Updated BUCSAFE protocol for Summer II

Summer is here and things are looking up in the fight against COVID-19! As more of our fellow neighbors are seeking vaccination, we have seen a downward trend in our state and nation in the number of positive COVID-19 cases. Looking forward, the University Pandemic Task Force and senior leadership have discussed changes in current BUCSAFE policies to get us all one step closer to NORMAL. Lord willing, that will mean a completely mask-optional campus when school resumes next month.

Last year, we lived by Jesus’ command to love God and love others. We did this as a campus community out of faith, not fear. Because of our faith in our Savior and wise deference to public health expert guidance, we had zero cases traced to our classrooms as we maintained control over the ebbs and flows of COVID numbers on campus.

You endured. We survived. God was glorified. And Charleston Southern University is ready to move forward! Please keep us in your prayers as we trust the Lord and allow guidance from public health experts to inform our decisions along the way.

NEW CAMPUS POLICIES FOR SUMMER II

Beginning July 1, 2021, the Charleston Southern University COVID-19 policies and procedures will be updated for the Summer II session. Please read the plan thoroughly to learn about some exciting incentives as we advance the ball to an expected mask-optional fall semester.

• FACE COVERINGS
  • Face coverings are no longer required for fully vaccinated faculty, staff, and students on the CSU campus, with the exception of instructional spaces (classrooms, labs, and library) this summer. Fully vaccinated individuals may choose to continue wearing masks in other campus locations at their discretion.
  • Individuals who are not considered fully vaccinated* are asked to be mindful of the risk and continue to follow CDC guidelines by wearing an approved face covering unless they are outside and able to social distance, if they are alone in their living space or office space, or if they are eating while socially distanced. 
  • Face coverings are required for both vaccinated and nonvaccinated individuals in instructional spaces (classrooms, labs, and library) during this transition to a mask-optional fall semester, and physical distancing will move from 6 feet to 3 feet in the classrooms.
  • Masks are not required outdoors by anyone regardless of vaccination status.
• REPORTING & MONITORING
  • Completing the daily questionnaire, via the LiveSafe app, is no longer required. However, individuals (vaccinated or nonvaccinated) who are symptomatic and concerned they have COVID-19 and/or have had a verified COVID-19 exposure should use the LiveSafe app to monitor and report symptoms. 
  • Visitors will be allowed on campus but must continue to complete the LiveSafe app. Anyone hosting a visitor will inform their guests of university COVID-19 guidelines with respect to fully vaccinated and nonvaccinated individuals.
• QUARANTINE & ISOLATION
  • Nonvaccinated individuals will be required to quarantine if they live with someone who is symptomatic or tests positive. If a nonvaccinated individual is symptomatic or tests positive, they will be required to isolate in coordination with our University COVID-19 Coordinator.
  • Fully vaccinated individuals MAY be required to quarantine or isolate depending on the situation. These rare circumstances will be managed on a case-by-case basis in coordination with our University COVID-19 Coordinator.

In addition to the updated policies, the following guidelines remain in place during this transition period:

• Physical distancing (i.e., 3 feet) in university facilities will continue for now. Please note the BUCSAFE capacity signs in rooms around campus.
• All events must be approved by the University Pandemic Task Force using the Event Form. 
• Virtual meetings are still recommended at this time. If an in-person meeting is necessary, participants should practice physical distancing and those who are not vaccinated should continue to wear a face covering. 

LOOKING TOWARD THE FALL: COMMUNITY IMMUNITY

These policies are in effect for the remainder of the summer as we transition to the fall. CSU leadership expects to be a mask-optional campus in the fall, but, as always, we will continue to monitor public health data and guidance with the best interests of our campus and community in mind. Should there be a sustained spike in cases in our community, we may need to modify our protocols to keep our campus family safe.

In keeping with current guidance, our goal is to document that 70% of our on-campus community (including faculty, staff, and students) has either vaccine or natural immunity to COVID-19. To help us track the immunity of our campus community, please provide applicable documentation to demonstrate your immunity in one of the following three ways:

• Completed vaccination requirements.
• Positive antibody test from no earlier than July 1, 2021.
• Positive PCR or rapid antigen test no earlier than July 1, 2021.

If you meet one of the above requirements, please upload related documentation by clicking HERE. The information you submit is digitally encrypted and its security meets the standards of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). The University Pandemic Task Force will review your documentation as we track progress toward the 70% goal.

BENEFITS OF VACCINATION

Charleston Southern University will not require vaccination to live on campus or to attend in-person classes but encourages all members of our campus community to be vaccinated if they can. 

Those who are able and willing to get the vaccine will be eligible for the following incentives:

• Students who are fully vaccinated and attend in-person classes will:
  • Be entered into one of 10 drawings for a $200 Amazon gift card, with one student winning a $500 Amazon gift card.
  • Be entered into a drawing to receive one of three $2,000 tuition credits for Spring 2022 tuition, with one student receiving a $5,000 tuition credit. 
  • Be entered into a drawing for a Football Game Family Package consisting of CSU athletic swag for the family, the opportunity to watch the game from the President’s Box with Dr. and Mrs. Costin, and have lunch with them during the game (2 packages available). 

Drawings will begin on August 1, 2021 and will continue monthly on the 1^st of the month, with the largest drawings being awarded first. To be eligible for the drawings, you must upload proof of completed vaccination requirements by clicking HERE. Again, the information you submit is digitally encrypted and its security meets the standards of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). 

ACCOMMODATIONS

As announced in the spring, CSU does not plan to provide virtual options to accompany face-to-face classes for the remainder of Summer 2021 or Fall 2021 terms. Students who wish to avoid in-person courses should register for online sections only. Interested in one of our fully online programs? Check out CSU Online at charlestonsouthern.edu/online. 

FINAL COMMENTS

As a reminder, the vaccine is not required by Charleston Southern University. The decision to get vaccinated is a personal one, and individuals who are vaccinated may choose to continue wearing face coverings while on campus. Therefore, please continue to show respect for individual decisions and responses to the pandemic. 

The University Pandemic Task Force and university leadership are committed to following the most up-to-date public health guidelines as it relates to the pandemic. As further guidance becomes available, CSU will evaluate and modify our COVID-19 policies and procedures as appropriate. Please see the updated CDC guidelines for vaccinated individuals. For questions regarding this update, please email the task force at covid19@csuniv.edu.