BUCSAFE Update from the President

Welcome back to campus, Bucs! I hope you had a chance to recharge over Fall Break as you gear up to take on the last half of the semester. 

This week is Homecoming Week at Charleston Southern! It’s extra special to me for multiple reasons, primarily because we get to HAVE a Homecoming this year. As time goes on and our Community Immunity percentage creeps toward our 70% goal, the more encouraged I am that we’ll reach “normal” once again.  

Five students have been randomly selected from the Community Immunity pool to receive some pretty exciting prizes. We’ll showcase them in next week’s communication. Please upload your proof of vaccination or evidence of natural immunity from a recent COVID test here by November 8 to be eligible for the next drawing, where we’ll give away another $2,000 scholarship, two $200 Amazon gift cards, and a $500 Amazon gift card.  

Our Numbers

Here are our numbers as of October 12, 2021: 

• TOTAL NUMBER OF STUDENTS IN ISOLATION: 25
  Of these 25 students, 21 are confirmed positive, 0 are being housed on campus, and 25 are isolating off campus. 
• TOTAL NUMBER OF STUDENTS IN QUARANTINE: 17
  Of these 17 students, 0 are being housed on campus, and 17 are quarantining off campus.  
• TOTAL NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES IN ISOLATION: 7 (all confirmed positive)
• 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 October 13, 2021:

• Students: 29.8%
• Faculty and Staff: 65.4%
• TOTAL: 35.4%

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

The next Shoot Your Shot COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic will be held October 28 at the Brewer Center gym. First and second doses (and boosters for those eligible) will be available for those aged 12 and older.  

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.    

Don’t forget that we have healthcare available on site every Wednesday from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. with our partner Fetter Health Care Network. Their mobile clinic is set up in front of the Student Center in the parking lot. You can’t miss it! Student copays are covered by CSU. 

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

Enjoy this week as we celebrate our Buccaneer Family during Homecoming. Be diligent in your studies, be intentional with your relationships, and begin each day with the end in mind. While you’re at it, please pray for the family of our own Ms. Barbara “Binky” Mead, who served as a selfless CSU staff member and leader from 1967 until her homegoing on Sunday. She is now with the Lord, but her legacy will continue for generations in the lives of the countless students she impacted the last 55 years. I have no doubt that Ms. Mead heard these words when she saw the Lord’s face on Sunday: “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:23). Consider her legacy as you think about your own. 

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