Tag: COVID-19

Dear Clemson Family:

You are receiving this message just as our May graduation ceremonies should have been wrapping up, capping a bittersweet week for faculty, staff and, of course, all our newest graduates and their families.

At the same time, that we couldn’t all be together to celebrate the Class of 2020 this week (and we will have that celebration in the future) in no way diminishes the pride and joy we feel for our graduates.

We did our best to commemorate this milestone occasion by expressing our love and excitement this week across our social media channels and through a special website we created specifically for the Class of 2020. I also had the pleasure of narrating a special tribute video to our newest graduates, which can be seen here.

This the largest group of graduates we have ever celebrated. Nearly 4,200 undergraduates, master’s and doctoral students earned degrees this spring. This group includes some of the most accomplished students in the country, including two dozen students recognized by the most prestigious national scholarship foundations for their academic success, leadership accomplishments and commitment to service.

The Class of 2020 includes more than 500 first-generation graduates who, I’m confident, have discovered the transformational nature of a college education during their time at Clemson. We also graduated 57 student-athletes who have made us proud with their accomplishments in the classroom and on the athletic fields.

As part of our graduation celebration this week, each of our deans shared a letter to their graduates. They’re all wonderful, and I found this passage from Dean Cynthia Young from the College of Science particularly appropriate for all our graduates:

“They say that there is something special in these hills. Take some of that special magic wherever you go. And please make sure you carve out time in your lives to come back every once in a while to let us know how you are doing and to see how you can help those who follow in your footsteps.”

‘Laser focus’ on a fall return

As we close out this extraordinary semester, our staff and faculty are already fully engaged in the complex planning necessary to ensure a safe return to as close to normal operations as is possible this fall.

We are approaching the fall with a ‘laser focus’ on returning to in-person learning, as our Associate Vice President for Public Safety Greg Mullen told our Board of Trustees last month. At the same time, we recognize that our new normal will look different than in the past, and that a return to having our students back on campus can only occur in a way that is consistent with the best public health practices. For example, any scenario that involves having students back on campus will be accompanied by the capacity for COVID-19 testing and adherence to CDC guidance related to safe physical distancing, face coverings and more.

We will release the details of our plans in the near future. I can say, however, that we are looking at a phased approach that first involves bringing our employees back to our campuses and locations this summer to prepare for the fall semester.

Congratulations to the Class of 2020 – and to the faculty, staff, family, friends and others who played a critical role in your success. I could not be more proud of each of you.

In that spirit, I’d like to leave you with these words from Timothy R. Boosinger, our Interim Dean of the College or Architecture, Arts and Humanities, to our newest grads:

“Your achievement is in no way diminished by our current circumstances. If anything, it is amplified. You are part of a historic graduating class.”

“I have been inspired by how you and your fellow students have risen to our present challenges. Hold close your friendships with classmates. Hold close those bonds, and also know that you are part of a larger Clemson Family and a larger world.”

Again, all my best wishes to our amazing Class of 2020. I look forward to seeing you all again soon.

Go Tigers!

Jim Clements
President

With a targeted goal of a safe return to in-person classes for the fall 2020 semester, Clemson officials announced an extension of the University’s current modified operational status through May 31. The University previously announced the suspension of all statewide events through the end of May, and all summer instruction will be conducted online. All faculty and staff should continue to work remotely unless previously approved for on-campus access.

University leadership, in conjunction with the Emergency Operations Center (EOC), is developing a phased plan which allows for the resumption of on-campus operations as soon as circumstances allow, with the health of students, faculty, staff and the community as its overarching priority.

More details about the phased approach, with specific guidance for faculty and staff including safety guidelines and protocols and the use and availability of community protective equipment (face coverings, PPE), will be provided soon.

Employees currently authorized to work on campus are expected to follow CDC recommendations relating to face coverings and other ways to protect yourself and others, to slow the spread of COVID-19 and assist the University to reach its goal of a safe return to in-person classes for Fall 2020.

Issued by University Relations

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 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

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