University leadership provides a COVID-19 update
"Over the next two weeks, faculty who have not already done so should resume the mode of instruction that was advertised at the time of student registration (in-person instruction in most cases). While we expect all classes to resume regular in-person sessions, deans and department chairs should continue to offer flexibility to their faculty based on their individual circumstances and faculty members should continue to be flexible with their students."
Dear Carolina Community,
We are writing to update you on the modes of instruction for the spring semester. On Dec. 31, we delegated to the deans the discretion to temporarily modify modes of instruction for specific courses.
Since classes started on Jan. 10, the majority of courses have been taught in person. Students and instructors have followed our COVID-19 Community Standards and our students have benefited from the advantages of an in-person residential experience. We are grateful that we continue to have such a highly vaccinated and boosted community. As of today, 94% of our students and 89% of our employees have attested to being vaccinated.
Over the next two weeks, faculty who have not already done so should resume the mode of instruction that was advertised at the time of student registration (in-person instruction in most cases). While we expect all classes to resume regular in-person sessions, deans and department chairs should continue to offer flexibility to their faculty based on their individual circumstances and faculty members should continue to be flexible with their students. We recognize that our community is still managing multiple disruptions caused by COVID-19, and we will be responsive to those needs.
In providing this update, we have considered a variety of factors. We continue to consult with our health care and public health experts and monitor the current positivity rate and total cases. We expect to experience a decrease in cases in the next few weeks, in line with the county and state. In addition, our peer universities both locally and around the UNC System are following this course as well.
We strongly encourage everyone in the Carolina community to be up to date on their COVID-19 vaccinations and then attest to their vaccines and boosters at the COVID-19 Vaccination Certification form. Last week, the Carolina Together Testing Program team announced a Golden Ticket raffle with the Carolina Together Ambassadors for everyone who has filled out the form with their booster shot. In addition, please continue to wear a well-fitting mask and follow the COVID-19 Community Standards.
This Carolina community has once again risen to the occasion by making informed individual decisions, taking care of one another and following our COVID-19 Community Standards. The semester is off to a successful start, and we are grateful for your continued commitment to keep yourselves and each other safe.
Sincerely,
Kevin M. Guskiewicz
Chancellor
Robert A. Blouin
Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost
