BUCSAFE Update from the President

We have entered the season of hayrides, pumpkins, and masks that cover more than just our mouths and noses. This Friday, the greatly anticipated Buctober will offer a fun and festive fall event for our students, where they will get their fill of cotton candy, kettle corn, and memories to last a lifetime. I can’t wait.

Each week, I share the latest numbers provided by our University Pandemic Task Force. We inch our way up a percentage point each week toward our Community Immunity goal (this week we gained two!). Based on a campuswide survey in August, students and employees shared their status anonymously, and results reflect percentages much closer to our Community Immunity goal. Many of you have spoken to our task force members about how you have been vaccinated or have had a recent positive test (since July 1), but have not yet uploaded it to the system. I encourage everyone to do this expeditiously so that we can DROP THE MASKS. Every Buc  who uploads a proof of vaccination or recent recovery from COVID-19  gets us closer to that goal!  Can you help us do that before Thanksgiving?  

One student, Megan, chose to vaccinate this year and submitted proof to the secure system over the summer. Last week, she was randomly selected to win our first scholarship giveaway in the Community Immunity Challenge. Her tuition will be $2,000 lighter in the spring. A special congratulations to this Buccaneer! 

Our next drawing is on Monday, November 8.  Upload your proof of vaccination here to be eligible for the next drawing, where we’ll give away more gift cards AND another $2,000 scholarship.  

Our Numbers

Here are our numbers as of October 27, 2021: 

• TOTAL NUMBER OF STUDENTS IN ISOLATION: 19
  Of these 19 students, 2 are being housed on campus,  and 17 are isolating off campus. 
• TOTAL NUMBER OF STUDENTS IN QUARANTINE: 23
  Of these 23 students, 2 are being housed on campus,  and 21 are quarantining off campus.  
• TOTAL NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES IN ISOLATION: 1
• TOTAL NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES IN QUARANTINE: 2

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 October 27, 2021:

• Students: 32.3%
• Faculty and Staff: 66%
• TOTAL: 37.5%

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

Tomorrow, October 28, is our third Shoot Your Shot COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic. If you are seeking a first, second, or booster dose, head over to the Brewer Center gym between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Vaccines are available for those aged 12 and older. Curious if you are eligible for a booster? Read the latest information on boosters and the “mix and match” approach.

SCDHEC and MAKO Medical continues to offer convenient and 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.  

For those with recent positive results from a SCDHEC testing site and in need of paper/digital proof, call 888-697-9004 between 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. or contact them online to have the results emailed or mailed. You can submit that proof to get us to our Community Immunity goal! 
   
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.  

• Visitors may not attend events at CSU,  with the exception of the Office of Enrollment and outdoor sporting events.
• Lightsey Chapel’s maximum capacity for chapel and other events is set to 375 (25% of seating).
• All campus meetings are highly recommended to be conducted virtually for now.  For any meetings that must be conducted in person,  please host outdoors. 

Stay #BUCSAFE

A Charleston Southern college experience is one where you’ll build upon your knowledge, establish relationships, and have fun along the way. Class, chapel, the chow hall, sports, clubs and organizations … the one opportunity that means the most is the one presented to each Buc in and out of the classroom at CSU: faith in Christ. When all else fails, He never will.  

“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.” Colossians 2:6-7 (NIV) 

There is no better way to live.

As always, Bucs, let’s spread the Word, not the virus.  

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