BUCSAFE Update from the President

Let me be the first to say how much I appreciate all of your patience and understanding as we continue the journey to the end of the pandemic. I continue to be impressed by your grit, Buccaneer! 

Earlier this week, we announced a temporary accommodation that authorizes faculty to determine if their class(es) are held in person or virtually as well as giving the same option to individual students. See the latest guidance here. 

Transmission in the greater Charleston community and in our CSU community is at the highest level, so we remain committed to our BUCSAFE protocols to help us get through this surge.  

Our Numbers

Here are our numbers as of January 18, 2022: 

• TOTAL NUMBER OF STUDENTS IN ISOLATION: 150
  Of these 150 students, 11 are being housed on campus,  and 139 are isolating off campus. 103 are confirmed positive.
• TOTAL NUMBER OF STUDENTS IN QUARANTINE: 152
  Of these 152 students, 14 are being housed on campus,  and 138 are quarantining off campus.  
• TOTAL NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES IN ISOLATION: 37 (26 confirmed positive)
• TOTAL NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES IN QUARANTINE: 31

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 19, 2021:

• Students: 49.8%
• Faculty and Staff: 88.4%
• TOTAL: 55.9%

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 on site to offer free 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

No matter what trials we may face, I am reminded of the goodness of God. He leads us through the fire and the darkest night, and He’ll certainly lead us through stormy waters. He is faithful—don’t forget that.  

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

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