Tag: COVID-19

Dear Clemson Family:

I am excited that we begin the fall semester next week. I miss seeing the incredible energy our students bring to the campus and can’t wait until they are back.

As you know, the first few weeks of the semester will be done online.  While this is not the way any of us wanted to start this academic year, I am extremely excited that students will be back on our campuses in full force shortly after Labor Day.

Our amazing faculty and staff have worked incredibly hard to create the conditions for a successful academic year, even as we continue to navigate the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic. I am very proud of them for all their efforts.

At a time when many universities have decided to go completely online for the fall, I want to reaffirm to our students and their families that our focus on returning to in-person instruction and activities has never wavered. In fact, our decision to delay the start of in-person classes and on-campus activities by a few weeks has allowed us to further strengthen our return plans, and has put us in even better shape for a successful fall semester.

TESTING STRATEGY

We continue to finalize a comprehensive COVID-19 testing strategy designed to minimize the number of cases at our locations and allow us to closely monitor the spread of the virus throughout the semester.

The early results from our COVID-19 testing have been encouraging: Over the past two weeks, we have received results from more than 1,100 employee and students and only seven people tested positive. The cumulative results of our testing can be found on our COVID-19 web site, which will be updated regularly.

We realize that testing, specifically the ability for our on-campus students to get a negative test result in timely fashion before moving onto campus, is a concern for some.  We are closely monitoring advances in testing and our plans may evolve. If so, we will communicate any changes as soon as they are made.

COLLEGIATE SPORTS

Adding to my excitement is the fact that the ACC is on course to compete in football and other sports this fall. I have been heavily involved in the discussions among ACC presidents to ensure that we can play football and other sports safely, and we continue to follow the guidance of the conference’s medical advisory group. As result of the great work being done by universities across the conference related to testing and safety protocols, your No.1-ranked Tigers are prepared to start their season at Wake Forest on Sept. 12.

CAMPUS HOUSING

Another date that I have circled on my calendar is Sept. 12 – the date our students can begin moving into the residence halls. Creating a strong and supportive on-campus environment is a critical part of the residential university experience, and our Clemson Home team is busy preparing our residence halls to operate at nearly full capacity. Answers to all your housing and dining questions can be found here.

This academic year is certainly going to look and feel a bit different than past years, but I am confident that we are poised to make it another great year for our students. At the same time, I continue to ask all of our students to do their part by wearing face coverings and practicing social distancing whenever possible. Remember, we’re all in this together. We need to remain “United as Tigers.”

Good luck to all of our students, faculty and staff as we start the semester next week, and stay tuned for regular communications from me and other University leaders as the new year begins. I am excited to see you all in a few weeks.

Go Tigers!

Jim Clements
President

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