Greetings Faculty, Staff and Students:

The Voorhees College Emergency/Crisis Management Team has assessed the COVID-19 impact on teaching and learning on our campus, as indicated in a previous communique. We have determined that in-person classes can resume today (January 18, 2022) as planned and eating in the dining hall will resume in about two weeks, with appropriate protocols in place.

As we continue to be cautious and keep everyone on campus healthy and safe during the pandemic, we urge you to follow Voorhees COVID-19 protocols, which are available at https://www.voorhees.edu/covid-19-information-center. Please wear masks correctly (covering the mouth and nose), social distance, wash hands frequently, avoid gathering in large groups and avoid others if you feel sick. If you have symptoms of COVID-19, contact Health Services immediately at (803) 780-1077 or swilliams@voorhees.edu. 

Remember that COVID-19 testing is conducted on Tuesday of each week. Testing is mandatory. You are urged to get vaccinated and boosted if you already are vaccinated. Let’s do our part to maintain a healthy and safe campus.

Sincerely,
Ronnie Hopkins, Ph.D.
President

Greetings Faculty, Staff and Students: 

As we begin a new year at Voorhees College, we must continue to be vigilant in our efforts to remain healthy and safe. We will continue to exercise caution to keep faculty, staff and students healthy during the continuing spread of COVID-19, particularly the Omicron variant of the virus. In planning for the campus reopening in January, please follow the protocols in this message. 

Before returning to campus, please get tested and if your test is positive, follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention protocols at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/variants/omicron-variant.html. Voorhees information and protocols can be found at https://www.voorhees.edu/covid-19-information-center. We also encourage you to get vaccinated and boosted if you already are vaccinated. 

The College’s 2022 Spring opening schedule is as follows:                                                                                              
January 2, 2022 – Approved Athletes return to campus
January 4, 2022 – All faculty and staff return to campus
January 5, 2022 – New students arrive to campus
January 6, 2022 – Returning students arrive to campus

Upon return to campus, everyone, including students, will be tested with the COVID-19 rapid test. Anyone with a positive test result will not be allowed on campus. There will be no accommodations on campus for students, who test positive, to isolate or quarantine. Weekly campus testing resumes Jan. 11 and Voorhees will host a vaccine clinic in February. 

Classes will be offered virtually beginning Jan. 10. All classes will be facilitated by faculty in the assigned classroom or in faculty offices based on the spring semester schedule. After the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday, Voorhees administrators will assess the situation, in consultation with health experts. If it is determined that it is safe to begin in-person learning, students will return to the classrooms.  

The Faculty and Staff Institute, scheduled for Jan. 4 from 1 to 4 p.m., will be virtual. Accommodations for employees without access to computers will be available in the Mass Hall auditorium with social-distance seating and mask-wearing required. 

Nurse Williams will send a daily message to faculty, staff and students regarding the Return to Campus Protocols as well as sharing advice on purchasing and proper wearing of masks. 

Dining Services will continue to provide take-out meals for students, in January. 

Please remember that wearing masks properly on campus is required along with social distancing and frequent hand sanitizing. Gathering in groups is discouraged and if you feel sick, contact Health Services immediately at (803) 780-1077 or swilliams@voorhees.edu. We are looking forward to a healthy and safe campus in 2022. 

Sincerely, 
Ronnie Hopkins, Ph.D. 
President