Answering frequently asked questions on Anderson University’s efforts to protect the health of our campus community
UPDATE (10/25/2021)
Journey Ahead protocols for the beginning of the 2021-2022 academic are finalized. Please check your email for important details.
The Anderson University COVID-19 Task Force strongly encourages that our faculty, staff and students, in consultation with their health care provider, receive one of the available and FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccines. (Information about vaccination is available by clicking here. To secure a vaccination appointment in South Carolina, click here.)
Anderson University remains committed to protecting the health, safety and well-being of our students, faculty, staff and the greater community. Because of the uncertain nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, policies are subject to change. Please continue to check this site regularly.
Safeguards for Health & Well-Being
No. Masks are encouraged, but not required, on the Anderson University campus.
If you live off campus, it is crucial that you do not come to campus and, if you live on campus, to stay in your residence hall room. Studies show COVID-19 patients who are experiencing symptoms are most contagious the day symptoms appear.
If you are a student experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19 (including, but not necessarily limited to, fever or chills; cough; fatigue; muscle or body aches; headache; loss of taste or smell; sore throat; congestion or runny nose; nausea or vomiting; diarrhea), contact the Thrive Wellness Center at 864 -622-6078. If you are a student-athlete, contact the sports medicine department or your athletic trainer at 864-231-2144.
No.
No. However, prior to the start of the fall semester, 2021, students will be required to take a personal self-health assessment 48 hours prior to their return to campus. During the semester, COVID-19 testing will be available to students through Thrive Wellness Center in coordination with multiple local labs. Faculty, staff, or students who experience symptoms should not come to campus. Students should call the Thrive Wellness Center at 864-622-6078, and a student-athlete should call the sports medicine staff at 864-231-2144 for guidance on testing and treatment.
The AU Thrive Wellness Center staff and Residence Life staff will work with a student who tests positive for COVID-19 to either help the student facilitate transportation to their home, or if their return to their home is not an option, provide a location and essential services (food, health checks) for their self-isolation.
AU has identified facilities for self-isolation if COVID-19-positive student(s) are unable to return to their off-campus home(s). Based upon South Carolina DHEC guidance, a student(s) needing to self-quarantine will be encouraged to return to their home(s) when feasible. If that is not possible, they will self-quarantine in their residence hall room where essential services (food, health checks) will be provided.
Students who test positive for COVID-19 will be advised to return to their off-campus home. If they are unable to return to their homes, AU will work to assist them in taking self-isolation measures, as would also be the case for students who are probable COVID-19 cases (experiencing signs and symptoms of COVID-19).
Confirmed, active cases on campus are reported weekly on
the COVID-19 Dashboard. Cases are compiled by 5 p.m. each Thursday and published on Friday mornings throughout the academic year.
- Residence halls – All common restrooms and common areas of the residence halls will be sanitized daily with an EPA-approved disinfectant. All touch points including light switches, door knobs, tables, and handrails will be sanitized in the lobbies, laundry rooms, hallways, and stairwells with an EPA-registered disinfectant.
- Classrooms – All classroom touch points and desks will be disinfected daily with the use of Electrostatic sprayers and EPA-approved disinfectant.
- Lobbies and common spaces – All lobbies and common spaces will be sanitized multiple times daily with the use of Electrostatic sprayers and EPA-approved disinfectant.
- Bathrooms – All common restrooms throughput campus will be continuously sanitized daily with EPA-approved disinfectant.
- Study rooms – Study rooms will be provided EPA-approved disinfectant spray bottles and microfiber cloths. Users will be asked to clean surfaces before and after use. Study room touch points and desks will be disinfected daily by Housekeeping with the use of Electrostatic sprayers and EPA-approved disinfectant.
Our third-party vendor, AVI Foodsystems, is making every effort to maintain its full suite of services. While some changes are necessary, the University will work with AVI to lessen their impact on our student’s dining experience. The University is evaluating additional serving and seating options to provide increased speed of service and dining options.
Since all appointments will need to be scheduled (no drop-ins), we encourage each student to call the health center at 864-622-6078 for any illness or if they are showing symptoms of COVID – 19. Upon calling, they will be triaged by one of our qualified staff to determine if they will need a virtual or in person visit or be sent for COVID-19 testing.
there are no health and protocol restrictions placed upon parents who want to visit with you on campus.
This may be an option up until the Drop/Add period ends for the semester. Before that time, email studentsuccess@andersonuniversity.edu, and you will be sent a link to the Remote Learning Request Form. Send that back, along with your medical documentation (unless we already have it on file in the Center for Student Success) and we will begin the process. While you may not have the exact schedule that you have right now, we will do our best to get you a workable schedule that you can do from home.