BUCSAFE Update from the President

What a chilly week! This may be the first time in years that tonight’s Polar Bear Plunge is accurately named. Perhaps Omicron will take a dive on the charts soon, too. Data in other parts of the country indicate a likely drop in the coming days and weeks. We’re hoping, praying, and looking forward to that here. 

Transmission remains high with this variant in Berkeley, Charleston, and Dorchester Counties, as well as on our campus. As indicated in previous communication, we will maintain our current virtual allowances through next Friday to get us through this current surge.  

If you haven’t already done so, please take the opportunity to order free at-home COVID tests courtesy of the federal government and USPS. Orders usually ship in 7-12 days, so expect them sometime in February. Each household can receive four kits.  

Our Numbers

Here are our numbers as of January 23, 2022: 

• TOTAL NUMBER OF STUDENTS IN ISOLATION: 139
  Of these 139 students, 5 are being housed on campus,  and 134 are isolating off campus. 120 are confirmed positive.
• TOTAL NUMBER OF STUDENTS IN QUARANTINE: 151
  Of these 151 students, 6 are being housed on campus,  and 145 are quarantining off campus.  
• TOTAL NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES IN ISOLATION: 45 (40 confirmed positive)
• TOTAL NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES IN QUARANTINE: 27

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 January 26, 2021:

• Students: 50%
• Faculty and Staff: 88.6%
• TOTAL: 56.1%

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.  Natural immunity includes those who have had a positive COVID test July 1, 2021, or later.

Health Resources

MAKO Medical is back! They continue to offer free, on-site PCR testing in the football stadium parking lot each weekday from 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. Test results may take 72 hours due to the high volume of tests submitted to the state lab.  

Our on-campus healthcare partner, Fetter Health Care Network, will be in the Student Center lot every Wednesday from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. In addition to walk-up appointments for your medical needs, Fetter offers immunizations and rapid testing with advance notice. To book vaccines, COVID tests, or to schedule an appointment off campus, call 843-466-6129.  

Please continue to reach out to Dr. Laurel  Glover  if you’re experiencing symptoms, have been exposed to the virus, or otherwise find it necessary to pursue testing. Do NOT go to class or to work if you feel sick.  Take care of yourself and others by staying home.   

Event and Meeting Guidelines

In planning any event on or off campus, employees and students must submit their proposal at least two weeks prior via the Event Form. Please do not email your event to the task force. It is important to submit via the application link in order to receive a timely response.    

Our latest guidelines include the following:    

• Visitors may not attend events at CSU,  with the exception of the Office of Enrollment and outdoor sporting events.
• Lightsey Chapel’s maximum capacity increased to 750 (50% of seating) on Wednesday, November 10, 2021.
• All campus meetings are highly recommended to be conducted virtually for now.  However, meetings may be conducted in person and indoors in small numbers, with masks. Food is best served and eaten outdoors.

Stay #BUCSAFE

Two years into a global pandemic and this CSU Family continues to make me proud because of your faith and resilience. We’re one step closer to this pandemic being in our rearview mirror. And if we’ve learned nothing else the last couple of years, we’ve certainly learned that we are stronger together. That’s a lesson for the ages:  “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:11 NIV)  

Keep doing what you’re doing – for the good of others and the glory of God! 

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