WHEREAS, on March 13, 2020, the Governor of South Carolina issued Executive Order No. 2020-08, declaring a State of Emergency based on a determination that the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (“COVID-19”) poses an actual or imminent public health emergency for the State of South Carolina; and
WHEREAS, on March 13, 2020, the President of the United States declared that the COVID-19 outbreak in the United States constitutes a national emergency, which began on March 1, 2020; and
WHEREAS, on March 15, 2020, the Governor of South Carolina directed the closure of all public schools and state-supported colleges, universities, and technical colleges in the State of South Carolina for students and non-essential employees beginning Monday, March 16, 2020; and
WHEREAS, in complying with Governor Henry McMaster's executive orders for all public colleges and universities, Winthrop moved to remote instruction for the remainder of the Spring 2020 semester, giving students the opportunity to complete their spring 2020 course work; and
WHEREAS, Communications and Information Technology employees continue to work to support student needs during remote instruction and Library staff are offering eBooks, databases and other resources which can be accessed remotely with reference librarians are making themselves available via email, chats and virtual Book-a-Librarian appointments; and
WHEREAS, to ensure that students receive appropriate support during this stressful time, Center for Student Wellness staff are utilizing the Patient Portal for health services telephone triage appointments and Counseling Services telehealth sessions, Student Advocacy and Trauma Support and Office of Accessibility staff are available via telephone or online appointments and Career Services are providing virtual support to job seekers; and
WHEREAS, essential employees remain working on the campus, including police, environmental health and safety, and Facilities Management employees who are deep cleaning campus facilities and preparing for the Winthrop community’s eventual return; and
WHEREAS, in taking steps to limit student exposure to COVID-19, Winthrop has closed the residence halls to all students but those with severely extenuating circumstances while Dining Services staff are providing pick-up meals to students remaining on campus; and
WHEREAS, in following the guidance set forth by the South Carolina Commission of Higher Education regarding the refund of certain fees related to the closure of residence halls;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Board of Trustees do hereby authorize President Hynd to develop and implement a partial reduction for the auxiliary fees of residential housing, meal plans including Café Cash, and parking fees on a prorated basis as of March 23, 2020 and a plan for the resulting refund/credit to students.
Approved this day of April 3, 2020
