In light of World Mental Health Day this Saturday, UNC is encouraging faculty to give students an extra day off on Friday, to allow for more time to rest and recharge.
In a letter to the campus community this past Thursday, UNC Chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz announced that the university will be “pausing” instruction on Friday, October 9 to recognize World Mental Health Day the following day.
Guskiewicz said this pause will create a three-day weekend and allow students more time for self-care. Although the university’s compressed academic calendar may not allow faculty to provide students with a full day off, Guskiewicz offered up a few alternatives.
He said a pause in instruction could include changing a live lecture to a recorded one to be watched at a later date, postponing the due date of a paper or rescheduling a quiz. In his letter, Guskiewicz said that he and the rest of campus leadership quote “believe that faculty flexibility and compassion on this day, and throughout the semester, will support and facilitate better student mental health.”
The letter states that UNC faculty have the discretion to adjust individual class sessions, provided they make alternate arrangements to meet all learning objectives of the course. This might mean moving assignments, exams and quizzes from October 9 to another date.
The letter also lists a number of resources available to students to help navigate mental health concerns. These resources include UNC’s Counseling and Psychological Services, Campus Health and Campus Recreation.
“Taking care of our mental health is paramount during these extraordinary times,” Guskiewicz said. “We all must attend to all aspects of wellness, recognize the necessity for individuals to exercise agency when and where they can and encourage as much flexibility as possible. We encourage the Carolina Community to observe Oct. 9 as World Mental Health Day giving students, faculty and staff a day to take care of one’s own mental health.”
To read Guskiewicz’s letter regarding pausing instruction for World Mental Health day, click here.
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.
Related Stories
‹
UNC Sports: Field Hockey, Men's Soccer, Volleyball All Earn ACC WinsIt was a successful Friday evening for multiple UNC sports teams, as the field hockey, men’s soccer and volleyball squads each earned big wins in ACC action. In field hockey, the Tar Heels returned home to Karen Shelton Stadium for the first time in almost a month and celebrated the occasion with a 4-0 win […]
UNC Men's Basketball vs. Indiana (2026): How to Watch, Cord-Cutting Options and Tip-Off TimeUNC will continue preseason action Sunday when it travels to Indianapolis to face Indiana at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, home of the NBA’s Indiana Pacers. If you aren’t making the trip with the team, here’s how you can follow along at home: Broadcast Schedule Those hoping to listen on the radio can do so at 97.9 FM and […]
'Coach, We've Got a Dawg': Xavier Lewis' Unlikely Journey from Unheralded Recruit to UNC StarXavier Lewis has established himself as one of UNC's best players in 2026, but his journey to stardom came from humble beginnings.
UNC Women's Soccer Wins at Clemson to Remain Unbeaten in ACC PlayA Hope Munson goal in the 37th minute was all No. 1 UNC needed to earn a 1-0 win at Clemson Thursday night. It was Carolina’s first match in 13 days after its fixture at Florida State last week was postponed due to Hurricane Isaias. Found a way 👏#GoHeels x @WellsFargo pic.twitter.com/x7jvDOWjOy — UNC Women's […]
UNC Football at Duke (2026): How to Watch, Cord-Cutting Options and Kickoff TimeUNC will make the short trip over to Durham Saturday afternoon to face Duke at Wallace Wade Stadium. The Tar Heels are looking to win the Victory Bell back from the Blue Devils after dropping the last two meetings. If you aren’t attending the game in person, here’s how you can follow along at home: […]
100 Years of Kenan Stadium: 'Give Us That Victory Bell Back!'Voice of the Tar Heels Jones Angell looks back on the UNC-Duke game at Kenan Stadium in 2019, one of the best in the history of the rivalry.
![]()
The Morning News: Election Approaching, Stolen Car Crashing - New Cradle Opening?Get-out-the-vote efforts are underway for the 2026 election - including a concert at the site Cat's Cradle is developing as a third venue.
UNC Football Ranked No. 1?! 78 Years Ago, It Really Happened.During the summer, I stumbled across a graphic on social media that caught my eye. It showed every program to have been ranked No. 1 in the Associated Press College Football poll, which debuted in 1936. Since then, there have been more than 1,200 polls, featuring 45 different teams in the top spot. Timeline of […]
UNC Men's Basketball Picked 5th in 2026-27 ACC Preseason PollUNC was picked fifth in the ACC men’s basketball preseason poll Monday afternoon. Two-time reigning conference champion Duke comes in at No. 1, taking home 45 of a possible 48 first-place votes. No. 2 Virginia, No. 3 Louisville and No. 4 Miami each followed with one first-place vote each. Below UNC, No. 6 Clemson, No. […]
UNC Women's Basketball Picked 3rd in ACC; Kate Harpring Receives Preseason HonorUNC was picked to finish third in the ACC in the league’s preseason poll Tuesday. The Tar Heels received one of 76 first-place votes. Duke, which is coming off consecutive conference titles, sits at No. 1 in the preseason poll with 49 first-place votes. No. 2 Louisville (22 votes) is next, followed by UNC and […]
›
