COVID-19 Resources for Students

USCB will resume face-to-face instruction on its three campuses for Spring 2021. Because your well-being remains our priority, the spring semester calendar has been revised to include five single-day Student Well-Being Breaks in place of the traditional five-day Spring Break.

Spring Semester Calendar

• January 11:  Classes begin
• January 18:  MLK Day – No classes
• January 27:  Student Well-Being Break – No classes
• February 12:  Student Well-Being Break – No classes
• March 4:  Student Well-Being Break – No classes
• April 6:  Student Well-Being Break – No classes
• April 26:  Student Well-Being Break – No classes
• April 27:  Reading Day
• April 28:  Final Exams begin
• April 30:  Commencement
• May 5:  Final Exams end

The USCB community is expected to comply with public health guidelines in regards to hygiene-related best practices. Please follow these tips from the CDC on how to protect yourself and others from COVID-19:

Most importantly, students, who are sick or who may be sick, should stay at home (whether residence halls or off-campus housing) and should be tested. SCDHEC recommends that people, who have been infected with COVID-19, remain in isolation until: a) at least ten (10) days to feel better. days have passed since their symptoms began, b) they have no fever (body temperature of 100.4 degrees F or less using an oral thermometer) for 24 hours without use of fever-reducing medicines, and c) their symptoms are improving. Please note that some people may require more than ten (10) days to feel better.

Using the CDC’s Self-Checker, students are required to self-monitor daily for the following symptoms:

• Fever Greater Than 100.4°F
• Cough
• Shortness of Breath or Difficulty Breathing
• Sore Throat
• Muscle or Body Aches
• Headache
• Chills or Shaking
• New Loss of Sense of Smell and/or Taste
• Congestion or Runny Nose
• Nausea or Vomiting (more common in children)
• Diarrhea (more common in children).

USCB has instituted requirements for students and employees prior to their return for the fall semester. Further, ongoing testing protocols – consistent with SCDHEC recommendations – include: 1) routine testing for student athletes in alignment with National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) recommendations, 2) random surveillance testing of 100 students and employees weekly, and 3) testing for any student or employee who reports symptoms, believes they might have been exposed, or requests testing.

Our health and wellness partner, Beaufort Memorial Hospital, provides ongoing telehealth services via the BMH Anywhere app (for Apple or Android) and a kiosk on the Bluffton campus in Library #227.  These services are available to all USCB students, who are encouraged to download BMH Care Anywhere . Telehealth provides a virtual visit with a healthcare provider. Students who require further care will be referred to a local BMH healthcare provider or advised to seek hospitalization if the health concern is potentially serious. USCB will have access to Registered Nurse staff and a medical director to support campus health operations and collaborate with DHEC on COVID-19 cases. 

SCDHEC is responsible for the process of contact tracing. Members of the USCB Public Health Response Team have completed contact-tracing training through the Johns Hopkins University and will support SCDHEC to implement contact tracing and additive practices, e.g. verification of student class attendance, seating charts, student ID swipes, and portable swipes at student events.

Most importantly, students, who are sick or who may be sick, should stay at home (whether residence halls or off-campus housing) and should be tested. SCDHEC recommends that people, who have been infected with COVID-19, remain in isolation until: a) at least ten (10) days to feel better. days have passed since their symptoms began, b) they have no fever (body temperature of 100.4 degrees F or less using an oral thermometer) for 24 hours without use of fever-reducing medicines, and c) their symptoms are improving. Please note that some people may require more than ten (10) days to feel better.

Students who live in the residence halls are required – by the recently-updated USCB housing contract – to follow all public health guidelines, including those related to quarantine and isolation. In the event that students require quarantine or isolation, USCB’s standard protocol is for students to return to their primary residences. If they are unable to return home, the university will provide alternate housing on-campus for the duration of their quarantine or isolation. During this period, the student must avoid all unnecessary contact with others. The period of isolation will be determined on a case-by-case basis by the Public Health Response Team. Further, that team will work with housing, dining, and others to ensure that the student is supported.

Every student, who lives in USCB’s residence halls must complete the My Personal Health Plan, which the Housing Office will keep on file. The plan is a record of each student’s preferred plans in the event that quarantine or isolation is necessary. Further, all quarantined or isolated students (whether at home or on campus)), including commuters, should submit the COVID-19 Student Report Form, so that USCB personnel may assist with faculty notifications and any other needed academic accommodations. 

Wearing a mask over your nose and mouth is required on all USCB transportation.

The COVID-19 pandemic has created challenges for each of us. Counseling Services will continue to support students and will offer new virtual walk-in appointments, workshops, and other opportunities to help students cope with the stressors caused by COVID-19.

Every associate in any dining facility will be screened daily for symptoms of COVID-19. Further, all are required to wear face masks at all times and gloves when handling food. Plexi health shield barriers have been installed at registers and points of service. Dine-in seating is limited (with signage to indicate where students may sit for physical distancing), and diners must sanitize their hands before entering the cafeteria and must wear masks except when actually seated and eating.

After careful assessment, all USCB classrooms have been reconfigured for a 75 percent COVID-19 occupancy. While all other USC system institutions are using 100 percent occupancy, we believe 75 percent provides for three-foot distancing. Computer labs are also configured for 75 percent occupancy. Signage will guide students to seats that are physically distanced from classmates and professors.

Because of the bookstore's small foot print, the textbook section of the bookstore will be off limits. Students can avoid long lines and long waits by ordering course materials early through the website. The quickest and safest way to receive your course materials is to choose "shipping" or "store pick up" at checkout. Your materials will be safely boxed and shipped to you or be available for a quick store pick-up. To receive updates "like" Facebook page @SharksCoveBookstore

• CDC’s Self-Checker
• COVID-19 Educational Training for Students
  • Handwashing
  • Stop the Spread of Germs
  • Face Coverings

• COVID-19 Policy Reporting Form
• COVID-19 Student Report Form
• Emergency Aid Application
• My Personal Health Plan
• USCB COVID-19 Internal Working Groups
• USCB Public Health Response Team
• USCB Communicable Disease Outbreak Quarantine/Isolation Policy

• Olayah’s Mask Making 101:
  https://www.facebook.com/UniversityofSouthCarolinaBeaufort/
  videos/320871092418549

• Antonia’s Day at Work:
  https://www.facebook.com/UniversityofSouthCarolinaBeaufort/
  videos/2746088635669828

• Drew’s Store Outing:
  https://www.facebook.com/120816511291713/
  videos/792607248145130
• Hand Sanitizer TikTok:
  https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=3295456147184471
• Who do you wear your mask for?
  https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=299835921262446
• Student Health Kit:
  https://www.facebook.com/drew.boutilier16/videos/3297878126917322
• Sand Shark Safety Tips #1
  https://player.vimeo.com/video/449019527
• Sand Shark Safety Tips #2
  https://player.vimeo.com/video/449019524
• Sand Shark Safety Tips #3
  https://player.vimeo.com/video/449019449
• Sand Shark Safety Tips #4
  https://player.vimeo.com/video/449019435