Category: Alerts

Clemson University officials are working to provide information to students, faculty and staff on how to take appropriate preventive measures related to health and wellness. Clemson University is not aware of any 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) diagnosis of any students, faculty or staff; this is a proactive measure to provide information to the campus community.

2019-nCoV is a virus identified as the cause of an outbreak of respiratory illness first detected in Wuhan, China. Early on, many of the patients in the outbreak reportedly had some link to a large seafood and animal market, suggesting animal-to-person spread. However, a growing number of patients reportedly have not had exposure to animal markets, suggesting person-to-person spread is occurring. At this time, it is unclear how easily or sustainably this virus is spreading between people.

Signs and symptoms of this illness include fever, cough, and difficulty breathing.

Anyone who has traveled to China in the last 14 days and who feels sick with fever, cough, or difficulty breathing should seek medical care right away. Before you go to a doctor’s office or emergency room, call ahead and tell them about your recent travel and your symptoms.

According to the CDC, the best way to prevent infection is to avoid being exposed to this virus. The best way to do this is to:

• Avoid contact with others, especially those who are sick.
• Stay home and do not travel while sick.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing. Then discard the tissue in the trash.
• Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

There is much more to learn about the transmission, severity and other features associated with 2019-nCoV and investigations are ongoing. The latest situation summary updates are available on CDC’s web page 2019 Novel Coronavirus, Wuhan, China.

This is a rapidly changing situation. University officials are actively monitoring this world-wide situation and will communicate timely information as needed.

Issued by University Relations

This a special campus safety bulletin sent on behalf of Clemson University Police Department (CUPD).

Over the course of winter break, CUPD received reports of attempted burglaries in the Harris Smith Building and Martin Hall, as well as thefts in Earle Hall and Sirrine Hall on the university’s main campus. The reported crimes are currently under investigation. Please contact CUPD at 864-656-2222 or police@clemson.edu if you have any additional information regarding these incidents.

Due to these recent events, CUPD asks that you help deter thefts by making sure you secure your property and report suspicious activity to police. The following personal safety reminders are provided:

Theft Prevention

• Keep valuables out of sight and secured, including purses, wallets, cell phones, electronics and jewelry; never leave valuables unattended.
• Do not carry more than you need; leave unnecessary valuable items securely in your residence.
• Safeguard your wallet, checkbook and credit cards.

Any suspicious activity should immediately be reported to 911 or to CUPD at 864-656-2222.

A siren maintenance test to ensure the Clemson University campus alert system is working properly will be conducted today, Thursday, Oct. 24, on the main campus between the hours of 4-5 p.m.

Sirens will sound for less than a minute during each test. This test is part of normal maintenance, and no public action is necessary.

Issued by University Relations

The Clemson University Police Department (CUPD) is investigating a reported sexual assault that occurred on Thursday, Oct. 3 between the hours of 9:30 and 10:30 p.m. at the Robert Muldrow Cooper Library.

In response to this incident, CUPD has increased uniformed patrols in and around the library and conducted area canvasses to identify any potential suspects. CUPD detectives are actively reviewing all available video footage from the surrounding area, coordinating with local law enforcement partners and interviewing all potential witnesses.

CUPD is asking anyone with additional information or who observed suspicious activity in or around Cooper Library on Oct. 3 to please contact the department at 864-656-2222.

CUPD would like to remind the campus community of the following safety tips:

• Report suspicious persons or activity to CUPD immediately.
• Utilize the Tiger Transit shuttle service between the hours of 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. Rides can be requested using the My.Clemson app under the “Transit” tab.
• Be an active bystander. Tips for intervening are found at https://www.clemson.edu/campus-life/healthy-campus/aspire/to-intervene.html:
• If you see something, do something. When a threat may be present, active bystanders should intervene if a person is in need of medical assistance, mental health counseling or any other form of assistance. It is important to intervene early before a situation escalates. To keep a safe and healthy culture on campus, everyone must do their part to intervene as active bystanders.
• There are many resources on campus, but you play an important role to help your friends get to resources.
• Bystander skills include:
  – Noticing an occurrence out of the ordinary.
  – Deciding in your “gut” if something is amiss or unacceptable.
  – Asking yourself, “Could I play a role here?”
  – Assessing your options for giving help.
  – Determining the potential risks of taking action.
  – Deciding whether to act – now or later.
• If you are the survivor of an assault:
  – Try to stay calm and remain alert. Look for situations that you can exploit to your advantage.
  – If able, note the characteristics of your assailant and identify a means of escape. Information you recall about your attacker is invaluable to the police in trying to apprehend the criminal.
  – Call 911 or, if you are on campus, notify CUPD at 864-656-2222 and seek medical care as soon as possible.

If you’ve been sexually assaulted, there are on- and off-campus resources ready to help you. If you are not ready to report to police or to the University through the Title IX office, visit with a confidential advocate or counselor by contacting Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) at 864-656-2451. Walk-in patients are accepted at CAPS between 10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, while counselors are on-call after hours as well. Please remember that survivors are never responsible for the behavior of offenders.