USC Sumter Announces Face-To-Face Instruction For Fall Semester
Fall Semester Begins August 20, 2020
Sumter, SC (07/16/2020) — The University of South Carolina Sumter announced it will reopen for in-person classes on August 20, 2020. Face coverings will be required on-campus and social distancing will be encouraged among members of the campus community.
The fall semester will be offered in an accelerated format, with in-person instruction ending on November 24. In addition, classes will be held on many traditional holidays and breaks to allow for the semester to end earlier than usual. Classes will be held remotely on Labor Day (September 7), General Election Day (November 3), November 30 and December 1. Fall break will also be cancelled with face-to-face instruction being held on October 15-16. This schedule aligns with that of University of South Carolina's institution in Columbia.
"Taking all necessary safety precautions, we are pleased to be able to offer face-to-face instruction to our on-campus students and dual enrollment high school students in the Fall 2020 semester," said USC Sumter Campus Dean Michael Sonntag. "USC Sumter is a vital resource to our students and the communities we serve, and we are glad to reopen our doors as public health and safety guidelines permit."
Dean Sonntag, USC Sumter campus stakeholders as well as leaders from other regional Palmetto College campuses within the University of South Carolina System have coordinated to plan for a safe reopening of campuses in the fall. Their resulting efforts produced the USC Palmetto College Campuses Reopening and Risk Mitigation Plan to guide the reopening and identify resources for the campus communities.
"Our first and foremost priority is the health, safety, and well-being of our students, faculty and staff," said USC Palmetto College Chancellor Susan Elkins. "The plan will continue to evolve as the public health environment changes. At any point before or after the start of new semester, we are prepared to change course to meet the public health and safety needs of our students and communities."