Upstate university communities are making preparations for a possible outbreak of the new coronavirus. For most of them, that means examining everything from potential on-campus quarantine locations to canceling study abroad trips.
Bob Jones University
Although Bob Jones University does not currently have any students abroad, university officials are reconsidering plans for summer sessions and trips.
“We cancelled a summer missions trip to China and postponed a student trip scheduled to South Korea. We are also advising the campus community against travel to any CDC-designated Level 3 country which today, in addition to China and South Korea, includes Iran and Italy,” says university spokesperson Randy Page.
For students traveling out of the country for spring break, BJU is issuing a warning that they may be subject to a 14-day quarantine upon re-entry to the United States.
“In working with our student life and operations departments, we have identified areas on the campus where we could quarantine students and provide appropriate support services,” Page said.
BJU students are also being encouraged to first call a telehealth hotline to get medical guidance from nurses concerning testing.
“This type of triage also serves to protect the integrity of urgent care and emergency rooms in the region,” Page says. “Our campus community also has access to a walk-in clinic operated by Prisma Health across the street from campus.”
During a 2007 outbreak of pertussis (whooping cough) on the campus, the academic semester was ended early and students were sent home due to the severity of the outbreak.
Clemson
Clemson individual’s COVID-19 test is negative
Although Clemson University’s online active counter of people being tested for COVID-19 remains at zero, its online update page also notes that 385 study-abroad students who were asked to return to the United States and undergo screening upon their return. Clemson announced March 3 that it was canceling university-related international travel until further notice.
As part of a March 6 press release, Clemson public relations officials offered advice for those reacting with returning students.
“As you can imagine, this is a stressful time for those returning from abroad,” the press release said. “Those returning should be welcomed back as part of the Clemson community, and not stigmatized or ostracized from scholarly and social activities.”
The students who are returning from abroad are working with Redfern Health Center on health-assessment screening, but the school is also offering counseling for those concerned about the potential outbreak through its campus Counseling and Psychological Services.
Furman
Earlier this week, three Furman students who were studying abroad in Italy left the country and returned to their homes when their programs were canceled, according to spokesperson Clinton Colmenares. He added that Furman has canceled international Furman-sponsored spring break trips and all Furman-sponsored international trips through May.
“We are constantly monitoring the situation and will make other changes as necessary,” Colmenares said Friday afternoon. “Furman’s Study Away Safety and Compliance and Assessment of Risk Committee has been closely monitoring coronavirus developments in the United States and across the globe, especially in areas where our students are studying and places we are scheduled to visit. We also have an emergency management team focusing on potential impacts to campus from the coronavirus.”
The last major outbreak that Furman made preparations for was the H1N1 virus in 2009, but there was no outbreak on campus.
Greenville Tech
Greenville Tech has an emergency response team and procedures in place, and the school is “activating and focusing the team and intensifying its efforts,” according to spokesperson Becky Mann.
Greenville Tech does not currently provide on-campus health services but is working with the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control regarding quarantines, according to Mann.
North Greenville
North Greenville University held its spring break March 2-6 as scheduled. When its students returned to classes on March 9, a press release was given asking that no individual, whether student or staff member, come to campus if they had not been fever-free for 48 hours.
As far as on-campus housing, university spokesperson Laverne Howell states, “[T]here is quarantine space designated for [these students] until they are able to receive medical services. If they are off-campus, they will be asked to seek medical attention immediately and not return to NGU for 14 days.”
According to Howell, the university is prepared to offer online education should the need arise. For now, classes continue as scheduled and NGU is posting regular updates on their website regarding preparations for a potential outbreak.
During a 2007 outbreak of pertussis (whooping cough) on the campus, BJU’s academic semester was ended early and on-campus students were sent home due to the severity of the outbreak.
The last major outbreak that Furman made preparations for was the H1N1 virus in 2009, but there was no outbreak on campus.
Clemson recalled 385 students studying abroad earlier this week, and has canceled all university-related international travel until further notice.
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