Category: Alerts

HEALTH INFORMATION AND RESOURCES

The health of our students, faculty and staff and community is a primary responsibility of the University. During this period of uncertainty, Clemson is providing services for your mental, emotional and physical health. If you need medical assistance, students can contact the Redfern Health Center and employees can contact the Joseph F. Sullivan Center. Both can be reached at 864-656-2457.

COVID-19 SCREENING

The Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) and Prisma Health are providing a free virtual screening to any individual in South Carolina. If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, access the free virtual visit and use the promo code ‘COVID19’ at checkout. For general questions related to COVID-19, call the DHEC care line at 1-855-472-3432. Staff are answering calls from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week.

Medical University of South Carolina
Prisma Health

MENTAL HEALTH

Any person with a Clemson.edu email address has access to an online program called Therapy Assistance Online (TAO) facilitated by Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) in Student Health Services. There are nine online treatments with multiple modules from which you can select to best address your concerns. If you have questions about utilizing this service, please contact CAPS at 864-656-2451.

Students can call the Office of Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) for consultation or concerns at 864-656-2451. In case of emergency or crisis after CAPS business hours, students can access the counselor on call via the Clemson University Police Department at 864-656-2222 and ask to speak to the counselor on call. You will be asked to give your name and phone number and the counselor will call you back.

Faculty and staff can also access the services of the Employee Assistance Program (EAP). More details on the EAP is available here – https://www.clemson.edu/human-resources/eap/index.html

ON-CAMPUS RESIDENT INFORMATION

Earlier today, on-campus residents received further guidance following the rapidly evolving situation and changing timelines of online instruction. The key points in that correspondence are as follows:

• Please stay away from campus if at all possible
• Extenuating Circumstances form is due Wednesday at 5 p.m.
• All residence halls and apartments available for retrieval of necessary items until Thursday at 5 p.m.
• Access will be restricted beginning Thursday at 5 p.m.
• First day to return is potentially April 5 at 8 a.m.

EMPLOYEE INFORMATION

The Office of Human Resources is working diligently with the State of South Carolina Division of State Human Resources to ensure messaging and policies are consistent with all state directives. As we learn more, further guidance will be prepared and disseminated via email, and web support will be added to the COVID-19 website.

As noted in President Clements’ letter to the community on Sunday, university employees should not report to work unless your presence on campus is deemed essential or otherwise necessary by your supervisor.  Necessary university work that can be performed remotely not on university property may be authorized by your supervisor.

SUPERVISOR INFORMATION 

Supervisors can access FAQs and guidance documents that provide timely and informative instructions for managing employees during this period of modified operations. Visit www.clemson.edu/coronavirus/supervisors.html.

CURRENT UNIVERSITY STATUS

University officials are committed to providing ongoing, accurate information to our entire community. You can find campus notifications, resources and latest news at https://www.clemson.edu/coronavirus.

• No confirmed cases at any Clemson campus or facility.
• Zero cases at Clemson campuses or facilities being monitored.
• Online instruction has been implemented beginning following spring break until at least April 6.
• All students, faculty and staff returning from international travel must contact University health services (864-656-2457) and complete the screening process prior to return to campus.
• No university events will be held statewide through Sunday, April 5.

RESOURCES
Clemson University’s COVID-19 Information Page
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
SC-DHEC COVID-19 Information Page
University Call Center, 864-656-9513

To the Clemson community:

Clemson University officials continue to closely monitor the spread of the novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) throughout the state of South Carolina, the United States and around the world.

As part of the state of South Carolina’s effort to mitigate residents’ exposure to COVID-19, Gov. Henry McMaster this afternoon ordered the closure of all public schools – including colleges and universities – through March 31.

This declaration does allow Clemson to continue with its previously announced online instruction but will require adjustments to our campus operations and access.

In addition to the governor’s declaration today, I am announcing the following University actions, effective immediately:

• The online instruction period has been extended through at least Sunday, April 5. The University will offer no in-person classes during this period.
• All University events, programs and activities have been suspended through April 5. This includes the 2020 Spring Ring Ceremony, the annual spring football game and all campus tours.
• Those students who reside on campus should plan on not returning to campus housing until at least April 5 unless they have no other viable options. Exceptions will be granted on an individual basis and additional details will be coming from housing and residence life.
• University employees should not report to work on Monday, March 16, unless your presence on campus is deemed essential or otherwise necessary by your supervisor.  Necessary university work that can be performed remotely not on university property may be authorized by your supervisor.
• Further details on how the governor’s resolution will affect work schedules will be communicated to employees as soon as possible.
• All University-related travel is suspended until April 5. Exceptions may be granted only through the high-risk travel appeal process previously established.

I want to stress that the University remains committed to completing the academic semester. Minimizing the number of people on our campuses and limiting large group interactions are the best ways to achieve that goal.

In that spirit, I am encouraging all students across the state in the strongest possible terms to conduct their online instruction following spring break from home if at all possible. If you don’t absolutely need to be on campus during this period, please stay home.

These are unprecedented circumstances and as much as I would love to see all our students back on campus immediately following spring break, it’s just not possible at this time. Following the guidance being provided is the best way to ensure that we can complete the semester and allow our students to continue their path toward a Clemson degree without interruption.

As always, we are dedicated to providing ongoing, accurate information and will share necessary information as this situation changes and further details become available. We also will continue to provide regular communication updates via emails, our website and the University’s social media channels.

Thanks for your patience and understanding. Know that we are all working hard to keep the Clemson Family healthy and safe under these very challenging circumstances.

Sincerely,

President Jim Clements

Earlier today, Clemson University announced the suspension of all University events statewide through Sunday, March 29. Events scheduled for March 30 and beyond will continue to be evaluated, and any changes will be communicated as soon as decisions are made. The full announcement is available HERE.

University officials are committed to providing ongoing, accurate information to our entire community. You can find campus notifications, resources and latest news at https://www.clemson.edu/coronavirus.

• No confirmed cases at any Clemson campus or facility.
• Zero cases at Clemson campuses or facilities being monitored.
• Online instruction has been implemented beginning following spring break until at least March 30.
• All students, faculty and staff returning from international travel must contact University health services (864-656-2457) and complete the screening process prior to return to campus.
• There are no plans to close campus, even though instruction is moving online following spring break.
• The University announced no events will be held statewide through Sunday, March 29.

For your planning purposes, please see the below information for the week of March 16-20, the University’s academic spring break week.

MARCH 16-20, 2020

KEY INFORMATION

• University will remain open
• Encouraging students to remain at home or away from campus
• Students do have the option to remain on campus
• Limited operational schedules – as planned for spring break – will be in effect

We encourage those remaining on campus to take steps to prevent illness as advised by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/prevention.html

While the University will remain open, several on-campus facilities and services will be limited or operating on an adjusted schedule, including:

• Athletics: The Atlantic Coast Conference suspended all related activities, including competition, until further notice.
• Dining: View updated facility openings and hours of operation for spring break. Monitor @ClemsonDining for updates.
• Health Services: Redfern Health Center (students) and Sullivan Center (faculty/staff) will conduct regular hours of operation.
• Hendrix Student Center: Will adjust its hours of operation to 7 a.m. until 5 p.m. during spring break (Monday through Friday only). Dining facilities inside the Hendrix Student Center will be closed.
•  Library: Will hold a normal spring break schedule. Monitor @ClemsonLibrary for updates.
• Parking/Transit: All regular rules and regulations are in effect and airport shuttle service will continue. Monitor @Clemson_Parking for updates.
• Recreation: No recreation facilities will be open during spring break. Monitor @CU_Rec for any updates.
• Tours: No campus tours will be held until at least March 30.

RESOURCES

Clemson University’s COVID-19 Information Page

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

SC-DHEC COVID-19 Information Page

University Call Center, 864-656-9513

Clemson University announced today the suspension of all University events statewide through Sunday, March 29. Events scheduled for March 30 and beyond will continue to be evaluated, and any changes will be communicated as soon as decisions are made.

Additionally, the University encourages all scheduled in-person meetings and conferences to be held online if possible.

Previously, the University announced its decision to move all classes to online instruction for the week following spring break. Additionally, the athletics department, along with the Atlantic Coast Conference, announced the suspension of all athletics related activities until further notice

As we prepare for academic spring break next week, I want to inform the Clemson community of an important decision that has been made to help keep our students, faculty, staff and our community safe in the wake of the novel coronavirus 2019.

In response to the spread of COVID-19, we have made the decision to move all classes at Clemson to online instruction following spring break until at least March 30. This includes all undergraduate, graduate and Bridge courses held on the main campus and at University facilities across the state.

Please note that while classes will not take place in person, Clemson will remain open and operational. We remain committed to ensuring that our students can complete the semester as scheduled.

We encourage students who can do so to remain at home or away from campus as we seek to reduce the density of the campus population. Students do have the option to remain on campus during spring break or to return to campus following spring break.

While we expect that some operational modifications may become necessary, student services, including housing, dining and health care, will remain available for those on campus.

This decision was not made lightly and is consistent with the actions being taken by many other universities across the country. By moving temporarily to an online structure, the campus community can engage in social distancing and reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19, while also ensuring our students’ academic progress is not interrupted.

I know how much we all value the Clemson experience including the sense of community that we have and the physical connection we have with our campus, but we must think about the health and well-being of the entire Clemson family.

As we have been doing for the past several weeks, Clemson leadership and emergency personnel will continue to closely monitor this rapidly changing situation every day. If it becomes necessary to continue online instruction beyond March 30, we will provide enough advance notice to allow students to remain at home beyond that date if they choose.

Employees from across the University have been working diligently to prepare for this possibility, and we have a solid plan in place. The safety of our community and academic continuity for our students remain our top priorities.

We continue to evaluate Clemson events, conferences and other gatherings scheduled to occur in the near future. Further information will be communicated as decisions are made.

For those of you traveling next week please be safe, consider the impact of your decisions and remain aware of the changing nature of this situation. You should be mindful of your own health, but also the impact you can have on others if you become infected by COVID-19, especially the most vulnerable members of our society.  Uphold the best traditions and expectations of Clemson.

Those visiting international destinations or taking cruises – especially to an area with a high risk of infection – may need to self-isolate for two weeks upon return and will be expected to check in with our Health Services staff before returning to campus.

I know that this decision, while prudent, is likely to result in questions. We are dedicated to providing ongoing, accurate information and will share necessary information with specific groups as this situation changes and further details become available.

We also will continue to provide regular communication updates via emails, our website and the University’s social media channels.

Thanks for your patience and understanding as we continue to work hard to keep our University community safe during a very challenging, and rapidly changing, period.

 

Sincerely,

President Jim Clements