Wellness Center
Wellness Center staff started monitoring COVID-19 news and activity before Spartanburg County and South Carolina had a single case. They have played a critical role in caring for students, supporting the campus community’s well-being and serving as advisors throughout the year.
“The Wellness Center has worked diligently this past year. There has been management of care for students, faculty and staff seven days a week, detailed contact tracing and coordination with every department on campus. I couldn’t be prouder of the Wellness Center staff and how everyone embraced the work required to support the campus community.”
Beth Wallace ’82
associate vice president for campus life and student development
director of the Wellness Center
Housekeeping
When the pandemic hit, the housekeeping staff found itself outnumbered. The department added 15 temporary staff members to work second shift during the week and on weekends, in the Sandor Teszler Library, for example, to ensure that students could continue to use the space for research and study. Their role has been to keep surfaces, chairs, computer equipment, light switches and door handles disinfected in academic buildings and some common areas across campus.
“We’ve asked a lot from our staff, including starting their shifts an hour earlier, and housekeepers in residence halls have also been responsible for the college’s isolation and quarantine spaces.”
Jeffrey Burney
director of housekeeping and event services
AVI
Between COVID-19 and construction on the Burwell Dining Hall, keeping everyone fed and safe has been extremely challenging for AVI, Wofford’s culinary services partner. The staff adapted quickly, adjusting traffic patterns to ensure social distancing, paying attention to occupancy limits and being prepared at a moment’s notice to provide dine-in or carryout meals based on COVID numbers and guidelines.
“COVID has caused us to have to look at everything we do in a new light. We are very cautious with everything we do in an effort to keep not only our guests, but also our staff safe as well.”
Cherie Tyger
resident director of culinary services
Facilities
Facilities staff assembled more than 100 plexiglass shields to protect students, faculty and staff from the virus. The project took countless hours and required almost 75 4-foot by 8-foot sheets of plexiglass. They also have maintained a daily list of quarantine spaces. The grounds team has continued to work in person throughout the pandemic.
“Our folks have continued to work hard over the past year to ensure that students, faculty and staff are as safe as possible while on campus.”
Jason Burr ’01
associate vice president of facilities and capital projects
Campus Safety
When students were sent home and Wofford converted to remote learning last spring, campus safety officers remained on duty. With the return to in person classes in the fall, officers assisted by providing transportation to and from quarantine and isolation housing. They have helped to set up emergency quarantine quarters and have provided communication to the Wellness Center and other offices involved in facilitating the college’s COVID-19 response.
“Campus safety is proud to be able to support the college during this pandemic.”
Randy Hall
campus safety director
Working Group for the Return to Campus
President Nayef Samhat formed a 16-member committee consisting of staff and faculty to develop a plan and guidelines for returning to campus for the 2020-21 academic year. The committee continues to meet to review campus needs and virus trends. Their work has impacted the entire campus community.
“The pandemic will have a lasting effect on many institutions, so we take our task seriously. I’m proud of our group. A lot of time and energy has gone into protecting our community’s health and safety while working to complete our mission.”
Dan Deeter
director of business services and risk management
chair of the Working Group for the Return to Campus
Residence Life
Wofford welcomed its largest class of firstyear students to start the 2020-21 academic year and opened the new Jerome Johnson Richardson Hall, a 150-bed residence hall for first-year students. Staff in residence life also had to contend with housing students who had planned to study abroad and finding adequate isolation and quarantine spaces.
“Residence halls are busy places every year and often play a central role in campus life and social activities. Things have been different this year with additional guidelines, and normal gathering places have been off limits to promote distancing guidelines. This definitely has not been a normal year. I am so thankful to everyone, especially student leaders, who have helped support their peers throughout a year that disrupted routines and traditions.”
Brian Lemere
associate dean of students
director of residence life