Mask up, Crusaders: Spring 2021 COVID-19 policies
Delaney Blackburn, Staff Writer
North Greenville University’s COVID-19 policies and guidelines for the fall 2020 semester are set to continue into the spring 2021 semester.
President of North Greenville University Gene Fant said in an interview, “The COVID-19 response team is preparing a wide variety of protocols for the spring and then when we get closer, we will know which ones to launch.”
Fant added that additional decisions will be made as January gets closer. He said these plans will be communicated as clearly and quickly as possible.
North Greenville University’s COVID-19 Response Team has been meeting regularly via Zoom to ensure protocols are set in place based on current data and information.
Executive Vice President of North Greenville University and Chair of the COVID-19 Response Team Rich Grimm said in an interview, “At this point in time, our commitment is to reopen as planned, so whatever is supposed to start in person will begin as we had already planned.”
Grimm added that traditional classes are currently planned to start Jan. 7, 2021.
Athletics are currently planned to resume in the spring 2021 semester as well.
Grimm continued, “But what we’ve been doing behind the scenes is asking ourselves the ‘what if?’ questions. We haven’t made decisions yet because right now our plan is just to open up as we’ve described. But if there’s a national lockdown, and there’s been some talk of that, if that happens what does that mean for North Greenville University?”
Grimm explained if the infection rates in Tigerville or surrounding areas cause concern, the spring 2021 semester may begin online or the semester may need to be delayed.
Grimm said, “So we have a bunch of conversations that that we’ve been conducting along the area of contingencies. But right now, we’re not implementing any of those; our plan is that we will open up on time like we did in the fall with everything being modified for COVID.”
Sarah Ritorto, a sophomore at North Greenville University said, “It makes sense to me that those policies will continue into the next semester. I think NGU is making the right call because it’s way better to be safe than sorry.”
She added, “I appreciate that NGU is doing what they can to make sure that all of us, as a community, can be safe and healthy.”
Grimm said, “Wearing masks, washing your hands, and social distancing allow us to encourage each other. We’re in this together—faculty, staff, students—for our own wellbeing and it keeps us safe.”
Grimm said the goal of the university is to give its students a college experience that is as safe and normal as possible.
Overall, students and staff have been abiding by the COVID-19 guidelines well. Grimm said that he believes the compliance to follow these guidelines have contributed to North Greenville University’s relatively mild COVID-19 cases.
Grimm advises students and faculty to continue to show grace and have patience as they continue to mask up and follow the guidelines next semester.
“Continue to take it seriously,” Grimm continued, “but also have as full and real of an experience as you possibly can.”
Grimm added that faith in Christ allows us to navigate life’s circumstances without fear. He also advised the community to take their health seriously during this time.
“The longer this thing goes on, the more isolated we sometimes get, the harder it is on people,” said Grimm, “we need to be helping each other and reaching out to each other.”
