BUCSAFE Update from the President

We’ve hit the halfway point for the fall semester, Bucs! Many of you are prepping for midterms and some may already be over the hump, but we’re all grateful to still be in person and on campus! Thanks to the diligent health and safety efforts by our campus community, we have seen CSU’s COVID numbers decrease consistently over the last two weeks. 

Remember that our Community Immunity goal is 70%, and we’re counting both vaccination immunity and natural immunity to reach our goal. We announced this number over the summer to show we are committed to an evidenced-based plan to get us even closer to a normal campus experience. The faster we reach our goal, the sooner we can toss our masks and add even more activities on campus.  The information you share is private and purely for the sake of a return to normal campus life. Help us get there – please share. 

Our next incentive drawing is next week! Please upload your proof of vaccination here by October 10 to be eligible for the next drawing.  

Our Numbers

Here are our numbers as of October 4, 2021: 

• TOTAL NUMBER OF STUDENTS IN ISOLATION: 25
  Of these 25 students, 0 are being housed on campus, and 25 are isolating off campus. 
• TOTAL NUMBER OF STUDENTS IN QUARANTINE: 35
  Of these 35 students, 5 are being housed on campus, and 30 are quarantining off campus.  
• TOTAL NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES IN ISOLATION: 5
• TOTAL NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES IN QUARANTINE: 8

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 6, 2021:

• Students: 28.7%
• Faculty and Staff: 65.4%
• TOTAL: 34.3%

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

Tomorrow, October 7, is the Shoot Your Shot COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic at the Brewer Center gym. Head on over from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. First and second doses (and boosters for those who are eligible) will be available for those aged 12 and older. Getting your second dose at this event qualifies you for our next incentive drawing in the nick of time! 

At least until Thanksgiving break, SCDHEC and MAKO Medical will 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.   

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

Friday afternoon marks the beginning of Fall Break! We’ve come a long way this semester, so this break is well-deserved and much-needed. Recharge your batteries and remember these timely words from the lips of Jesus:  “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).  

Give your cares and your anxieties to the One who created us, and enjoy the long, relaxing weekend! We’ll see you right back on campus next Wednesday as we gear up for Homecoming festivities. It’s going to be great. 

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

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