Major Campus Events

The planning of large events at Furman for the fall semester will be limited. Most traditional major campus events will be reimagined as virtual opportunities for our internal and external communities to participate. If allowed, concerts and other performances will have significant attendance limitations, giving priority to students.

These guidelines for events (indoors and outdoors) larger than 30 people have been developed by the Public Health and Safety Advisory Group and approved by the Fall Planning Steering Committee. Events of 30 or less do not need special approval but must follow all of the Health and Safety Guidelines for the campus.

Until further notice, there should not be any indoor events with attendance larger than 30 in a singular space. The university continues to monitor the health metrics in Greenville and on campus to determine when indoor events larger than 30 will be allowed.

Approved gatherings of more than 30 must address the following questions in the planning process. Until further notice, the planning process below should be followed for outdoor events larger than 30.

1. Briefly describe the nature of the proposed activity (e.g., academic program, athletic event, social activity, etc.) and indicate the sponsoring organization.
2. Briefly describe the intended audience/participants in the proposed event. For example, is the event intended only for current students or employees? Primarily for members of the community? A mixture?
3. Why does this event need to be in person? Have you explored other creative ways to facilitate this event in smaller groups or virtually?
4. What is the location where the event is to be held, and will it be indoors or outdoors? If on-campus, list names of all facilities/buildings/classrooms involved, and include the maximum capacity of the venue. If outdoors, is there a plan for inclement weather?
5. What is the anticipated maximum group size? According to the State of South Carolina, attendance may not exceed 50% of the certificate of occupancy issued by the fire marshal–or 250 persons–whichever is less. Furman has adopted 150 persons as the maximum for indoor events (with approval) and 250 for outdoor events until further notice. Exceptions for events larger than these established maximums must first be approved by SAT before undergoing an additional review to comply with the procedures and protocols of the Department of Commerce.
6. What measures will be put into place to screen participants for potential COVID-19 infection (e.g., proof of completion of LiveSafe App, standard questions upon entry, passive temperature checks, etc.), and what measures will be taken to ensure compliance?
7. What are the protocols for ingress and egress (e.g., directional signage, distancing, separate entrance/exits for students and community, etc.)?
8. What are the physical distancing and face-covering requirements to be employed, and what measures will be taken to ensure compliance (e.g., physical distancing markers, signage, security, etc.)?
9. What is the availability of restrooms, and how will physical distancing and disinfection be controlled in these facilities during the event?
10. How will protocols and safety expectations be communicated with participants (e.g., announcing requirements for face-coverings, physical distancing, self-screening procedures, in advance)?
11. How will the room/space/facility be cleaned and disinfected after use?
12. Who is/are the responsible individual(s) to enact and enforce compliance with the above-outlined protocols?
13. Does this event adhere to Furman’s Use of University Space Policy?

Developed by Furman’s Public Health and Safety Advisory Group and approved by the Fall Planning Steering Committee

This section includes important updates regarding fall and spring Athletics activities.

• The Southern Conference announced on Aug. 13 that it made the difficult decision to postpone fall sports, including for Furman Athletics. Please see this news release for more information.
• On Oct. 15, Furman Athletics shared this update regarding fall scrimmages and competitions, spring sports and other campus activities for Homecoming.
• Read the Nov. 10 Athletics announcement regarding plans for fall and spring basketball ticketing and attendance.

Opening Convocation will not take place in the traditional way on the day before classes start. See this message from President Elizabeth Davis welcoming the newest members of the Furman Family and those returning to the Furman experience.

Each Fall we invite you to experience our campus. This year, we can’t be together, but that won’t stop us from being connected. Please join us for Furman University’s Virtual Family Connect, a weeklong (September 21-26) way for families to learn about their student’s home away from home. Participate in daily online lunch and learn sessions, hear from President Davis, and enjoy a virtual 5K Fun Run.

The Commencement ceremony for spring and summer 2020 graduates, which had been planned for October 31, has been canceled due to ongoing health and safety concerns and travel issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Furman will survey 2020 graduates to get their thoughts on an event or recognition that will be most meaningful to them as the university seeks other ways to honor their accomplishments. Please read this Sept. 30 communication for more information.

Furman University announced that it will hold a variety of in-person events for students living on campus and commuting, and many virtual events for the broader Furman community.

• The Office of Alumni and Parent Engagement will host Furman’s first ever virtual #FurmanAtHome Homecoming celebration during the last two weeks of October. All on-campus Homecoming activities for alumni will be postponed. A full schedule of virtual events are posted on the #FurmanAtHome Homecoming Website. We invite the campus community to join the alumni community and participate in these new opportunities.
• The Furman University Student Activities Board (FUSAB) and Student Alumni Council (SAC) have planned several activities for students. Attendance is limited to students living on campus and commuters. A listing of events may be found on syncDIN and on this site.
• Athletics will hold a Purple and White Week featuring in-person scrimmages, virtual events and the weekly Lunch and Learn. The week of festivities will kick off on Saturday, Oct. 17, and culminate on Saturday, Oct. 24, with Women’s Soccer and Football scrimmages. Attendance to the in-person scrimmages is limited to students living on campus, commuters and student-athlete family members, and the events will have limited capacity to allow for adequate physical distancing. Some events require tickets. See this page for additional information.

The university will closely monitor the evolving circumstances related to COVID-19, along with rapidly developing scientific knowledge and medical resources, to determine the appropriateness for adjustments and contingencies. For general questions about the spring semester, please email furman.focused@furman.edu.