Updated COVID Protocols Effective Today
On March 5, South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster lifted the mask mandate for all state facilities and rescinded mask requirements in restaurants as well. He has encouraged counties and municipalities to develop guidelines that are appropriate for them. In this spirit, the college has reviewed campus COVID-19 data in development of new guidelines.
Sherman College has been tracking COVID-19 cases for the last 11 months and has had 19 employees (19%) and 75 students (18%) who tested positive since July 6, 2020. The college began relaxing masking and social distancing requirements in specific campus spaces this quarter and has not seen a significant surge in cases; in fact, the college has only had one employee (1%) and two (0.48%) students who have tested positive for COVID-19 since the protocols were relaxed. Additionally, almost all COVID-19 cases on campus have been results of transmission between family and/or friends located off campus. This indicates our campus community is currently at a very low risk for transmission and measures the college previously implemented have been effective.
Our new guidelines require both community engagement and personal responsibility. Based partially on the current lower risk environment and partially on empowering individuals to make their own personal health choices, the guidelines allow individuals to support the campus community in maintaining a low risk environment regarding COVID-19.
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Individuals may use personal protective equipment any time they choose while on campus. Students and employees are required to have a mask available at all times when on campus.
- All employees and students have the right to request masks be worn by others, when engaging in an activity with another individual (or multiple individuals) where a six-foot social distance cannot be maintained. All individuals on campus must honor this request. The college considers this part of the professional behavior that is expected from our campus community.
- The college recommends and encourages individuals to maintain 6 foot distance if possible, especially when meeting for more than 14 minutes. The college will continue contact tracing and quarantining individuals as necessary.
- When a college employee or student cannot maintain social distance guidelines and is asked to wear a mask, it is considered a professional responsibility to politely comply or remove themselves to a distance beyond six feet from the person making the request.
- These new guidelines do not include the patient care areas (lower level) of the Chiropractic Health Center. The Health Center will maintain the current guidelines that are in place. Masks must be worn while providing patient care or interacting with patients in the lower level of the Health Center. Temperatures will no longer be taken.
- Faculty or staff in charge of conducting an activity (such as anatomy lab, technique class or x-ray setups) where a six foot distance cannot be consistently maintained by participants, have the authority to require participants to wear masks throughout the activity.
- All members of the college are accountable to conduct themselves in a mutually respectful and professional manner, giving deference to those who request a mask be worn when six-foot distances cannot be maintained.
- All seating arrangements and room capacities will remain unchanged for the time being.
- Cleaning protocols will be maintained as currently outlined.
- Employees and students are encouraged to wash their hands regularly.
- Anyone who is sick, feels sick or thinks they may be sick, should contact Dr. Fordree immediately. Students and employees must be personally responsible for their own health status and reporting to Dr. Fordree when they feel unwell. Please see the guidelines for full response details in these cases.
Check your email for the latest Return to Campus Guidelines. If you have any questions or concerns, Please reach out to Reopening Director Dr. Janice Higgins-Fordree.
