Dear Campus Community,
Given the continued low transmission of COVID-19 on campus, the high vaccination and booster rates of our campus community, the substantial decline of disease incidence in the Greenville community, and in light of the anticipated adjustments in CDC guidance regarding indoor mask requirements, we are preparing to move to “masks optional” in all indoor locations on campus, including academic spaces, effective Saturday, March 5 (the first day of spring break).
An effective date of March 5 gives our employees time to prepare signage and adjust internal protocols during the upcoming week. We will provide more details about this adjustment and plans to relax additional COVID protocols in the Furman Focused message next Friday, when we will also be prepared to answer your questions about these changes.
In the meantime, we remind all students, faculty and staff that until March 5 they are expected to fully comply with existing masking requirements in academic buildings at all times, and in the PAC fitness center and basketball court Monday-Friday until 4 p.m. As a reminder, individuals should still not eat in classrooms, labs or academic buildings. The only exception to this is that faculty and staff may eat in their offices alone or in a common area in their suite that is not accessible to students.
Optional pre-departure testing prior to spring break travel
Individuals traveling for spring break are encouraged to take advantage of the free COVID-19 testing offered by DHEC in the South Chapel Lot, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Results of a pre-departure test on March 2 should be available before travel on Friday, March 4.
While our on-campus testing site will be open next week, DHEC has announced that it will close the site on March 14, and possibly sooner.
COVID-19 dashboard
There were 2 positive student cases reported this past week by the Earle Student Health Center (ESHC) and 1 positive employee case reported by Human Resources. The Furman Focused Dashboard was updated yesterday and will be updated again next Thursday.
Thanks to your efforts, 85% of the student body is on record as vaccinated and boosted (if eligible), and we continue to receive updated booster records daily. We are grateful for your continued diligence in keeping our community healthy and safe.
If you have any questions, please email furman.focused@furman.edu.
Have a fun, safe weekend!
Sincerely,
The COVID Response Committee