Category: Alerts

With the guidance and expertise of internal and external public health experts, Clemson officials have established procedures and guidelines for testing students prior to their return for the Fall semester. The overarching priority of the University’s reopening plan remains the health and safety of the Clemson community.

The accepted method of testing for students is a negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test via nasal pharyngeal, throat or saliva taken within five days prior to their arrival on campus. Serologic antibody tests will not be accepted at this time. All on-campus residents are required to have a negative PCR test within five days prior to their arrival. While students who live off-campus will not be required to obtain a PCR test prior to arrival, approximately 600 off-campus students will be sample tested weekly beginning Monday, Aug. 17.

While there is no way to guarantee the entire community returns to campus COVID-free, these testing guidelines will limit active cases on campus and provide a baseline of incidence in the community. This pandemic has evolved rapidly in the past few months and weeks, and the below guidelines are in effect until otherwise altered or amended, and any changes will be communicated as needed. 

TESTING PROTOCOLS

On-campus residents

• Each student planning to live on campus must provide a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within five days of their arrival.
• Students with acceptable test results are clear to come onto Clemson residential facilities at their appointed move-in time.
• In conjunction with the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), Clemson will provide PCR nasal pharyngeal testing for students at a near-campus location. However, students are encouraged to be tested at a location that will allow them to submit results to Clemson prior to their arrival.
• Student employees who have already participated in University-provided testing at NewSpring Church and received a negative COVID-19 test do not need to take a second test.
• Students who have taken a PCR test at any site other than the NewSpring location will be required to upload their results into Clemson’s COVID-19 Test Result Upload Tool.

Off-campus residents

• Students living off campus are not required to obtain a test prior to returning to campus. Approximately 600 off-campus students will be randomly selected for testing each week for a four-week period beginning Monday, Aug. 17.
• In conjunction with the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), Clemson will provide PCR nasal pharyngeal testing for students selected through the random sample. Students living off campus who are symptomatic will need to get tested.
• Student employees who have already participated in University-provided testing at NewSpring Church and received a negative COVID-19 test do not need to take a second test.
• The number of tests conducted is subject to change based on results. If an increase in infection is shown after the four-week period, the University may opt to test all students living off campus.
• For non-main-campus students such as those who attend class at CU-ICAR, MUSC has expanded mobile testing locations around the state, and an updated list of those locations is available HERE.

SUBMISSION OF TEST RESULTS
Results from students who have tests administered at the NewSpring location will be reported automatically to the University, and positive results will initiate an automated process to notify administrative areas of the University to begin cleaning, isolation/quarantine procedures (for on-campus residents), access protocols and contact tracing.

For those not tested at the NewSpring site, the COVID-19 Test Result Upload Tool is designed for students, faculty and staff to submit results from anywhere in the United States. After uploading a test result, clearance status will be determined and communicated to the individual via Clemson.edu email.

Submitted test results must include proper medical documentation containing your full name, date of birth, date of test, test result and type of test.

MEDICAL INFORMATION
Students who believe they may have been exposed, are ill with the virus or have received a positive COVID-19 test result should review and follow the protocols shared on Clemson’s COVID-19 Medical Guidance page.

All the latest information is available on the University’s Healthy Clemson: United as Tigers COVID-19 information website.

With the guidance and expertise of internal and external public health experts, Clemson officials announced recently the procedures and guidelines for testing University employees prior to their return to the workplace. The overarching priority of the University’s reopening plan remains the health and safety of the Clemson community. As previously announced, all University employees, including student employees, must obtain a COVID-19 test result before returning to campus.

Accepted methods of testing include a negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test via nasal, throat or saliva taken within five days prior to reporting to campus, or positive serologic antibody tests obtained within 40 days. Student employees must take a PCR test via nasal, throat or saliva within five days of reporting to campus, not a serologic antibody test.

Officials recognize five days for obtaining PCR test results may not be ideal due to current backlog in labs returning test results, and employees are encouraged to work with their supervisors if situations arise where test results are not available in advance of the employees required time to return to campus.

While there is no way to guarantee the entire community returns to campus COVID-free, population testing will limit active cases on campus and provide a baseline of incidence in the community. This pandemic has evolved rapidly in the past few months and weeks, and the below guidelines for employee return are in effect until otherwise altered or amended, and any changes will be communicated as needed.

TESTING REQUIREMENTS

• Each faculty and staff member must provide a negative COVID-19 PCR or positive antibody test prior to return to regular on-site work at any Clemson facility.
• Employees with acceptable test results are clear to come onto Clemson campuses or facilities if and when their supervisor approved their physical presence/access to a campus or facility.
• Faculty and staff who have yet to be tested should ask their supervisor when they need to be physically present on Clemson campuses or facilities and plan to be PCR tested within five days prior to returning to on-site work.
• Employees who have already participated in University-provided testing at NewSpring Church and received a negative COVID-19 test do not need to take a second test.
• The negative PCR test requirement applies to graduate students, teaching assistants, student workers and any other individual REQUIRED to be on campus regularly.

TESTING AVAILABILITY

• In conjunction with the Medical University of South Carolina, Clemson will provide multiple days of testing availability in the parking lot at NewSpring Church just west of main campus. In an effort to coordinate the large number of tests to be administered, employees will be asked to sign up for a testing window within five days of their required return to campus.
• Future testing dates. All times 7 a.m. until 1 p.m. (times and dates subject to change):

• • Aug. 10, 11, 12
  • Aug. 17, 18, 19
  • Aug. 24, 25, 26
  • Aug. 31 – Sept. 2
  • Sept. 7, 8, 9
  • Sept. 14, 15, 16

• Employees may register for a specific time slot HERE, limiting the number of individuals being tested at one time.
• For non-main-campus employees, MUSC has expanded mobile testing locations around the state, and an updated list of those locations is available HERE.
• Those being tested at any site other than the NewSpring location will be required to upload their results into Clemson’s Test Result Upload Tool which will be available in the coming days.

SUBMISSION OF TEST RESULTS
Results from faculty, staff and applicable students who have tests administered at the NewSpring location will be reported automatically to the University, and positive results will initiate an automated process to notify administrative areas of the University to begin cleaning, access protocols and contact tracing.

For those tested at the NewSpring location who are awaiting results, please call 843-985-8888 or email of drivethruresults@musc.edu.

For any test not performed at the near-site testing facility at NewSpring, employees must upload test results to the Test Result Upload Tool, which will be available in the coming days.

ACCESS TO CAMPUS FACILITIES
Beginning Aug. 12, instructors will be able to access their classrooms to physically examine teaching technologies. More information about these open house opportunities will be provided directly to faculty.

All instructors delivering blended learning classes are encouraged to use their assigned classrooms during some or all of the initial period of online-only instruction, from Aug. 19 through Sept. 18.

All instructors must have obtained a negative COVID-19 PCR test or positive antibody test prior to entering classrooms.

All other employees should not return to on-site work unless requested to do so by their supervisor.

Employees with concerns or questions about their physical presence on campuses or facilities should seek guidance from their supervisor. Supervisors should seek the advice of their supervisors and Human Resources if they have questions about how to manage an employee’s concern.

MEDICAL INFORMATION
Faculty and staff members who believe they may have been exposed or are ill with the virus should review and follow the protocols shared on Clemson’s COVID-19 Medical Guidance.

Employees who have received a positive COVID-19 test result should follow the guidance set forth on the University’s COVID-19 Medical Guidance page.

Faculty and staff are encouraged to review up-to-date information on the University’s Healthy Clemson: United as Tigers COVID-19 information website.

Following the recent changes to the beginning of in-person instruction, we are in a fluid environment regarding back to campus plans, testing protocols, and the use of testing information. Below are a set of guidelines to help you understand how we intend to operate in the near term.  When we modify or add to these guidelines, we will share the changes with you.

Return to campus

From now until Sept. 13 (the date when students start moving into residence halls):

• All employees who have had COVID-19 tests, will not need to take second test; Provided employees have a negative test result, they are clear to come onto Clemson campuses or facilities if and when supervisors have approved physical presence/access to a campus or facility.
• All employees who have not yet been tested, should ask their supervisor when they need to be physically present on Clemson campuses or facilities, and should plan on taking a COVID-19 test within 5 days prior to coming to Clemson campuses and facilities.  University-supported free testing availability will be periodically communicated to all employees.
• Employees with concerns or questions about their physical presence on campuses or facilities should seek guidance from their supervisor. If supervisors have questions or uncertainty, they should seek advice from their supervisor (i.e., up chain of command).
• Requests for in-person learning before Sept. 21 or for student move-in into residence halls before Sept. 13 should be directed to the Provost’s office (Katie Vogl; kymillr@clemson.edu); requests will be evaluated and approved by the Strategic Operations Group.
• Presence on campuses or facilities and COVID-19 testing requirements for graduate students who have research, teaching, outreach or other work obligations are the same as for all other employees.
• All research activities not previously approved for in-person activities may be considered for approval following existing protocols including the identification of essential research personnel (which will include undergraduate and graduate students) via the Associate Dean for Research in the employee’s college.
• Access to classrooms for instructors of record (i.e., all faculty, staff and graduate students who have teaching responsibilities):

o  Most classroom assignments for teaching a course will not be within the same building as the instructor’s office.

o   Access to the building where the classroom resides will be provided to instructors beginning Aug. 12 (and classrooms will be unlocked at that time).

o   By Aug. 12, CCIT/Clemson Online support, and cleaning protocols will be ready to support instructors wishing to physically examine assigned classrooms and test the teaching technologies.

o   Instructors delivering blended learning classes are encouraged to use their assigned classrooms during some or all of Aug. 19-Sept. 18.

Starting week of Sept. 13:

• A significant increase in campus and facilities activities is anticipated starting on this date.  All employees expected to have a physical presence at a campus or facility should have secured approval from their supervisors and should have had a negative COVID-19 test.
• Periodically, a random sample of employees will be asked to take an additional COVID-19 test to help the University monitor the rate of infection within the employee population.
• The University at this date may streamline approvals for research activities including discontinuing the process of identifying essential research personnel; but all regular and typical approvals for chemical hygiene, safety, etc. will remain in force. Employees and students engaged in the research activities also should have a negative COVID-19 test before engaging in research activities and they will be responsible for following standard COVID-19 protocols such as social distancing, face coverings, cleaning, etc.
• Access to study spaces for students such as the library and other spaces throughout campus will be made available for students starting Sept. 14 (details to follow).

Tests and test results

• The first round of COVID-19 virus testing of employees is nearing completion; additional testing dates are being planned and will be announced soon.
• The first set of test results were announced this afternoon. Out of more than 1,950 results, there were only 41 positives. Those who tested positive are being instructed to follow the University’s isolation protocols.
• A dashboard showing test results over time will be constructed and shared when it has been completed and tested.
• Testing strategy

• • Employees, including graduate students with teaching, research, outreach or service responsibilities, who haven’t already received a negative COVID-19 test result:
    • A COVID-19 PCR test (to detect viral RNA) is required 5 days prior to arriving at the place of work; it is recognized that this ideal will not always be met because of constraints on test availability and the lag time for receiving results.
    • Periodic PCR tests conducted for a random sample of the employee population will be used to monitor infection rates over time.
    • The University will continue to make testing available to employees. Those who choose to get tested at a non-University location will be able to upload their results to a secure portal being designed by CCIT. Details on the portal should be available next week.
  • Students moving into residence halls:
    • All are required to take PCR tests and enter test results into the University’s test portal within 5 days prior to move in.
    • Periodic PCR tests conducted for a random sample of the student population will be used to monitor infection rates over time.
  • Students living off campus:
    • A weekly random sample of students will be tested (PCR) to monitor trends in infection rates.
  • General:
    • Other tests, including ongoing wastewater tests for viral particles, will be used to supplement the tests listed above in order to help gauge the prevalence of COVID-19 in our community.
    • In reporting or sharing tests results, the University will protect and not share personal identifiers and will comply with HIPAA guidelines.

Sincerely,

Bob Jones, Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost
Tony Wagner, Executive Vice President for Finance and Operations
Sue Whorton, President, Staff Senate
John Whitcomb, President, Faculty Senate

Clemson University, in partnership with the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), conducted more than 2,300 COVID-19 tests between July 20-22 and July 27-28 on employees expected to report to work on main campus prior to August 1.

So far, Clemson has received the results of 1,952 of those tests, with 41 people testing positive.  Results for the remaining individuals who were tested will be shared when they are available.

As Clemson continues to prepare for the Fall semester, the University previously announced anyone who works for, lives at or is enrolled in a Clemson University program or facility must secure a negative COVID-19 test result prior to returning to campus or other University location for the Fall semester.

Those who test positive should follow the instructions included on the University’s COVID-19 page. The University continues to finalize technological, medical and financial processes for students, faculty and staff returning to Clemson facilities across the state after August 1. Those details, including free testing locations and transmission of records from tests administered outside of South Carolina, will be announced when they are available.

Clemson will release future test results in a timely fashion after the conclusion of subsequent test periods.

TEST RESULTS
Testing dates: July 20-22; July 27-28
Tests results received through July 30: 1,952
Negative Results: 1,911
Positive Results: 41

Dear Clemson Family:

From the earliest days following the emergence of COVID-19 as a global health threat, Clemson’s focus has been on continuing to fulfill our vital land-grant mission to our students and home state. We remain deeply committed to providing in-person instruction and the type of on-campus environment that make Clemson the special place we all love.

We strive every day to create an environment where world-class teaching and research opportunities combine with a rich on-campus experience to provide a uniquely valuable Clemson experience designed to set our students on a path toward a life of significance.

That responsibility also includes safeguarding the health of our students, faculty, staff and communities. Toward that end, we have taken decisive action at a number of key points in the pandemic to maintain the quality of the educational experience we provide, while also protecting the health and safety of Clemson Family members.

We have made great progress toward that goal and I am enormously proud of the work our faculty and staff have done. Let me be clear: We remain committed to a return to in-person instruction and activities in the fall.

Unfortunately, the progression of COVID-19, particularly in South Carolina and the Upstate region, continues to create a great deal of uncertainty around bringing students back to our campuses and beginning in-person instruction in August.

As a result, today I am announcing Clemson University will begin the fall semester online and will delay in-person instruction until Sept. 21. The semester will begin as scheduled on Aug. 19 with online instruction. No other changes to the academic calendar will be made at this time.

Move-in for students living on campus is now scheduled to begin Sept. 13 and all current restrictions on campus gatherings and events will remain in place until further notice.

I know this is disappointing news for many of our students, especially our first-year students who are looking forward to beginning their on-campus Clemson experience. However, we feel this modified approach is in the best interest of the Clemson Family at this time.

After extensive analysis by our internal and external public health experts and lengthy discussions among the leadership team, we simply don’t see the situation improving enough over the next few weeks to safely bring students and employees back to our locations in large numbers in August as originally planned.

We believe that by delaying the resumption of on-campus activities for another four weeks, and by strictly following the recommended health precautions, the disease will be reduced to a point where we can safely return to something approximating a normal learning environment. We also will use the time to execute a previously announced plan to test all our students in order to provide a better means to predict infection rates in our community.

As has been the case from the start of the pandemic, our decision-making will continue to be guided by our public health experts, and by the data and science. We know that strict adherence to preventative measures such as wearing face coverings, maintaining physical distancing and frequent hand-washing play a vital role in slowing the spread of COVID-19.

I would encourage everyone – but especially our students living in and around Clemson: Wear a mask and keep your distance from others whenever possible. Remember, we’re “All In” this together and only by being united as Tigers can we slow the spread of COVID-19 in our area.

We realize this decision will lead to questions from many of our students, parents and employees. We are already hard at work preparing communications to various stakeholders and will endeavor to provide as many answers as quickly as possible. Additional information can be found at our COVID-19 web site, which will be updated regularly.

Additionally, I will continue to communicate with the Clemson Family on a regular basis. Please know that our focus remains on providing an outstanding education for our students in a manner that safeguards our employees, students and communities to the greatest extent possible.

We feel this is the safest course of action for our Clemson community. And I want to reiterate that Clemson remains fully committed to providing an in-person experience for all our students this fall – especially our new students whom I know are anxious to begin creating their own Clemson memories and our students who will be graduating in December.

To our students and parents, we very much appreciate your flexibility and patience as we navigate these uncharted waters. To our amazing faculty and staff, my sincere thanks for the outstanding planning and work you continue to do every day on behalf of Clemson.

Go Tigers!

Jim Clements
President