Updates and Information (August 22, 2021)

Here are some updates and information from the last week.

Please see the updates from Academic Affairs and OUR Clemson that are sent regularly.

COVID-19 Updates

• At the general faculty meeting on August 16, a public health update was shared. This update included data from the team of experts that has helped to inform the University decisions related to the pandemic.  You can view a presentation and additional information on the topic HERE.
• The Healthy Clemson website is updated regularly. Be sure to reference this site for up-to-date resources and answers to many of your questions (check out the FAQ).  The frequently updated test results dashboard also provides a good sense of prevalence in our campus community.
• Effective August 17, the University requires everyone to wear a face covering while inside any University building. This mandate is in effect for three weeks.  During the mandate, if you encounter a student who refuses to comply, you can (a) inform them publicly that their actions constitute a Code of Conduct violation and they may be referred to the Office of Community and Ethical Standards (OCES), or (b) ask them to see you after class so you can get their name.  There is no need to escalate the encounter into a heated confrontation.  If they still do not comply, contact the Office of Community and Ethical Standards (OCES) immediately and they will respond to accordingly (864-656-0510; khodge3@clemson.edu).  Student Affairs sent a message to all students reminding them of the importance of mask compliance as we begin the Fall semester.
• Starting August 22, the COVID-19 testing location returned to Littlejohn Coliseum.

Fall 2021 Classes

• Review the Undergraduate Class Regulations and Graduate Class Regulations letters that contain important information for those teaching classes this semester.
• If a student has to miss class due to COVID-19 (or any excused absence), it is recommended that instructors have students notify them through the Notification of Absences form in Canvas or click HERE. In addition to informing instructors, this will also inform other relevant campus offices of the situation.  Because masks are required and contact-tracing procedures are in effect combined with stringent surveillance testing of everyone, instructors will not receive additional notification of a positive case in their class beyond communication from the affected student.
• Keep in mind that there will likely be students who have to miss class for an extended period of time due to COVID-19. In some cases, depending on symptoms, students will still be able to participate online.  Please consider how you will work them to keep them from falling behind in class in these situations.
• If a student notifies you that they have tested positive or been exposed to someone with COVID-19, there is no need to switch your class to online. If you need to adjust your course delivery due to isolation or quarantine, please work with your chair/director.
• While the mask mandate is in effect, instructors may only remove their masks while teaching if they are wearing a face shield and are at least six feet away from students (see directive on face coverings).
• With the exception of official common exams, instructors cannot schedule exams/tests/quizzes outside of regular class meeting times. Please refer to this memo.

Enrollment Update

• The University is on track to enroll more than 4600 new first-time full-time students and more approximately 1600 transfer students. For reference, Clemson enrolled 4199 new first-year and 1595 new transfer students in 2020.  The numbers for first-year students in CECAS are summarized in the table below and we currently have 303 transfer students (there were 284 new transfer students in 2020).

Other

• Nominations for CECAS faculty awards are due by August 30. Visit the new CECAS Faculty Awards website for more information about the awards and nomination processes.
• If you are planning to host an in-person event for 15 or more participants, you need to complete the Request Form that will be reviewed by the Provost’s Office for approval. Events having 250 or more participants will require approval from the Special Events Review Board (SERB).
• The new General Education curriculum, Crossings, will go into effect in Fall 2022. There are implications for all undergraduate majors that will need to be addressed this semester.  Curriculum committee chairs are aware of this.
• In the event that you need supervised care during COVID-19 for your children in K-5 – 8^th grade, check out the Outdoor Lab Academy.