July 2, 2020
July 2, 2020
Greetings, fellow Tigers!
We closed out our fiscal year this week, and thanks to each of you, Clemson will continue to impact future generations. Thank you for supporting us throughout the year! If you haven’t had a chance, you can make a difference in the lives of our faculty, staff and students by making a gift here.
Last week, President Clements shared a message with the Clemson Family about the key decisions that have been made about the Fall semester and a date for commencement to celebrate our May and August graduates. Clemson is planning to hold on-campus commencement ceremonies the weekend of October 9-11. We are committed to making this a memorable occasion for our 2020 graduates who have worked incredibly hard to achieve this milestone. Moving our August commencement to later in the year will give the University time to create a special experience for this very special group of graduates.
Postponing graduation will also allow Clemson to focus its energies on a safe on-time start to the Fall semester – which the University remains steadfastly committed to doing in a manner safeguarding the health and well-being of our entire University community. Clemson’s faculty, staff and administrative leadership have worked diligently for months to re-imagine how we can continue to provide the world-class education, research and service to our students that Clemson is known for – even in the face of this unprecedented public health challenge.
The University has established an approach built on four foundational pillars that have guided our efforts to get back on campus. They are designed to inform the greater Clemson community and shape the behavior of our community’s members. You can read more about the guiding pillars here.
The University will require all students and employees to be tested for COVID-19 virus and, where possible, receive serologic testing for disease antibodies, prior to their arrival on campus in the fall. The University is going to require all students and employees to wear face coverings in a number of circumstances while on University property. Once the academic year begins, the University will conduct voluntary random-sample testing of students and employees on a regular basis to track prevalence and spread of the disease in the University community. You can read greater details about the University’s plans to move forward here.
Our University is dedicated to inclusion and equity and is actively engaged in conversations and activities that build upon the progress we have made. An upcoming series of panel discussions aim to increase awareness of America’s full history as it relates to race and to promote productive conversations around sustaining positive change. Hosted by the Harvey and Lucinda Gantt Multicultural Center in the Division of Inclusion and Equity and the Department of Community Achievement and Student Empowerment in the Division of Student Affairs, the series, “Power of Perspective,” is free and open to all Clemson faculty, students and staff. You can read more about the series here.
B – safe and healthy!
This weekend you may be gathering with close family and friends for the Fourth of July as we celebrate our country’s independence. I hope you have a happy and safe holiday weekend.
B-Note will take a break next week, but I am looking forward to sharing updates from Clemson with you later this month.
Happy Fourth of July!
Go Tigers!
Brian O’Rourke