BUCSAFE Update from the President

It’s a short week with a lot of fun on the horizon! Our next Sweet 16 event is this Saturday, and, after our Bucs take over the water park, we’ll take over the field at the CSU vs. Citadel game. Go Bucs!  

While we ramp up engagement on and off campus, let’s remain steadfast in doing our part to stay BUCSAFE. Continue to follow the guidelines no matter where your adventures take you so that we can all experience a safe and healthy CSU. 

As I stated last week, we are in constant review of the pandemic’s impact on our campus and surrounding community, and we are prepared for any contingency—including a pivot to virtual learning or hybrid at any time. Of course, we want to continue offering an in-person experience, so please wear your mask indoors, practice physical distancing and good hygiene, and get vaccinated if you can.     

CSU’s Community Immunity numbers for employees and students continue to rise each week! Our first winners for the drawing will be contacted in the next 24 hours. Be on the lookout!  

Our Numbers

Here are our numbers as of September 8, 2021: 

• TOTAL NUMBER OF STUDENTS IN ISOLATION: 48 
  Of these 48 students, 2 are being housed on campus, 46 are off campus, and 38 are confirmed positive.
• TOTAL NUMBER OF STUDENTS IN QUARANTINE: 52
  Of these 52 students, 9 are being housed on campus, 43 are off campus. 
• TOTAL NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES IN ISOLATION: 10 (8 confirmed positive)
• TOTAL NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES IN QUARANTINE: 17

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. LEARN MORE

Community Immunity Status

As of September 8, 2021:

• Students: 23.1%
• Faculty and Staff: 59%
• TOTAL: 28.8%

Our goal is to reach 70% community immunity on campus, which includes proof of vaccination and/or evidence of natural immunity among those who have recently been infected with COVID-19.

Health Resources

Students, faculty, staff, and their families aged 12 and older who are seeking COVID-19 vaccination will have an opportunity NEXT Thursday at the Brewer Center gym. Head over on Thursday, September 16 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. for the Shoot Your Shot event.   

Fetter Health Care Network also offers immunizations and rapid COVID testing each Wednesday from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. with advance notice. For other medical needs, our campus community members may walk up without an appointment. To book an immunization, COVID test, or schedule an appointment off-campus, call 843-466-6129.     

SCDHEC and MAKO Medical continue to offer convenient, FREE PCR testing under the white tent in the football stadium parking lot. The opportunity is available from 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. every weekday.  

Please continue to reach out to Professor Glover if you’re experiencing symptoms, have been exposed to the virus, or otherwise find it necessary to pursue testing. By the way, don’t go to class or to work if you feel sick.  

Updated Event and Meeting Guidelines

We’re still riding out this surge, so please remember our latest guidelines regarding events on campus. In planning any event, employees and students must submit their proposal via the Event Form. 

• Visitors may not attend events at CSU, with the exception of the Office of Enrollment and outdoor sporting events. Though some visitors may attend indoor sports, the capacity will be extremely limited.   
• Lightsey Chapel’s maximum capacity for chapel and other events is set to 375 (25% of seating). For other spaces on campus, please pay attention to the posted BUCSAFE capacity signage.  
• All campus meetings involving faculty and staff are highly recommended to be conducted virtually for now. For any meetings that must be conducted in person, please continue to mask and social distance. 

Stay #BUCSAFE

No matter what we face in life—a pandemic, a bad grade, an end to a relationship, loss of a loved one—keep your focus on the One who calms the storm. “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (ESV).   

Bucs, you are in my prayers. As always, let’s spread the Word, not the virus.  

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