Clemson classes to go online again

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Clemson University students and employees learned Thursday that classes will be online-only after the Thanksgiving break. The final day of in-person instruction for the semester is scheduled to be Nov. 24.

A letter from university leaders, including the vice presidents for academic affairs and student affairs, said the decision was made because they anticipated a high number of students would go into isolation upon returning to campus, and that some of them would remain in isolation through final exams.

“The health strategy team projects the need to quarantine or isolate at least 200 students in the first week following the Thanksgiving break should students return to campus from the holiday,” the letter said. “Additionally, students would continue to need to be tested for COVID-19 upon their return through the end of final examination period on Dec. 11, which could result in some students being quarantined or isolated well into the year-end holiday break should they become infected or exposed to the virus.”

The letter was sent by Bob Jones, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs; Chris Miller, interim vice president for student affairs; and Tony Wagner, executive vice president for finance and operations.

Plans for the spring semester are unchanged for now, the letter said. It also encouraged students not to return to campus or the surrounding community following the break. Students with special circumstances can appeal to remain on campus.

“Asking students to not return after Thanksgiving reduces the likelihood of an increase in transmission of the virus in the broader community over the holidays,” the letter said.