USC Salkehatchie welcomed students back to campus with new opportunities and safety protocols in place. The campus, however, is far from the same. Signs remind students to wear masks, social distance and adhere to new traffic patterns. Desks are spaced at least six feet apart and class sizes have been reduced to allow for adequate physical distancing. Sanitation stations can be found in each classroom.
“The safety and well-being of our students, faculty and staff remain our priority. We implemented many changes with that priority in mind. We continue to monitor and adjust based on the most current information,” Dean Chris Nesmith said.
Two of the most recognizable campus changes are the increase in online courses and the new class venues. Over 44% of Salkehatchie’s classes are virtual, allowing students to learn from the environment that they feel most comfortable. Large face-to-face classes meet in newly converted classroom spaces such as the Carolina Theatre, the Colleton County Civic Center Auditorium, and the USC Salkehatchie Conference Center. The changes have helped reassure students as they begin their college careers.
“Since starting the fall semester at USC Salkehatchie, I feel safe because of the guidelines they’ve implemented. The classes are smaller. Students are taking responsibility for their health by sanitizing our seats and tables before and after class to help ensure that we don’t spread the virus to our classmates or faculty members,” sophomore Athena Kisner said.
Other students are feeling confident in their class choices, as well.
“In classrooms, desks are spread six feet apart to avoid contact with other students. As soon as you walk onto campus, you must always wear a mask and wipe your area down. I feel that all the appropriate steps have been taken,” freshman Ebony Williams said.
Students are cognizant of the serious nature of the COVID-19 pandemic and are taking the precautions necessary to keep the Salkehatchie community safe.
“It’s heartening to see students wearing masks, using hand sanitizer, and keeping their social distance. While we know that our campus will experience COVID cases, we have plans to keep those students at home until they are no longer contagious, while still keeping up with their coursework. Seeing the responsible behavior of our students, faculty and staff gives me reason to remain hopeful that our campus can remain open and proceed with our new normal,” Nesmith said.
USC Salkehatchie has also launched a COVID-19 Dashboard on its website to keep students, faculty, staff and the community informed of the current conditions on the campus.
“Anyone who is concerned about the COVID-19 trends on campus can quickly find out current information with just a few clicks. We want to operate in a transparent manner so that everyone can feel confident in the choices they make,” Nesmith said.
The Fall II semester will begin at USC Salkehatchie on Oct. 19 and lasts eight weeks. With online and in person classes available, students who chose not to begin during the traditional fall semester can start during Fall II.
“We encourage students who delayed starting college to apply and begin in Fall II,” Nesmith said. “Financial aid may be available, and our admissions staff are more than ready to help you with the application process.”
Students can earn associate degrees as well as over 17 bachelor’s degrees through partnerships with other campuses including degrees in nursing, education, criminal justice and information management and systems. USC Salkehatchie has campuses in both Walterboro and Allendale.
