Tell SC Reps. - No COVID-19 Mandates

The SC Legislative budget proviso that keeps the 33 South Carolina State Colleges & Universities from mandating the COVID-19 shots ends July 1, 2022.

Tell SC legislatures to add provisos to the 2022-23 budget to keep South Carolina Colleges from:

1. mandating COVID-19 shots & discriminating from anyone NOT "fully" COVID-19 vaccinated
   
2. mandating masks in the classrooms
3. mandating COVID-19 testing

Nothing will keep the South Carolina Colleges and Universities from requiring the COVID-19 shots, masks, or COVID-19 testing next fall unless the SC Legislatures stop the colleges from doing so.

THE BUDGET IS FINALIZING RIGHT NOW IN THE SENATE AND THE COLLEGES SHOULD NOT RECEIVE FUNDS IF THEY (1) MANDATE COVID-19 SHOTS, (2) MANDATE MASKS IN CLASSROOMS, OR (3) MANDATE COVID-19 TESTING.

College of Charleston stated March 17, 2022, "Effective Monday, March 21, the College of Charleston will adopt a voluntary-only face mask policy." And CofC continued later, "While we remain optimistic that the worst of COVID-19 is behind us, the College is prepared to reimpose guidelines and restrictions as conditions warrant."

CofC does not provide specific metrics when masks might be mandated in the classrooms again. One SC college, USC Beaufort, who did specify criteria for campus masking protocols said that masks REQUIRED in all indoor settings when # of New Cases Reported among students, faculty and staff over 2 weeks > 20 cases.

Interim Provost, Stephen Cutler, and Interim Chief Health Officer, Jason Stacy, M.D., announced mask wearing optional in all campus instructional and research spaces beginning Thursday, March 17 at the University of South Carolina. They went on to say:

     "we continue to encourage mask wearing for people in the following situations: 

• If you are at high risk for illness – those who are elderly, immunocompromised, pregnant or who have certain medical conditions
• If you live or regularly interact with someone at high risk for illness
• If you have not yet received a COVID-19 vaccine
• If you have symptoms of COVID-19

     While there is good reason to be optimistic, we will not be complacent. The university will continue to closely
     monitor data, offer SAFE testing and make free KN95 masks available to anyone in our community
     throughout the Spring semester. We also are monitoring the international spread of the omicron
     sub-variant and will react with appropriate public health measures as needed."

At Clemson University, an email went to students, employees, and families March 18, 2022 announcing that beginning April 2, employees and students will no longer be required to test for COVID-19 after mandating COVID-19 testing weekly and then every two weeks since fall 2020. Clemson University previously announced February 21, 2022 that masks would no longer be required in classrooms. However, in both announcements they state "should any significant developments occur, the University will issue updated guidance." Again, no criteria stated for when masks or testing will become mandatory again.