COVID-19 Update from the President

We are well on our way to the first of May, Bucs! Today marks one month until final exams—can you believe it? One year ago, we made the decision to finish out the spring 2020 semester online as COVID-19 cases began to surge in the U.S. We locked down for safety and in prayer for our campus family resting in the hope that God is in control and created humans intelligent enough to research and fight the novel virus. Now we are even more hopeful, not only with faith that the pandemic will end, but that we can once again enjoy what we deem as “normal.”  

I will say what I have said each week for the last year—THANK YOU. We couldn’t be where we are today without your faithfulness and grit. Continue to stay BUCSAFE as we press on to successfully close another academic year and look forward to a new one. 

Our Numbers

Here are our numbers as of March 24, 2021: 

• TOTAL NUMBER OF STUDENTS IN ISOLATION: 11 
  Of these 11 students, 1 resides on campus, 10 reside off campus, and 9 are confirmed positive.
• TOTAL NUMBER OF STUDENTS IN QUARANTINE: 11
  Of these 11 students, 2 reside on campus, 9 reside off campus. 
• TOTAL NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES IN ISOLATION: 4 (4 confirmed positive)
• TOTAL NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES IN QUARANTINE: 4

ISOLATION is reserved for actively symptomatic or known positive cases, and QUARANTINE is reserved for those who have been identified as a close contact of someone who is positive or who has symptoms. People in QUARANTINE are NOT ill – we are simply watching them to ensure they do not become symptomatic.

Graduation

All graduates from 2020 and 2021 should have received a Save the Date by now. A commencement ceremony for August 2019, December 2019, and May 2020 graduates will be held on Friday, April 30^th. Our grads from August 2020, December 2020, and May 2021 will walk the stage on Saturday, May 1^st. Both events will be held at 6 p.m. on CSU’s campus at Buccaneer Field/Whitfield Stadium. 

Vaccine Availability

As a reminder, for those interested in making a COVID-19 vaccination appointment, you can do so online at scdhec.gov/vaxlocator or call 1-866-365-8110. Many on our campus have found success in waiting lists at local pharmacies or by continually checking the scheduling websites of providers like CVS, Walgreens, and Walmart. 

To learn more about the state’s plan, visit here. For additional information on COVID-19 vaccines, check out scdhec.gov/vaxfacts or charlestonsouthern.edu/bucsafe/resources. Students and faculty members experiencing symptoms in the 24-48 hours immediately following their vaccine should reach out to Prof. Laurel Glover for direction regarding the need for short-term virtual attendance. 

Stay #BUCSAFE

Anyone teaching, learning, or working on campus should complete the LiveSafe screening each day. Make it a part of your morning routine before you leave the house—some set a recurring weekday alarm on their phones as a reminder!

Remember, you may reach out to the University Pandemic Task Force at covid19@csuniv.edu with questions or concerns. This email address is monitored Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Any emails received after 5 p.m. on Friday will be addressed on Monday.    

Stay safe, stay focused, stay healthy, and stay faithful to the Lord and His provision as we work together to continue enjoying a healthy CSU! As always, let’s spread the Word, not the virus.

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