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.

“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.

Related Stories
‹
UNC to Begin and End Fall Classes Early, Launch Remote Platform for Students
No classes have been held on UNC’s campus since early March due to the coronavirus pandemic. UNC leadership have expressed hopes for students and faculty to return to campus in the fall, and on Thursday, the university laid out its plans to do so. Chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz announced various changes to campus operations and undergraduate […]
UNC Using Emergency Fund to Aid Students Impacted by COVID-19
A UNC emergency fund is aiming to help students financially impacted by COVID-19, which disrupted the university’s spring semester. The university announced Friday morning the Carolina Student Impact Fund is now being used to help students face any unexpected financial burdens due to the ongoing spread of the new coronavirus. A release from UNC said […]
COVID-19 Cluster Reported at UNC's Avery Residence Hall
UNC has identified a cluster of COVID-19 cases at Avery Residence Hall on campus. This is the second COVID-19 cluster identified at UNC in 2021 and the first since the spring semester began on January 19. Earlier this month, a cluster was identified at Carmichael Residence Hall between students who lived on campus during winter […]
UNC Announces Calendar for Spring 2021 Semester, Delays Start by 2 Weeks
UNC has announced its calendar for the spring 2021 semester amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, which will include a delayed start. “We have been carefully listening to the voices of our community as we consider the important lessons learned from planning for the fall and prepare to make updates to our Roadmap to offer classes […]
UNC: New COVID-19 Cluster at Rams Village, 13th Reported on Campus
UNC has notified the campus community of another COVID-19 cluster on campus, this time at Rams Village Building #5. This is the 13th COVID-19 cluster reported on the university’s campus. A cluster is five or more positive COVID-19 cases, according to North Carolina Health and Human Services. Officials said the individuals in the cluster have been identified and […]
UNC Reports New COVID-19 Cluster at Residence Hall, 12th on Campus
UNC has notified the campus community of another COVID-19 cluster on campus, this time at Cobb residence hall. This is the 12th COVID-19 cluster reported on the university’s campus. A cluster is five or more positive COVID-19 cases, according to North Carolina Health and Human Services. Officials said the individuals in the cluster have been identified and are […]
New COVID-19 Cluster Identified at UNC Residence Hall, 11th on Campus
A new COVID-19 cluster has been identified at Koury residence hall on UNC’s campus on Tuesday afternoon. An AlertCarolina message said “the individuals in this cluster have been identified and are isolating and receiving medical monitoring.” A cluster is five or more positive COVID-19 cases, according to state health guidelines. !Alert Carolina! Emergency Notification: Cluster of COVID-19 […]
Coronavirus at UNC: A Timeline
UNC is one of the first major universities to move back to remote instruction this fall after attempting to hold in-person instruction amid the COVID-19 pandemic. What happened between the last time in-person instruction was held and when UNC students were asked to leave the Chapel Hill campus once again? Chapelboro’s extensive reporting laid out […]
UNC Athletics Resumes Activities Following Temporary Suspension
UNC Athletics announced over the weekend that teams will resume athletic activities in the coming days. Men’s and women’s basketball, cross country, field hockey, men’s and women’s soccer and volleyball will resume activities on Sunday. Meanwhile, football has opted to return to practice on Monday. Other winter and spring sports will continue to pause […]
UNC to Pause Classes, Reports More Than 90 COVID-19 Cases in 1 Day
UNC has paused undergraduate classes on Monday and Tuesday of next week as students transition to virtual learning for the remainder of the fall semester. In a message to the campus community, UNC Chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz said the university made the decision to allow students to “catch their breath” amid the coronavirus pandemic. “To our […]
›