Return to Learn

Dear Campus Community,

Happy New Year! With students preparing to return this week it is important to share the expectations and protocols for COVID-19 infections and exposures in order to keep the Winthrop community as safe and healthy as possible over the winter months.

Updated CDC Guidance -- A hot topic across the nation, the CDC’s recent change in guidance reducing isolation and quarantine time is unfortunately not conducive to the inherent risks in a congregate setting such as a residential college campus. What is not widely understood is that the CDC still recommends a 10-day isolation for positive individuals in congregate settings regardless of vaccination and booster status.

Winthrop’s QI Protocol -- Upon consultation with SC DHEC, Winthrop will maintain the 10-day isolation protocol for all students who test positive. Additionally, Winthrop will maintain the 10-day quarantine protocol. That means unvaccinated students exposed to a positive person can test between 5-7 days from the last date of exposure and end quarantine on day 8 with a negative test or complete 10-days of quarantine without testing. Fully vaccinated students do not have to quarantine but are still expected to wear a mask and are encouraged to test on day 5 post exposure. Students employed by Winthrop will follow the same student protocol for quarantine and isolation.

Rapid Testing -- Last year, Health Services was fortunate to receive rapid antigen tests from SC DHEC that resulted in free testing for students. That testing supply has been exhausted, and SC DHEC is unable to replenish the kits. Rapid tests are in high demand, very costly, and difficult to access. Once available, Health Services will offer students COVID rapid antigen tests for a nominal fee.

Other Testing Options and Notification -- Students who seek alternate testing in the community and test positive, or are close contacts, are expected to notify Health Services. We will have monthly campus vaccine and testing events with SC DHEC. The first event is scheduled on January 11 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. in Richardson Ballroom. SC DHEC will offer the PCR test and all 3 vaccines at no cost on a walk-in basis. Additionally, the free testing at the Winthrop Coliseum is still available and will hopefully continue to be a resource for Winthrop and the surrounding community.

Reporting -- Students should report symptoms and exposure in the Medicat Patient Portal by first completing the QI form, scheduling a telephone triage appointment, and uploading a positive test result as soon as possible. It is very important to answer your phone at the scheduled time for your triage appointment. If you miss your scheduled appointment, Health Services will send you a secure message through Medicat that initiates an email instructing you to log in to the Patient Portal. See Health Services’ COVID-19 information page for additional details.

Faculty and staff should report a positive test, symptoms, or exposure through the HR COVID-19 electronic form. Do not come to work if you are sick or if you have tested positive. You will be contacted by someone from HR regarding next steps.

Emergency Temporary Standard -- Employees should be aware that Human Resources is keeping a close eye on the federal standard that would require employers with 100 or more employees to institute either a mandatory vaccine policy or a voluntary vaccine policy with a weekly testing and masking option. On Friday, December 17, the U.S. Sixth Court of Appeals removed the stay, but emergency motions have been filed with the U.S. Supreme Court.  It is impossible to predict the Supreme Court’s response, so at this point, Winthrop staff are working internally to develop procedures and systems to allow a secure upload of employee vaccine records and test results.  If the determination from the Supreme Court is to uphold the mandate, the university will have to move quickly to obtain vaccine/test information from all employees no later than February 9, 2022.  Any employees who have not been vaccinated are strongly encouraged to take advantage of the vaccine event that will take place on January 11 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. in Richardson Ballroom. 

Thank you for your attention to this information and your assistance in advance as we continue to modify our pandemic response as needed.

Sincerely,

Shelia Higgs Burkhalter, MBA, MSEd

Vice President for Student Affairs

Lisa W. Cowart, SPHR, SHRM-SCP

VP for Human Resources, Employee Diversity, and Wellness

Dear Colleagues and Students:

Welcome to the New Year! Thank you for being a part of our campus community as we look to kick off the spring semester in the coming days. Many of you have asked about our plans given the surge of the COVID-19 Omicron variant as a result of not only its increased transmissibility as compared to other variants, but also the ripe conditions for its spread over the recent holidays. Our campus COVID-19 response team has considered many possible options including a remote (virtual) start, a delayed start, and simply staying the course and sticking with the schedule that we have already posted for the spring semester.  As you can well imagine, there are many logistical and potential financial implications associated with any alteration to our posted schedule. All things considered, and based on our best judgment (as of today), we are planning to stick with our published schedule to start in-person classes on January 10 and follow our regular schedule for the semester. 

Let me explain some of the rationale for this decision. At this point in time none of the other state universities have announced a decision to change their scheduled start date for the spring semester. These include many institutions that have not been as successful as we have been in compliance with our campus protocols to mitigate the spread of the virus. I have said before that because of our commitment to our own and each other’s health and safety over the pandemic, we have kept our numbers low and our campus relatively free of severe illness. Throughout the winter months, we must double down and reaffirm our commitment to mask wearing, physical distancing and following public health guidance considering that there are other respiratory illnesses (such as the flu and RSV) circulating in addition to COVID.

As a reminder, I will note that for students to come back to campus and take in-person classes they will need to wear a mask in all indoor public places including classrooms, will need to provide evidence of being vaccinated, or having just completed and received a negative COVID test result. The only other exception would be if they can provide evidence that they have had COVID recently. Additionally, masks are required in all indoor public spaces for all employees and visitors.

As we have said all along, vaccination is your best defense against severe illness and hospitalization caused by COVID-19. I am pleased to say that we have our first combined testing and vaccination clinic scheduled on Tuesday, January 11, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. in Richardson Ballroom. There will be additional clinics like this as the semester progresses. Watch for the details on those and take advantage of these services being offered conveniently in the heart of campus.

For everyone, please note our protocols in regards to illness. Students should report symptoms and exposure on the QI form in the Medicat Patient Portal, schedule a telephone triage appointment, and upload a positive test result. It is very important to answer your phone at the scheduled time for your triage appointment. See Health Services’ COVID-19 information page for additional details. Faculty and staff should report a positive test, symptoms, or exposure through the HR COVID-19 electronic form. Do not come to work if you are sick or if you have tested positive. You will be contacted by someone from HR regarding next steps.

Needless to say, we will continue to monitor the spread and impact of the virus and share details on our COVID-19 dashboard. Should new information dictate an alteration to our plans, you can count on me to be in touch.

Sincerely, 

George

George W. Hynd
Interim President

Greetings, faculty, and all folks assigned courses in spring 2022. 

I write with a short message at the end of the semester, with an eye to the beginning of the new. Winthrop has done a commendable job keeping COVID caseloads low in this and past semesters. As Omicron starts to unfold, I write with a brief reminder to please add the following statement to your spring 2022 syllabi. There are slight adjustments to the language. Thank you for inserting these statements into your spring 2022 syllabi and/or on your Blackboard sites as well as discussing these expectations with your students when they return from break.

Have a wonderful holiday, and I hope to see some of you at commencement on Saturday!

Best,

Adrienne

• COVID-19 Statement:

During this pandemic period each student is expected to act in the best interest of the WU community by behaving responsibly to limit the spread of the COVID-19 virus. All students, faculty, and staff must wear masks inside buildings and classrooms, unless alone in a private office. All members of the campus community must follow campus guidance on masking. Please do not attend class if you have fever or any signs of the COVID virus; do not attend class if your roommate or someone you have close contact with acquires the virus and be respectful of others’ desire to remain COVID-free. Students who violate WU guidelines will be asked to comply. Continued failure to comply may result in referral to the Dean of Students Office as a student conduct violation.

• COVID-Related Absence:

Students should contact Health Services regarding a positive test, close contact, or enhanced COVID-like symptoms. Any student who has either tested positive, has COVID-like symptoms, or has close contact with someone who has COVID, must contact Health Services. Students should log in to the Patient Portal to schedule a TELEPHONE TRIAGE Appointment w/ COVID as the reason and upload the positive test result if applicable. Health Services will communicate with the student on what steps to take next, and if need be, the Dean of Students Office will get absence verification for required isolation and quarantine. Students who verify their absences through the Dean of Students Office often minimize any academic impact caused by missed class time. Health Services will only provide dates of absence, not medical information. Please note, residential students who test positive or are a close contact are expected to follow their personal COVID Quarantine and Isolation Plan.

Adrienne McCormick, Ph.D.

Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

Dear Student:
Please carefully and completely read the following IMPORTANT Fall 2021 Semester/Winter Break closing and Spring 2022 opening information.
This letter covers the following important information and instructions:

• General Closing Information (Including Key Return) Checklist Prior to Campus Departure.
• Room Change Moves and Not Returning to Residence Halls for Spring Semester.
• Spring 2022 Opening
• Required COVID-19 Compliance
• Spring 2022 Pre Check-in and Check-in Scheduling.

GENERAL CLOSING INFORMATION (INCLUDING KEY RETURN)

• Residence halls will close for Semester/Winter Break on Wednesday, December 15, 2021 promptly at 9:00 a.m. for students NOT graduating. You will NOT be allowed to enter the residence halls after the 9:00 a.m. closing time.
• GRADUATING SENIORS ONLY - residence halls close on Saturday, December 18, 2021 at 6:00 p.m.  You will not be able to enter the residence halls after the 6 p.m. closing time.
• The last meal served for non-graduating students will be breakfast on December 15 at the Eagle Eatery 7:30-8:30 a.m.
• YOU ARE REQUIRED TO RETURN YOUR ROOM KEY UPON YOUR DEPARTURE. Your room key will be reissued to you upon confirmation of COVID-19 compliance (details below).  
• Details on key return will be presented at your mandatory closing floor meeting with your Resident Assistant on December 5, 6, or 7.
• Residence hall staff will be checking all rooms at closing.
• Even though the residence halls will be locked, the university is not responsible for residents' property.  Please take all valuable items (including textbooks, electronic chargers, and medication) home with you to prevent theft or loss.

CHECKLIST PRIOR TO CAMPUS DEPARTURE: To avoid possible fines and charges please make sure to do the following before you leave for the semester:

• Close and lock your windows.
• Close your blinds.
• Unplug all electrical appliances except aquariums.  If you are returning to your room, you can leave your MicroFridge on. 
• Clean your room and bathroom (if bathroom is suite style).
• Properly dispose of all trash from your living space(s) to the dumpsters outside near your residence hall.
• Report any repairs needed to the hall office prior to your departure.
• Move personal belongings away from A/C or heating units in the event HVAC maintenance issues arise during the remote instruction and break period.
• Turn off your lights.
• Lock your door.
• Return your room key.  Failure to return your room key will result in a lock change minimum fee of $65 (Cost is greater for Courtyard). If you have lost your key, please notify your hall office as you depart from campus.

ROOM CHANGE MOVES AND NOT RETURNING TO THE RESIDENCE HALLS FOR SPRING SEMESTER
IF YOU ARE MOVING OUT OF YOUR CURRENT ROOM (MAKING A ROOM CHANGE FOR SPRING SEMESTER OR NOT RETURNING), YOU MUST BE COMPLETELY MOVED OUT OF YOUR OLD ROOM BEFORE YOU DEPART FOR THE BREAK.  YOU MAY NOT CHECK INTO OR GET THE KEY TO YOUR NEW ROOM UNTIL YOU RETURN IN JANUARY!  Please follow check out procedures for your residence hall. 

• Remove all of your belongings
• Return your room key to avoid a lost key or improper checkout charge. 
• If you do not have a roommate and you are moving out of your room permanently, empty, clean, defrost your MicroFridge, and clean up standing water (condensation). Leave the MicroFridge doors ajar for ventilation.

IF YOU ARE NOT RETURNING TO THE RESIDENCE HALLS SPRING SEMESTER, MAKE SURE TO ALSO DO THE FOLLOWING.

• Complete the online Residence Hall Cancellation form and submit it to the Residence Life office.
• Change your address on Wingspan and with the Post Office.

SPRING 2022 OPENING INFORMATION

• Spring 2022 classes will begin on Monday, January 10, 2022. 
• Check-in for returning students will be by appointment on Friday, January 7th and Saturday January 8th.  See Pre Check-in and Check-in Scheduling, below, for details. 
• Meal plans will begin on Friday, January 7.  

REQUIRED COVID-19 COMPLIANCE
Students who will live on campus during the Spring 2022 semester are REQUIRED to:

• Uploada completed COVID vaccination card (including the 14 days after your second dose or single Johnson & Johnson shot, to the Patient Portal) no later than 48 hours before returning to campus.

OR

• Have a COVID-19 test administered no more than five (5) days* prior to your scheduled check-in date. See schedule grid below.

• The results must be uploaded NO LATER than 48 hours before** your scheduled check-in date to the Patient Portal showing a negative test result in order to receive your room keys at check-in. Only students with negative results will be permitted to return to campus. If you do not have your test results by your scheduled move-in date, do not come to campus. You will not be permitted to receive your room key. Contact Residence Life at residencelife@winthrop.edu to reschedule your move-in date. 
• Students who are close contacts to a positive case or who test positive must remain at home to complete quarantine/isolation and delay arrival.

* If you have tested positive within the 90 days prior to your move-in/date or first in-person date on campus, please upload your positive test result to the Patient Portal no later than 48 hours before your scheduled move-in or first in-person date for research, employment, practice, or class.

**Testing and Upload Timeframe

Accepted Methods of COVID Testing
The accepted method of testing for students is a negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test via nasal, nasopharyngeal, throat, or saliva. Negative antigen tests (rapid) by a provider only (not at home tests) will be accepted as well. Health Services will not accept a positive serological test (antibody).

PRE CHECK-IN and CHECK-IN SCHEDULING:

Similar to check-in for Fall, we will be following a check-in process by appointment. The dates for check-in are Friday, January 7 and Saturday, January 8.  You can select an open time slot as you follow the Eaglesnest Pre Check-in procedures below. The sooner you complete those steps, the greater your chance of getting your preferred appointment time. 

Centralized check-in will take place beginning at the south entrance of the Winthrop Coliseum along Lake Drive. Please pay attention to signage as it will direct you towards the stations for check-in. 

Step-by-Step Eaglesnest Pre Check-in Procedures. Please follow these steps as soon as possible: 

• Log onto Wingspan > Eaglesnest Housing
• Click on the "Residence Hall Pre Check-In Process." 
• Complete the following steps IN ORDER. Access to each step is contingent on completion of the previous step. Note: If you cannot access the Pre Check-In Process (students moving on campus for the first time this year), you will need to acknowledge the COVID-19 Housing Addendum first.
• The final step of the Residence Hall Pre-Check In Process will consist of selecting your appointment time for January 7 or 8, 2022. Appointment times are on a first come, first serve basis.
• Upon completing the last step you will receive a confirmation email confirming that you have completed the Pre Check-In procedures. KEEP THAT EMAIL, as it will have your check-in appointment information.  It is important that you complete this process as soon as possible.
• Your confirmation email will have more specific details about how to check-in and how to upload your COVID-19 vaccination card or test results to the Patient Portal as you did for fall move-in.
• REMEMBER that the masking policy is still in effect, so all residents and helpers entering the residence hall need to wear masks.

Thank you for taking the time to read through these important instructions.  If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Residence Life at residencelife@winthrop.edu. Please understand there may be a high volume of resident outreach, so responses may take longer than 24 hours to reply.  

Best wishes as you complete your Fall 2021 semester and we wish you an enjoyable and safe holiday season.

Sincerely,

Howard Sidler
Interim Director of Residence Life

Dear Students:

Winthrop has a testing requirement for all in-person students unless you have completed full vaccination and voluntarily uploaded that proof to the Medicat Patient Portal. Please do one of the following steps:

If you have completed COVID vaccination, including the 14 days after your second dose (or single Johnson & Johnson shot), you may uploadyour completed vaccination card to the Patient Portal instead of testing no later than 48 hours before you are scheduled to return to campus. COVID vaccination is strongly encouraged.

• Vaccine cards that only reflect one of a two dose vaccination or that reflect obscured information will not be accepted.
• If you have received a booster, please upload your updated card to the Patient Portal.

Students who will live/learn/work on campus during the spring 2022 semester are REQUIRED to:

• Uploada completed vaccination card (see above) to the Patient Portal no later than 48 hours before returning to campus.

OR

• Have a COVID-19 test administered no more than five (5) days* prior to your scheduled check-in date (residential) or first day of classes (commuter).

• The results must be uploaded NO LATER than 48 hours before** your scheduled check-in date to the Patient Portal showing a negative test result in order to receive your room keys at check-in. Only students with negative results will be permitted to return to campus. If you do not have your test results by your scheduled check-in date, do not come to campus. You will not be permitted to receive your room key. Contact Residence Life at residencelife@winthrop.edu to reschedule your check-in date. 
• Students who are close contacts to a positive case or who test positive must remain at home to complete quarantine/isolation and delay arrival.

* If you have tested positive within the 90 days prior to your check-in /date or first in-person date on campus, please upload your positive test result to the Patient Portal no later than 48 hours before your scheduled check-in or first in-person date for research, employment, practice, or class.

**Testing and Upload Timeframe

Accepted Methods of COVID Testing
The accepted method of testing for students is a negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test via nasal, nasopharyngeal, throat, or saliva. Negative antigen tests (rapid) by a provider only (not at home tests) will be accepted as well. Health Services will not accept a positive serological test (antibody).

• If you have a positive test result you will need to isolate for 10 days from the date of your test before coming to campus. Health Services will not require you to be retested before arriving. You must communicate with Health Services at covidreporting@winthrop.edu upon receiving your positive results to discuss your 10-day isolation period. Please call Health Services at 803/323-2206 with questions.

Failure to comply with the testing requirement may result in referral to the Dean of Students Office for violation of the Student Code of Conduct.

Good luck with finals, and have a wonderful close to your semester!

Best,

Shelia

Shelia Higgs Burkhalter, MBA, MSEd
Vice President for Student Affairs