BUCSAFE Update from the President

Do you remember the 21^st day of September? 🎶  (It’s an old school song, so my apologies if you’re too young to get the reference.) It was yesterday and the final day of summer. As we embark on a new season today, remember that God wants to do in and through you far more than you can imagine–even during a pandemic.  

In the spirit of transparency, we continue to send these messages weekly so you can monitor our progress of “all things COVID” on campus. They’re also a helpful reminder of the importance of staying BUCSAFE until the pandemic has passed. In the meantime, please accept my sincerest thanks for keeping your head in the game as you do what God has called you to do during this season of your life. The best is yet to come! 

Since last week, we increased our Community Immunity percentage by more than two points yet again—due mostly to a jump in student submissions. If you haven’t already done so, please upload your proof of vaccination here by October 10 to be eligible for the next drawing. Even if you’re not interested in the drawing, it helps us to know the proportion of our community that has either been vaccinated or is experiencing natural immunity.    

Our Numbers

Here are our numbers as of September 22, 2021: 

• TOTAL NUMBER OF STUDENTS IN ISOLATION: 37
  Of these 37 students, 2 are being housed on campus, and 35 are isolating off campus. 
• TOTAL NUMBER OF STUDENTS IN QUARANTINE: 60
  Of these 60 students, 15 are being housed on campus, and 45 are quarantining off campus.  
• TOTAL NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES IN ISOLATION: 6
• TOTAL NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES IN QUARANTINE: 9

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 22, 2021:

• Students: 26.9%
• Faculty and Staff: 61.4%
• TOTAL: 32.5%

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.

Upcoming Events

DHEC will be hosting the second Shoot Your Shot COVID-19 vaccine clinic on October 7 in the Brewer Center gym. In addition to offering second doses to those who received their first last week, our campus community and their loved ones will have the opportunity to receive their first dose at the October 7^th event. We will also have another clinic on October 28 for those who miss out. 

Fetter has offered to host a flu vaccine clinic for our campus in the coming weeks. We’ll announce a date and location soon. Stay tuned! 

Health Resources

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.  

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. And please 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

Social media, news reports, and life’s struggles may threaten to drown your joy, but we serve the One who calms the raging seas. “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope” (Romans 15:13 ESV).  

Whatever your situation today, I pray that you’ll find unwavering hope in Jesus Christ, our living hope. 

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