Category: Uncategorized

Dear incoming students:

Now more than ever, I can’t wait to welcome you to Clemson University. Last week’s announcement to move the start of in-person instruction to Sept. 21 was not made easily. It was, however, done based on the latest data and science, and with the health and safety of our students, as well as our employees, in the forefront of our minds.

We know this is not how you expected to begin your Clemson career. These are uncharted waters for higher education – and many aspects of life. We are keenly aware of the strong desire of our students and other members of the Clemson Family to return to some semblance of normal, and I can assure you that is our goal.

Our focus is going to be on making sure you and your classmates get the most out of your Clemson experience from the start. To that end, you will be hearing from all corners of the Clemson community over the next several weeks to introduce you to some of the people, services and programs that make our University so special.

I’m sure you’re aware of the physical beauty of the Clemson campus, but the true beauty of Clemson lies in our people and the energy and commitment devoted to each other’s success.

Our outstanding faculty, passionate staff, our supportive alumni and your fellow students make the Clemson Family uniquely amazing. Please know that we are proud of all that you have accomplished to this point, especially during such a disrupted year, and we are beyond excited about the ways that you will leverage your experiences into changing our world for the better.

And while we can’t physically be together just yet, the passion and engagement within the Clemson community remains high. We are committed to doing everything we can to bring the full breadth of our community and its resources to you to make sure you know you’re a treasured new member of our family.

Over the coming weeks, you’ll have opportunities to attend a virtual student organization open house, hear from academic departments about what to expect in the classroom – virtually and in-person – see current students on social media sharing their experiences, participate in surveys to get your opinion on matters of interest, attend virtual town halls with student leaders and much, much more.

We realize we can’t replicate exactly what it would be like if you were moving into a residence hall in mid-August. We do intend, however, to do everything we can to welcome you to your new home.

I appreciate your patience as we work to minimize the potential for a COVID-19 outbreak at our campuses and protect the most vulnerable, while driving toward the most engaging and enriching Fall semester possible.

I look forward to welcoming you to campus in mid-September and I want you to know how important you are to our University. I hope you will participate in the opportunities we will be offering over the next few weeks to meet some of the great people who will be waiting for you when you get here.

Go Tigers!

Jim Clements
President

Dear Clemson Family:

From the earliest days following the emergence of COVID-19 as a global health threat, Clemson’s focus has been on continuing to fulfill our vital land-grant mission to our students and home state. We remain deeply committed to providing in-person instruction and the type of on-campus environment that make Clemson the special place we all love.

We strive every day to create an environment where world-class teaching and research opportunities combine with a rich on-campus experience to provide a uniquely valuable Clemson experience designed to set our students on a path toward a life of significance.

That responsibility also includes safeguarding the health of our students, faculty, staff and communities. Toward that end, we have taken decisive action at a number of key points in the pandemic to maintain the quality of the educational experience we provide, while also protecting the health and safety of Clemson Family members.

We have made great progress toward that goal and I am enormously proud of the work our faculty and staff have done. Let me be clear: We remain committed to a return to in-person instruction and activities in the fall.

Unfortunately, the progression of COVID-19, particularly in South Carolina and the Upstate region, continues to create a great deal of uncertainty around bringing students back to our campuses and beginning in-person instruction in August.

As a result, today I am announcing Clemson University will begin the fall semester online and will delay in-person instruction until Sept. 21. The semester will begin as scheduled on Aug. 19 with online instruction. No other changes to the academic calendar will be made at this time.

Move-in for students living on campus is now scheduled to begin Sept. 13 and all current restrictions on campus gatherings and events will remain in place until further notice.

I know this is disappointing news for many of our students, especially our first-year students who are looking forward to beginning their on-campus Clemson experience. However, we feel this modified approach is in the best interest of the Clemson Family at this time.

After extensive analysis by our internal and external public health experts and lengthy discussions among the leadership team, we simply don’t see the situation improving enough over the next few weeks to safely bring students and employees back to our locations in large numbers in August as originally planned.

We believe that by delaying the resumption of on-campus activities for another four weeks, and by strictly following the recommended health precautions, the disease will be reduced to a point where we can safely return to something approximating a normal learning environment. We also will use the time to execute a previously announced plan to test all our students in order to provide a better means to predict infection rates in our community.

As has been the case from the start of the pandemic, our decision-making will continue to be guided by our public health experts, and by the data and science. We know that strict adherence to preventative measures such as wearing face coverings, maintaining physical distancing and frequent hand-washing play a vital role in slowing the spread of COVID-19.

I would encourage everyone – but especially our students living in and around Clemson: Wear a mask and keep your distance from others whenever possible. Remember, we’re “All In” this together and only by being united as Tigers can we slow the spread of COVID-19 in our area.

We realize this decision will lead to questions from many of our students, parents and employees. We are already hard at work preparing communications to various stakeholders and will endeavor to provide as many answers as quickly as possible. Additional information can be found at our COVID-19 web site, which will be updated regularly.

Additionally, I will continue to communicate with the Clemson Family on a regular basis. Please know that our focus remains on providing an outstanding education for our students in a manner that safeguards our employees, students and communities to the greatest extent possible.

We feel this is the safest course of action for our Clemson community. And I want to reiterate that Clemson remains fully committed to providing an in-person experience for all our students this fall – especially our new students whom I know are anxious to begin creating their own Clemson memories and our students who will be graduating in December.

To our students and parents, we very much appreciate your flexibility and patience as we navigate these uncharted waters. To our amazing faculty and staff, my sincere thanks for the outstanding planning and work you continue to do every day on behalf of Clemson.

Go Tigers!

Jim Clements
President

Dear Clemson Family:

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed much about our way of life over the last several months, and Clemson is no exception. What hasn’t changed is the University’s commitment to getting back on campus. A return to on-campus instruction and in-person activities at all our locations, in a manner safeguarding the health and well-being of our entire University community, remains our singular focus.

Clemson’s faculty, staff and administrative leadership have worked daily for months to reimagine how we can continue to provide the world-class education, research and service that our students and state expect from us, even in the face of this unprecedented public health challenge.

The University’s approach is 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. They are:

• A steadfast commitment to the health and safety of all members of the Clemson University community.
• A return strategy built on the concept of stacking preventative measures to create the greatest possible protection against COVID-19 exposure and to limit its spread across the community.
• The creation of a return plan both comprehensive and flexible, allowing the University to anticipate potential future challenges and providing the ability to adjust course quickly as circumstances dictate.
• Awareness that the entire Clemson Family has a critical role to play in our successful return to on-campus and in-person activities. In order to take care of the Clemson community, our actions must be guided by concern for others. We must be “United as Tigers.”

I want to take the opportunity to update the Clemson community on some of the most important pieces of our return plan. Specifically, we have made critical decisions around face-coverings, testing and our academic plan that will provide our students, employees and communities with important safeguards against the spread of COVID-19.

In addition, I can’t stress enough how important it is for every member of our community to do their part to mitigate the spread of this disease, especially among those most vulnerable. Much of our work over the next several months will be focused on enforcing this social compact, or agreement, among members of the Clemson Family.

Face coverings to be mandatory in many instances

Cloth face coverings have been shown to be effective in preventing the spread of the virus, both from person to person and through contamination of contact surfaces, and as such the University is going to require all students and employees to wear face coverings in a number of circumstances while on University property.

Cloth face coverings are required:

• While in University buildings, including housing and dining facilities.
• During all University programs held in non-University buildings.
• In outdoor spaces on campus where appropriate physical distancing cannot be guaranteed.
• In all University vehicles and while using University transportation/mass transit.

Face coverings are not required:

• When alone in private offices.
• When alone in on-campus housing rooms.
• When not in close contact with another person, such as walking alone outside.

The University has purchased 70,000 reusable cloth face coverings, and each student, faculty and staff member will receive two coverings upon return to campus or other University locations.

COVID-19 testing to be instituted to monitor spread of COVID-19

In an effort to provide initial data on positive cases in our population, and to minimize exposure on campus by identifying and isolating individuals prior to their arrival on campus, 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.

Anyone who works for, lives at or is enrolled in a Clemson University program or facility must secure a negative COVID-19 test result within five days of returning to campus or other University location for the Fall semester. Those who test positive will be required to self-isolate for 10 days before returning to a Clemson location. Details on testing locations and how to report tests will be provided in the near future.

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.

No changes to academic calendar; classroom modifications underway

As of now, no changes have been made to the published Fall academic calendar, but all instructors have been asked to prepare to pivot to entirely online learning should the circumstances dictate.

In particular, we will closely monitor the progression of COVID-19 to determine whether a move to online instruction and final exams is necessary following the Thanksgiving holiday.

We are preparing to offer mainly in-class learning this year with accommodations being made for proper physical distancing. Online delivery options will be available for most every class. Details include:

• The University’s goal is for at least 75 percent of all courses to have some class periods dedicated to in-person interactions among instructors and students.
• All classes with in-person components will also be blended with online components.
• Cameras and microphones will be installed in more than 400 classrooms to allow for live video streaming and recorded delivery of instruction.
• Classroom layouts are being adjusted to allow a minimum of 6 feet of physical distancing between individuals.

Our success starts with each of us

Collective action will determine the success of the University’s plan for in-person instruction and a genuine Clemson experience for the Fall semester. Success requires each of us as members of the Clemson Family to act as responsible individuals and invested partners.

We have launched the Healthy Clemson: United as Tigers awareness campaign, to guide and inform key personal responsibility initiatives as they apply to a wide range of personal activities for students, faculty and staff, including:

• Frequent handwashing.
• Physical distancing.
• Responsible management of living spaces.
• Limiting group sizes.
• Participating in self-assessments.
• Early self-referral to Redfern and Sullivan Center.
• Recommended participation in contact tracing.

Family takes care of family, and we need all of our students, faculty and staff to embrace the principle of being “All In” this together. That means recognizing that actions and behaviors taken by individuals will have an impact on the larger community.

Commencement update for May and August 2020 graduates

I pledged to the Class of 2020 that we would hold in-person commencement ceremonies on campus once it was safe to do so in order to celebrate the achievements of our students in a manner they deserve.

While we still don’t have every detail finalized, I am pleased to provide an update today on our plans to celebrate both our May and August 2020 graduating classes.

First, I want to share that we have made the decision to postpone our traditional August graduation ceremony so that we can focus our energies on a safe on-time start to the fall semester.

Moving our August commencement to later in the year also gives us additional time to create a special experience for this very special group of graduates.

Given that change, we are now planning to hold on-campus commencement ceremonies for our May and August 2020 graduates the weekend of October 9-11.

We have received many suggestions on how to make commencement memorable for the Class of 2020, and we’re hard at work to do just that. More details about the October commencement exercises will be provided in the coming weeks. For now, please consider this to be your “save the date” invitation and know that we are very excited to welcome our newest graduates back to campus in October.

As you can see, the situation around future University operations remains extremely fluid. Be assured, however, that our staff and faculty remain committed to providing a great, and safe, experience for our students in the upcoming academic year.

Being United as Tigers when it comes to battling the pandemic gives us the best possible chance of enjoying a successful and safe academic year. I am confident that the Clemson Family will rise to the occasion and look forward to sharing more details of our return plan with you very soon.

In the meantime, stay safe – and Go Tigers!

Dear Clemson Family:

It has been both a challenging and extremely rewarding couple of weeks since my last update to you. Today, on Juneteenth, I am taking a moment to reflect upon the events of the past several weeks.

The appalling deaths of George Floyd and others only adds to the pain being felt by many across the country. Likewise, that pain is evident in our community as well, as I have heard first-hand in conversations with our students, faculty and staff.

Let me be as clear as possible once again: Racism and hatred are in complete contradiction to our values and have no place at Clemson University. We remain steadfastly committed to doing everything we can to make our University a place where everyone feels safe and welcome.

We still have much work to do in this regard, but progress has been made over the past several years. After a thoughtful and deliberative process that began in 2015 with the creation of a history task to tell the full and complete history of our University, our Board of Trustees unanimously approved a resolution requesting authority from the S.C. General Assembly to restore Tillman Hall to its original name of the Main Building, commonly called “Old Main”. The Trustees also unanimously approved renaming our honors college the Clemson University Honors College based on the recommendation of a task force created in 2018.

Last Friday’s Board decisions were followed very quickly by another powerful moment for the University, this one led by a number of our outstanding student-athletes. I was honored to attend, along with several members of my leadership team, a peaceful demonstration for racial unity organized by members of the Clemson football team last Saturday evening. This event brought an estimated 3,000 people to the main campus in a show of unity and support for our Black community. The demonstration showcased the very best of the Clemson spirit and I could not be more proud of our student-athletes for their leadership.

University remains on track for fall return to on-campus instruction 

As has been the case since mid-March, all summer instruction continues to be conducted online and most of our employees are working remotely due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We remain in the early stages of bringing employees back to their workspaces and some student-athletes have returned under rigorous guidelines.

We remain fully committed to resuming in-person instruction and campus activities starting in August, and the safety of our students, employees and all those who visit our campuses is paramount. Toward that end, we are finalizing health and safety protocols now, with the help of outside medical experts and public health professionals, and expect to be able to share a detailed re-opening plan in the next few weeks.

As we finish that work, I can say that flexibility and shared responsibility will be key components of our approach to returning safely. For example, while almost all classes will offer in-person instruction, we are upfitting more than 300 classroom spaces with video recording equipment so we can offer live-streaming and recorded video options.

We plan to implement a COVID-19 testing plan and methodologies to alert those exposed to the virus. We are also adjusting our on-campus food service and residence hall structure to help reduce the potential spread of the virus.

As we prepare for a fall semester, I can’t stress enough how important it is going to be for every member of our campus communities to do their part to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Social distancing and face coverings have been shown to reduce the chances of you infecting others, especially vulnerable members of our community, and we will stress both in our return this fall.

We have already started this effort, which we are calling “HealthyClemson: United as Tigers,” with the creation of signage that will be installed around all our locations reminding everyone to keep your distance when possible and do your part to sanitize spaces in which you work and learn.

Still, I encourage everyone to think of the health of those around you and follow the common-sense advice of medical professionals to help slow the spread COVID-19 so that we can successfully complete the academic year with in-person instruction.

We have a busy summer in front of us as we prepare for what I hope will be another great academic year across all our campuses and locations. I continue to be thankful for the outstanding work being done by our faculty and staff in service of our students.

The COVID-19 pandemic has presented unique challenges, but I know we’re up to the task. After all, there’s nothing more powerful than Tigers united for a common purpose.

Stay safe – and Go Tigers!

To the Clemson community:

I, like many others, am deeply saddened by recent tragic events nationwide and the deep divisions that still threaten our ability to move ahead as one nation.

Let there be no doubt: Racism, injustice, violence, brutality and hatred, in any form, cannot be tolerated.

Amid the turbulent times of 2020, we find our Clemson family physically apart due to COVID-19. Still, we can and should reach out to those in our family who are hurting or in need.

We also can put into practice our Clemson values: We value the rights of others. We are respectful of each other and our individual differences, beliefs and ideas. We actively listen and communicate. We seek to understand one another’s challenges, and are tolerant and forgiving.  And, we come from diverse backgrounds that make up one inclusive Clemson Family.

Our work is not only in the moment, but it also lies in the daily development of our University community, as we work to ensure that everyone feels welcome and valued as a part of this Clemson Family.

As we continue to prepare our campus for the return of our full community this fall, we must keep working to repair the world every day, step by step, to make Clemson and our world a better place for us all.

We can, and must, do better if we are to build a truly inclusive Clemson community. That work has never been more important than it is right now.

My entire leadership team and I are committed to continued progress in this area. Should anyone have ideas they would like to share with us, I encourage you to reach out to us at UnitedClemson@clemson.edu.

Sincerely,

Jim Clements
President

Dear Clemson Family:

As we first said a month ago, and as I told our Board of Trustees again yesterday, Clemson University is laser focused on returning to on-campus learning and living this fall. We are excited about the prospect of being back with our students and we are committed to returning to our campuses in a manner prioritizing the health and well-being of our students, employees and communities.

This undertaking is incredibly complex and we are intent on being as thoughtful and data-driven as possible in our approach. The University’s Executive Leadership Team and the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) have been working every day for weeks on a methodical, phased plan that we are confident will allow us to welcome students back to campus in August.

Our three-phase process to returning in the fall is scheduled to begin June 1 and establishes guidelines for the University to respond to COVID-19 in coordination with federal and state recommendations and orders. The framework identifies key medical indicators related to the prevalence of COVID-19 in our communities and will provide guidance as we progress from one phase to the next, expanding operations as we go, while allowing flexibility to our employees during this challenging period.

Additional details about the framework will be made available in the near future, but here is an overview of each phase:

• Phase I features limited on-campus University operations for those faculty and staff members who cannot complete their work functions adequately while working remotely. We anticipate only a small percentage of employees returning during this phase.Employees should not return to their workspaces unless instructed to do so by their supervisor. Those who return will do so under specific safety guidelines related to social distancing, face coverings and other precautions, which we will share with employees and supervisors in the next week. In alignment with state regulations, only essential business travel will be allowed during this phase and our campuses will remain closed for events and group activities.
• Phase II involves bringing back a moderate number of employees to their workplaces under strict safety guidelines and with an emphasis on social distancing regulation and guidance. As in Phase 1, those considered to be medically vulnerable, or who have care responsibilities for a vulnerable individual, will continue to work remotely.
• Phase III will result in a return to on-campus instruction and activities, and the return of nearly all employees to their workspaces. Detailed safety protocols will be put into place, and aggressively communicated.

Each phase includes a gradual expansion of available areas across all our locations, increases in limits to sizes of meetings and social gatherings and a consistent emphasis on non-pharmaceutical interventions to reduce the risk of spread to individuals and through the community. The University also is exploring a range of options related to testing and contact tracing.

We anticipate spending at least 14 days each in Phases 1 and 2 to assess the COVID-19 trends provided by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control. We also will closely monitor conditions on our campuses and surrounding areas, and will be prepared to remain in a given phase for longer than 14 days – or revert to a previous phase – if the health indicators warrant such action. We also expect the University to gain additional information as we work through each phase that will help guide future actions.

Much of the work in Phases 1 and 2 is designed to allow our faculty, staff and researchers to return to their workspaces, including laboratories and research facilities, in a safe manner while we continue to plan for the fall.

Our academic and safety leaders have been working tirelessly on options for instruction and an academic calendar for the fall semester. Provost Jones and his academic leadership team met with faculty and academic staff across all our colleges this week to solicit their feedback to our draft academic plan. We plan to start the academic year as previously scheduled.

Additionally, sign-up for on-campus housing will be completed in the next week. Our intent is to have as many students as is reasonable living on campus, taking into account the necessary modifications to protect vulnerable students and temporarily isolate any students who become ill with COVID-19.

As I have said before, these are uncharted waters for higher education – and many aspects of life. We are keenly aware of the strong desire of our students and other members of the Clemson Family to return to some semblance of normal, and I can assure you that is our goal.

At the same time, we intend to take the time we need to be as thoughtful and comprehensive as possible in our decision-making. The overarching priority of the University is the health and safety of students, faculty, staff and the community. I appreciate your patience as we finalize details to minimize the potential for an outbreak at our campuses and protect the most vulnerable, while driving toward a fully operational fall semester.

I am grateful for our faculty and staff who continue to do outstanding work under very challenging circumstances. And to our new and returning students, we can’t wait to see you later this summer –  as well as our May 2020 graduates whom we will welcome back for commencement when it is feasible to do so.

Stay safe – and Go Tigers!

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!

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 allClemson 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!

Dear Clemson Family:

Today marks the final day of classes for the spring semester, and the end of our fifth week of online instruction. All that stands between us and the end of the semester are final exams next week, and I want to congratulate all our students for their resiliency – and our faculty and staff for their tireless work to make the rapid transition to online instruction possible.

In particular, I want to once again thank our faculty for their extraordinary work. As we shared with our Board of Trustees yesterday, our faculty are going to great lengths to make sure students are getting the best possible education, and I am grateful for their dedication.

As we wrap up this unprecedented academic year, we realize that much work remains to be done as we strive for a return to on-campus instruction. Our learning model for the fall will be determined by the data and science related to the pandemic, but as our Associate Vice President for Public Safety Greg Mullen told our Board yesterday, we have “laser focus” on returning to campus as scheduled.

Our leadership team and Emergency Operations Center personnel are crafting recommendations for the University’s re-emergence from the pandemic and I hope to have more details about our plans to share soon. Rest assured, however, that any and all decisions will be made with the safety of our students, employees and communities in mind.

As we look toward a new academic year, we already have taken strong steps in support of our students and their families. I am pleased to share the news that yesterday our Board of Trustees unanimously accepted University leadership’s recommendation to freeze tuition and mandatory academic fees for both in-state and out-of-state undergraduate students for next year. A decision on housing and dining fees will be made in the near future.

Although the pandemic has had a significant financial impact on the University, holding the line on tuition is simply the right thing to do given the economic challenges facing many of our students and their families. I want to thank our Board of Trustees for its continued guidance and leadership on behalf of our students, whose success is always top of mind.

To help the University weather the continued financial impacts of the pandemic, our Board also approved a preliminary budget for fiscal year 2020-21, which begins July 1, that caps our spending at current levels. The University already has instituted a hiring freeze through at least the end of the fiscal year and we have reduced spending in numerous other areas. We will continue to closely monitor our expenses as we work to deliver a high-quality education during this challenging period.

In closing, I would like to share a couple examples that highlight the true spirit of the Clemson Family. As I previously shared, our region was hit with severe storms early last week, including a large tornado that devastated parts of neighboring Seneca. As you would expect, our employees have stepped up in a big way to help their friends and neighbors.

In addition to ongoing support from Clemson University Fire Department, emergency and facilities personnel who have assisted with clean-up and rescue efforts, more than 60 University employees volunteered over the past week at a comprehensive community support operation that has been established in Seneca. My thanks go out to all those who have given their time and energy to help our neighbors in need.

Finally, this is our annual Week of Gratitude where our Development and Alumni Relations team makes time to thank all those who have given to the University. Due to the pandemic, we have created a virtual celebration, but our gratitude remains very real.

Let me add my thanks to everyone out there who has supported Clemson – we couldn’t serve our great students without your support. And speaking of great students, I invite you to watch this video of some of our students saying “thanks” to our donors.

Again, my sincere appreciation goes out to the entire Clemson Family for making this such a special place. Good luck to our students on finals – and stay safe!

Go Tigers!

Dear Clemson Family:

I hope this message continues to find you and those closest to you doing well during these uncertain times.

Unfortunately, the beginning of the week brought new challenges that had nothing to do with the coronavirus pandemic, but our University team responded well and we finished the week strong. Even as I write this, however, several members of the Clemson family and many of our Upstate neighbors continue to recover from a series of severe storms that cut through the area early Monday morning.

The most serious of the storms spawned a large tornado that did significant damage to homes and businesses in Seneca. Thankfully, our main campus was spared the brunt of the storm and we escaped with only minor loss of trees and a bit of water damage. Still, thousands of families lost  power – some still have no electricity – and several employees suffered serious damage to their homes and property.

As frightening as this situation was, I am proud of the way the University team responded. Our facilities crew quickly cleaned tree damage on campus and the Clemson University Fire Department did great work responding to emergency calls around the city, while also supporting regional search and rescue efforts. Managers across the University have stayed closely connected to affected employees to ensure they have the work flexibility and support necessary to deal with their specific circumstances.

This also completes our fourth week of online learning and leaves us with just one week of classes before final exams begin. As we near the end of the academic year, our thoughts naturally turn to those students who are about to become our newest Clemson alumni. That’s never been more true than this year as we continue to navigate this unprecedented time in our country’s – and the world’s – history.

I am filled with deep pride over the accomplishments of our graduating students who have handled the last several weeks of their time as Clemson students with resolve, creativity and grace. They have persevered and responded like champions, in the very best spirit of our University.

At the same time, our pride is coupled with sadness and disappointment that we can’t celebrate their accomplishments in the traditional manner this May. Graduation at Clemson is truly special and I look forward each year to handing out diplomas and personally congratulating our new graduates on a job well done.

Unfortunately, circumstances don’t make that possible this May. Rest assured, though, we are committed to recognizing the accomplishments of the Class of 2020 in a manner consistent with Clemson’s history and tradition.

I commit to all our May graduates that Clemson will have an on-campus graduation celebration in their honor either later this summer or in the fall, when it is safe for you and your families to be back on campus.

At Clemson, family comes first and we can’t wait to help celebrate our newest graduates as we have those who have come before them. The Class of 2020 will forever hold a special place in all our hearts for what it has accomplished in the face of unprecedented circumstances, and we intend to express our pride and joy over your achievements in a way that will be memorable.

We will share more details on our plans when they become available. In the meantime, our creative teams across the University also are hard at work preparing engaging ways to celebrate the achievements of our newest graduates this May through our online and social media channels, so stay tuned!

My continued thanks go out to the entire Clemson Family for your support of our great University – and to all our students, finish strong!

Go Tigers!