USC to resume in-person classes this fall

The University of South Carolina will resume in-person classes in the fall, the school said Wednesday.

Not everyone will be coming back at once and things will be different than before the coronavirus, USC President Robert Caslen said in a news release.

For example, USC will offer coronavirus testing to all students, faculty and staff throughout the semester, conduct “contact tracing” for those who test positive for the virus, increase social distancing in public places, set aside space on campus for those who need to be quarantined, offer “grab and go” meals from the dining halls and either shrink or move online large classes, according to the release.

Nobody — whether they’re a student, staff member or faculty member — is required to return to campus for fall semester, the release said.

Though USC is trying to secure personal protective equipment, those returning to campus are asked to bring their own masks, Caslen said at a Wednesday town hall.

“Ever since this COVID-19 pandemic occurred, I think students have always wanted to come back to campus and to quote-unquote normal,” said USC Student Body President Issy Rushton.

“A pandemic always causes concern, but the university is ready,” Rushton said.

Returning to campus was a move faculty expected, said education professor Christian Anderson.

“I think we all expected it was a real possibility and even likely” to return to in-person classes, Anderson said.

Asked if it was the right decision, Anderson said he wasn’t sure. Every option to return to campus, whether returning as normal, going online, or phasing back, all had ups and downs, he said.

Caslen’s decision was informed by a group of faculty, students and administrators who made suggestions for how best to return to school, he said.

“Every step of the way, our top priority is your health, safety and wellbeing. The in-depth, tireless work of the group has given me a new level of understanding and confidence that in-person instruction can safely begin this fall,” Caslen wrote. “As we prepare for August, we recognize that we are embarking on a new normal that will demand from each of us a commitment to public health and safety.”

There were five total students in the group, one of which was Rushton, she said. Those in the group “absolutely” listened to student input when making decisions, she said.

There are still many unknowns about what fall semester will look like. For example, it isn’t clear how many people will be allowed to gather in one place come August, something that will affect everything from classes to Greek Life and student organizations, Caslen said.

USC is also figuring out how to accommodate students — such as those who have asthma — who want to remain enrolled but are not comfortable going to class.

“We plan to teach all the advertised classes in residence, but we also want to teach that class not in residence so it will be online,” Caslen said.

It’s also unclear how social distancing will look in Five Points, which Caslen said is his “No. 1 concern,” on weekend nights, he said.

As the status of COVID-19 changes, USC’s plans for returning to campus could change, according to the release.

USC has been doing all of its classes online since mid-March.

Caslen’s announcement came before his self-imposed deadline of June 15, according to a previous article from The State.

This story was originally published May 6, 2020 at 12:37 PM.