College of Charleston Monitors Coronavirus

The College of Charleston will suspend in-person classes the week following spring break, March 23-27, 2020.

For more information on the novel coronavirus and CofC’s response, visit https://emergency.cofc.edu/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov/.

Additional information on the College’s actions regarding the coronavirus are provided below. Last updated March 12, 2020.

What is the College of Charleston doing in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak?

The College of Charleston continues to closely monitor the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak for its ongoing and potential impacts on our university community, especially our students studying abroad. The health and safety of our university community is our top priority, and we are taking appropriate actions to support our students in the United States and overseas.

At this time, no cases of Coronavirus have been identified at the College of Charleston. For the latest information on the presence of coronavirus in South Carolina, visit the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control.

Does the College have any programs, students or faculty in impacted countries?

The College has suspended all College-sponsored international travel through June 30, 2020. This suspension applies to all faculty, staff, students and incoming international visitors.

Previously, the College canceled a summer 2020 study abroad program that was scheduled to take place in China in May 2020. A planned study abroad program to Italy over spring break 2020 has also been canceled.

Currently, the College has a small number of students participating in two different study abroad programs in Seoul, South Korea. At this time, one of these programs has been canceled, and the students have returned to the U.S. The other exchange partner university in Seoul has delayed the start of its semester and will begin the semester with online instruction only. However, the College has advised these students to return to the United States.

Two CofC students are currently studying in Japan, and the host university there will teach courses online only from March 2 to March 13 and has canceled all field trips during this period.

About two dozen of our students are studying in various cities in Italy through affiliated study abroad organizations and one exchange partner university. While the College does not directly control these third-party affiliate programs, College officials have advised all students in Italy to return to the United States, and most have either returned or are in the process of returning to the U.S.

The College has canceled all spring break study abroad programs as well as the MBA study abroad program scheduled for April 2020.

Additionally, the College has canceled summer programs that were scheduled to travel to countries currently under a CDC Level 3 Travel Advisory.

What are the College’s recommendations for students, faculty and staff with overseas travel plans for spring break and summer?

All College-sponsored international travel for faculty, staff, students and incoming visitors who have not yet departed has been cancelled for the remainder of the spring 2020 semester.* Exceptions to this institutional directive will be handled case by case, and an exemption must be approved by the appropriate division head in coordination with the President’s Office.

The CDC recommends avoiding all non-essential travel to the following countries under CDC Warning Level 3 (Avoid Non-Essential Travel) travel notices: China, South Korea, Iran and Italy.

Any CofC student, faculty or staff considering non-College-sponsored travel over the upcoming spring break (March 15-21, 2020) to countries where there is an active outbreak of the COVID-19 virus are urged to follow CDC travel recommendations at the following link: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

CofC students returning from countries under CDC Warning Level 3 (Avoid Non-Essential Travel) travel notices must self-quarantine off-campus for at least 14 days before they can return to campus. The College will work with all returning students to maintain their academic progress.

The College’s Center for International Education maintains a list of FAQs directed at students and parents with questions about study abroad and exchange programs. These FAQs can be accessed at the following link: Center for International Education Study Abroad FAQs

*If students are advised to return and they choose to remain in that location, they must sign and submit an Acknowledgment of Full Assumption of All Risks and Waiver of Liability form. Students who choose to remain in an overseas location after being asked by the College to return cannot be guaranteed support from the College.

What is the College’s Student Health Services doing in response to COVID-19?

Student Health Services and College of Charleston officials are coordinating with the College’s Emergency Management Team, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control and the Centers for Disease Control regarding response. Student Health Services will continue to monitor the status of the outbreak closely and screen students suspected of exposure as appropriate.