B-Note March 26, 2020
March 26, 2020
Greetings Tigers,
As we continue to tread through uncertain and turbulent waters, I want to reassure each of you that Clemson is here to support you. We share your concern about your health, as well as the health of your loved ones. As I said last week, please reach out to anyone on our team or me directly if we can help in any way. We continue to be dedicated to our University and are working remotely to fulfill our University’s mission.
Every decision Clemson’s leadership has made over the past few weeks – and the ones we will make in the coming weeks – has been with the well-being of the Clemson Family in mind. In alignment with the guidance from Gov. McMaster, this week Clemson’s leadership made several decisions regarding University operations for the remainder of the current semester:
– Classes at all Clemson University locations will be delivered online for the rest of this semester. We have been preparing diligently for this possibility, and our University is confident that our faculty is more than capable of delivering high-quality content to our students so that their academic progress is not hindered.
– The general closure of our residence will be extended through the end of the semester. On-campus housing will remain available only to those students who have previously been granted permission to stay due to an extenuating circumstance. Our Residential Life team is working on a plan to allow all others to return to campus to gather their belongings in a manner consistent with good public health practices. That information will be communicated in the coming days.
– We are working with the state’s Commission on Higher Education on a plan to address students’ investments in housing and dining services. Details will be communicated as soon as they are available.
– Clemson has made the extremely difficult decision to postpone our May commencement ceremonies. Degrees will be conferred upon all those who meet graduation requirements, and the University will explore alternatives to celebrate our newest graduates at a later date. Commencement is a highlight of each academic year and postponing ceremonies this spring is heartbreaking. Unfortunately, this public health emergency left us no other responsible choice. Rest assured, however, that our leadership will do everything in their power to create a memorable experience for our graduates who have worked incredibly hard to reach this milestone.
– All non-essential University employees will be required to work remotely until further notice. Employees are encouraged to make use of videoconferencing and other virtual technologies to conduct meetings to the greatest extent possible and to continue to exercise social distancing principles at all times.
– All Clemson events, activities and gatherings are suspended at least through the end of the academic semester, May 8.
I know we are all feeling overwhelmed and unsure as this situation continues to evolve rapidly, but our University leadership is committed to making decisions that are best for the health and well-being of the Clemson community.
I am beyond grateful to all the Clemson employees, especially my members of Development and Alumni Relations, who continue to work tirelessly to adapt to the ever-changing circumstances of this health crisis.
We are blessed to be part of the Clemson Family who – above all else – care for one another. Clemson Tigers are resilient, and together, we will get through these unsettling times.
Please take care of yourselves and one another.
Go Tigers!
Brian O’Rourke