To plan for a return to in-person instruction for the fall semester, the university created a COVID Response Steering Committee, co-led by the Provost and the Vice President for Student Life, and comprised of the Vice President for University Communications, the Associate Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students, the Associate Provost for Engaged Learning, the Associate Provost for Integrative Science, the Associate Vice President for Enrollment Services, the Associate Vice President for University Communications, the Associate Athletic Director, and the Chief of the Furman Police Department.
This Steering Committee met 3-4 times per week throughout the fall semester, working directly with the Public Health and Safety Advisory Group and the COVID Operations Team. These planning teams will continue to meet throughout the spring semester overseeing the university’s health and safety efforts.
The COVID Response Steering Committee was guided by these core principles last summer and throughout the fall semester, and will continue to be guided by them during the spring.
The COVID Response Steering Committee was grateful to see our students have the opportunity for in person learning through our scheduled last class day of November 20, in large part to the campus community’s careful application of these principles, and their adherence to the Paladin Promise.
The COVID Student Advisory Group serves as a liaison between the COVID Response Steering Committee and the student body. This group meets with members of the steering committee every Friday morning. There is representation from residential students, commuters, remote learners, student-athletes, fraternity and sorority life, student diversity council, student government, and various other student organizations. These students have agreed to be available to the student body, who may ask them questions and/or send them suggestions to share with the steering committee.
If student groups would like a member of the COVID Response Steering Committee to attend one of their meetings for a Q&A, please email furman.focused@furman.edu to make those arrangements.
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.