The University of South Carolina Upstate is pleased to announce its plan for a return to classroom teaching and on-campus activities this fall. To ensure the continued safety of the campus community, USC Upstate will continue to adhere to mask requirements; improved routine cleaning and disinfection of classrooms and common spaces; disease and exposure reports; COVID-19 test; contact tracking; and quarantine and isolation protocols for as long as necessary. The anticipated availability of vaccines will accelerate the university’s return to normal operations.
“Our students are eager to resume their university careers on campus and we want to offer as many face-to-face classes as possible,” said USC Acting Chancellor Derham Cole. “We are working diligently to communicate all the measures we have taken to ensure your safety in classrooms and homes.”
USC Upstate transitioned from face-to-face to virtual education on March 16, 2020, following an executive order from SC Governor Henry McMaster. For the fall 2020 and spring 2021 semesters, the university implemented a comprehensive plan that provided students with flexible course options, including some face-to-face classes and expanded online offerings.
“We will continue to offer hybrid and online classes as needed to support our campus community,” said Cole. “Our COVID-19 mitigation efforts to date have been effective. Despite the high number of positive cases in the community and across the country, the case count on our campus has remained relatively low. This is largely due to the precautions we take, the increased availability of tests and the joint efforts of our Health Services contact tracking teams. ”
Although USC Upstate predicts that the mask’s mandates will remain in place for the foreseeable future, the university is exploring the requirements of the state and university system to impose the COVID-19 vaccine on campus, said Cole.
South Carolina has moved to Phase 1B of its vaccine distribution plan, which expands eligibility for educators and support staff. USC Upstate is working closely with the Spartanburg Regional Health System to streamline the registration of university employees, in particular, those over 55, those with medical risk factors or individuals working on campus with exposure close to others.
“We expect all teachers and staff to benefit from the vaccine as we become eligible,” said USC Dean David Schecter. “In addition, we anticipate that the testing requirements for the fall semester will include proof of testing on re-entry and / or vaccination status.”
The Student Affairs Division at USC Upstate has been working to reinstate student events, some of which are expected to be available this spring. For events like Homecoming, which will take place from March 21st to 27th, the health and safety protocols will be in effect.
Plans are underway for the campus graduation ceremonies in May, which the university hopes to host at Quad. USC Upstate is likely to host several ceremonies, limiting the number of guests and adhering to CDC guidelines. USC System President Bob Caslen will attend at least one of the ceremonies, currently scheduled for Tuesday, May 4.
The USC Upstate COVID-19 response team will continue to monitor data and best practices to mitigate the spread of the virus. “We will be prepared to respond appropriately if circumstances change,” said Schecter. “I want to commend our faculty who worked so hard during these difficult times to ensure that our students are not left behind.”
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