Hey Columbia, Flynn here. 👋 Along with being the digital media intern at COLAtoday, I’m also a junior at UofSC. If you’re like me and are returning to campus on Aug. 20 for the the first day of class since the pandemic started, or are an incoming freshman, you may have questions about the changes for the fall.

The university announced a new campus alert system that will keep track of case numbers and provide a four level alert to monitor. Here are some other changes to expect around campus.

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😷 Masks | Face coverings are required in classrooms + common areas. Be sure to have a mask at all times in case you have to wear it unexpectedly. Heading off campus? Face coverings are also required in the City of Columbia and surrounding areas while in public.

🧪 Testing | Anyone returning to campus should get tested for COVID-19. Testing is available through Student Health Services. Students living on campus are required to upload proof of testing, antibodies or a previous infection to their health portal prior to move-in. Worried about what it’s like to get tested? Check out the COLAtoday team’s experience.

✏️ Classrooms | 38% of undergraduate classes will be held online while 62% have some in-person component. Desks will be spaced four-feet apart + you may also see professors teaching from behind a glass barrier and staying distanced from students while in the classroom.

🍕 Dining Halls | Increased cleaning + social distancing will take place with more outdoor seating options available. Mobile food ordering and floor decals in pick-up and seating areas will help students keep six feet apart. Food trucks are available throughout campus with many dining locations having grab and go pickup options. Some dining halls offer touchless payment options and sanitizing stations.

🏋 Strom | Strom Thurmond Wellness and Fitness Center will remain open under updated hours. Plan on wearing a face covering in non-activity spaces. Prior to visiting, be sure to fill out the health survey checking for symptoms + possible COVID-19 exposure. Directional signage has been added to ensure social distancing amongst visitors.

🛏️ Dorms | Adjustments have been made to limit the number of people living in each dorm. Aside from masks, each student will receive hand sanitizer + a thermometer. Masks will be required in all common areas and social gathering will be limited. After the first day of class, only UofSC students will be allowed to visit residence halls.

🏈 Sports | The SEC recently cut all non-conference games for the 2020 football season and on Aug. 7 announced that Ole Miss and Auburn would be added to the 10-game schedule. Additionally, the start of the season has been pushed back to Sept. 26.

Still have questions? Check out UofSC’s campus reopening + mitigation plan. As always, go Cocks. 🤙