COLUMBIA, S.C. — Many of South Carolina's colleges and universities are putting plans in place to help prevent the transmission of the coronavirus.
University of South Carolina
All University of South Carolina classes and campus events will be canceled for the week after Spring Break, March 16-22, as the university monitors the impact of the virus. When classes do resume, they'll be on virtual instruction for a week.
Classes
Classes will be canceled for the week after spring break, March 16 – 22.
From Monday, March 23 through Friday, April 3, USC is suspending all face-to-face instruction in lectures, discussion sections, seminars and other similar classroom settings and move to virtual instruction.
Campus Access
USC is encouraging students to not return to campus after spring break, March 16 – 22, although they will not be forbidden from doing so. Officials ask students to use their best judgment when making this decision, taking into account any preexisting health conditions and alternative housing options.
The university will remain open, including food services and limited transit.
University Housing will be operating in a limited capacity beginning on Saturday, March 14 at noon. Students who live on campus who opt to return to their residence hall should register with University Housing prior to returning.
All residence halls, dining facilities and academic areas are being disinfected regularly following CDC guidance for colleges and universities.
University Housing
Students will not be allowed to stay in Columbia campus residence halls unless they demonstrate "extenuating circumstances," according to USC.
Students can retrieve essential items at University Housing and Greek Village between Saturday, March 14 and Tuesday, March 17. Students will not be allowed back until at least noon on Sunday, April 5.
Students who don't have other options must apply for an Extenuating Circumstances Exception Form for temporary housing must be submitted no later than Monday, March 16 at 5 p.m.
Events
All campus events are canceled at least until April 3.
Based on the latest developments and the spread of COVID-19, the SEC announced on March 12 the suspension of regular-season competition for teams in all sports on SEC campuses, including SEC championship events, until March 30.
The school has been on spring break this week, March 9 - 13.
Find updates HERE.
Clemson University
Clemson University will move to online classes following spring break.
Classes will move to online instruction following spring break on March 23 through at least March 30.
Clemson University has suspended all University events statewide through Sunday, March 29. Events scheduled for March 30 and beyond will continue to be evaluated.
Previously, the University announced its decision to move all classes to online instruction for the week following spring break. Additionally, the athletics department, along with the Atlantic Coast Conference, announced the suspension of all athletics related activities until further notice.
There are no plans to close campus, even though instruction is moving online following spring break.
All students, faculty and staff returning from international travel must contact University health services (864-656-2457) to begin the screening process prior to return to campus.
Find updates HERE.
Allen University
Allen University has made no changes to their calendar.
Find updates HERE.
Benedict College
Benedict College will shift to a combination of Online and Virtual Course Instruction from March 23, 2020 through April 3, 2020 – following the extended Spring Break.
• All faculty are preparing to move courses to online delivery for an implementation date of Monday, March 23, 2020.
• BC students that are able to successfully work remotely online are encouraged to do so.
• BC students that are not able to work remotely online (lack of technology resources etc.) will be able to return to campus.
After April 3, students that elect not to, or are not able to return after April 3 will be able to continue remote classwork online for the duration of the semester. If you wish to take advantage of this opportunity, please contact Mr. James Winfield, in Academic Affairs at james.winfield@benedict.edu or (803) 705-4945 to notify him of your decision.
The College dining hall will be open for those students who need to remain on campus.
Students who decide to work remotely after April 3, will need to remove any perishable items and/or medication from dorm rooms.
For faculty, all normal campus operations will continue at this time and the campus will remain open.
All BC-sponsored events have been cancelled until further notice.
The Founder’s Day Convocation and the Founder’s Day Rally has been rescheduled to September 3, 2020. The program and featured speakers and guests will remain the same as originally scheduled.
Find updates HERE.
Bob Jones University
There will be no classes March 16 - 20.
Spring break remains March 23 - 27.
Classes will resume through online delivery on March 30.
Find updates HERE.
Central Carolina Technical College
Kershaw County Campus will be closed to all classroom instruction from Monday, March 16 through Friday, March 27. According to the college, they anticipate classes resuming on March 30.
Updates will be posted on www.cctech.edu/coronavirus and the college’s social media pages.
Claflin University
Claflin University will extend spring break (for students only) through Sunday, March 22.
The residence halls will reopen on Sunday, March 22, at 2:00 p.m.
The Office of Residential Life will work with individual students who require assistance. If you have to return to campus before March 22 for any reason, please contact the Department of Housing and Residential Life at (803) 535-5301 or dbeckford@claflin.edu.
All on-ground classes will resume on Monday, March 23 at 8:00 a.m.
Find updates HERE.
College of Charleston
The College of Charleston has suspended in-person classes the week following spring break and extended their international travel prohibition through June 30, 2020.
All academic instruction, without exception, will be held online Monday, March 23 through Friday, March 27.
Campus will remain open and operational during this e-learning week. However, all campus events (i.e., performances, conferences, guest lectures, student gatherings) are cancelled through March 29.
Students are strongly encouraged to return home or stay home during spring break and the e-learning week (March 23-27). For those for whom this is not a realistic option, students are welcome on campus.
Find updates HERE.
Columbia College
Beginning on March 16th, all classes will move online, utilizing CANVAS and other remote platforms to facilitate the learning experience. Students need to be prepared to resume classes online March 16th, taking all required textbooks and other materials when leaving campus this weekend. Students will need to continually check their Columbia College email, to stay in contact with their professors.
Residence halls will close on Sunday, March 15th at noon. If you need to stay on campus (i.e. international or out-of-state students; student teaching candidates; and in town internships/field placement where your facility/school is still open), you should submit a request by Friday, March 13 at 4:00 pm. All other students will need to leave their dorms by the date and time above.
The college will remain open for faculty and staff. Any employee experiencing symptoms, please seek medical attention and notify your direct supervisor.
The dining hall will move to a to-go box only option starting Friday, March 13th during dinner. Students are not permitted to stay and eat in the dining hall.
All campus-sponsored events are being postponed (i.e. Miss Columbia College Pageant, Shakira Jordan’s Memorial Service, Spring Formal, Women’s Leadership Conference, Dance performances, etc.). Admissions events, such as Open House and campus tours are being postponed or conducted virtually.
Other services such as the Library and George’s Gym will be closed.
An update regarding practices and games will be provided to in-season athletes (Track and Field, Softball, Tennis, Golf, Lacrosse) on Friday, March 13 by the Athletics Department. If you are a residential athlete, you must fill out the request form to stay on campus.
Find updates HERE.
Columbia International University
Columbia International University will temporarily institute online instruction for all residential courses beginning on Monday, March 23 and extending through Friday, April 3. CIU is on extended spring break March 16-20.
In addition:
- Limited dining services are available to students who have received permission to be on campus for the week of March 16-20. Hallmark Dining Services is modifying practices to minimize the possibility of contamination. Dining services are not available to faculty or staff.
- CIU Physical Plant has been practicing enhanced cleaning and disinfecting processes and procedures across the campus.
- The library is open. Check the library website for hours of operation.
While classes will not take place in person, CIU will remain open and operational. Employees are expected to report for work as normal, unless they are sick.
Coastal Carolina University
Coastal Carolina University is extending spring break for students through March 20. Classes will resume on March 23.
Campus operations, including residence halls and dining services, are open.
All faculty and staff should report for their regular work schedules.
In addition to the University’s comprehensive and ongoing cleaning program in academic, administrative, athletic, dining, and residential areas, custodial staff will increase cleaning frequency in high touch public areas.
Find updates HERE.
Francis Marion University
Francis Marion University says on campus, all student study abroad trips have been cancelled for late spring and the summer. Additional sanitizing stations have been placed across campus and more should arrive within the next couple of weeks. Additional custodial staff have also been hired to increase the frequency and intensity of cleaning in classrooms, offices, and our dining facilities.
We have also developed procedures and sites to accommodate student quarantine needs should this become necessary- especially for students for whom traveling home may not be possible.
Find updates HERE.
Furman University
Classes
Furman University is extending spring break for students by one week and beginning remote instruction starting March 23. There will be no on-campus class meetings until further notice, but at least through March 27.
Housing
The university will remain open, and faculty and staff should report during their regular working hours. All students should stay home and NOT return to campus until further notice.
Students who have extenuating circumstances that would require them to return to or remain on campus or who would not be able to access remote instruction from another location must register with Student Life in advance by logging in to the Housing Self-Service Portal. (Click on the “Housing Registration” form under the “Application” dropdown menu, answer the question, and click “continue” to submit.)
Residence halls and food and other limited services will remain in operation for students who need to remain on campus.
Students who must come to campus only to retrieve belongings may do so by emailing HousingandResidenceLife@furman.edu. Guests are not permitted in the residence halls during this period.
Faculty will use the week of March 16-20 to prepare for remote instruction, and are receiving separate instruction from Academic Affairs on resources and training.
Athletics & Events
Starting March 16, all non-athletics events are canceled or being postponed through at least March 30. Further guidance on athletics events will be provided soon.
Find updates HERE.
Lander University
There are currently no modifications to operations at Lander University, and there are no planned changes to the academic calendar at this time.
As a precaution, Lander University has suspended its study abroad programs in countries currently under a CDC Level 3 Travel Advisory and university officials are assisting those students with their return to the U.S.
Find updates HERE.
Midlands Technical College
At this time, the college is under normal operations, and academic classes will resume as scheduled Monday, March 16.
Find updates HERE.
Morris College
Spring Break will be extended for the week (March 16 – 23) and no classes will be held.
All campus events from March 16 - 23 are canceled.
Residence halls will reopen Monday, March 23 at 8:00 a.m. Classes will resume at 10:00 a.m.
All athletic events scheduled for the week (March 16 -23) are canceled.
All faculty and staff are required to report to work during this time (March 16-23).
Find updates HERE.
Newberry College
Classes are canceled from March 16 - 18 as the campus prepares a transition virtual learning. Classes will reconvene online from March 19 - April 3.
Students will hear from professors regarding the specifics of each course’s remote operation. All online classes already scheduled will continue as normal.
The college will make a decision about plans moving forward by March 31 at 4 p.m based on how the situation unfolds.
Students living on campus may go home if they are able to do so safely, and if doing so would not hinder their academic responsibilities. In any event, residence halls, dining, academic support, and other limited services will be open and available for those who remain.
All structured student and campus activities have been canceled until further notice. Newberry College and the South Atlantic Conference have canceled all athletic competitions and practices for the remainder of the 2019-20 academic year, including all spring conference championships.
Find updates HERE.
South Carolina State University
The South Carolina State University campus is CLOSED. While face-to-face classes on campus will not take place, students will resume coursework remotely.
EMPLOYEES
- Essential employees and those whose presence is deemed necessary by their division heads should report to work.
- Faculty should execute alternative remote teaching methods beginning March 23, 2020.
- Information about remote course delivery will be provided by the Office of the Provost and the Director of the Center for Online and Distance Education.
- Further details about the executive order and how it impacts work schedules will be communicated to employees as that information becomes available.
- All University-related travel is suspended until April 5. Exceptions may be granted only through the high-risk travel appeal process previously established.
STUDENTS
- Students currently on extended Spring Break should NOT return to campus
- On March 23, 2020, students will shift to remote learning methods, including online classes.
- ONLY students who have extenuating circumstances will be allowed to return to or remain on campus following spring break.
- Students may obtain approval by completing a Request to Remain On Campus Form
- Forms should be submitted online by 12:00 noon on Thursday, March 19, 2020. A decision will be emailed to the requestor within 24 hours.
- For more information, call (803) 533-3675 / (803) 516-4792 or email SCSUHOUSING@scsu.edu
Find updates HERE.
Winthrop University
Winthrop University will move to remote instruction for March 23 - April 3, which are the two weeks following Spring Break.
Despite this shift to remote instruction, all university offices will remain open and staffed until further notice.
Students traveling home for break should stay home during the two-week remote instructional period. International students and other populations with specific needs will be accommodated on a case-by-case basis.
There will limited access during this two-week period, March 23-April 3, for students to enjoy the full range of residential and dining services.
Until further notice, all university-sponsored events scheduled between Sunday, March 15 and Friday, April 3 are cancelled, and alternative options for holding or rescheduling events in key areas are being considered.
Athletics events will follow recommendations and guidance from the NCAA. Student-athletes should look to their coaches for the latest details on games and events.
Find updates HERE.
Wofford College
Wofford College says it has plans in place that include housing accommodations in the event someone should be isolated because of illness, and the college’s housekeeping staff are continuing to use best practices while cleaning surfaces in common use areas in all buildings.
Spring break is March 30-April 3, and no modifications have been made to the academic calendar.
Find updates HERE.