BUCSAFE Update from the President

It’s the last week of September, and many Bucs are excited for this weekend’s Sweet 16 event: the Fall Semi-Formal. As some of you get footloose and fancy free this Friday night, I find myself ever more grateful for this campus stepping up to keep our community safe. I’m proud of you for your diligence and grit this year. Thank you for staying BUCSAFE. Let’s keep it up! 

Thanks to you, our COVID numbers decreased this last week, while our Community Immunity percentage increased. We’re making progress! Remember, upload your proof of vaccination here by October 10 to be eligible for the next drawing. Students are eligible to win gift cards and a $2,000 scholarship! Every person who uploads their information helps us get one step closer to a normal campus experience.  

Our Numbers

Here are our numbers as of September 28, 2021: 

• TOTAL NUMBER OF STUDENTS IN ISOLATION: 30
  Of these 30 students, 3 are being housed on campus, and 27 are isolating off campus. 
• TOTAL NUMBER OF STUDENTS IN QUARANTINE: 36
  Of these 36 students, 8 are being housed on campus, and 28 are quarantining off campus.  
• TOTAL NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES IN ISOLATION: 4
• TOTAL NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES IN QUARANTINE: 7

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 29, 2021:

• Students: 27.7%
• Faculty and Staff: 62%
• TOTAL: 33.1%

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.

Health Resources

Fetter Health Care will host a flu vaccine clinic for our CSU community next Wednesday, October 6 from 9 – 11 a.m. and 2 – 4 p.m. If you have never been a Fetter patient before, please register prior to your arrival here. For existing patients, register here. Regular clinic hours for the mobile clinic will be 12 – 2 p.m. to accommodate flu vaccine patients.  

If you need a COVID test and missed the on-campus Fetter Health Care mobile clinic Wednesday, SCDHEC and MAKO Medical continue 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.  

Don’t forget about our second Shoot Your Shot COVID-19 vaccine clinic on October 7 in the Brewer Center gym. First and second doses will be available. We will also have another clinic on October 28 for those who miss out. 

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 via the Event Form.  Our latest guidelines have not changed, including: 

• Visitors may not attend events, with the exception of the Enrollment office and outdoor sporting events.  

• Lightsey Chapel’s maximum capacity remains at 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

In today’s Chapel, Rev. Alex Sands said, “God gives us choices, which includes the unwise choice to live in a way that is less than God’s best.” Humans are not perfect. We can be selfish and frail. We’re mere mortals. But God loves us with an everlasting love and offers us the opportunity to enjoy eternal life with Him, starting the moment we choose to follow Him. Make that choice today and follow Him one step at a time every step of the way. 

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

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