COVID-19 Update - 3/18

March 18, 2020 5:00 PM

Today, we learned from public health reports that Calhoun County has its first COVID-19 positive case. Even though that news brings the threat one step closer to our campus, there is no need to panic. We have already taken all reasonable measures to mitigate this problem within the JSU community. 

Tomorrow marks the two-year anniversary of the EF-3 tornado hitting our campus on the first day of spring break. While our campus and the surrounding community still bear the scars of that day, JSU is as strong as ever. In the same spirit of resiliency, we are already seeing our faculty, staff and students rise up to meet the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic. While this new crisis brings questions of uncertainty, I know there is nothing the JSU family can’t get through together. 

As we move into spring break tomorrow, we do not plan to send daily COVID-19 updates unless there is important news to share. Offices will be closed through Sunday, March 29. A full list of special spring break hours are below for select campus services. Online classes will resume March 30, and we will announce on or before March 27 when 12-month employees should return to campus. On April 3, we will announce if and when in-person classes will resume this semester.

Spring Break Hours 

  • Housing remains open. Students should check out through their RA if they choose to leave.  
  • The Gamecock Express is not running, but transportation is available to the Student Health Center by calling 256-782-5885.
  • Dining options include Jack Hopper Dining Hall and The Red Rooster. Jack Hopper Dining Hall is open daily for brunch, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., and dinner, 5-7 p.m. The Red Rooster is open Monday-Saturday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. 
  • The Recreation and Fitness Center is open Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday, 12-8 p.m. 
  • The Student Health Center is open Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. 
  • On-call counseling is available to students by calling campus police at 256-782-5050 (who will connect you to the counselor on call). 
  • The University Police Department is available 24/7 at 256-782-5050. 

Please exercise caution before traveling over the break. According to experts at the Centers for Disease Control, it is imperative that we slow down the spread of COVID-19 over the next two weeks to “flatten the curve” and prevent the US from having an outbreak on the scale that we are seeing around the world. 

I wish you a safe and restful spring break. 

Thank you, 

Dr. Don C. Killingsworth, Jr. 
Acting President