CU Alerts

Emergency and CU Alert Information

Category: Alerts

  • COVID-19 update from Provost Jones and EVP Tony Wagner, 05/04/20

    Dear fellow Clemson employee:

    As we navigate the uncharted waters presented by the current global pandemic, we face a significant economic disruption, which has led to a sharp decline in business activity across the state and nation. Clemson has not been immune from this downturn, and our team is working daily to develop plans and strategies to lead our University forward.

    University leadership recently informed the Board of Trustees the pandemic is expected to have at least a $22 million impact on the university this fiscal year from lost revenue and added expenses. Likewise, fiscal year 2020-21 is almost certain to be challenging from a financial perspective.

    Our goal is to reopen in the fall to as close to a “normal” on-campus experience as possible, and a significant amount of work – being led by members of the Emergency Operations Center team – is being done now to formulate a range of recommendations regarding the fall semester. Those recommendations will balance our strong desire to return to campus in the fall with the latest data and science behind the pandemic. Our first priority remains the health and wellbeing of our students, employees and community members.

    We also have begun planning for a near-term financial outlook that could be significantly affected by potential changes in enrollment and a decline in auxiliary revenue should we be forced to continue with online instruction into the fall. That planning involves multiple scenarios based on the future length and severity of the pandemic.

    Fortunately, Clemson entered this unprecedented period with a strong financial foundation, in large part due to the efficiency with which we operate and the incredible growth we have seen in fundraising over the past several years thanks to the generosity of our donors. Even with a full return to campus and a strong student base, however, our revenue outlook for the next fiscal year is going to be challenged.

    As you may know, our Board of Trustees voted to freeze tuition for all students next year, which was absolutely the right decision given the economic hardship facing many of our students and their families.  Additionally, the prospects for state support remain uncertain given the economic damage the pandemic has done to South Carolina.

    The Board also approved a preliminary budget for next fiscal year that freezes overall spending at current levels and the administration already has instituted a hiring freeze and begun reducing costs in other areas.

    Still, prudence demands that we plan for a future where further cost reductions are necessary in the hope we never need to implement those plans.

    Our employees are Clemson’s most valuable asset. At the same time, personnel represent the University’s single largest budget item, and it is impossible to plan for significant expense reductions without at least exploring the option of reducing personnel costs.

    To be clear, University leadership has no plans at this time to furlough employees or otherwise reduce staff beyond the hiring freeze already in place, although a provision in the proposed state budget would give universities additional flexibility to issue furloughs as result of the pandemic.

    Indeed, we have several “levers” we can pull to reduce costs – from personnel to discretionary spending to administrative and academic programming – and we intend to look closely at all of them. We felt, however, it was important to share the fact that all options must remain on the table as we plan for multiple scenarios, including a worst case scenario, that still allows Clemson to provide a world-class education for its students and continue to serve the citizens of South Carolina.

    We can’t thank everyone at Clemson enough for the hard work and commitment to our students – and to one another – that you have shown during this very difficult period. The fact we moved quickly to quality online instruction in a manner that allowed our students to continue their academic journeys this semester is an example of the Clemson spirit at its best.

    We’re going to get through this together, and University leadership is committed to keeping everyone informed as this situation continues to evolve.

    Thanks again for everything you do for Clemson. We are proud to call each and every one of you our colleagues.

    Sincerely,

    Bob Jones
    Executive Vice President and Provost

    Tony Wagner
    Executive Vice President for Finance and Operations

  • Congrats to students for finishing strong; planning for fall underway

    Dear Clemson Family:

    It’s hard to believe but today is the last day of final exams, which brings the academic portion of this unique semester to an end. I am in awe of how our students and faculty have responded to the unprecedented set of challenges they have faced over the last several weeks.

    To our faculty and academic support staff, a huge thank you for switching gears to online instruction quickly and effectively in support of the academic progress of our students. For those of you who would like to learn about some of the many ways Clemson faculty and staff went the extra mile for our students, I encourage you to read this interesting collection of short stories compiled by our University Relations team.

    We should be turning our focus to graduation next week but, sadly, that’s simply not possible this semester. As a reminder, though, we intend to get our May graduates back to campus later this year for a proper graduation celebration.

    We also plan to celebrate the Class of 2020 next week with as much style as we can during this time of social distancing and remote learning. We will be commemorating the occasion across our social media channels and on a special Class of 2020 web site, and I’m looking forward to being part of the fun.

    As we wrap up this academic year, our energies increasingly are turning toward the fall and meeting our goal of a return to on-campus learning and activities. In all likelihood, our return to a new normal is going to happen in phases starting over the summer.

    We will share details of our plans soon but know that every decision will be guided by the science and data behind the pandemic and with the safety of our students, employees and communities foremost in mind.

    In a similar vein, I want to share a few operational updates from the past week:

    • Consistent with the state of South Carolina’s decision to begin a limited reopening of parks and recreational areas, we will do the same at the South Carolina Botanical Gardens and the Clemson Experimental Forest, beginning May 4. Social distancing and hygiene guidelines recommended by the CDC and the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control will be observed.
    • The Walker Golf Course reopened today. The course will limit the number of players by extending the time between playing groups and has taken several other measures to ensure the safety of players and staff.
    • We extended the suspension of all Clemson events, activities and gatherings at least through June 1.  Additionally, all summer camps and educational programs on the University’s main campus were canceled for the duration of the summer, and all Extension camp programming is currently canceled statewide.
    • It is our goal to provide the safest possible plan for residence hall students to return to campus and retrieve their belongings. The current best estimate is that students will be allowed to return, in a phased manner, starting no sooner than June 1. I realize the delay in allowing this to happen has been frustrating for some students and their families, and please know we are working as hard as we can to solve this complex challenge in a safe and timely fashion.

    Finally, I want to share a wonderful opportunity to support members of the Clemson Family next week. On Tuesday, May 5, Clemson is joining others across the globe for “Giving Tuesday,” which encourages people to give back in ways that empower their communities and the world.

    For those who would like to give, you can support your fellow Tigers by giving to the Student Emergency Fund, the Staff and Faculty Emergency Fund or where the need is greatest, which supports all University initiatives. All three options are available at this link.

    Again, congratulations to our students for finishing the year strong – and especially to the Class of 2020, which exemplifies the Clemson spirit. And thank you to all our faculty, staff and friends who make it possible for us to deliver a world-class education to our students. We’re strong and ready to tackle the future because of your dedication and support.

    Stay safe – and Go Tigers!

    Jim Clements
    President

  • Clemson opens limited outdoor recreational areas; statewide events suspended through June 1

    Clemson officials announced the scheduled reopening of limited outdoor recreational areas including the South Carolina Botanical Garden (SCBG), portions of the Clemson Experimental Forest and the Walker Golf Course beginning this weekend. All other university recreational areas remain closed.

    Additionally, the University announced an extension of the suspension of all Clemson events, activities and gatherings at least through June 1. Earlier this week, all summer camps and educational programs on the University’s main campus were canceled.

    The University continues to plan for a return to in-person classes for the Fall semester.

    The South Carolina Botanical Garden (SCBG) will open trails and outdoor exhibits to the general public beginning Monday, May 4. Hours of operation will be 9 a.m. until sunset, and guests are required to adhere to social distancing guidelines provided by SCDHEC, the CDC and Clemson University. For more information about the South Carolina Botanical Garden, and updated polices and processes, please visit their site HERE.

    The Clemson Experimental Forest (CEF) will open the Fants Grove area to the general public beginning Monday, May 4. Guests will be required to adhere to social distancing guidelines provided by SCDHEC, the CDC and Clemson University. All other areas of the CEF remain closed until further notice. Due to the recent tornado and related weather events, crews are working daily to ensure all roads and trails are clear and free of damaged or downed trees from the recent storms. Issaqueena Recreation Area, Keowee Heights/Doyle Bottom Rd, and Waldrop Stone Falls, among other areas, remain closed due to recovery efforts.  As areas are cleared and deemed safe, announcements will be made regarding the opening of specific areas.

    The Walker Golf Course will begin taking tee times on Thursday, and will reopen on Friday, May 1 with strict social distancing protocols in place. More information about the Walker Course can be found HERE.

    Issued by University Relations

  • On-Campus Summer Camps, Educational Programs Cancelled

    Clemson University officials continue to closely monitor COVID-19 and are actively engaged in daily planning in an effort to inform and reduce the risk to faculty, staff, students and visitors from the virus.

    At this time, University officials are announcing the cancellation of all in-person, main-campus athletic and academic camps and educational programs scheduled to be held this summer.

    We recognize summer experiences have positive impacts both on those participating and the entire Clemson community, but by taking these proactive steps now, we believe we’re putting our University in the strongest position possible to support our students and our University’s long-term success.

    Other summer events, including off-campus programming and athletics practices and conditioning sessions, will continue to be evaluated. All statewide Clemson events are currently suspended through May 8.

    RECOVERY AND REOPENING PROCESS

    The University has begun planning processes for the reopening of facilities and executing a phased approach toward the resumption of on-campus operations.

    The overarching priority of University leadership remains the health and safety of students, faculty and staff, and the University is committed to minimizing the potential for an outbreak at any campus with the goal to resume in-person classes and on-campus operations and activities in the fall semester.

    Leaders across University divisions have been engaged in discussions for the past two weeks to coordinate efforts on a recovery framework, which will inform overall decisions relating to reopening the institution.

    Any reopening decisions will occur in phases and involve daily monitoring of indicators to determine if the University can move forward, hold steady, or revert to a previous phase.

    The effort involves detailed deliberations with all critical stakeholders and carefully developed criteria and protocols to implement guidance provided by local, state, federal and private public health experts.

    CAMP AND PROGRAM INFORMATION

    On-Campus camps and programs include:

    • Activities requiring any participant, staff member, or volunteer to frequent or utilize main-campus facilities for any reason
    • Activities using University transportation either originating or terminating on main campus during the activity

    A decision about non-main campus pre-collegiate camps and programs will be made once community mitigation strategies have demonstrated a downward trajectory of COVID-19 cases and other containment methods have been implemented to prevent a potential outbreak or resurgence of COVID-19.  Based on current conditions and data provided by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control and numerous public and private health resources, the earliest date for this decision is anticipated to be June 15, 2020.

    Organizers of camps or other programs involving minors who wish to explore options to hold their camps or programs virtually should consult with the Pre-Collegiate Programs Office prior to making any decisions or announcements.

    Issued by University Relations

  • President Clements: Final day of spring classes

    Dear Clemson Family:

    Today marks the final day of classes for the spring semester, and the end of our fifth week of online instruction. All that stands between us and the end of the semester are final exams next week, and I want to congratulate all our students for their resiliency – and our faculty and staff for their tireless work to make the rapid transition to online instruction possible.

    In particular, I want to once again thank our faculty for their extraordinary work. As we shared with our Board of Trustees yesterday, our faculty are going to great lengths to make sure students are getting the best possible education, and I am grateful for their dedication.

    As we wrap up this unprecedented academic year, we realize that much work remains to be done as we strive for a return to on-campus instruction. Our learning model for the fall will be determined by the data and science related to the pandemic, but as our Associate Vice President for Public Safety Greg Mullen told our Board yesterday, we have “laser focus” on returning to campus as scheduled.

    Our leadership team and Emergency Operations Center personnel are crafting recommendations for the University’s re-emergence from the pandemic and I hope to have more details about our plans to share soon. Rest assured, however, that any and all decisions will be made with the safety of our students, employees and communities in mind.

    As we look toward a new academic year, we already have taken strong steps in support of our students and their families. I am pleased to share the news that yesterday our Board of Trustees unanimously accepted University leadership’s recommendation to freeze tuition and mandatory academic fees for both in-state and out-of-state undergraduate students for next year. A decision on housing and dining fees will be made in the near future.

    Although the pandemic has had a significant financial impact on the University, holding the line on tuition is simply the right thing to do given the economic challenges facing many of our students and their families. I want to thank our Board of Trustees for its continued guidance and leadership on behalf of our students, whose success is always top of mind.

    To help the University weather the continued financial impacts of the pandemic, our Board also approved a preliminary budget for fiscal year 2020-21, which begins July 1, that caps our spending at current levels. The University already has instituted a hiring freeze through at least the end of the fiscal year and we have reduced spending in numerous other areas. We will continue to closely monitor our expenses as we work to deliver a high-quality education during this challenging period.

    In closing, I would like to share a couple examples that highlight the true spirit of the Clemson Family. As I previously shared, our region was hit with severe storms early last week, including a large tornado that devastated parts of neighboring Seneca. As you would expect, our employees have stepped up in a big way to help their friends and neighbors.

    In addition to ongoing support from Clemson University Fire Department, emergency and facilities personnel who have assisted with clean-up and rescue efforts, more than 60 University employees volunteered over the past week at a comprehensive community support operation that has been established in Seneca. My thanks go out to all those who have given their time and energy to help our neighbors in need.

    Finally, this is our annual Week of Gratitude where our Development and Alumni Relations team makes time to thank all those who have given to the University. Due to the pandemic, we have created a virtual celebration, but our gratitude remains very real.

    Let me add my thanks to everyone out there who has supported Clemson – we couldn’t serve our great students without your support. And speaking of great students, I invite you to watch this video of some of our students saying “thanks” to our donors.

    Again, my sincere appreciation goes out to the entire Clemson Family for making this such a special place. Good luck to our students on finals – and stay safe!

    Go Tigers!

    Jim Clements
    President