How Clemson is navigating and adjusting its return-to-campus plan for faculty, sports
Clemson officials were hopeful that at this point the university would be in Phase II of its three-phase plan to returning in the fall, but with COVID-19 numbers in South Carolina reaching all-time highs in the past week, that is not the case.
Clemson University originally announced its three-phase plan last month, stating that it would remain in Phase I for a minimum of 14 days and as coronavirus numbers declined, the school would move to Phase II.
However, from June 7 to June 14, South Carolina saw an average of 619 new cases per day. From mid-April to mid-May, health officials saw an average of about 166 cases per day. The percentage of positive tests is also on the rise as seven of the last eight days have seen percent of positive tests rise above 10%. At its lowest point, the percent of positive tests fell between 2-4% on average.
“We haven’t brought any additional personnel back onto campus, and when we do so we will give ample notice and we’ll do so deliberately,” Clemson Associate VP for Strategic Communications Joe Galbraith told The State. “I don’t think that there’s any set date where we progress (to Phase II), but we know we’re going to do so deliberately and with safety and the overarching goal of an August return being the primary driver.”
In broad terms, Phase II involves allowing more faculty and staff on campus. And Phase III would be the final time frame, the “new normal” with on-campus instruction and activities resuming.
Galbraith added that Clemson is “absolutely” still planning to have classes in person this fall.
“Phase I has proceeded pretty much as we expected with very few people back on campus and most continuing to work remotely. We were able to get cleaning accomplished, supplies received and distributed and facilities continued its work,” Galbraith said. “We’re monitoring data daily, and it’s informing our decisions as we continue to plan for in-person instruction this fall.”
Clemson is scheduled to begin the fall semester on Aug. 19.
Clemson Athletics also announced a three-phase plan last month, and the athletics department also remains in Phase I. However, that first phase is being altered some.
Phase I was originally set to include just football and men’s and women’s basketball student-athletes being on campus. And as far as staff, only “the staff members directly responsible for the health and well-being of student-athletes” were allowed at the university. That includes the strength and conditioning staff, nutrition staff and trainers.
Those players and staff members were cleared to return to campus last week after they were tested for the coronavirus. Two football players and one men’s basketball player tested positive. No staff members did.
However, some coaches are now slated to return to their offices as part of Phase I as well.
“They are not back yet but they are starting the process of going through testing and doing whatever they need to do to get back in the office. We do anticipate them back in their offices, not required, but we anticipate some of them being back in their offices over the course of the next week or two,” Clemson Associated AD for Strategic Communications Jeff Kallin said earlier this week.
“Coaching staffs had not been because we’re still in voluntary activity. They weren’t to be having any contact with student-athletes. Because we were in Phase I there wasn’t really any duty for coaches in their offices. But at this point, as we’re kind of looking ahead, the ones that have the space to do so and can do so safely, we’re doing that.”
The coaches returning are for the most part with the football and men’s and women’s basketball programs, according to Kallin.
Student-athletes from other sports are also slated to start returning to campus in the coming days as volleyball and men’s and women’s soccer athletes are starting the process of being tested and going through the necessary measures to use the facilities, Kallin said.
While some coaches and more student-athletes are returning to campus, the Phase I rules are still in effect. The includes social distancing, wearing face masks and limiting the number of people allowed to gather at one place.
“As we had initially looked, it would be about two weeks was kind of the minimum (for Phase I) using the initial gating criteria. When we were setting up and going through the planning process that gating criteria was what it was. It’s since changed,” Kallin said. “When we wrote that plan it was probably about four weeks ago, five weeks ago. And just knowing that there are a couple of things that have changed. Our focus has really been on how can we get people back to work in a safe way? So we’re not in Phase II yet. We’re not there yet, but we’re probably readjusting what exactly Phase I looks like.”
Clemson’s first football game of the 2020 season is set for Sept. 3 at Georgia Tech. The Tigers’ first home game is scheduled for Sept. 12 against Louisville.
