After an extended spring break due to the ongoing spread of COVID-19, UNC students began classes again for the first time in more than two weeks.
Students checked into their courses online, largely away from campus, after the university required most students to move out of residence halls last week. UNC said 96 percent of its classes offered have been translated to an online model of sorts, with many using teleconferencing websites like Zoom to connect students and faculty.
Chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz shared a video message to students from campus on Monday, offering his encouragement to keep up their classwork in the online instruction and commending staff and faculty for making the quick transition to teaching remotely.
“We will get through this together.”
This morning, Chancellor @KevinGuskiewicz welcomed the #UNC community into this new period of remote instruction and thanked all Tar Heels for the sacrifices they’ve made as we all work to keep ourselves and others safe 💙 pic.twitter.com/NXBhpwHYNh
— UNC-Chapel Hill (@UNC) March 23, 2020
“This is not what we expected for our spring semester,” said Guskiewicz in the video. “However, we should all take solace in knowing, that in a significant way, we’re making a great sacrifice to help mitigate the spread of the novel coronavirus. Carolina is, at its heart, its people. We will get through this together as we continue our mission of teaching, research and service in new ways.”
In addition, Provost Bob Blouin issued a message to students on Sunday night ahead of classes, reminding students of the resources available to them despite being away from campus. He acknowledged how the change of environment and routine can be challenging on students’ mental health, as well as the global health emergency. UNC’s Counseling and Psychological Services continues to stay operation and students are encouraged to make necessary appointments via Zoom. Campus Health also remains open and offers limited in-person appointments to students who schedule an appointment.
UNC sent an Alert Carolina message out on Saturday, saying multiple members of its community have tested positive for the novel coronavirus. The news came just one day after the university announced it is postponing the spring commencement ceremony.
To learn more about UNC’s ongoing response to COVID-19, visit the university’s web page dedicated to the virus.
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