UNC Prepares for a COVID-19 Spring 2022: Here’s What To Know

UNC begins its spring semester January 10 and for some it’s set to be the fourth COVID-19 disrupted semester.

In a message to students in the College of Arts & Sciences, Dean Terry Rhodes said she stands with Chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz and the commitment to in-person instruction.

“At the same time, I recognize the need for flexibility in our community as all of you come back to campus to reconvene as a residential community,” Rhodes said.

Prior to Arrival COVID-19 Testing

UNC previously announced new COVID-19 testing requirements requiring all unvaccinated students and any student living in a residence hall, regardless of their vaccination status to complete a COVID-19 test within 72 hours of returning to campus. Rhodes said everyone is encouraged to plan ahead to arrive with a negative COVID-19 test.

“Students who do not attend the first two classes risk being dropped from the class to make room for students on the waitlist,” Rhodes said. “If you are ill or have an excused absence, let the instructor know in advance of the first class session.”

COVID-19 Testing On Campus

COVID-19 testing through the Carolina Together Testing Program in the Carolina Union is now by appointment only through UNC HallPass.

“We do not recommend testing more than once a week if you are asymptomatic, vaccinated and have not been exposed to COVID-19,” guidelines on the Carolina Together Testing Program read. “The center is open and available for asymptomatic vaccinated students, faculty and staff to voluntary testing, and we have seen very few, if any, positive cases from truly asymptomatic vaccinated individuals who were not exposed to COVID-19.”

Symptomatic testing is available at Campus Health for students. Faculty and staff are asked to test through their community health care provider.

As of Wednesday, January 5, the Carolina Together Dashboard is inactive.

Student and Faculty Absences Due to Omicron

Some classes may be held remotely during the semester. Rhodes said it is the instructor’s decision for how each session is delivered.

Students who miss class because of omicron will receive an excused absence for a week.

” If you no longer have symptoms or your symptoms are resolving, you may discontinue your isolation after five days and return to in-person classes,” Rhodes said. “You are advised to wear your mask whenever you are around others for an additional five days following the end of your isolation period.”

Residential students who test positive can isolate at home or in their residence hall room – leaving only for food pick-up and medical care.

Rhodes said students can make up class sessions and course assessments by getting notes from a classmate or watching a recorded lecture or livestream of a class. Instructors are not required to record or stream their in-person class.

Faculty who contract omicron have several options. They can ask a colleague to step in, invite a guest lecturer, schedule a supplemental lecture online, show a previous recording of a lecture or provide a set of instructional activities for students to complete.

Spring 2022 Course Instruction Modes

Instructors were asked to add the following language to their syllabi: “As long as it is possible to do so safely, we will be meeting in person this semester. I understand the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic may require changes to this plan and will be monitoring the situation closely. If I need to change the format of the course temporarily due to outbreaks of illness, I will announce this via email and the course Sakai site.”

In a December 31 campus message, university leadership said deans have the discretion to temporarily modify modes of instruction for specific courses.

“With guidance from the Provost’s Office, deans will consult with department chairs and their respective faculty to draft, review and approve any requests for temporary alterations to the mode of instruction for a course,” UNC leadership said. “Students will be notified by their faculty should there be any approved changes in delivery modes for specific classes.”

Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees. You can support local journalism and our mission to serve the community. Contribute today – every single dollar matters.