Dear Campus Community,
The College of Charleston continues to closely monitor the 2019 Novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak for its ongoing and potential impacts and is taking appropriate actions to support and safeguard our university community.
At this time, no cases have been identified at the College of Charleston or in South Carolina.
The College’s Emergency Management Team, which includes key staff and administrators from across campus, is convening regularly and is establishing contingency plans in the event that the outbreak requires any immediate actions on campus. Academic leadership is preparing a plan to ensure continuity of our teaching and learning mission, should any adjustments to our academic calendar become necessary. College health and emergency officials are also in regular communications with the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control.
Our Center for International Education, which oversees our study abroad programs, remains in close contact with our students overseas as well as the affiliate organizations and universities hosting them. We have instructed students in impacted areas to continue monitoring the recommendations and guidance of their program staff as well as U.S. and international health agencies. Some of our study abroad programs have already been cancelled or modified due to the outbreak in parts of Asia and Europe.
With the College of Charleston’s spring break scheduled for March 15-21, students and campus members with upcoming travel plans should adhere to advisories and restrictions issued by national and international health agencies. Currently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is advising that travelers avoid all non-essential travel to South Korea and China.
Links to the latest travel advisories from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Department of State can be accessed at the following links:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
U.S. Department of State
The most up-to-date information about the status of COVID-19 can be found at the following links maintained by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
World Health Organization
The College will continue to monitor this rapidly evolving situation and will communicate important updates to the university community via the Cougar Alert emergency notification system.
Sincerely,
CofC Emergency Management Team