the spread of the virus. Employees have been instructed to frequently clean high-touch surfaces such as door handles, door faces, push buttons, handrails, desktops and bathroom surfaces. Cleaning chemicals used by Mercer custodial staff are EPA-registered disinfectants capable of killing the coronavirus. Supervisors are conducting daily updates with employees to provide guidance concerning response to the evolving COVID-19 outbreak.
As warranted, the University is sending e-mails to students, faculty and staff to keep them apprised of developments that impact the Mercer community. These communications are also being posted on the University’s coronavirus website: www.mercer.edu/coronavirus/.
As our students, faculty, and staff transition to online learning, remember that your Mercer family is always here for you. An important way that we support each other is through the spirit of community — whether that’s in person or virtually — and there’s no other community anywhere in the world like Mercer. We invite you to join The Den — a new online gathering spot where you can follow the many good things that are happening across the University.
Campus Operations and General Questions
Yes, beginning March 23, Mercer transitioned to virtual formats for the remainder of the spring semester.
No, offices remain open and most student services continue to be provided for the students who are still living on campus.
Yes! Effective March 28 until further notice, Macon’s Fresh Food Company hours are:
Monday – Sunday
10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
5 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
All other Macon dining locations are closed.
Atlanta food service is currently closed. Please contact the Office of Student Affairs at (678) 547-6823 or (678) 547-6824 for more information.
Yes, the University Center is currently open Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Saturday — Sunday from noon until 5 p.m. The fitness center is closed. Please check their website for additional information, https://uc.mercer.edu/hours.
In-person Library services/main floors are closed until further notice. 24/7 spaces continue to be accessible by Bear Card. To access cloud-based services, including research help, eBooks, eJournals, and electronic database access, visit the Library’s website.
Law School Library
For updated library hours and access information, click here.
Medical School Library
For updated library hours and access information, click here.
All official email communication from the University will be sent to your Mercer email account. You may also check your Mercer email via Office 365 online. Enter your Mercer University ID number followed by @live.mercer.edu (e.g. 12345678@live.mercer.edu) and enter the same password used to access your MyMercer account.
The Mercer Bus will be suspended until April 8th at which time a decision regarding the remainder of the semester will be made.
If you have left campus due to the COVID-19 pandemic and would like to have your USPS mail forwarded to another address, you will need to register a forwarding address with the Mail and Document Services Department. Students can complete this request by accessing your MyMercer portal. Once you have logged into your MyMercer portal, click on My Profile and then the Forward My Mail link at the bottom of the list.
Please note only first class USPS mail is eligible for forwarding; catalogs, sales announcements, etc. will not be forwarded. If you have questions, please contact the Mercer Mail and Document Services Office:
Macon Campus (478) 301-2020
Atlanta Campus (678) 547-6154
Academic Information
The University is exploring options to convert letter grades to S/U (satisfactory or unsatisfactory). More information will be provided next week.
All course-based community service and volunteerism involving direct contact within the community have been suspended. Your professors have been asked to contact you directly to explain how the assignments and grading scheme for the course will need to be adjusted if necessary. Please contact your professor with questions.
In this time of need within our communities, faculty members have been encouraged to contact community partners to see if they could substitute direct community outreach with indirect ways of supporting community partners. For instance:
- conducting background research, gathering best practices, or other kinds of information requested by partner(s)
- recording demonstrations or information to benefit community partner(s)
- creating digital, social media content, or print program materials for use now or later
This moment is a valuable time to reflect on how much we can support one another as communities.
Diplomas will be released to students and transcripts annotated upon the certification of completion of all degree requirements. Contact the Office of the Registrar with questions.
Online Delivery Available with Free Shipping
We remain open for online business and ready to serve you through our app and on the web. We will keep delivering our products during this temporary store closure with free shipping on all orders, although you may experience longer shipping times than usual.
If you need to order textbooks, school supplies or clothing, please visit: https://mercer-macon.bncollege.com.
Textbook Rental Returns
For students who are not on campus, your rented textbooks can be returned free by mail. Simply go to the campus store website shown below and follow the instructions to print a shipping label. Please note: You may access only one free return shipping label per semester, so it will be best if you wait to return your rental textbooks until you have completed your studies for the semester. We will be extending the grace period for rental returns at the end of the semester.
If you need to return your rental books, please visit: https://mercer-macon.bncollege.com/shop/mercer-macon/page/rental-book-return.
VitalSource Helps Free E-Text Program
For the remainder of the spring 2020 term, we are partnering with Vital Sources Helps to offer free access to e-text versions of many of your textbooks. Click here to learn more.
Please continue to submit your summer or fall textbooks orders here.
For questions about your textbook order, please email Ken Boyer at SM576@bncollege.com.
For current information on bookstore operations, please follow us on our social media channels.
The Office of Fellowships and Scholarships will be available for advising sessions through Zoom, and students can make an appointment. Many international study and internship programs have been suspended for this summer, but now is a good time for students to begin thinking about programs to consider for next year. Now is also time to begin work on applications for the Fulbright U.S. Student Program. Please contact Dr. David Davis at davis_da@mercer.edu with additional questions.
The Office of Fellowships and Scholarships assists students applying for nationally and internationally competitive merit scholarship programs that support undergraduate or graduate study, research, or work experiences, here or abroad. Fellowships support students in their efforts to do great work in the world and open doors to mentoring, graduate schools, and careers.
REU Program: If you have been accepted for a REU or similar experience at another university and the summer program is cancelled, please contact Dr. Kevin Bucholtz (bucholtz_km@mercer.edu). He will work directly with you to see if Mercer can provide you a summer experience, once we return to on-campus operations.
MUBS Program: Currently, the application portal for the 2020 Mercer University Biomedical Scholars Program has not yet been opened. The program is still tentatively planned for this summer. As we gather more information about the timeline of operations, the application portal will be opened and a modified version of MUBS will be developed to fit the adjusted calendar. For faculty interested in being research mentors and students interested in applying, please check back regularly as we will update this webpage when more information becomes available. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Dr. Kevin Bucholtz (bucholtz_km@mercer.edu).
As always, we will continue to provide high-quality research experiences for students during the summer and academic year.
Please consult with your committee chair and program director. The University has approved the use of video conferencing for the defense. Conferencing via Zoom is recommended.
In the event that your committee member is unable to sign your Approvals page, the committee member may authorize another faculty member or administrator to sign on their behalf. A document (typically an email or letter) indicating such signing permission should be submitted with the Approvals page. If no such signing designee is available, the committee member may email the approval to howard_ke@mercer.edu.
Yes, scanned copies of forms may be emailed directly to snow_la@mercer.edu or howard_ke@mercer.edu.
Submissions will be accepted after the April 1 deadline for the remainder of this semester. Please consult with your academic program director regarding internal program deadlines.
Housing
Most of our residential students in Macon have returned home, although we have a number who, for various reasons, have not returned to their homes. Some have family health reasons for remaining, others have travel-related challenges, some have academic reasons, others have employment-related reasons and yet others have appropriate personal reasons. We are committed to ensuring that each of these students is housed, fed and cared for until normal operations resume. However, students who remain on campus without good reason should consider returning home.
We are working on a plan to reimburse students for unused board and university housing. The plan will include students who live in the various Loft developments immediately adjacent to campus that are a part of the University housing plan. You will receive further information once this plan is finalized, which requires careful analysis of financial aid implications.
No, you are not required to move out of University housing or the Lofts at this time. However, students who chose to go home are encouraged to stay there until further decisions are made regarding the remainder of the semester. We want to minimize the spread of the virus by students coming and going.
You simply need to contact your resident assistant and complete an express check-out form and return your key. You are expected to leave the room clean. If you have questions regarding this process, you can call the Office of Housing and Residence Life at 478-301-2687 (Macon) and 678-547-6108 or 678-547-6104 (Atlanta).
For students living in the Lofts, they should contact their building manager in the building they reside to discuss moving-out protocols and procedures.
Financial Matters
We are working on a plan to reimburse students for unused board and university housing. The plan will include students who live in the various Loft developments immediately adjacent to campus that are a part of the University housing plan. You will receive further information once this plan is finalized, which requires careful analysis of financial aid implications.
Students can continue to contact their Financial Aid Advisors via email or telephone. Students may also contact the Office of Student Financial Planning through our main line 478.301.2670. The Office of Student Financial Planning will return all messages left before 4 p.m. each day on the same day; messages after 4 p.m. will be returned on the next day.
Students may schedule meetings with their Financial Aid Advisors through Starfish. Meetings will be held via Zoom or phone conference.
Event Information
The University will make a decision regarding the May commencement ceremonies and will communicate that information to you by mid-April.
Please refer to the Event Cancellations page for a current list of cancelled events.
Yes, we are having Virtual BEAR Day. The online submission has been extended to April 17th.
All students have the opportunity to submit their papers and/or posters online through a University digital repository, https://merceruniversity.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cZ9Hqa5qXr491yZ
All students interested in presenting their work virtually must RESUBMIT their work. Instructions on how to upload BEAR Day materials can be found here: https://youtu.be/Pkg4CuPDApw
All students are eligible to submit to Virtual BEAR Day but doing so will require that a faculty member sign off on the work and agree to have it viewable through the University digital repository.
PLEASE REMEMBER: ALL STUDENT COAUTHORS WILL RECEIVE AN EMAIL REQUIRING THEM TO CONFIRM SUBMISSION. If your colleagues do not confirm submission, your poster cannot be put online.
With Virtual BEAR Day, students present their work to their peers and faculty asynchronously. The repository will be open access and available online. Materials can be incorporated into classwork over the next few weeks.
The BEAR Day Committee understands that some students will need to present their research synchronously in order to complete graduation and course requirements. The Committee will work with faculty to set up independent, discipline-specific Zoom conferences.
There is no standard template for a poster submission; however, the BEAR Day Committee has created a template. Please contact Dr. Adam Kiefer (Kiefer_am@mercer.edu) for the template and continue to consult with your faculty advisor.
By unanimous votes of the league’s Council of Presidents and directors of athletics, the Southern Conference is canceling all athletically-related activities for the remainder of the 2019-20 academic year, including competition, championships, organized practices, and meetings.
At this time all non-essential social events (including contact intramurals and Bearstock) have been suspended until further notice. Recreational Sports and Wellness is offering online eGaming sports to student participants for virtual participation. Additionally, Group Fitness workout plans are being distributed weekly. Rec Sports and Campus Life are posting activities and information to keep you engaged online each day. Check out our websites and social media for details and updates!
Counseling
If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, please call:
- 9-1-1
- Georgia Crisis and Access Line at 1-800-715-4225 (Georgia only)
- Mercer Police – MERPO (478-301-4357 for Macon-campus residents)
- Mercer Police – MERPO (678-547-6358 for Atlanta-campus residents)
Mercer’s Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) staff continue to support actively-enrolled Mercer students via telemental health services:
- Macon-based students, including all School of Medicine students, may contact CAPS Macon by calling 478-301-2862 or visiting https://counseling.mercer.edu/macon/ for additional updates and information.
- Atlanta-based students and Atlanta-area Regional Academic Centers students may contact CAPS-ATL by calling 678-547-6060 or visiting https://counseling.mercer.edu/atlanta/ for additional updates and information.
- Due to licensing laws and knowledge of resources, students continuing their studies online who are now residing out of Georgia are encouraged to visit the CAPS website for help in locating referrals or resources in your area and call CAPS if additional assistance is needed.
Please consult each individual CAPS website for additional resources and information.
- The CDC provides multiple resources on taking care of your emotional health.
International Students
International students should work directly with individual faculty members in the event that Mercer’s face-to-face classes resume and there is still a travel ban from their home countries. Mercer will make every effort to enable all students to complete the semester.
No. Your international student advisor should sign your immigration documents before you leave. As long as you remain engaged in your coursework, your immigration status will remain “active.” If you are absent from the U.S. for more than five months, make sure to contact your advisor before you return.
As of now, SEVP has not provided any contingency guidance for students who want to apply for OPT. OPT applications must be made from inside the United States. Several organizations are advocating for exceptions, and we will communicate any future exceptions to the OPT rule to our international students via Mercer email.
Online Teaching and Learning
Visit the IT website and use the Search feature to search any topic you do not find on the home page. Contact the IT Help Desk via phone (478) 301-7000 or via their IT Service Portal for further assistance. In-person support may be available by appointment, if needed. Visit our Contact Us page frequently for our current hours of operation.
The student should first contact the instructor to explain the connectivity situation. If connectivity remains an issue, the instructor can accommodate the student by providing alternate activities and communicating regularly with the student.
Mercer’s credit hour policy provides guidelines for compliance and activities that count toward direct instructional time, many of which are asynchronous.
Yes, student success in an online course includes regularly logging into your course and staying connected. Check your course announcements and communications to ensure that you stay up to date on assignments, exams, and other course requirements.
Visit the IT website for information on accessing and using Canvas.
Contact the IT Help Desk via phone (478) 301-7000 or via their IT Service Portal for assistance with Canvas.
Zoom Video Conferencing is a simple-to-use, cloud-based video communications tool that is available to all Mercer students. This software solution offers many features including integration with Canvas, online meetings, video conferencing, webinars, questionnaires within meetings, and much more. Zoom allows you to conduct a video meeting or webinar directly from your computer, mobile device, or Zoom Configured Classrooms. Check out this quick video for an overview of Zoom Video Conferencing.
All students have Zoom accounts that can be used for classes or personal meetings/study sessions.
- Visit Zoom: http://mercer.zoom.us
- Click the Sign in button.
- Enter the same username and password used to access your computer, Mercer email, or MyMercer.
Once you have used the link above to log in and complete your Zoom account setup, you may also access Zoom from any Canvas course menu. Visit the IT website for additional Zoom resources.
Visit the IT website for instructions on how to install Zoom on your computer or mobile device.
Click here to test your audio and video equipment at your convenience. If you have problems accessing or using Zoom, contact the IT Help Desk or visit the IT website for information and tutorials about Zoom.
If you have problems accessing or using Zoom, contact the IT Help Desk or visit the IT website for information and tutorials about Zoom.
Yes, you can still join and host meetings, and you’ll be able to see and hear the video and audio from the other participants. Zoom also provides a telephone number to call in to a meeting. Zoom meetings include a chat feature, so even without audio or video, you can still communicate with the participants by typing. Visit the IT website for answers to Common Zoom Questions.
Yes, visit the IT website for instructions on how to install Microsoft Office on your computer or mobile devices.
Mercer IT has created the following online software portal to accommodate specialty software needs: https://onlineapps.mercer.edu. Check here first to see if the software your students need is already available. You will log in with your Mercer credentials.
If you do not see what you need, contact the IT Help Desk via phone (478) 301-7000 or via their IT Service Portal for assistance. The IT staff will work with you to assess specific software needs.
For common questions and on-demand tutorials, visit Mercer IT’s Zoom informational site and/or Canvas informational site.
For technical assistance, contact the IT Help Desk at 478-301-7000 or via the IT Service Portal. Visit the Contact Us page for hours of operation.
For instructional questions, contact Dr. Susan Codone (codone_s@mercer.edu), 478-301-4185 to schedule an online session.
To schedule a training session, contact Jerome Gratigny (gratigny_ja@mercer.edu).
View Mercer IT’s Working & Teaching from Home site for instructions.
Advising and Registration
Macon Campus Undergraduate Academic Advising begins March 30
Registration
- Macon Campus Priority – April 6
- Macon Campus Graduates/Seniors – April 7
- Atlanta & RAC – April 8
- Macon Campus Juniors – April 9
- Macon Campus Sophomores – April 13
- Atlanta College of Health Professions – April 13
- Macon Campus First-Year Students – April 14
- Macon Campus Open Registration Begins – April 20
Office of Academic and Advising Services for Macon Undergraduates
Starfish is a web-based platform used for the Macon undergraduate campus and post-traditional programs. Many faculty and staff in these programs use Starfish as a tool for scheduling appointments. Students can find instructions for using Starfish here. Note that you will only be able to use this scheduling tool for faculty and staff who have enabled booking on Starfish.
You must email your permission request to the instructor prior to your registration date as instructors must grant permission electronically in the registration system. You will then be able to register for the course via MyMercer when your registration window opens.
After you register for the course, email registrar@mercer.edu, the instructor, and your advisor to request this option.
Complete the ‘Schedule Drop/Add’ form that can be found on the Online Registration screen in MyMercer.
The last day to withdraw from Session II courses is April 17.
Starfish is a web-based platform used for the Macon undergraduate campus and post-traditional programs. You can find instructions for setting up appointments here.
Certain Mercer resources require a Virtual Private Network (VPN) connection to access from home or other remote locations. Virtual Private Network (VPN) access typically requires approval from the Human Resources department. However, to expedite the process for all of those who may need to work remotely during this uncertain time, IT has temporarily enabled VPN access for all faculty and staff. Visit the IT website for information on installing and accessing VPN. If you have trouble, contact the IT Help Desk.
Virtual Private Network (VPN) access is NOT required for all remote work. Only use a VPN if you really need it. VPN is NOT needed for Canvas, Zoom, Office 365, Outlook, Teams, or OneDrive.
Travel
If you recently traveled to countries that are listed as a CDC Warning Level 3 Travel Health Notice for COVID-19, students should contact Mercer University Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. Doug Pearson by email at pearson_dr@mercer.edu or by phone at (478) 301-2685 and employees should contact Human Resources by phone at (478) 301-2786, as soon as possible. If you traveled internationally to other locations, it is recommended that you conduct a self-observation period and remain alert for subjective fever, cough, or difficulty breathing for 14 days as a precaution.
Faculty and staff who anticipate traveling abroad through Aug. 31, 2020, should register that travel online. While this registry is typically reserved for University-sponsored travel abroad, we are now asking that all international travel either for University business or for personal reasons be registered using this site.
The Mercer on Mission office continues to monitor the evolving situation and remains in regular consultation with other University offices and relevant authorities. All Mercer on Mission programs are currently suspended, but not cancelled, at this time. If circumstances dramatically improve and safe travel can be assured in the later part of the summer or fall, we will attempt to launch MoM programs.
At this time, no new international study abroad programs are being approved. If you have committed to a study abroad summer program, you will be notified if the program is cancelled. We are taking every precaution possible in determining whether and when to decide on canceling summer programs.
Contact the Office of International Programs for advice at studyabroad@mercer.edu. The situation in each country is different; we are addressing student challenges in returning home on a case-by-case basis.
Many of our study abroad partners are allowing students to complete their terms online. If you are unable to complete your program either in-country, or online from the U.S., please contact studyabroad@mercer.edu and we will connect you with your financial aid counselor to determine how your aid might be impacted by a decision to withdraw.
At this time, we are unsure about whether we will be able to support study abroad programs next year; however, we are still advising students on options for study abroad next year. If you are interested in spending a semester in another country at one of our exchange partners, please contact studyabroad@mercer.edu and we will set up an advising appointment with you via Zoom.
Faculty and staff who anticipate traveling abroad through August 31, 2020, can register that travel using the following link: https://international.mercer.edu/study-abroad/register-my-travel/.
While this registry is typically reserved for University-sponsored travel abroad, we are now asking that all international travel either for University business or for personal reasons be registered using this site. If you have already registered your anticipated travel, you do not need to re-enter your travel.
Library Resources
The Mercer Libraries offer 24/7, cloud-based eResources along with robust collections of eBooks, eJournals, eDatabases, digitized materials, and virtual Library assistance. “Cloud-based” means that these resources are always available online and do not require in-person Library access.
For any questions or concerns, contact the Librarians at library_reference@mercer.edu. You may leave a message for the Tarver Circulation Desk at 478-301-2961 or a message for the Swilley Circulation Desk at 678-547-6284.
- eBooks: 481,011
- eJournal Titles: 171,958
- Electronic Research Databases: 217
- Library Research Guides (LibGuides): 77
- Digitized Resources from the Archives: 10,000+
For any questions or concerns, contact the Librarians at library_reference@mercer.edu. You may leave a message for the Tarver Circulation Desk at 478-301-2961 or a message for the Swilley Circulation Desk at 678-547-6284.
There are a number of ways to access the Library’s electronic resources and virtual research assistance. The best place to start is on the Library’s website.
The Library has created a page with a comprehensive set of links and resources specifically designed for online users along with other useful information about the Library. Go to the Library homepage and click on the COVID-19 link at the top of the page or click here.
Here are a few places to start:
- “Using Library Resources Off-Campus”
- “Mercer University Library How-to Videos”
- “Online Research Guides and Links” (LibGuides) by Subject or Group link
- “Ask a Librarian” (Chat, Zoom, Email, or Phone)
The Research Librarians and Archivists are happy to continue offering support and research help for both students and faculty.
- Creation of short YouTube Videos: They can assist with creating short videos that demonstrate how to access resources specific to different courses. Examples of these videos can be found on the Mercer University Library YouTube page.
- Online Research Guides: Library faculty and staff have created research guides that can help identify relevant resources for students. Additionally, faculty can always reach out to library staff to create a subject specific guide for your class, e.g., for Education or Religion or Music, etc.
- Embedded Librarians: Librarians can also be embedded directly into faculty Canvas course shells in order to add content about library research and provide contact information.
- Zoom Instruction Sessions: Additionally, faculty can schedule a library instruction session, both synchronously and asynchronously, through Zoom.
The Library has also created an Ask a Librarian Zoom Room that is monitored by librarians during their regular reference hours, so that students and faculty can receive face-to-face assistance.
In-person Library services/main floors are closed until further notice. 24/7 spaces continue to be accessible by Bear Card. Check the Library Hours website for changes.
You may contact Tarver Library staff in the following ways:
- Chat: Ask a Librarian link: https://libraries.mercer.edu/research-tools-help/ask-a-librarian
- Library Reference email: library_reference@mercer.edu
- By phone: Please leave a message for Tarver Reference at 478-301-2055, Tarver Circulation at 478-301-2961, and Tarver Archives at 478-301-2968.
For any questions or concerns, please contact the librarians at library_reference@mercer.edu or 478-301-2961.
In-person Library services/main floors are closed until further notice. 24/7 spaces continue to be accessible by Bear Card. Check the Library Hours website for changes.
You may contact Swilley Library staff in the following ways:
- Chat: Ask a Librarian link: https://libraries.mercer.edu/research-tools-help/ask-a-librarian
- Library Reference email: library_reference@mercer.edu
- By phone: Please leave a message for Swilley Reference at 678-547-6282 and Swilley Circulation at 678-547-6284.
For any questions or concerns, please contact the librarians at library_reference@mercer.edu or 678-547-6284.
Access and Accommodations
- Students already receiving accommodations with The Access Office can log into Accommodate to request new accommodations.
- Registered students are requested to communicate with their instructors about the accommodation and implementation in the online environment.
- Students not yet receiving accommodations will need to complete the process to become approved for accommodations. Please go to https://access.mercer.edu/students/new/ and follow the procedures.
Please contact the Access and Accommodation Office. Office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Staff can be reached at 478-301-2810 or by email at access@mercer.edu.
Access and accommodations can be implemented in the online environment. Canvas training can provide guidance on how to change settings to provide extended time on tests, exams, and quizzes. Many classroom accommodations will be managed by the student and in coordination with the Office Access and Accommodations if needed.
Accessible materials will need to be used in course development including text-based documents, description of images that are content related, videos with captioning/transcripts, and websites.
- To check a website, use www.Wave.webaim.org.
- Captioning: Visit EASI for programs that will assist in adding captions to your own videos. For videos produced by others, be sure that there are captions or a transcript (double check the captions for accuracy).
- You can produce transcripts of Zoom recordings. See this website for directions. Please use this feature to have a transcript with each of your videos.
Faculty intending to use Zoom for live meetings and are aware of a student with hearing impairment should contact Katie Johnson in the Access Office to discuss.
The Access Office is contacting individual faculty regarding specific student needs with tips and resources.
The Access Office has information on remote accommodation implementation as well as information on how to ensure your online content is accessible, including applying extra time for exams. Contact Katie Johnson for any questions or concerns at access@mercer.edu or 478-301-2810.
Tutoring
All in-person tutoring at the Academic Resource Center has been suspended. Online tutoring in writing, math, and science is available through Canvas. Appointments are not required. To obtain access to the service, you must self-enroll in the appropriate Canvas course for your campus or Regional Academic Center.
Additional information, including tutoring schedules and instructions for self-enrolling, can be found on the ARC’s website. You may contact the Academic Resource Center at arc@mercer.edu or 478-301-2669 with any questions or concerns.
Staff
Our campuses remain open, but staff who can perform their work from home without impacting students or the work of their office negatively are being permitted to do so with approval of their supervisors and Human Resources. We continue to maintain essential services including food service in Macon, custodial service with enhanced cleaning and disinfecting protocols, Student Health Center, police operations, and other critical support services.
Staff who wish to submit a request to work remotely, or do a combination of work from home and their office, should submit the request by email to their supervisor and copy Candace Whaley in Human Resources (whaley_ce@mercer.edu). Each request will be reviewed by HR and the employee’s supervisor. The supervisor will notify the employee whether the request has been approved once it has been fully reviewed.
Currently, the remote work approvals will extend through Friday, April 3rd. The University will evaluate the current circumstances and provide additional guidance at that time.
Some positions are needed to report to campus to complete essential campus work assignments. Additionally, some offices must maintain some level of staffing. If a combination of work from home and work in the office is approved, employees should work with their supervisors to ensure a schedule for office coverage.
If an employee is unable to work their full schedule, they must take leave. During the approved period, employees may
- use any form of available accrued leave (sick or vacation) or
- elect to take unpaid leave without using available accruals.
Employees should use the appropriate leave code to track their leave usage on their timesheet or Bear Time report.
Non-exempt (hourly) employees
It is critical that non-exempt employees track all hours worked on their timesheet. Timesheets may be submitted electronically to Gina Edwards in Payroll (Edwards_g@mercer.edu) and must be done so according to the established deadlines. See the Payroll website for deadlines and copies of timesheets if needed: http://benefitspayroll.mercer.edu/payroll/timekeeping.cfm.
Exempt (salaried) employees
Exempt employees should continue to submit their Bear Time report as usual via email at the end of the month.
Yes, during the approved period (March 16 – April 3, 2020), if employees are unable to work for approved reasons, they may use any form of available accrued leave (sick or vacation). Employees should use the appropriate leave code to track their leave usage on the timesheet or Bear Time report.
Employees who are unable to perform any of their responsibilities remotely or do not have sufficient leave accruals should contact HR.
No. In order to ensure the safety of those employees who are working on campus on a part-time or full-time basis, employees must not bring guests or children to campus during this time.
View Mercer IT’s Working & Teaching from Home site for instructions.
- Immediately call the Mercer Medicine Hotline (301-SICK / 301-7425) to report your positive test for COVID-19 and speak to a health care professional.
- Mercer Medicine will inform Human Resources of your positive test and the length of self-isolation.
- Mercer Medicine will trace all contacts and notify Human Resources regarding those employees and locations that have been sufficiently exposed to warrant quarantine.
- Human Resources will contact you to discuss leave options available.
- Immediately call the Mercer Medicine Hotline (301-SICK) to report the health care provider’s recommendations.
- Mercer Medicine will inform Human Resources of the recommended self-isolation or quarantine.
- Mercer Medicine will trace all contacts and notify Human Resources regarding those employees and locations that have been sufficiently exposed to warrant quarantine.
- Contact the Mercer Medicine Hotline (301-SICK) to speak to a health care professional that will evaluate your situation and determine if self-isolation or quarantine is recommended OR consult with your primary care physician. If your primary care physician recommends self-isolation or quarantine please follow the steps in #2.
- If Mercer Medicine recommends that you self-isolate or quarantine they will inform Human Resources of the recommended self-isolation or quarantine.
- If self-isolation is recommended, Mercer Medicine will trace all contacts and notify Human Resources regarding those employees and locations that have been sufficiently exposed to warrant quarantine.
- Visit Mercer University’s COVID-19 web page, and scroll down to locate the link to the Coronavirus Self Checker Tool provided on the CDC website.
- If you still feel that you may be at risk, contact Mercer Medicine Hotline (301-SICK) for a health care professional to evaluate your situation and determine if self-isolation or quarantine is recommended OR consult with your primary care physician.
- If Mercer Medicine recommends that you self-isolate or quarantine they will inform Human Resources of the recommended self-isolation or quarantine.
- If self-isolation is recommended, Mercer Medicine will trace all contacts and notify Human Resources regarding those employees and locations that have been sufficiently exposed.
The University will release information regarding confirmed cases to the extent privacy laws allow.