Dear Campus Community,
Another week has come and gone. Our students are working hard, and we are proud of how they have begun to adjust to the new semester, even with the challenges presented by the pandemic. Our faculty are providing many wonderful educational experiences under difficult circumstances, and our staff are working diligently to meet the support and programmatic needs of our students.
Unfortunately, we experienced our first COVID-19 outbreak as a result of parties that occurred off campus last weekend. As of this morning, the Earle Student Health Center has confirmed eight positive cases connected to these parties, and more tests have been administered today. The COVID-19 Dashboard, which will be updated on Monday afternoon, will reflect some or all of these new cases, depending on when we get the test results back.
Students, we don’t know how to make this any clearer: If these types of gatherings continue, we will not be able to continue in-person classes through November 20. We want you to socialize and have safe fun, but you must adhere to the guidelines that have been established in the Paladin Promise and detailed on the Furman Focused website. This is the only way universities, including Furman, can continue in-person classes during a pandemic. Please read the consequences for violating the Paladin Promise.
We realize we are asking a lot of our community. What we are experiencing is challenging, and what we have to do to keep each other healthy and safe is not easy, especially in a college environment. We believe that now is the time to support each other, to be considerate of each other’s needs, and to do everything in our power to have a meaningful, productive, and safe in-person semester.
We are mindful that living in a pandemic can take its toll on our mental health and wellbeing. Please remember to encourage and care for one another, and to reach out for help when it is needed. Students can access the following offices for support:
Chaplain’s Office: 864.294.2133
Counseling Center: 864.294.3031
Student Life Office: 864.294.2202
We realize that in order for all of us to do our best we need to stay informed. Below are answers to several common questions we’ve received this past week. If you have any additional questions or concerns, please email furman.focused@furman.edu. And, as always, continue to check the Furman Focused website for updates.
Have a safe weekend, and minimize those close contacts.
Sincerely,
Ken Peterson, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost
Connie Carson, Vice President for Student Life
Co-Chairs, Fall Semester Planning Team Steering Committee
When should the LiveSafe Health Verification Survey be completed?
Residential students must submit the LiveSafe screening every day. Commuters must submit each morning before coming to campus. All students, including remote learners, must submit the survey when experiencing any of the listed symptoms. This will expedite connecting students to health resources and support services, and initiate the process of identifying and mitigating possible positive cases.
Whether or not you are coming to campus, faculty and staff should submit the survey every day so that we can gauge the health of the campus community. It is imperative that anyone experiencing symptoms complete the LiveSafe survey.
What are the guidelines on outdoor gatherings?
Outdoor activity is highly recommended. The only way to do this safely is to wear a face covering and stay 6 feet apart as much as possible. Gatherings outdoors should be kept to 30 or fewer. If you know you will be by yourself, it’s reasonable to not wear a face covering (e.g., you are running around Furman Lake by yourself), but should still carry one with you in the event you see others. Signage will be installed soon providing additional guidance at the popular outdoors spaces (e.g., NV Pavilion, G-field, Blackwell volleyball and basketball court, etc.). Alcohol is not allowed outdoors.
Where can students study after the academic buildings close?
Please reference our building hours and study spaces website to know when buildings open and close, to find places to study during the late hours, and to locate and/or reserve outdoors spaces. This information continues to evolve, so check back periodically.
What are the PAC hours?
Students may review the PAC schedule. The weekday hours have been extended. Faculty and staff, unfortunately, we must continue to sit this one out. The PAC is for students only this semester. The Wellness Committee is planning outdoor activities for employees.
What activities are being planned for students?
As new student orientation activities begin to wind down, we are turning our attention to campus programming and look forward to a lively and fun semester.
Tonight, we are kicking off the first of our outdoor movie series with a screening of Jumanji at the Amphitheater. The outdoor movie series will continue next Friday, 9/4, and every other Friday thereafter for the fall semester (weather permitting). Bingo and Trivia will rotate weekly on Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. in Watkins Room, and we are also exploring Esport tournaments. Lakeside yoga and more activities are in the works, so be sure to follow @furman_osii on Instagram.
Stay in touch with your RA and FRAD to learn more about residence hall programming as well. Lawn games – such as Spikeball, Can Jam, bocce ball, and corn hole – will also soon be delivered to residence halls for checkout by students.
FUSAB and our student organizations are also planning activities that align with Furman’s health and safety measures. The virtual student organization fair will take place September 2nd from 5-7 p.m. on syncDIN. FUSAB will begin its “Wednesdays on the Lawn” series each week at 11 a.m. on the Furman Mall/Milford Mall. Also, be sure to follow @FUSAB on Instagram and explore the events tab on syncDIN to learn more about upcoming campus programs hosted by student organizations.
Are eating and drinking allowed during class?
Clear guidance is available on the Academics & Classrooms website.
What’s the plan for CLPs?
The Cultural Life Program (CLP) engages students in a spectrum of issues, ideas, and artistic expressions from various disciplines and cultures. All students are expected to attain the requisite 32 CLP credits for graduation. For Fall 2020, the vast majority of CLP programs will be hosted in an online-only format to ensure remote learners may access them. Each event will have clear guidelines and expectations for attaining credit, which will be communicated to potential attendees.
As in years past, individual students and student groups can propose CLP events. To do so, please work with a faculty sponsor to develop and submit your event proposal. Review the event and proposal guidelines. Online events that are being hosted by other sources (e.g., a webinar presented by a research institute) can be proposed, as long as an effective system for checking attendance can be implemented. Please be aware that proposals for CLP events will be accepted starting September 1, with events beginning later in September.
Students can view their current CLP total in MyFurman. Returning students should note that four CLP event credits have been awarded for the Spring 2020 semester.
Can families visit campus?
Students, your families may visit campus. Just make sure you adhere to the guidelines on the Campus Visitors website, as well as the Housing Visitation Policy.
Faculty and staff and their families are welcome to come to campus and utilize the outdoors.