BUCSAFE Update from the President

We have begun trending downward in our quarantine and isolation numbers on campus! This gradual dive mimics what we’ve seen in other parts of the country and in our community, so we are hopeful this trend will continue in the days and weeks ahead. I’m certainly encouraged by this news. 

Please remain vigilant, hopeful, and flexible with one another as the Omicron variant persists in Berkeley, Charleston, and Dorchester Counties, as well as on our campus. Our community transmission still resides at a high level.  

To ensure COVID numbers continue to trend in the right direction, we will extend our current virtual allowances through Friday, February 11. All traditional courses will resume normal in-person learning on Monday, February 14.   

Our Numbers

Here are our numbers as of January 31, 2022: 

• TOTAL NUMBER OF STUDENTS IN ISOLATION: 60
  Of these 60 students, 4 are being housed on campus,  and 56 are isolating off campus. 54 are confirmed positive.
• TOTAL NUMBER OF STUDENTS IN QUARANTINE: 57
  Of these 57 students, 3 are being housed on campus,  and 54 are quarantining off campus.  
• TOTAL NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES IN ISOLATION: 12 (12 confirmed positive)
• TOTAL NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES IN QUARANTINE: 13

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 February 1, 2021:

• Students: 50%
• Faculty and Staff: 89.8%
• TOTAL: 57%

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 in the last 90 days.

Health Resources

We are hosting DHEC on Thursday, February 10 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. for a COVID vaccination clinic in the Brewer Center Gym. First doses, second doses, and boosters will be available. DHEC is only offering the Pfizer product at this time. Be sure to bring your vaccination card! 

If you need a test, MAKO Medical offers 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, though they have reported shorter turnaround as cases continue to drop.  

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

A little over 100 years ago, our predecessors battled a two-year-plus flu pandemic. So much of history paints an eerily similar picture to what we face today. From what I know about our world history, I can certainly say that I am grateful to live in a day and age where science and technology have advanced as much as it has since the days of past pandemics. We are blessed beyond all measure.  

Please join me in praying for our healthcare workers who have taken the brunt of the viral burden for 24+ months. For any of you with pandemic fatigue, find comfort in the promises of Jesus. He says in Matthew 11:28-30 to give all of your cares to him for his “yoke is easy” and his “burden is light.” 

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

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