Clemson reveals three-phase plan for returning to in-person fall classes
Clemson University President Jim Clements made it clear during a board of trustees call Wednesday: The college intends to have students back on campus and in the classroom for the start of the fall semester.
“We are laser focused on the fall semester,” Clements said. “We plan to open the fall semester on schedule. We will have in-person classes. And we will have students in our residence halls.”
The university will reopen campus in phases, according to a timeline discussed Wednesday by school leaders. The full plan for Clemson’s return to in-person classes is still being finalized after the campus was closed during the spring semester due to the coronavirus.
Phase 1 is set to begin June 1, Clemson police chief Greg Mullen announced during the meeting.
Phase 1 will consist of “the limited return to on-campus operations, which will bring back a small number of our employees,” said Mullen, who is also the school’s associate vice president for public safety. “The majority will continue to remotely work.”
Clemson will use Phase 1 to “get the campus back up to a functional area to welcome back the larger number of employees, as well as the students, as they come back on to campus,” he said.
The first phase will also allow the university to test its capabilities and its plan for the fall with a small number of people on campus. It can then adjust as necessary.
Clemson will move to Phase 2 once “we look at a 14-day downward trajectory of the number of positive cases in South Carolina, as well as other guidance that we’re getting from the federal and state levels,” Mullen said.
During the second phase, Clemson will bring back an additional number of employees and start to “really re-energize a lot of those in-person opportunities on campus,” according to Mullen.
During Phase 2, employees who are vulnerable or are caring for vulnerable family members will continue to work remotely.
Clemson will then move to Phase 3 as it continues to monitor cases and other data from government officials. This phase will involve gyms and recreational facilities opening up, but campus will still not operate completely as it would under normal circumstances.
“It’s important to understand that future state, Phase 3, may continue for a period of time. And it will be a new normal,” Mullen said. “It will still be executing social distancing and things that will help us remain healthy for a period of time once we move into that Phase 3 and until additional medical opportunities are presented to manage the virus.”
The University of South Carolina announced plans to eliminate fall break and to keep students at home and learning remotely starting with the Thanksgiving plans. No potential changes related to Clemson’s fall calendar were discussed Wednesday.
Clemson is still planning to welcome back May of 2020 graduates for a ceremony “when it is feasible to do so,” Clements announced in a blog post detailing the three-phase plan on Thursday.
USC’s plan for the fall includes testing to students, faculty and staff, as well as “contact tracing” for those who test positive for the virus. The University of South Carolina plan also addresses scenarios for dining halls; the possibility that traditionally larger classes could be made smaller or turned into virtual classes; and the expectation that social distancing rules will be in place for sporting events.
Clemson made online learning mandatory for spring classes March 19 in response to the pandemic. Campus summer camps and programs were canceled.
Fall classes are scheduled to begin Aug. 17.
Clemson athletics also were not discussed Wednesday. The Tigers’ football opener — a Thursday night game — is Sept. 3 on the road at Georgia Tech.
This story was originally published May 20, 2020 at 2:21 PM.
