March 11, 2020

March 11, 2020 – 3:48 p.m. EDT

Dear Furman Community,

First, let me acknowledge the difficult and trying times the coronavirus (COVID-19) has thrust us into. The Furman University emergency management and operations teams have been meeting over the past few weeks to monitor the situation and plan the university’s response. Our first priority is the health and safety of the university community.

Due to the global and national spread of the virus and based on information from medical professionals and state and federal health officials, we are taking measured steps to minimize the health and safety risks to Furman students, faculty, staff and visitors. These include the following:

Furman is committed to the academic success of our students and to ensuring they are able to fulfill their academic requirements. With this in mind and in an abundance of caution, we are extending spring break for students by one week and beginning remote instruction starting March 23. There will be no on-campus class meetings until further notice, but at least through March 27.

The university will remain open, and faculty and staff should report during their regular working hours. All students should stay home and NOT return to campus until further notice.

We are communicating directly with a small number of students who are already on campus and may not be able to return home to make necessary accommodations. Other students who have extenuating circumstances that would require them to return to or remain on campus or who would not be able to access remote instruction from another location must register with Student Life in advance by logging in to the Housing Self-Service Portal. (Click on the “Housing Registration” form under the “Application” dropdown menu, answer the question, and click “continue” to submit.) Residence halls and food and other limited services will remain in operation for students who need to remain on campus.

Students who must come to campus only to retrieve belongings may do so by emailing HousingandResidenceLife@furman.edu. Guests are not permitted in the residence halls during this period.

Faculty will use the week of March 16-20 to prepare for remote instruction, and are receiving separate instruction from Academic Affairs on resources and training.

Until further notice, we are also suspending all non-essential university-funded travel, both domestic and international, unless it is approved by your vice president (or, for students, the Vice President for Student Life). This does not include personal travel, but we urge you to seriously reconsider any plans that include travel to areas that have been significantly affected by the virus.

If you have already traveled to such an area and/or are exhibiting any signs of illness such as fever, cough or difficulty breathing, you should immediately contact your local health care provider or the Earle Student Health Center at 864.522.2000 to determine if you should seek treatment and self-quarantine.

Following the advice of public health experts, starting March 16, all non-athletics events are canceled or being postponed through at least March 30. Further guidance on athletics events will be provided soon. We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates on events past March 30.

While we are planning to remain open to visitors, anyone with the following conditions should not come to campus:

• Individuals who are confirmed to have COVID-19 or who have a family member at home that is confirmed to have COVID-19.
• Individuals who are feeling unwell or experiencing symptoms such as fever, cough and/or shortness of breath.

These are not easy decisions and come only after carefully reviewing a range of options and the best advice from health experts. Our priority is to continue our academic mission and to do so as safely as possible under these challenging conditions, while doing our part to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

This remains a rapidly evolving situation and we know that members of our community will have questions that this email does not yet answer. The emergency management team is meeting daily and will continue to develop answers, adjust plans as necessary and communicate frequently. Please monitor Furman’s COVID-19 website for updated information and resources.

Take care of yourself and be safe.

Warmly,

Elizabeth Davis
President