COVID-19 Update from the President

It’s hard to believe today is the last day of September and that our SEVENTH week of classes starts this morning. Thanks be to God!

While our numbers on campus are slightly higher than last week’s impressive low, we are extremely encouraged by the way our campus community is doing what it takes to keep CSU safe. If we stick to the policies and procedures that have proven so effective this semester, we can stay the course all the way to Thanksgiving Eve. Our goal from day one has been to keep our campus open for business with as many in-person classes and meaningful student experiences as possible so that students can make progress toward their degrees during these wacky times.  

Please continue to practice our proven health and safety measures, both on and off campus, and avoid large gatherings whenever possible to limit your potential exposure to this virus. When all else fails, remember The COVID Rule: Act as though everyone you see and everything you touch is infected with the virus.

Our Numbers

Here are our numbers as of September 29, 2020: 

• TOTAL NUMBER OF STUDENTS IN ISOLATION: 19 
  Of these 19 students, 1 is confirmed positive. 
  Of these 19 students, 9 reside on campus, 10 reside off campus. 

• TOTAL NUMBER OF STUDENTS IN QUARANTINE: 14
  Of these 14 students, 4 reside on campus, 10 reside off campus. 

• TOTAL NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES IN ISOLATION: 1
  
• TOTAL NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES IN QUARANTINE: 2

As a reminder, 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.  

Flu Shots

Thank you to everyone who came out last week to get their flu shot. Due to an overwhelming response, we are hosting another Flu Shot Clinic today. You can get your flu shot TODAY on campus through our healthcare partner, Fetter Health Care Network, from 1:30-4 p.m. in front of WCCL! Flu shots are covered by most insurance plans. If you do not have insurance or if you have Medicare or Medicaid, the cost of the vaccine is $20. If you are a residential student and you don’t have insurance, CSU will cover the cost! 

We want to do our part in reducing the likelihood that our healthcare systems become overwhelmed this winter treating both patients with the flu and with COVID-19. Therefore, getting a flu vaccine this year is more important than ever….which is why I didn’t waste my shot! Check it out.

Events on Campus

The University Pandemic Task Force is approving events on campus that align with our COVID-19 policies and procedures.  Students, faculty, and staff can submit an event request using the following form: http://bit.ly/bucsafeevent. All events must be submitted at least one week in advance and must receive official approval from the University Pandemic Task Force.

Check out the BucNation App for upcoming Student Life events—Densonville, BucTober, Christmas at CSU, and the OCC Packing Party this fall AND so much more in the spring.

Looking Forward Towards Spring

As we continue to meet and make plans for 2021, we assume the spring semester will look very similar to this fall as we await the wide distribution of a COVID-19 vaccine that allows us to slowly return to a new and modified normal. As a reminder, students will have an EXTENDED six-week winter break this year, with classes ending just before Thanksgiving and resuming on Monday, January 11.

In an effort to minimize the risk to campus associated with increased travel during Spring Break, we have decided to modify the Spring 2021 calendar. We will preserve the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday and Good Friday to allow for two three-day weekends, eliminate the traditional Spring Break, and end the semester on April 30th, one week earlier than normal. In addition, we hope to create opportunities during the first week of summer break for students interested in mission trips, as long as COVID restrictions do not prevent us from moving forward with these plans. 

Please be on the lookout for a survey next week where students may provide meaningful feedback to the University Pandemic Task Force. We want to orchestrate the most meaningful CSU experience possible while also keeping our campus community safe and healthy. 

Stay #BUCSAFE

As a reminder, you can always reach out to the University Pandemic Task Force with questions or concerns. You can contact them directly by emailing covid19@csuniv.edu. This email address is monitored Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Any emails received after 5 p.m. on Friday will be addressed on Monday.    

Stay safe, stay focused, stay healthy, and stay faithful to the Lord and His provision as we work together to continue enjoying a healthy CSU! And remember: Spread the Word, not the virus.

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