Tag: July27

Information as of December 2021

General Details

• Employees who are at a higher risk for COVID-19 based on risk factors identified by the CDC should discuss their concerns with their supervisor. If additional accommodation is needed, they should discuss these concerns and possible accommodations with the University’s ADA coordinator.
• Whenever possible, meetings should continue to be virtual. When meetings must be in-person, designate a space for such purpose.
• Continue physical distancing and use of protective equipment.
• Continue closure of areas where people congregate.
• Face coverings are not required in University facilities, but remain strongly encouraged in instructional areas (classrooms, instructional labs) and research labs.
• Anyone who wants to wear a face-covering regardless of their vaccination status is welcome to do so.
• No quarantine following known exposure for fully vaccinated individuals.
• Current recommendations for physical distancing in University facilities remain in place.
  Events and large gatherings must continue to go through University protocols for approval.

Extension Offices

• Notify county government partners that the facility has reopened to the public.
• Transfer main office lines back to office phones.
• Post public health notices on all publicly accessible entrances.
• Prepare sampling areas to mitigate personal contact with the public.
• Create physical separation between all publicly accessible areas of the office and those intended to be accessed by staff only.
• Make hand sanitizer available at all entrances.
• Make supplies including, but not limited to, disinfectant wipes, disposable towels, disinfectant solution, etc. available in all commonly used areas of the office facility.
• Update sampling information on county websites and social media outlets only after the office has been deemed safely accessible to the public.
• Consider maintaining a long-term soil drop-off-only process that limits in-office interactions with the public.
• Consider delineating physical separation with marks on the floor in open spaces accessible to the public.

Extension Volunteers

Clemson Extension volunteers may return to in-person service in Stage – Yellow provided ALL the following conditions are met:

• The program-leading Extension Agent and any applicable third party or property have approved the volunteer activity.
• The volunteer follows appropriate CDC guidelines.
• Adults that have routine interaction with youth must abide by Clemson University Youth Protection Policy and Operating Standards.
• General guidance for returning to in-person volunteer service includes:
• Remain at home if you or anyone in your household is not feeling well or has a fever.
• High-risk individuals and those with significant underlying medical conditions are strongly encouraged to stay at home and take measures to limit exposure.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Try to work independently, keeping 6 feet or more apart from others.
• Frequently clean high‐touch surfaces including your cellphone/tablet, door handles, restroom surfaces, handrails, tools, etc.
• Refrain from using shared office equipment when possible. If it is necessary to use other’s equipment, sanitize between each user.

Guidance for Outdoor Service

• People should be spaced apart 6 feet or more.
• Individuals may work independently, keeping 6 feet or more apart from others in the garden.
• When possible, use your own gardening tools and equipment; shared tools and equipment should be cleaned after each use.

Communication Regarding Attendance at Educational Events

• Advise participants in advance that if they have any symptoms or feel unwell, they should not attend.

Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to people of all ages, regardless of race, color, gender, religion, national origin, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital or family status and is an equal opportunity employer.

My name is Kristi Bussell and I’m a mental health educator for student health services. My office recently started an online program called Wellness Wednesdays (WW). The purpose of WW is to provide students, faculty, and staff information on how to take care of their wellbeing during COVID-19. Additionally, it provides an opportunity for folks to come together – vital during this season of social distancing.

What: Weekly Wellness series where we’ll discuss how to take care of our well-being during COVID-19
When: Wednesdays, 10am – 10:30am
Where: https://clemson.zoom.us/j/345660746
Password: email Kristi Bussell at kbussel@clemson.edu to get the password!

Also, follow @TigersTogether_ and @clemsonhealthycampus on IG for regular updates!
—
Kristi E. Bussell, MPH
Assistant Director for Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Initiatives
Student Health Services
Clemson University
864-656-2038

EMERGENCY/IN CRISIS/AFTER-HOURS CARE
If you or someone you know is at immediate risk of harm to self or others, contact emergency services and get help – call 911 or the Clemson University Police Department at 864-656-2222.

To reach Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) during business hours, call 864-656-2451.

For after-hours psychological emergencies, a CAPS on-call counselor can be reached through CUPD at 864-656-2222.

For help that can be accessed anywhere, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

Zoom Information

Zoom is now licensed for all Clemson employees.
To access a licensed account, login in through clemson.zoom.us

Learn more about Zoom meeting best practices and tips.
https://blogs.clemson.edu/online/2020/04/03/zoom-meeting-best-practices-and-tips/

List of IT Resources

Information about all of the tools for working remotely have been compiled for employees.
https://ccit.clemson.edu/working-remotely/

Scanning Tool

If you do not have access to a scanner, you can scan from home with the Adobe Scan app to share paper documents with others. The Adobe Scan app easily captures documents and converts them to PDF right in your phone. It is included with our Adobe license. Just download the app and sign in.

Option 1: Scan documents using Adobe Scan on your phone (easiest option)

1. Download Adobe Scan from your device’s app store.
2. Launch the application and at the bottom of the screen, click “Sign In or Sign Up”.
3. Type in Clemson email address and it should take you to Single Sign On for Clemson.
4. Allow access to your phone’s camera.
5. The software will begin to detect the edges of the page, which you can adjust with your finger.
6. Take picture when ready and then tap the image it saves.
   • To eliminate shadows, make sure your light source is in front of you and your phone, not directly above or behind (think of how the sun creates shadows).
7. You can crop, rotate, or make other visual adjustments.
8. Give the file a relevant name by clicking the pencil icon and then click save.
   • Adobe Scan automatically recognizes the text in the image to make it text searchable.

If you need any assistance with IT needs, please contact your statewide District IT consultant or the helpdesk: ithelp@clemson.edu, 864.656.3494.

The South Carolina 4-H Congress is held annually at Clemson University. This event brings youth together from across the state to learn, network, and celebrate a year of achievement. Due to COVID-19, Congress was moved to a virtual setting using Zoom, daily emails, and social media. This event was hosted by the South Carolina 4-H State Teen Council. Over one hundred attendees participated in daily activities such as a virtual career fair, community service projects, professional development workshops, awards ceremonies, and fun networking games.

During the awards state ceremony, the following youth were recognized for their outstanding achievement in 4-H:

2020 State 4-H Winners
Carson Marino – Chester County
Langley Vernon – Anderson County
Aliza Allison – Lexington County
Brianna Smalls – Dorchester County
Maggie Thomas – Dorchester County
Allyson Wright – Hampton County

2020 National 4-H Conference Winners
Katie McCarter – York County
Langley Vernon – Anderson County
Maggie Thomas – Dorchester County
Brianna Smalls – Dorchester County

2020 Presidential Tray Winners
Arizona Bowers – Anderson County
Marie Elizabeth Grant – Anderson County
Jordan Snipes – Florence County
Hailey Williamson – Lexington County

2020 Spirit of 4-H
Nick Matthews – Florence County

Another important part of Congress was the 2020-2021 South Carolina 4-H State Teen Council election. Candidates gave live speeches, and an online election was held.

 2020-2021 SC 4-H Teen Council
President: Cassidy Hurst – Pickens County
Vice President: Brianna Smalls – Dorchester County
Secretary: Saanvi Merchant – Greenville County
Legislative Liaison: Paul Davis – Richland County
Public Relations Coordinator: Jeremiah Gonzalez – Chester County
Midlands Regional Representative: Carson Marino – Chester County
Midlands Regional Representative: Katie McCarter – York County
Pee Dee Regional Representative: Bryton Tanner – Florence County
Savannah Valley Regional Representative: Katherine Ryan – Hampton County
Savannah Valley Regional Representative: Maggie Thomas – Dorchester County
Upstate Regional Representative: Chloe Margeson – Greenville County
Upstate Regional Representative: Elizabeth Marie Grant (MEG) – Anderson County

Even though Congress was fun on a virtual platform, the team is looking forward to being back on campus next summer. If you would like more information about SC 4-H Congress or other 4-H events, please visit www.clemson.edu/4h.

Submitted by: Katie Shaw, 4-H Youth Development Specialist

While COVID-19 has affected the scope of how we interact with our various constituencies, the demand for certain programs remains unabated. For fifteen years, Clemson Extension, in partnership with SCDHEC, has provided two compliance-based training and certification programs to address stormwater plan review and inspection of permitted South Carolina construction sites.

The Certified Erosion Prevention and Sediment Control Inspector (CEPSCI) and Certified Stormwater Plan Reviewer (CSPR) programs educate and certify individuals in the areas of erosion prevention and sediment control from proper design and review of stormwater plans to installation, maintenance, and inspection of construction site BMPs. Both courses focus on meeting regulatory and compliance requirements. The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in the cancellation of all in-person CEPSCI and CSPR training courses that hundreds of personnel rely on each year for certification and recertification.

Comprised of Extension specialists, associates, and agents partnering with regulatory colleagues at SCDHEC, the development team set out to provide alternative solutions to in-person instructional restrictions. Since May 2020, the team created, organized, and offered five distinct and separate courses (some multiple times) utilizing three online platforms and facilitating virtual instruction to 654 participants. Courses occurred asynchronously through Canvas, and synchronously through Zoom, with certification exams provided using Remote Proctor Now. This extensive effort has resulted in 167 newly certified and 444 recertified participants within the abbreviated timeframe.

Team members created instructional modules within each Canvas course platform. To provide opportunities for self-paced learning, digital videos were created, edited, and served to participants. To assess knowledge gained, short quizzes were embedded throughout the modules, and a passing score was required to advance to the next section. For synchronous courses via Zoom, facilitators and instructors continued the ability for interactive questions to be completed by utilizing breakout rooms for participants and instructors to work through relevant problem-solving course materials.

Through evaluation data for asynchronous courses such as the online CEPSCI recertification, the team noted positive quantitative results with 327 participants (94%) agreeing or strongly agreeing that the course was an effective use of their time. Around 95% of the same group felt that the level of information in the course provided enough detail to meet their needs, and 96% plan to include content learned in the course into their business practices. Qualitative responses revealed an unforeseen positive impact that multiple participants expressed, economic costs saved by offering the course online, “…0nline course provided certification without travel and associated costs and out-of-office time.” Overall, the efforts have not gone unacknowledged, “When I realized that my certification would lapse while we were under travel restrictions, I was very concerned with how it could be resolved. I was very pleased when I checked back on the website and saw the online option being offered. You’ve done an excellent job preparing the material in a quick time frame. Great job, but that’s what I would expect from my Tigers!”

The CEPSCI & CSPR teams will continue to offer online and remote course options as South Carolina residents and the world experience extraordinary circumstances due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Instructors and Course Facilitators: Calvin B. Sawyer, Ph.D., Jeremy Pike, Haley Parent, John C. Hayes, Ph.D., PE, Charles Jarman, PE (Shannon Hicks, PE, and Paul Quattlebaum, PE, of SCDHEC)

Selected Comments from Participants

• I have been in my engineering career going on two years now and I have been designated as the storm guy so from the time I have graduated to now I have learned a lot. This course has really taught me things and clarified things that will just help me further advance my career and understanding of what I am working with in the field.
• I might have lost out on some of the live interaction and missed on some good dialogue with others in a room but did appreciate the savings in time and cost from a trip to complete re-certification.
• I appreciated the opportunity to take the course at my own pace and as time allowed during my busy work schedules.
• My favorite part of the online course was that it provided a means by which to take the re-certification class as time allowed for me, versus having to take the class on a set date. I was able to watch all modules and take exams in one evening.
• My favorite part of the course was the ease of navigation and the ability to complete modules at my convenience which minimized disruption of my daily duties.
• Online course provided certification without travel, associated costs, and out of office time.
• The flexibility of working at your own pace. My schedule was packed, so it was nice to be able to watch modules when I could. Thanks for putting all of this together!!
• The ability to work through the modules at your own pace. The online course was very beneficial to schedules and would be great if this platform was offered for future re-certifications. The instructors did a really nice job putting this together.
• The ability to go at your own pace and flexibility offered through the online format was incredibly convenient, especially with the current social climate due to COVID-19. The overview of potential changes coming with the new CGP was informative.
• The course was very well-formatted. The modules were instructional and useful and quite helpful to personnel who are field-oriented (myself) and not necessarily computer elite.
• I thought the online format was very good. Instead of losing focus and tuning the instructor out after sitting in a classroom setting for several hours, you could take a break and come back refreshed.
• When I realized that my certification would lapse while we were under travel restrictions, I was very concerned with how it could be resolved. I was very pleased when I checked back on the website and saw the online option being offered. You’ve done an excellent job preparing the material in a quick time frame. Great job, but that’s what I would expect from my Tigers!
• Once I learned how to work the modules the course flowed easily. This type of course gives construction professionals a better way to re-certify because of time constraints. The format that allows the participant to stop and start, with no time limit, is very helpful. I wasn’t sure how this would work but the videos were very informative and easy to go back and pick up something I may have missed. Thanks for your preparation during this bad time we are all going through. You made it easier!
• I enjoyed the entire program. Everyone did an outstanding job in presenting the materials, which is no small act when you consider our current situation and the short time that you had to pull this together.
• The videos were very informative; they were short enough to stay focused but long enough to convey the material.
• I have been certified for a while and them narrating their parts was as about as close to being in the class as you could be.

Submitted by: Dr. Cal Sawyer, Associate Professor, Jeremy Pike, Program Manager, and Haley Parent, Water Resource Extension Agent

It is Groundhog Day number 125 of the COVID-19 Modified Operating Procedure for Extension. We seem to be continuing in a long stretch of uncertainty as the virus numbers are still high in South Carolina, as confirmed by SC DHEC’s data. As you have heard, Clemson University will begin the fall semester as scheduled on August 19, but with online instruction, as in-person instruction is now delayed until September 21. We will continue to follow our Return to Work Framework Plan for Extension. It is an understatement to say that we are tired of and frustrated about the COVID-19 situation. Most likely, we are also nervous about the future of Extension, Clemson University, our public school system, and South Carolina in general.

Most of you know when I need guidance, I always turn to my faith and seek guidance through readings and reflection. This past week I read something from Dr. Scott Turner, Associate Superintendent for Greenville County School System, that made me think of Extension. He used the song, “The Anchor Holds,” to convey a message about public education to his teachers. I will do the same for the Extension family.

The Anchor Holds

I have journeyed through the long dark night
Out on the open sea, by faith alone
Sight unknown; and yet His eyes were watching me

The anchor holds
Though the ship is battered
The anchor holds
Though the sails are torn
I have fallen on my knees as I face the raging seas
The anchor holds in spite of the storm

I’ve had visions, I’ve had dreams
I’ve even held them in my hand
But I never knew they would slip right through
Like they were only grains of sand

The anchor holds
Though the ship is battered
The anchor holds
Though the sails are torn
I have fallen on my knees as I face the raging seas
The anchor holds in spite of the storm

I have been young, but I’m older now
And there has been beauty these eyes have seen
But it was in the night, through the storms…

I feel like Extension has been through many storms, but The Anchor Holds. We have had over one hundred years of ups and downs throughout our history, but The Anchor Holds. We have been through legislative storms, commodity storms, weather storms, university storms, relevancy storms, strategic plan storms, mission and vision storms, BUDGET CUT storms, administrative storms, and now a Pandemic Storm and The Anchor Holds.

The Anchor Holds because we have been steadfast on why we are relevant to society. We have never strayed from our primary mission being a trustworthy source providing our stakeholders with the latest unbiased researched-based information and programming – The Anchor Holds. Think about that statement, unbiased researched-based information. More than ever, people are seeking validation, which can be provided through unbiased researched-based information, and that is not fake news. We will continue to do what we were established to do, and The Anchor Holds on to continue for generations to come, as our stakeholders depend on us.

The reason The Anchor Holds is primarily because of all of you, and how we function as a team and family. I want you to watch this short video on teamwork and send me your interpretation of the video. Whoever comes closest in their explanation to the reason why this is important will receive a gift card from me.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHSUp7msCIE

Please do your part to keep yourself and those around you safe. I strongly urge you not to waver in continuing to follow the recommended safety protocols to inhibit the possibility of additional COVID-19 cases. As always, please take good care of yourselves and your families, and thank you for what you do for Clemson Extension.