BUCSAFE

Together Forward

After facing a global pandemic with creative coping, grit, and prayer, Charleston Southern University continues to focus on our priorities of keeping our campus family safe while providing quality education. The University Pandemic Task Force and marketing team launched the #BUCSAFE campaign to welcome our Bucs back to campus with guidelines designed to inform and inspire. On this site, you will find resources that demonstrate shared responsibility and mutual commitment to the health of every student, faculty, and staff member. Information on this page will be updated as the task force adjusts for new developments in medical research and additional guidance from the scientific community.

What Do I Do If…?

The following scenarios are intended to guide supervisors in handling COVID-19 cases and exposures in their individual work areas.

Student absences related to positivity and exposure will be handled at the discretion of the individual instructor and the student’s healthcare provider. Absences related to COVID-19 are to be handled in a manner like other illnesses. If you will have ongoing close contact with a COVID-19 positive individual (e.g., household member), follow CDC guidance for ongoing exposure.

Scenario 1: You have tested positive for COVID-19

Stay home and self -isolate.
Do not go to work or class for at least 5 days since your symptoms started or 5 days since your test date (if you have no symptoms).
End isolation after day 5 if you are fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication and your other symptoms have improved.
If you are still febrile on day 5, remain in isolation until you are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication and your other symptoms have improved.
Wear a well-fitting surgical mask or N95 for 10 full days any time you are around others inside your home or in public.
- Avoid travel; do not go to places where you are unable to mask.

Scenario 2: You were in close contact with an individual who tested positive for COVID-19 and you are up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccination and booster doses and/or you have tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 90 days

If you have symptoms:
- Stay home and self-isolate
- Do not go to work and/or class
- Get tested ASAP
  - If positive, follow scenario 1
  - If negative, you can return to work and/or class if ALL of the following apply to you:
    - Your symptoms are mild; and
    - Your symptoms have improved; and
    - You have not had a fever for at least 24 hours without using fever-reducing medication
    - If your symptoms are severe or getting worse, stay home, and consult a health care provider.
  - You have no symptoms:
    - You do not need to stay home
    - Get tested at least 5 days after exposure or immediately if you are unsure when you were exposed
      - If you are positive, follow scenario 1
      - If you are negative, watch for symptoms and wear a mask around others outside of your household for 10 days since your last exposure
        
        If you develop symptoms, follow instructions for vaccinated, symptomatic close contacts above.

Scenario 3: You were in close contact with an individual who tested positive for COVID-19 and you are NOT up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccination and booster doses and/or you have NOT tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 90 days

Stay home and quarantine
Do not go to work or class for 5 days since your last exposure
Wear a well-fitting surgical mask or N95 when around others at home and in public and watch for symptoms for 10 days
Get tested at least 5 days after exposure or immediately if you are unsure when you were exposed
- If positive, follow scenario 1
- If negative, you can leave home, but should wear a well-fitting, surgical mask or N95 around others at home and in public for 5 additional days (through day 10)

Scenario 4: You have a symptom(s) of COVID-19 but no known exposure to a COVID-19 positive individual

Stay home and self-isolate
Do not go to work and/or class, regardless of vaccination status
Get tested ASAP
- If positive, follow scenario 1
- If negative, stay home until symptoms have improved and you have not had a fever for at least 24 hours without using fever-reducing medication. If symptoms worsen, get tested again and contact your health care provider.