UNC students began the fall semester August 18. Last fall, students participated in in-person instruction for only five days before the university announced the move to virtual instruction. This year, UNC leadership is approaching public health measures differently.
Carolina Together Testing Program
In the first week of the fall 2020 semester, 130 students tested positive for the coronavirus – causing the university to move to a remote learning model. During the spring 2021 semester, re-entry testing was required and all students in in-person courses or living in the Chapel Hill community were required to participate in the Carolina Together Testing Program.
Now, from August 1 to August 18, 85 students have tested positive for COVID-19 through on-campus testing. COVID-19 cases within the campus community will continue to be updated on the Carolina Together website.
Students who are not vaccinated for COVID-19 will be required to complete COVID-19 tests twice a week within the Carolina Together testing program beginning August 23. The university said it will monitor the expansion of the testing requirement through September 15 to assess its effectiveness.
Additionally, the university announced beginning September 15, unvaccinated faculty and staff will also be required to test weekly in the program. Vaccinated students can complete optional asymptomatic COVID-19 testing.
Students who do not submit proof of vaccination for COVID-19 will also be required to complete a COVID-19 test at a Carolina Together testing site within 24 hours of arrival to campus – which was not a requirement for move-in last fall.
Despite vigorous COVID-19 protocols, UNC Provost Bob Blouin recently said at a UNC Employee Forum meeting that COVID-19 cases on campus are to be expected.
“We as a society are starting to think about how we live with this virus,” Blouin said. “It’s not going back into the bag.”
Vaccine Attestation
As of August 19, 87 percent of students and 80 percent of faculty and staff have attested they are vaccinated. Attestation of vaccinations is required by all students and audits of attestations will occur on a regular basis according to UNC.
Students, faculty and staff who are non-compliant or have falsified documents will be subject to disciplinary action by the university.
“We urge you to get your vaccine now,” Chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz said in an email in July to the campus community. “Even if you get your first dose of a two-dose vaccine in your hometown, you will be able to receive your second dose from Campus Health at the Student Stores Pharmacy after you arrive.”
“We’ve said throughout this pandemic that the Carolina spirit prevails when we are working together for the good of our community and to keep each other safe and healthy, no matter where we are located,” the chancellor continued. “This remains true as so many of you prepare to come back to campus for what is sure to be an exciting semester, but we need you to do your part: Get Vaccinated.”
Mask Requirements
While vaccines reduce long-term effects of COVID-19, masks are known to effectively mitigate the virus’ spread.
Regardless of vaccination status, all members of the UNC community will be required to wear masks indoors. Exceptions to the masking requirement include when in residence hall rooms or apartments, in private offices, and while eating or drinking.
The university said it strongly encourages all community members to wear masks outdoors – especially at large gatherings or in congested areas.
Vaccinated faculty can remove masks during instruction if three to six feet of social distance is maintained.
Students who do not wear a mask in class or wear it improperly can be reported by the instructor to the Office of Student Conduct. This can lead to a student’s disenrollment from a course for the “protection of our educational community.”
Students are expected to bring their own masks to campus. Mask stations will be set up throughout campus to be used as a back-up in the event a student forgets a mask – not as a primary source of masks.
The university said it will share data on referrals for violations of the COVID-19 community standards and outcomes on the Carolina Together website at least once per quarter. Violations may result in administrative or disciplinary action, such as removal from on-campus housing, disenrollment from in-person courses, and dismissal from the university.
Classes
This fall, most classes will be held in-person, with some operating in partial or fully remote formats. The Carolina Away program is continuing to provide online courses for students who cannot return to an in-person, residential experience – like international students facing travel restrictions. According to the university, 120 students are participating in the program this fall.
“Enrollment in courses continues to shift as students add and drop classes,” Assistant Provost and University Registrar Lauren DiGrazia said in a release. “Across the institution, a little more than 90 [percent] of classes are being held in an in-person format and less than 10 [percent] in a remote modality. We continue to look forward to welcoming most students back to campus while accommodating the small group of students who need to study remotely.”
Under revised COVID-19 protocols, classroom capacity is returning to full – unlike fall 2020 which had capacity limits for in-person courses.
Residential Life and Dining
On campus residence hall move-in is by appointment only beginning August 12 with more than 9,000 students living on-campus. The university will continue to provide two residence halls for students who need to quarantine or isolate.
Students who are exposed to someone with COVID-19 will not be required to quarantine if they are fully vaccinated and do not show symptoms.
On-campus dining will return to a near-normal seating capacity. Students can preorder meals at select dining locations and Carolina Dining Services will continue to offer meal delivery services to students in on-campus residence halls.
“Customer and staff safety will always remain our top priority,” Scott Myers, the director of Auxiliary Services, said in a release. “Dining facility operations follow current health guidance and industry best practices and will be continuously updated based on further guidance from the CDC, the Orange County Health Department and UNC Environment, Health and Safety experts.”
Food trucks will continue to be scheduled around campus for additional dining options.
Campus Events
Some UNC traditions will also look a little different this year.
The traditional FallFest event usually held on Hooker Fields was to instead take place in spaces in and around the Carolina Union, the Pit and along South Road. Due to inclement weather, the university cancelled the event and will work to move previously scheduled activities to later in the month.
New student convocation – which usually was held in Carmichael Arena prior to fall fest – was also postponed due to weather. Convocation will now be August 16 at 7:00 p.m. in Kenan Stadium.
The student organization fair, typically held during the evening of FallFest, will instead occur during the second week of classes, August 23 through 27. During “SmallFest,” student organizations will offer in-person tabling in the Pit from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
The Old Well will be operational on the first day of classes. Traditionally students take a sip of the well water for good luck to achieve a 4.0 GPA.
Last fall, the Old Well was not operational. First-year students were mailed a bottle of “Old Well” and other students could pick up a bottle in their Carolina Together PPE kit.
“As the University returns to a more normal on-campus experience this semester, the Old Well will be functioning on the first day of classes,” Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Amy Johnson said. “We ask that students who decide to take a sip from the Old Well on the first day of classes for good luck consider wearing a mask and keeping their distance if there is a line on Wednesday.”
Students who do not wish to wait in line can pick up a bottle of “Old Well” water on the first day of classes in the Pit and in the Student and Academic Services Building Courtyard.
Although face masks are not required outdoors, university leadership is asking students to consider wearing masks in line.
In an email to the campus community August 20, Chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz said, “We are following the guidance of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Orange County Health Department and our renowned infectious disease experts. I know there have been some concerns about certain activities, such as the first sip at the Old Well, Sunset Serenade and athletic events. Let me be clear: we are consulting with our experts and health officials, as well as following state and local guidelines, as we make these decisions.”
“This guidance has enabled us to safely offer these Carolina traditions, albeit with a modified approach,” the chancellor continued. “We know there will be infections on our campus and in the community, but we are following the right plans to help limit the spread. When you are vaccinated and wear your mask, you greatly reduce the chance of infection and if you do test positive, the vaccine reduces the severity of the illness.”
Guskiewicz said he is confident the university is in the best position possible to manage COVID-19 challenges this fall. He said there will be risk, but the “Carolina community is managing those risks and ensuring that our semester is as successful as this first week has been.”
“We recognize how difficult the past 18 months have been, and we are grateful for the sacrifices everyone has already made,” a message to the UNC community sent August 6 from university leadership said. “As we begin a new semester at Carolina, we do not have to choose between safety and in-person learning because with the right approach we will do both. We are confident our campus community members will rise to the occasion.”
For more information on UNC Week of Welcome events, click here.
Editors note: This article was originally published August 11. It has since been updated.
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