COVID-19 Update from the President – March 13 | 5:02pm

Dear BC Tigers,  

Benedict College is actively monitoring the outbreak of the Coronavirus (COVID-19).  While there have been no cases at Benedict College, nor are there any confirmed cases to date in Richland County, there are 12 confirmed cases in the State of South Carolina. Therefore, recognizing our responsibility to help maintain the health and safety of our students, staff, and faculty, and in keeping with the Center for Disease Control’s guidelines for social distancing, the College has made the following decisions:  

Classes:  

• The 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 
  • While the College will remain open, 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.  Should you wish to take advantage of this opportunity, please contact Mr. James Winfield, in Academic Affairs james.winfield@benedict.edu, 803-705-4945 to notify him of your decision. 

Residence Halls & Dining:  

• While we anticipate that a significant number of students will remain home during the extended Spring Break period (March 16-20) and through the Online & Remote Course Instruction period (until April 3), the College dining hall will be open for those students who need to remain on campus. 
• Benedict College students who decide to work remotely after April 3, will need to remove any perishable items and/or medication from your dorm rooms.  While your belongings may remain in your rooms during this time, you must remove all of your items from your rooms and to check out of the residence halls on or before the end of the regular semester in May. You must go through the normal check out procedures and return all textbooks in order to avoid being charged for the same.  Please be reminded that U-Haul has offered free storage for 30 days to assist College students during these uncertain times.  

International Students: 

• If you are an international student, residing on campus, and have been unable to travel for Spring Break, please be advised that you are permitted to remain on campus during this period, and food service will continue.  Please be advised that if an evacuation becomes necessary, we may not be able to guarantee continued housing and food service.  If you require emergency travel assistance, please contact tanedra.washington@benedict.edu (803)705-4390. We will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.  

Faculty/Staff:  

• All normal campus operations will continue at this time and the campus will remain open. Additional details will be provided through your supervisors and Human Resources that may involve teleworking. 
• Please stay abreast of campus and public health updates and, if you present any symptoms as outlined by the CDC and SCDHEC, please see your health care provider immediately.  

Travel:  

• All non-essential, BC-sponsored international and domestic travel is suspended until further notice. 

• Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to use the same caution with your personal travel for the safety and well-being of the larger community. Please be mindful that national travel restrictions are changing every day.  www.cdc.gov

Events:  

• All BC-sponsored events have been canceled 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. 

Personal Travel:  

• We urge all faculty, students and staff travelers to carefully consider potential international travel, and check on restrictions or quarantine measures that may be recommended or required by the CDC upon arrival or return.  

Emergency Preparedness & Prevention:  

• If a widespread outbreak occurs in our region, we encourage students, faculty and staff to take emergency preparedness measures, and anticipate possible disruptions in supply chains. Plan to have medication, food, personal hygiene products available for a three-day period, at a minimum. 

• Please follow CDC and SCDHEC, www.scdhec.com, www.cdc.gov for recommendations to help prevent transmission of COVID-19 such as: 
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing. 
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. 
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick. 
• Stay home when you are sick. 
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. 
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe. 

Keep in mind that the timeframes and protocols outlined above are subject to change due to the rapidly changing information. 

BEST,