Dear Campus Community,
The first week of classes is in the books, and it is energizing to have our students back on campus and fully engaged. We are also happy to share that 87% of our entire campus community reports being fully vaccinated. This is a testament to your commitment to our students and to each other.
Thanks to each of you for the role you played in getting our campus ready for the start of a new academic year. We are far ahead of our peers and neighbors.
COVID Dashboard
More specifically, as of yesterday, 95% of faculty, 90% of students and 75% of staff are on record as being fully vaccinated. We anticipate that the student body percentage will reach 92% in the coming weeks.
There were two positive student cases reported by the Earle Student Health Center, both were symptomatic. The Furman Focused Dashboard is updated each Thursday.
Reporting positive cases and exposures
Faculty and staff who are not fully vaccinated and who are symptomatic, or have obtained a positive test should not report to work and are REQUIRED to submit the LiveSafe Health Survey or notify Human Resources. Faculty and staff who are not fully vaccinated and are not symptomatic but who have been a close contact of an individual who has tested positive for COVID-19 are REQUIRED to notify Human Resources for instructions regarding quarantine. A close contact is defined as exposure within 6 feet for 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour window, within 48 hours prior to symptom onset or a positive test.
Faculty and staff who are fully vaccinated and who are symptomatic, or have obtained a positive test should not report to work and are REQUIRED to submit the LiveSafe Health Survey or notify Human Resources. Faculty and staff who are fully vaccinated do not have to quarantine, unless they are symptomatic. Fully vaccinated faculty and staff who are exposed to an individual testing positive for COVID-19 as a close contact and who are not symptomatic may continue normal activities, are encouraged to mask indoors, monitor for symptoms and get tested in 3-5 days.
Masking in non-academic buildings
We have received a few questions regarding the decision to require masking in classrooms, but not in non-academic buildings. This decision was made based on a variety of factors including the inability to physically distance in those spaces, the high density of those spaces, and the fact that faculty and students cannot control the environment and with whom they share it.
Since the term “classroom” encompasses many different types of academic spaces including, for example, studios, labs and the library, from a practical perspective, it is much more straightforward to make the distinction as “academic buildings” and “academic spaces,” while giving faculty and staff located in those buildings agency to not wear a mask in their personal workspace when alone or while eating in break areas.
For individuals working in non-academic spaces (e.g., Trone, Dining Hall, Younts, PAC after 4 p.m., and residence halls) where students are typically not taking classes, we have made the decision that students are not required to mask due to high vaccination rates (more than 90%) and the desire to begin to introduce a more normal college experience, which is critical to Furman’s mission and success. Masks are required for large events (more than 50 attendees) in these locations except while eating.
We have updated the Masking Guidelines to include the following guidance for staff when meeting with others in their offices and for required meetings for staff (e.g., departmental staff meeting).
- In-person meetings for which attendance is required must either provide 6 feet of physical distancing, require masking, or provide a virtual option for employees who feel safer participating virtually from their office/work area. If physical distancing for the meeting is possible and maintained, employees are expected to attend in person (recognizing any employee may also choose to mask at their own discretion).
- In other circumstances, faculty and staff may also choose to meet virtually from their office/work area, outdoors, or in a larger space with students or colleagues, especially if their office does not allow for physical distancing (6 feet).
- A close contact is defined as exposure within 6 feet for 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour window, within 48 hours prior to symptom onset or a positive test. Individuals participating in meetings that are physically distanced are not considered close contacts regardless of mask or vaccination status.
- As a reminder, staff may require that students and colleagues wear a mask when entering their office/work areas, and we must all commit to respecting and complying with such requests. Staff are encouraged to print and post the appropriate sign on their doorsor entrances.
Employee Town Hall
President Davis, VPs and HR will host an upcoming town hall for faculty and staff on Wednesday, Sept. 8, at 10 a.m., to provide updates from each of their areas. Please mark your calendars. Registration instructions are coming soon.
We are closely monitoring the number of positive cases in our campus community to determine the appropriateness of any adjustments or contingencies. If you have any questions, please email furman.focused@furman.edu.
Have a great weekend!
Sincerely,
The COVID Response Committee