Archived COVID-19 Updates

We are following up on the March 18 NinerNotice with updates to campus safety protocols. 

There are several changes that will be effective on Monday, April 4, and they are outlined below as a reminder. 

As we continue to see manageable trends with COVID-19, we are also changing the indoor gathering restriction currently in place. Beginning Monday, indoor events will be allowed to take place at the full capacity of the room. 

We will continue watching on-campus infection numbers and other key metrics closely. If we need to resume additional measures for the health of our community, we are prepared to do so quickly and will communicate changes to you promptly via NinerNotice. 

Additionally, please remember on-campus testing and booster shots remain available to all members of the campus community (more information below), and masks are available for pick up in the Popp Martin Student Union, Atkins Library and the Career Center for individuals who wish to wear one. When worn correctly, face masks provide some protection against the spread of COVID-19. 

Here is what else you can expect beginning Monday, April 4: 

As always, thank you for your ongoing support, patience and cooperation. 

Niner Nation, as announced in our Feb. 28 NinerNotice, we are following up on additional changes to our campus safety measures.

Yesterday, Gov. Roy Cooper announced the state would move to a more endemic approach to managing COVID-19, and we are also transitioning to the same approach on campus. This means we understand the virus will be here for quite some time, but with strong vaccination rates and good personal choices about safety, it is manageable. 

With that in mind, we are making some changes to campus protocols over the next few weeks.

However, as we have learned all too well over the past two years, COVID-19 can be unpredictable. If we need to resume additional measures to protect our campus, we are prepared to do so quickly and will communicate changes to you promptly. 

Please review the information below closely and retain this email for your records so you may refer back to it as needed.

What's Not Changing

What's Changing

As we announced on Feb. 17, the University is monitoring and assessing ongoing COVID-19 safety protocols as cases of infection continue to fall in the county and state.

On Friday, Feb. 25, the UNC System issued guidance that makes face masks optional in all indoor settings on all campuses of the System effective March 7. 

Therefore, effective at 12:01 a.m. on Monday, March 7, face masks will be optional on UNC Charlotte’s campus. This includes classrooms and other academic spaces. 

• Until March 7, face masks will be required in classrooms, Atkins Library and at indoor gatherings. 
• If you are unvaccinated or at high risk for complications, you are still strongly encouraged to wear a mask after March 7. 
• Proper usage of face masks reduces the risk of COVID-19 infection to yourself and others, especially when you are in close proximity to others in confined spaces. Masks will continue to be available for members of the University community at these locations: 
  • The information desk in the Popp Martin Student Union
  • Atkins Library
  • Niner Central
  • University Advising Center
• Please note: Federal and state regulations still require a face mask on NinerTransit and in the Student Health Center.

As announced in the Feb. 17 NinerNotice, other COVID-19 safety measures will remain in place until at least the week following spring break.  

Testing

• The University’s mitigation and wastewater-based testing protocols for anyone not up-to-date with their COVID-19 vaccinations, including a booster when eligible, will continue as planned. This includes the requirement that following spring break, March 7-13, ALL students and employees who are NOT up-to-date with their COVID-19 vaccinations are required to complete a COVID-19 test within the week of March 14-18. 

Events and Gathering Restrictions

• Indoor gatherings and events will continue to be limited to 50% of the space’s room capacity, but masks will not be required beginning March 7. Attendees are always welcome to wear masks if they prefer to do so. 
• Outdoor gatherings have no restrictions.

Looking Forward

We continue to move in the right direction toward the end of the changes made necessary by COVID-19. Thank you for your patience and continued cooperation.

Yesterday evening, Wednesday, Feb. 16, Mecklenburg County announced they would lift the county’s indoor mask mandate beginning Saturday, Feb. 26.

This decision is based on downward trends in the county’s COVID-19 positivity numbers. This is good news, indicating we are moving past the peak in the omicron surge.

However, people in the following categories are advised to continue wearing masks in all indoor settings: 

• If you have tested positive in the past five days
• If you fall within a high-risk category
• If you are unvaccinated
• Requirements for face masks still exist in healthcare settings and on mass transit, as required by state and federal mandates. 

In light of the county’s announcement, the following updates will be in place for the University community effective Saturday, Feb. 26: 

Masks

The University will continue requiring masks in specific, limited areas — classrooms, Atkins Library, the Student Health Center, on NinerTransit and at indoor gatherings (see below). Beginning Saturday, Feb. 26, masks will no longer be required in other locations on campus. 

Even with this new guidance, you are encouraged to wear a mask to further reduce the risk of infection to yourself and others, especially when you are in close proximity to others in confined spaces. For example, this may include in hallways, in elevators, when waiting in line in buildings or in residential community spaces. 

Employees may make their own choices about asking visitors in their personal office space to wear a mask. 

Masks will continue to be available for members of the University community at these locations: 

• The information desk in the Popp Martin Student Union
• Atkins Library
• Niner Central
• University Advising Center

Events and Gathering Restrictions

• Outdoor gatherings: The University will remove restrictions limiting attendance and masks at outdoor gatherings. Event organizers may still encourage masks for attendees, but they will no longer be required.
• Indoor gatherings: The University will increase indoor gatherings to 50% of the space’s room capacity WITH the requirement of masks during the event. You may inquire on room capacity when booking a space. 
  • This updated protocol will be revisited the week following Spring Break. 
  • No exceptions to this new updated protocol will be granted.
• Athletics events: Athletics events will continue to be held under the guidance provided by Conference USA.  

Testing Protocols

The University’s testing protocols for anyone not up-to-date with their COVID-19 vaccinations, including a booster when eligible, will continue as planned. We will continue to evaluate our plans, based on evolving data and guidance from public health officials, and keep you updated through NinerNotices and on the Niner Nation Cares website. 

Spring Break Re-Entry Testing
Following spring break, March 7-13, ALL students and employees who are NOT up-to-date with their COVID-19 vaccinations will be required to complete a COVID-19 test within the week of March 14-18. 

• This includes on-campus residential students. 
• You may be tested on campus by registering using the mitigation testing form in the portal on Niner Nation Cares or by submitting an off-campus test result. Please note: The test must be conducted by a pharmacy or other healthcare provider. At-home tests will not be accepted. 
• Off-campus test results submissions must be from a test conducted between March 12-18.
• This test will count toward that week’s mitigation testing requirement for all eligible employees and non-residential students, and there will be no additional wastewater-based testing that week for residential students. Mitigation and wastewater-based testing will resume as scheduled the following week. 

COVID-19 Vaccinations and Boosters and Flu Shots

• COVID-19 Vaccinations and Boosters: COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters are available on campus each Thursday through Vax Van. You may register here. 
• Flu Vaccines: There is still time to get a flu vaccine for protection in this cold/flu season. The University will host flu vaccine clinics on the dates below: 
  • Wednesday, Feb. 23, 9 to 11 a.m. Register here. 
  • Tuesday, March 1, 1 to 3 p.m. Register here. 
  • Both clinics will be held at the Student Health Center

755 Days

The first NinerNotice about COVID-19 was sent on Jan. 24, 2020. No one imagined that 755 days later, we would still be dealing with this situation. But for more than two years, this community has come together – even when asked to do hard, challenging things – to make sure our campus community is safe.

Thank you for all you have done to support your fellow Niners. Your help and cooperation made – and continue to make – our success possible.

Niner Nation, we are looking forward to welcoming students back to in-person instruction beginning Monday, Jan. 24. 

Public health experts are predicting omicron infections will peak in North Carolina as early as this week, and our two-week remote start has allowed us to move past the post-holiday surge. 

As we move forward with the semester, it will be critical we continue with safety measures to ensure COVID-19 remains manageable on campus.

Below are important things to keep in mind. 

Please review this message carefully and retain it so you may refer back to it. 

Masks

Masks remain required on campus. You should wear a well-fitted mask that fits securely over BOTH your nose and mouth and contains multiple layers. N95 or KN95 are the best choices, followed by surgical masks. Other masks do not provide as much protection as these options, but can be enhanced by double masking or adding a filter.

If you need a surgical mask, you may pick one up from any of the following locations beginning Jan. 24: 

• The information desk in the Popp Martin Student Union
• Atkins Library
• Niner Central
• University Advising Center

Booster Shots and Testing Requirements

All students and employees who are eligible for a booster shot must have one to continue being exempt from on-campus testing requirements. You may submit your documentation for both the vaccine and the booster through the online portal.  If you have received your booster, please let us know as soon as possible so you may be removed from the testing pool. 

Any employee or student who does not meet vaccination and booster specifications must participate in re-entry and weekly mitigation testing until they are vaccinated and then boosted. 

Review the information on this webpage to understand which testing requirements may be applicable to you.

Register for a vaccine or booster
Vaccines and booster shots (Pfizer and Moderna) will be offered on campus every Thursday and Friday in partnership with Vax Van. Register for an appointment here. 

Re-entry testing
Re-entry testing will be conducted through Jan. 28 for faculty, staff and students not meeting vaccination specifications. You must be tested PRIOR to returning to your residence hall or reporting to class or work. You must be tested on campus.

• You should register for a test by using this form (the mitigation testing registration form) and proceed to the testing site before going to your residence hall, class or work location. 
• You will wait 10-15 minutes for the results of your test and then be given proof of negative results to take with you.

Mitigation testing for employees and off-campus students
Mitigation testing for qualifying employees is already underway, and those who are required to participate will receive a reminder each Friday. Note: If your return to campus was delayed, you will be subject to mitigation testing beginning the week following your return. 

Mitigation testing for qualifying off-campus students will begin on Jan. 31, and reminders will be sent every Friday beginning Jan. 28. 

Wastewater-based testing for residential students
Residential students will be required to participate in wastewater-based testing as they did in the fall semester. More information will be provided to you by Housing and Residence Life (HRL).  

Important Assignment Reminder for Move-In

As a reminder, in consideration of those undergraduate students moving into residence halls Jan. 19-21 while classes are in session, we will make the following accommodations:

• For undergraduate students, there should be no assignments due or tests administered Jan. 19-21. 
• Any undergraduate student who must miss class Jan. 19-21 to move into a residence hall will have their absence excused. Housing and Residence Life will provide verification as necessary.
• Faculty members with questions should reach out directly to the Office of Academic Affairs at academicaffairs@uncc.edu. 

Quarantine and Isolation Requirements

Please review this information to familiarize yourself with the latest quarantine and isolation updates made to align with the most recent CDC guidance. 

Events, Gatherings and Athletics

Events and Activities
Events and activities will have additional safety measures in place to help reduce the risk of spread of the omicron variant. Virtual events remain an option when possible. For in-person events, capacity will be limited to 30 people indoors and 50 people outdoors. Masks are required indoors, and groups should have ample space for physical distancing regardless of indoor or outdoor location. 

Exceptions to this standard may be requested through the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs' Office or the Provost's Office. These safety measures will be in place until at least March 1, as the University continues to monitor health conditions closely.

Athletic Events
Athletic events will allow spectators, in alignment with Conference USA guidelines, but all guests must wear a mask. 

Next NinerNotice
The University will continue to monitor COVID-19 numbers closely. Any changes to the protocols above will be announced by NinerNotices, on Niner Nation Cares and through the University's social media channels. Thank you for your continued flexibility and your help in keeping Niner Nation healthy. 

NinerNotice: Classes to be Held Virtually for Two Weeks for Spring Semester

Additional Academic Information

• Academic Calendar: The two-week delay in the start of in-person classes does not change any other dates for the spring semester’s academic calendar. 
• Accommodating Move-In: Faculty are asked to provide accommodations to students during the delayed move-in period. Please see more information below. 

Housing and Residence Life (HRL)

• For undergraduate students, there will be no assignments due or tests administered Jan. 19-21. 
• Any undergraduate student who must miss class Jan. 19-21 to move into a residence hall will have their absence excused. Housing and Residence Life will provide verification as necessary.
• Faculty members with questions should reach out directly to the Office of Academic Affairs at academicaffairs@uncc.edu. 

Off-Campus Students and Employees

• If you are currently staying at your permanent residence away from the Charlotte area, we encourage you to remain there until the start of in-person classes if you are able. 
• Prior to the start of in-person classes, you must have proof of a COVID vaccination, including a booster if eligible, on record or a negative re-entry test conducted prior to returning to class. See more information about booster shots and re-entry testing below.

• Supervisors are asked to work with employees to facilitate teleworking and reduce the risk of community spread from Jan. 4-24, ensuring offices remain open to provide critical services. 
• All employees must have proof of a COVID vaccination, including a booster if eligible, on record or a negative re-entry test conducted prior to returning to campus. See more information about booster shots and re-entry testing below. 

Testing, Health and Safety

• Pfizer, Moderna or other WHO-approved two-dose vaccination: You are eligible to get a booster shot with any of the authorized vaccines six months after completing your primary COVID-19 vaccination series. 
  • If it has been at least six months since your last shot and you have not received a booster, you will be in the testing pool until you receive a booster shot. 
  • If it has not yet been six months since your second shot, you are still considered exempt from testing requirements until you reach the six-month mark. 
• Johnson and Johnson (one dose): You are eligible to get a booster shot with any of the authorized vaccines two months after completing your primary COVID-19 vaccination. 
  • If it has been at least two months since your vaccine and you have not received a booster, you will be in the testing pool until you receive a booster shot.
  • If it has not yet been two months since your vaccine, you are still considered exempt from testing requirements until you reach the two-month mark. 
• Register for a vaccine or booster: Vaccines and booster shots (Pfizer and Moderna) will be offered on campus every Thursday and Friday in partnership with Vax Van. Register for an appointment here. 

• You should register for a test by using this form (the mitigation testing registration form) and proceed to the testing site before going to your residence hall, class or work location. 
• You will wait 10-15 minutes for the results of your test and then be given proof of negative results to take with you.

• Employees: Weekly mitigation testing will begin on Jan. 10 for employees not meeting the vaccine requirements above and who have returned to campus. Those who are required to participate will receive a reminder and registration link every Friday beginning Jan. 7. 
• Off-campus students: Weekly mitigation testing for off-campus students will begin Jan. 31. Those who are required to participate will receive a reminder and registration link every Friday beginning Jan. 28. You are encouraged to be tested on campus, but you may submit an off-campus test if you choose.  

Dining, Parking and Bookstore

• SoVi Dining will open for dine-in and takeout as scheduled starting Jan. 6.  
• Other dining operations will open as dictated by demand. 
• Check Dine on Campus after Jan. 4 for updates about locations open and hours of operation.

Athletics and Events

• Athletic games: Men's and women's basketball games during this time will be conducted without spectators except for a limited number of participants' family members. Refund information will be communicated to ticket holders soon.
• Events: Events scheduled before Monday, Jan. 24, will be postponed or moved to virtual delivery. Event organizers will communicate directly with participants. 

• Eligibility: Once you are considered eligible (more information is below for each vaccine) for a booster shot according to CDC guidelines, Charlotte must have a record of that vaccination or you will be required to participate in re-entry and weekly mitigation testing.
  • Re-entry Testing: On-campus re-entry testing will be conducted Jan. 4 through Jan. 14. You will be required to be tested PRIOR to returning to your residence hall or reporting to class or work. More information about re-entry testing and registration will be sent on Jan. 1. You must be tested on campus.
  • Mitigation testing: Weekly mitigation testing will begin on Jan. 15. Those who are required to participate will receive a reminder and registration link every Friday beginning Jan. 14. You are encouraged to be tested on campus, but you may submit an off-campus test if you choose. 
  • Review the information on this webpage to understand which testing requirements may be applicable to you.

• Timeline and Submission: You must receive a booster shot according to the established CDC timelines and submit a copy of your updated vaccination card or other vaccination record here to remain exempt from testing requirements. Boosters are considered effective immediately. 
  • Pfizer, Moderna or other WHO-approved two-dose vaccination: You are eligible to get a booster shot with any of the authorized vaccines six months after completing your primary COVID-19 vaccination series. If it has been at least six months since your last shot and you have not received a booster, you will be in the testing pool until you receive a booster shot. 
  • Johnson and Johnson (one dose): You are eligible to get a booster shot with any of the other authorized vaccines two months after completing your primary COVID-19 vaccination. If it has been at least two months since your vaccine and you have not received a booster, you will be in the testing pool until you receive a booster shot. 

• Locating a Booster: If you need help locating a vaccine or booster, visit the Niner Nation Cares website. The University will host additional booster clinics in January, and more information will be shared on Jan. 1. 

• Exemptions: If you believe you qualify for an exemption to testing for a medical condition, religious belief or absence from campus, you may complete a form for review using the online portal. Exemptions are granted only in rare circumstances, and requests for blanket exemptions from all testing will not be approved.

• If you have already submitted your booster record and received approval or received your booster on campus, you DO NOT need to resubmit. 
• More information on re-entry and mitigation testing will be sent to everyone who is required to participate no later than Jan. 1. 

The University is continuing to monitor the increasing spread of COVID-19, including the more transmissible omicron variant. To protect the health of our campus, the University is updating who must participate in re-entry and mitigation testing when we return from winter break.

Beginning Jan. 4, anyone who is vaccinated and is eligible for a booster but has not received one must participate in re-entry testing and ongoing mitigation testing until a booster shot is received. 

If you have received your booster, please submit that documentation as soon as possible so we may remove you from the testing pool. If you haven’t received your booster, please do so as soon as possible.

All employees and students who are unvaccinated are required to participate in re-entry and mitigation testing as they did in the fall semester. 

Thank you for continuing to do all you can to protect the health of Niner Nation. It is because of you that we were able to complete the fall semester successfully. 

Please read this entire message carefully for additional information and retain it for your records so you may refer back to it. 

What you need to know: 

• Eligibility: Once you are considered eligible (more information is below for each vaccine) for a booster shot according to CDC guidelines, Charlotte must have a record of that vaccination or you will be required to participate in re-entry and weekly mitigation testing.
  • Re-entry Testing: On-campus re-entry testing will be conducted Jan. 4 through Jan. 14. You will be required to be tested PRIOR to returning to your residence hall or reporting to class or work. More information about re-entry testing and registration will be sent on Jan. 1. You must be tested on campus.
  • Mitigation testing: Weekly mitigation testing will begin on Jan. 15. Those who are required to participate will receive a reminder and registration link every Friday beginning Jan. 14. You are encouraged to be tested on campus, but you may submit an off-campus test if you choose. 
  • Review the information on this webpage to understand which testing requirements may be applicable to you.
• Timeline and Submission: You must receive a booster shot according to the established CDC timelines and submit a copy of your updated vaccination card or other vaccination record here to remain exempt from testing requirements. 
  • Pfizer, Moderna or other WHO-approved two-dose vaccination: You are eligible to get a booster shot with any of the authorized vaccines six months after completing your primary COVID-19 vaccination series. If it has been at least six months since your last shot and you have not received a booster, you will be in the testing pool until you receive a booster shot. 
  • Johnson and Johnson (one dose): You are eligible to get a booster shot with any of the other authorized vaccines two months after completing your primary COVID-19 vaccination. If it has been at least two months since your vaccine and you have not received a booster, you will be in the testing pool until you receive a booster shot. 

You are still considered fully vaccinated before your required booster date and are not required to participate in testing until after that time. 

• Locating a Booster: If you need help locating a vaccine or booster, visit the Niner Nation Cares website. The University will host additional booster clinics in January, and more information will be shared on Jan. 1. 
• Exemptions: If you believe you qualify for an exemption to testing for a medical condition, religious belief or absence from campus, you may complete a form for review using the online portal. Exemptions are granted only in rare circumstances, and requests for blanket exemptions from all testing will not be approved.

Additional Information

• If you have already submitted your booster record and received approval, you DO NOT need to resubmit. 
• More information on re-entry and mitigation testing will be sent to everyone who is required to participate no later than Jan. 1. 

Please continue to pay close attention to your email over the next couple of weeks for additional updates. 

Thank you for your understanding, cooperation and patience as we continue to assess evolving conditions and information to keep Niner Nation safe in the new year.

UNC Charlotte is committed to keeping its students and employees safe. The University is closely monitoring the rising cases of COVID-19 locally and nationally, including the spread of the omicron variant, and the anticipated spike after the holiday season. 

Ongoing monitoring and modifying protocols
To protect the health of our community, it is possible we may have to modify the testing, safety and operational protocols shared with you previously. Should that happen, you will be notified through email, social media and by posts on the Niner Nation Cares website. 

We appreciate the flexibility you have demonstrated throughout the pandemic and ask for your continued patience and cooperation over the next several weeks as guidance continues to evolve.

Vaccination is your best protection
Please get vaccinated. The best way to protect yourself and others against the spread of COVID-19 is to be vaccinated and receive a booster. If you need help locating a shot, visit the Niner Nation Cares website. 

Stay connected for the latest information
During the winter break, please check your email and other University channels periodically to ensure you have the latest information prior to returning to campus. 

Thank you for your commitment to protecting Niner Nation.

UNC Charlotte employees and students who have received a COVID-19 booster are now able to submit that information to the University to update their vaccination record. You are encouraged to submit your information now should the CDC’s guidelines for full vaccination change in the future. 

Note: If you received the booster on campus, you do not need to submit additional documentation at this time. 

Acceptable forms of documentation

• A photo (JPEG, PNG) of your vaccination card showing the booster dose. 
• Official document from the North Carolina COVID Vaccine Management System (CVMS).
• Other official vaccination documentation from the healthcare provider administering the booster shot that shows:
  • Your name
  • Date of vaccination
  • Location of vaccination
  • Type of vaccine

Helpful FAQs

• Am I required to submit documentation of my booster shot? 

  • Not at this time. However, you are encouraged to do so should CDC guidelines for full vaccination change going forward. 

• If I received my booster shot on campus, do I need to submit my record? 

  • No, if you received your booster shot on campus, you do not need to submit any additional documentation. 

• Is there still time to get a booster or vaccine? 

  • Yes! If you need help locating a booster shot or vaccine, please visit the Niner Nation Cares website. 

• Will the University provide booster shots again in the spring? 

  • Yes, we will hold additional vaccine and booster clinics in January. Monitor Niner Insider and Niner Nation Cares for more details. 

• Am I required to get a booster or a vaccination? 

  • Consistent with other institutions in the UNC System, UNC Charlotte is not requiring vaccinations or boosters for employees or students at this time. However, you are encouraged to be vaccinated to best protect yourself and others against the spread of COVID-19.

Through its on-campus sequencing lab, UNC Charlotte has identified the presence of the omicron variant of COVID-19 in the testing sample of a student who traveled out of state during the Thanksgiving break and has subsequently recovered from their symptoms. All close contacts were notified through the University's contact tracing protocols, and no additional positive cases have been identified.

Because of the University's unique ability to conduct genomic sequencing, Charlotte has partnered with Mecklenburg County, StarMed and the state of North Carolina to conduct sequencing of COVID-19-positive samples to detect the presence and monitor the spread of variants in the area to help guide public health response. 

Omicron has been detected in multiple other states, and additional cases are expected nationwide. Vaccination and current safety protocols continue to offer good protection against the spread of COVID-19 and its variants. As previously shared, Charlotte will continue with its safety protocols into the spring semester.

As we enter final exams, commencement and winter break, here is what you can expect for safety protocols for the remainder of the semester and when you return in January. 

Fall semester

Mecklenburg County’s seven-day positivity rate continues to remain above 5%, hovering around 7.3% recently. Meanwhile, our campus continues to maintain a lower rate of new positive cases per day. This low number is a result of the safety protocols we have in place and the actions of every member of our community. 

With only 11 days until the last exam ends, we want to ensure a safe and strong finish. In line with other institutions in the UNC System, we will continue our indoor mask requirement and testing protocols for unvaccinated students and employees through the end of the fall semester.  

Exit testing
We will offer optional exit testing for students and employees who wish to be tested prior to traveling before the winter break: 

• When: Dec. 6 through Dec. 16

• Where: Student Union, South Village and EPIC

• Cost: Free to all students and employees

• Required: No

• More information: Registration is available here using the mitigation testing form. 

Spring semester

We will begin the spring semester with the same testing and indoor mask protocols in place, regardless of the county's seven-day positivity rate, to ensure we start the semester safely. We will make further assessments on extending these safety measures after the semester begins and we better understand current conditions. 

Re-entry testing
All unvaccinated employees and students returning to campus will be required to complete an on-campus re-entry test between Tuesday, Jan. 4, and Friday, Jan. 14, depending on their return date. No off-campus tests submitted through the testing portal will be accepted. More information on this requirement will be sent to everyone who is required to participate no later than Friday, Dec. 10.   

It is also not too late to be vaccinated. If you choose to get the vaccine over the break, please make sure to let us know by completing the attestation form on the Niner Nation Cares website. Two weeks after your final vaccination, you will be exempt from future testing requirements. If you have been vaccinated, please consider a booster shot. The University isn’t currently collecting booster information from employees or students, but please keep your records in case they are needed in the future. 

Next NinerNotice
Thank you for your ongoing support in protecting the health of your fellow Niners. Your support has made this successful semester possible. 

Updates will continue to be sent as more information becomes available. The latest on COVID-19 protocols is always available on ninernationcares.charlotte.edu. 

UNC Charlotte has confirmed one COVID-19 cluster through its Niner Health Check, testing and contact tracing protocols. The cluster involves six students residing in both on-campus and off-campus residences. 

The students are isolating and receiving appropriate medical care. The University is notifying all close contacts to begin quarantine and receive necessary testing. 

Safety and Vaccination

• Continue to follow safety and testing protocols: Students, faculty and staff should adhere to campus face-covering requirements, and, if unvaccinated, should continue to participate in the ongoing mitigation testing. The Niner Nation Cares website has more information. 
• Vaccination: Receiving a COVID-19 vaccine is the best way to protect yourself and others from contracting the virus. Please visit the Niner Nation Cares website for resources in locating your shot. 

Cluster notification
A “cluster” is defined by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services as a minimum of five cases with illness onsets or initial positive results within a 14-day period and a plausible epidemiologic linkage between cases (present in the same setting during the same time period -- ex: same shift, same classroom, same physical work area); that is consistent in likely timing of exposure; and has no other more likely source of exposure for identified cases (ex: household or close contact to a confirmed case in another setting). The University will notify the UNC Charlotte community of known clusters involving employees and students.

If you think you have COVID-19
Anyone in the UNC Charlotte community experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, which include fever, shortness of breath, muscle aches or a cough, should immediately contact their medical provider or the Student Health Center and visit the Niner Nation Cares website for additional information about updating the University on their COVID-19 status through the Niner Health Check.

Privacy statement
The University will not broadly communicate details about individual positive cases, consistent with the State Human Resources Act and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, as well as other privacy considerations. Those who need to know about individual positive cases will be notified during the contact tracing process.

UNC Charlotte has confirmed one COVID-19 cluster through its Niner Health Check, testing and contact tracing protocols. The cluster involves six students residing in both on and off-campus residences. **

The students are isolating and receiving appropriate medical care. The University is notifying all close contacts to begin quarantine and receive necessary testing. 

Safety and Vaccination

• Continue to follow safety and testing protocols: Students, faculty and staff should adhere to campus face-covering requirements, and, if unvaccinated, should continue to participate in the ongoing mitigation testing. The Niner Nation Cares website has more information. 
• Vaccination: Receiving a COVID-19 vaccine is the best way to protect yourself and others from contracting the virus. Please visit the Niner Nation Cares website for resources in locating your shot. 

Cluster notification
A “cluster” is defined by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services as a minimum of five cases with illness onsets or initial positive results within a 14-day period and a plausible epidemiologic linkage between cases (present in the same setting during the same time period -- ex: same shift, same classroom, same physical work area); that is consistent in likely timing of exposure; and has no other more likely source of exposure for identified cases (ex: household or close contact to a confirmed case in another setting). The University will notify the UNC Charlotte community of known clusters involving employees and students.

If you think you have COVID-19
Anyone in the UNC Charlotte community experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, which include fever, shortness of breath, muscle aches or a cough, should immediately contact their medical provider or the Student Health Center and visit the Niner Nation Cares website for additional information about updating the University on their COVID-19 status through the Niner Health Check.

Privacy statement
The University will not broadly communicate details about individual positive cases, consistent with the State Human Resources Act and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, as well as other privacy considerations. Those who need to know about individual positive cases will be notified during the contact tracing process.

**Please note this has been updated to reflect the students were both on and off-campus residents. 

Contact Tracing and Quarantine/Isolation

• What to expect during quarantine and isolation
• Understanding contact tracing

N-95 Masks for Employees

Teleworking

Thank You

UNC Charlotte has confirmed one COVID-19 cluster through its Niner Health Check, testing and contact tracing protocols. The cluster involves five students residing in off-campus residences. 

The students are isolating and receiving appropriate medical care. The University is notifying all close contacts to begin quarantine and receive necessary testing. 

Safety and Vaccination

• Continue to follow safety and testing protocols: Students, faculty and staff should adhere to campus face covering requirements, and, if unvaccinated, should continue to participate in the ongoing mitigation testing. The Niner Nation Cares website has more information. 
• Vaccination: Receiving a COVID-19 vaccine is the best way to protect yourself and others from contracting the virus. Please visit the Niner Nation Cares website for resources in locating your shot. 

Cluster notification
A “cluster” is defined by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services as a minimum of five cases with illness onsets or initial positive results within a 14-day period and a plausible epidemiologic linkage between cases (present in the same setting during the same time period -- ex: same shift, same classroom, same physical work area); that is consistent in likely timing of exposure; and has no other more likely source of exposure for identified cases (ex: household or close contact to a confirmed case in another setting). The University will notify the UNC Charlotte community of known clusters involving employees and students.

If you think you have COVID-19
Anyone in the UNC Charlotte community experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, which include fever, shortness of breath, muscle aches or a cough, should immediately contact their medical provider or the Student Health Center and visit the Niner Nation Cares website for additional information about updating the University on their COVID-19 status through the Niner Health Check.

Privacy statement
The University will not broadly communicate details about individual positive cases, consistent with the State Human Resources Act and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, as well as other privacy considerations. Those who need to know about individual positive cases will be notified during the contact tracing process.

UNC Charlotte has confirmed one COVID-19 cluster through its Niner Health Check, testing and contact tracing protocols. The cluster involves ten students residing in off-campus residences. 

The students are isolating and receiving appropriate medical care. The University has notified all close contacts to begin quarantine and receive necessary testing. 

Safety and Vaccination

• Continue to follow safety and testing protocols: Students, faculty and staff should adhere to campus face covering requirements, and, if unvaccinated, should continue to participate in the ongoing mitigation testing. The Niner Nation Cares website has more information. 
• Vaccination: Receiving a COVID-19 vaccine is the best way to protect yourself and others from contracting the virus. Please visit the Niner Nation Cares website for resources in locating your shot. 

Cluster notification
A “cluster” is defined by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services as a minimum of five cases with illness onsets or initial positive results within a 14-day period and a plausible epidemiologic linkage between cases (present in the same setting during the same time period -- ex: same shift, same classroom, same physical work area); that is consistent in likely timing of exposure; and has no other more likely source of exposure for identified cases (ex: household or close contact to a confirmed case in another setting). The University will notify the UNC Charlotte community of known clusters involving employees and students.

If you think you have COVID-19
Anyone in the UNC Charlotte community experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, which include fever, shortness of breath, muscle aches or a cough, should immediately contact their medical provider or the Student Health Center and visit the Niner Nation Cares website for additional information about updating the University on their COVID-19 status through the Niner Health Check.

Privacy statement
The University will not broadly communicate details about individual positive cases, consistent with the State Human Resources Act and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, as well as other privacy considerations. Those who need to know about individual positive cases will be notified during the contact tracing process.

In alignment with the most recent recommendation from the CDC and in consultation with UNC System and public health officials, face coverings will be required in all indoor spaces on campus effective Monday, Aug. 2. This decision is made in consideration of the rising cases of COVID-19, including the high rate of transmission in Mecklenburg County per the CDC, and for the safety of our campus community. 

More information: 

• This requirement is for all individuals regardless of vaccination status. 
• It applies to all spaces, including Atkins Library, dining halls, recreational facilities, common spaces and residence halls. 
• The only exceptions to this requirement are when students are in their personal residence hall rooms or when employees are in their personal offices.  Employees may still pick up decals requesting individuals wear masks in their personal offices at the information desk in the Student Union or the circulation desk in Atkins Library.  

Important Notes:

• The change in face covering requirements does not affect the University’s plans for a return to full operations this fall, including face-to-face instruction.
• This change does not affect the expectation of the return to on-campus work for University employees. 

Vaccine information
Vaccination is the most effective way to protect yourself and others against COVID-19. If you have not been vaccinated, please do so. If you need help locating a vaccine site, please visit the Niner Nation Cares website. 

If you have already been vaccinated, please let us know by completing the COVID-19 reporting form. Once your form is approved, you will be exempt from the University’s testing requirements for the fall and daily completion of the Niner Health Check. 

Stay Informed
We will continue to assess the situation closely and provide updates to the campus community. More information about what to expect for the fall semester with testing, face-covering requirements and other safety protocols will be shared by Wednesday, Aug. 4. 

Please continue to monitor your University email account closely in the coming days.

Thank you for your cooperation in protecting the health of Niner Nation.

• Receiving a COVID-19 vaccine is the best way to protect yourself and others from the virus. Please visit the Niner Nation Cares website for resources in locating your shot. 
• If you have already received the COVID-19 vaccine, let the University know through the COVID-19 vaccine reporting form. Those who receive the vaccination and submit the reporting form with the appropriate documentation will be exempt from completing the daily Niner Health Check and the requirement to participate in random mitigation testing.

• Receiving a COVID-19 vaccine is the best way to protect yourself and others from the virus. Please visit the Niner Nation Cares website for resources in locating your shot. 
• If you have already received the COVID-19 vaccine, let the University know through the COVID-19 vaccine reporting form. Those who receive the vaccination and submit the reporting form with the appropriate documentation will be exempt from completing the daily Niner Health Check and the requirement to participate in random mitigation testing.

Dear Niner Nation, 

We are seeing very encouraging signs in the fight against COVID-19, as vaccination rates continue to go up and infection rates continue to go down. As we relax many of our COVID-19 protocols, we will continue to use our three primary tools to help maintain a safe and healthy campus over the summer months: vaccination, face coverings and physical distancing.

As mentioned in my letter on Friday, May 21, it is important to remember that the relaxation of face-covering requirements, at the CDC, state and University levels, applies only to vaccinated individuals. If you are not vaccinated, you should continue wearing a face covering and maintaining physical distance from others. This is important to protect yourself and others from infection. Anyone who feels more comfortable wearing a face covering is always free to do so. 

Regardless of your vaccination status, I encourage you to continue carrying a face covering with you — both on campus and off — in case you need it.  

Classrooms and teaching laboratories

Face coverings will be required in all classrooms, teaching laboratories and indoor instructional spaces when occupied by students and faculty — regardless of vaccination status. This does not apply to individuals entering the spaces when class is not in session (ex: cleaning personnel). When classrooms are being used for meetings and other non-instructional uses, please reference the guidance below for conference rooms and other community meeting spaces. 

Research laboratories, studios and other indoor research facilities

Vaccinated individuals are not required to wear face coverings in these areas. If six feet of separation cannot be maintained, face coverings may be considered. 

Conference rooms and other community meeting spaces

Face coverings are not required in these areas but may be necessary if six feet of separation can’t be maintained between individuals. These determinations will need to be made on a case-by-case basis. For example, if a conference room has seating for 25 people and only six people are attending a meeting, it is unlikely face coverings will be needed. However, if 24 people are attending a different meeting in the same room, face coverings may be needed. Meeting organizers are responsible for sharing any necessary information about face coverings with attendees. 

Dining facilities

Vaccinated individuals are not required to wear face coverings in dining facilities, and face coverings are not required while actively eating. Seating areas that support physical distancing will be provided.

Other large indoor gathering spaces

There may be indoor events that will require face coverings because the size of the event doesn’t allow participants to easily maintain six feet of separation. In these situations, the face covering requirement will be communicated in advance to attendees and signage at the event will indicate the requirement. 

Employees’ personal offices or workspaces

You are free to request that others wear a face covering if they are entering your personal office or workspace. You should work directly with your supervisor to find resolution on any questions about shared workspaces. 

Other areas requiring face coverings

Face coverings will continue to be required on Niner Transit and in the Student Health Center, regardless of vaccination status. 

Accommodations

We understand that there may be employees or students with health conditions that require reasonable accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Any faculty or staff member who believes they need accommodations should consult with Cindy Edwards, director of employee relations, at ckedward@uncc.edu or 704-687-0658. Students should contact the Office of Disability Services at 704‑687‑0040 or disability@uncc.edu. 

Additional return-to-campus guidance

We will provide employees with additional return-to-campus guidance by mid-June and to students and families by mid-July. Please continue to monitor your email closely. As a reminder, we also have several town halls scheduled for June through August, and you may register by visiting the Niner Nation Cares website. 

Vaccinations

Vaccination is still the best defense against getting and spreading COVID-19. If you need help locating a shot or wish to let us know you’ve received yours, visit the Niner Nation Cares website. 

I ask for your patience as we continue to receive and adjust to changing guidance. I also ask for understanding for your fellow Niners who may feel or believe differently than you do in this situation. 

We were successful over the past year because we worked together and took care of each other. I know that is how we will succeed again. 

Sincerely, 

Sharon L. Gaber
Chancellor

Dear Colleagues, 

We made it. Last week, we finished exams, and I had the privilege of joining Provost Joan Lorden in awarding degrees to the Class of 2021. We also welcomed back more than 1,000 members of the Class of 2020 to celebrate their accomplishments. 

As I stood on stage, staring out at the thousands of graduates and their families in attendance at each ceremony, I was filled with gratitude for the work of our faculty and staff that allowed us to achieve this milestone. Thank you for always putting our mission to serve our students above all else. Because of you, we not only survived this past year, we prevailed.  

I write with an update to information shared with you last week about North Carolina lifting most of its COVID-19 safety mandates to be in line with updated guidance from the CDC. We have also adapted many of our protocols to this new information. However, as we begin summer classes, and after review of additional UNC System and public health guidance, we will maintain some face-covering requirements. 

Effective Monday, May 24, face coverings will be required in classrooms, lab settings, other instructional spaces, the Student Health Center and on Niner Transit — regardless of vaccination status. Face coverings may also be required on a case-by-case basis for designated indoor spaces or gatherings where close contact is likely to occur. Additional guidance on other spaces that may be subject to face-covering requirements will be provided by Wednesday, May 26. 

What else you can expect this summer

• If you are vaccinated — Other than in designated locations (outlined above), you are no longer required to wear a face covering on campus or practice social distancing from other vaccinated individuals. Those who are vaccinated and feel safer wearing a mask are encouraged to do so. 
• If you are not vaccinated — You should continue wearing a face covering and practicing social distancing measures to help protect yourself against infection. 
• Niner Health Check — If you have been vaccinated and received approval of your COVID-19 vaccine reporting form, you are exempt from daily completion of the Niner Health Check. If you have not been vaccinated or have not submitted and received approval of your reporting form, you must continue completing the daily health check. 
• Vaccination — Vaccination remains your best protection from COVID-19. If you need help locating a vaccine, please visit the Niner Nation Cares website. Once you're vaccinated, please don’t forget to tell us. You will be eligible for a variety of incentives.
• Campus signage — You will begin to see the removal of some COVID-19-related campus signage. Please do not remove any signage from your area unless you are instructed by Emergency Management or Facilities Management to do so. 
• Plexiglass dividers/hand sanitizer stations/water fountains — Plexiglass dividers and sanitizer stations will remain in place for now until a longer-term plan for these items is developed. Units should not independently remove these items. Facilities Management will return water fountains to service, but it may take a little while to ensure the water is properly filtered after more than a year of not being used. 

Testing and contact tracing
COVID testing through the on-campus clinic and contact tracing will continue. More information on what to expect for testing requirements for the fall will be shared in the return-to-campus guidance in mid-June. 

Returning to work
We will welcome employees back to campus by July 6 to prepare for a return to full operations for the fall. I am looking forward to having the opportunity to meet you in person. I know there are additional questions as many of you transition back to the office for the first time in a year, and we will provide full return-to-campus guidance to you by mid-June.

Ongoing communication
We will continue to stay in regular communication with you between now and August. Please monitor your email closely. Additionally, we are planning employee town halls to ensure you have the information you need.

• Thursday, June 10, 2 p.m. 
• Friday, June 25, 12:30 p.m.

I hope you will be able to join us. The sessions will also be recorded and posted to the Niner Nation Cares website. 

Just like our transition to remote learning and working required patience, thoughtfulness and flexibility, so too will our transition back to campus. But I am looking forward to being in person with you and getting to know better the exceptional people who make our University successful. 

Sincerely, 

Sharon L. Gaber
Chancellor

Dear Niners, 

You made it! Congratulations on successfully completing the academic year. I hope your finals went well and you are looking forward to a well-deserved relaxing and fun break.  

I write with an update to information shared with you last week about North Carolina lifting most of its COVID-19 safety mandates to be in line with updated guidance from the CDC. We have also adapted many of our protocols to this new information. However, as we begin summer classes, and after review of additional UNC System and public health guidance, we will maintain some face-covering requirements. 

Effective Monday, May 24, face coverings will be required in classrooms, lab settings, other instructional spaces, the Student Health Center and on Niner Transit — regardless of vaccination status. Face coverings may also be required on a case-by-case basis for designated indoor spaces or gatherings where close contact is likely to occur. Additional guidance on other spaces that may be subject to face-covering requirements will be provided by Wednesday, May 26. 

What you can expect this summer

• If you are vaccinated — Other than in designated locations (outlined above), you are no longer required to wear a face covering on campus or practice social distancing from other vaccinated individuals. Those who are vaccinated and feel safer wearing a mask are encouraged to do so. 
• If you are not vaccinated — You should continue wearing a face covering and practicing social distancing measures to help protect yourself against infection. 
• Niner Health Check — If you are enrolled in classes this summer, you will continue receiving the daily Niner Health Check. If you have been vaccinated and received approval of your COVID-19 vaccine reporting form, you are exempt from completing the daily survey. If you have not been vaccinated or have not submitted and received approval of your reporting form, you must continue completing the daily health check. 
• On-campus residents — You will receive additional information from Housing and Residence Life about expectations for on-campus residents this summer. 
• Vaccination — Vaccination remains your best protection from COVID-19. If you need help locating a vaccine, please visit the Niner Nation Cares website. Once you're vaccinated, please don’t forget to tell us. You will be eligible for a variety of incentives. 
• Campus signage — You will begin to see the removal of some COVID-19-related campus signage.  
• Plexiglass dividers/hand sanitizer stations/water fountains — Plexiglass dividers and sanitizer stations will remain in place for now until a longer-term plan for these items is developed. Facilities Management will return water fountains to service, but it may take a little while to ensure the water is properly filtered after more than a year of not being used

No change in fall tuition, housing, dining or parking costs
As you plan for your return to campus in the fall, I want to make sure you are aware there will be no increases to tuition or charges for housing, dining and parking for the 2021-22 academic year.

Ongoing communication
We will continue to stay in regular communication with you between now and August, and we will provide full return-to-campus guidance to you by mid-July. Please continue to monitor your email closely. Additionally, we are planning town halls to ensure you have the information you need as we welcome you back in August.

• Tuesday, July 13, 2:30 p.m. 
• Monday, Aug. 2, 1 p.m. 

I hope you will be able to join us. The sessions will also be recorded and posted to the Niner Nation Cares website. 

Just like our transition to remote learning required patience, thoughtfulness and flexibility, so too will our transition back to campus. But I am looking forward to being in person with you, enjoying the events and interactions that make our University so special. 

Have a great summer, and Go Niners!

Sincerely, 

Sharon L. Gaber
Chancellor

Today, Friday, May 14, Governor Roy Cooper announced that effective at 1:30 p.m., the following changes would be in place for North Carolina with some limited exceptions: 

• No statewide mask (face covering) mandate

• No mandatory mass gathering limits

• No mandatory capacity limits

• No mandatory social distancing requirements

It is still strongly recommended for unvaccinated people to wear a face covering. Additionally, anyone who feels better protected or has received advice from their healthcare provider to wear a face covering should continue to do so.  

What this means on campus
The University will not impose any additional restrictions beyond those in the executive order. Face coverings and other social distancing protocols, while still encouraged for unvaccinated people, will not be required with one exception:

• The governor’s executive order specifies that face coverings must continue to be worn when on public transportation. This includes Niner Transit.  

Additional information will be shared next week to help employees as they prepare to return to pre-pandemic hours and operations on campus. 

Commencement information
Commencement ceremonies scheduled for Friday evening and Saturday morning will continue as planned. We look forward to welcoming all ticketed graduates and their guests.

COVID-19 exit testing will be offered to UNC Charlotte employees and students ahead of the summer break. The University is making this testing available to help protect the community and prevent transmission of the virus. Results from the tests are expected within 36 hours.

Members of the campus community may schedule an appointment Tuesday, May 4, through Friday, May 7, and Monday, May 10, through Friday, May 14. 

Additional details: 

• Who: Any employee or student of UNC Charlotte 
• When: Tuesday, May 4, through Friday, May 7, and Monday, May 10, through Friday, May 14 (no testing Saturday and Sunday)
• Time: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day
• Where: The Student Health Center
• Cost: Free
• Test: Molecular/PCR test based on a nasal swab sample
• Appointments: Appointments can be made online through the Student Health Portal (employees, too). Please do not call the Student Health Center to schedule. 
  • Once tested, please note on your next Niner Health Check that you are awaiting test results for "mitigation testing."

Already vaccinated? Don’t forget to let us know!
You are encouraged to receive the COVID-19 vaccine and to let the University know when you do through the COVID-19 vaccine reporting form.

While the University is not requiring the vaccination, there are benefits to receiving the shot and submitting the reporting form.

If you receive your vaccination and submit the reporting form with the appropriate documentation, you will be exempt from the daily completion requirement for the Niner Health Check and the requirement to participate in random mitigation testing. You will also be exempt from quarantine requirements during contact tracing -- as long as you remain asymptomatic. 

Additionally, as a thank you, if you submit documentation of your vaccination by June 15, 2021, you will be entered to win one of several prizes, including your choice of a free parking permit for the upcoming academic year or $500 on your 49erID card.

Read more about the exemption and the official rules for the incentives on the Niner Nation Cares website. 

Need help finding a vaccination location? 
All North Carolina residents 16 years of age and older are now eligible to receive the vaccination. You can find a list of resources to help you locate a vaccine in your area on the Niner Nation Cares website. 

On Wednesday, April 21, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper announced many pandemic-related restrictions, including physical distancing requirements, are expected to end June 1. The state’s current mask mandate will remain in place. A new executive order is expected next week.

Currently, about 50 percent of North Carolinians have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Once two-thirds of those eligible are vaccinated, the state expects to be able to lift the mask mandates.

Assessments are ongoing as the University continues to prepare for a full return to campus operations in the fall. Members of Niner Nation who want to be vaccinated are encouraged to make an appointment for upcoming on-campus clinics. The next clinic is scheduled for Monday, April 26. See the recent email for more details. Information on other community vaccine events is available on the Niner Nations Cares website. 

This morning, the CDC and FDA issued a statement recommending a pause on the use of the Johnson & Johnson (J&J) COVID-19 vaccine until a full review is completed based on reports of a serious side effect, cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST), experienced by six people in the United States. More than 6.8 million doses of the J&J vaccine have been administered in the U.S. CVST is a very rare but serious blood clotting condition. According to the CDC, all six cases occurred among women between the ages of 18 and 48, and symptoms occurred six to 13 days after vaccination. 

UNC Charlotte will not offer any future clinics administering the J&J vaccine until the CDC and FDA have concluded their review and further public health guidance is issued. We are investigating our ability to offer Moderna and Pfizer vaccines through on-campus clinics going forward. Additionally, Atrium Health is offering Pfizer through community events at Bank of America Stadium. More information can be found on the Niner Nation Cares website. 

We are in contact with the UNC System Office, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, and Atrium Health to seek guidance on appropriate next steps. 

It is important to remember that mild side effects from all three COVID-19 vaccines are normal and expected. These include a mild fever, body aches, tiredness, nausea and pain at the injection site. These symptoms usually pass within a day or so and can be treated at home with rest and over-the-counter pain relievers. 

According to the CDC, more serious symptoms of a CVST include: severe headache, abdominal pain, leg pain and shortness of breath. If you have had the J&J vaccine and experience any of these symptoms within three weeks after vaccination, you should contact your primary health care provider or the Student Health Center. If the symptoms are severe, call 911. General questions about the J&J vaccine can be directed to COVIDvaccine@uncc.edu. 

UNC Charlotte has confirmed one COVID-19 cluster through its Niner Health Check, testing and contact tracing protocols. The cluster involves six students residing in both on- and off-campus residences. 

The students are isolating and receiving appropriate medical care. The University is notifying all close contacts to begin quarantine and receive necessary testing. 

Safety and Vaccination

• Continue to follow the 6W’s: It is important that you continue following the 6W’s to protect our campus community, including wearing your face covering and maintaining proper physical distancing from others. 
• Vaccination: Receiving a COVID-19 vaccine is the best way to protect yourself and others from contracting the virus. Please visit the Niner Nation Cares website for resources in locating your shot. The University will also continue to offer opportunities with Atrium for the vaccination. The next clinic will be on Monday, April 12. More information on registration was sent directly to faculty, staff and students via University email. 

Cluster notification
A “cluster” is defined by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services as a minimum of five cases with illness onsets or initial positive results within a 14-day period and a plausible epidemiologic linkage between cases (present in the same setting during the same time period -- ex: same shift, same classroom, same physical work area); that is consistent in likely timing of exposure; and has no other more likely source of exposure for identified cases (ex: household or close contact to a confirmed case in another setting). The University will notify the UNC Charlotte community of known clusters involving employees and students.

If you think you have COVID-19
Anyone in the UNC Charlotte community experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, which include fever, shortness of breath, muscle aches or a cough, should immediately contact their medical provider or the Student Health Center and visit the Emergency Management website for additional information about updating the University on their COVID-19 status through the Niner Health Check.

Privacy statement
The University will not broadly communicate details about individual positive cases, consistent with the State Human Resources Act and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, as well as other privacy considerations. Those who need to know about individual positive cases will be notified during the contact tracing process.

Next NinerNotice
NinerNotices will continue to be sent as needed and as warranted by new information.

UNC Charlotte has confirmed two COVID-19 clusters through its Niner Health Check, testing and contact tracing protocols. One cluster involves six students residing in off-campus residences, and the other involves five students residing on campus. 

The students are isolating and receiving appropriate medical care. The University is notifying all close contacts to begin quarantine and receive necessary testing. 

Safety and Vaccination

• Continue to follow the 6W’s: It is important that you continue following the 6W’s to protect our campus community, including wearing your face covering and maintaining proper physical distancing from others. 

• Vaccination: Receiving a COVID-19 vaccine is the best way to protect yourself and others from contracting the virus. Please visit the Niner Nation Cares website for resources in locating your shot. The University will also continue to offer opportunities with Atrium for the vaccination. The next clinic will be on Monday, April 12. More details and registration information will be shared as soon as they are available. 

Cluster notification
A “cluster” is defined by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services as a minimum of five cases with illness onsets or initial positive results within a 14-day period and a plausible epidemiologic linkage between cases (present in the same setting during the same time period -- ex: same shift, same classroom, same physical work area); that is consistent in likely timing of exposure; and has no other more likely source of exposure for identified cases (ex: household or close contact to a confirmed case in another setting). The University will notify the UNC Charlotte community of known clusters involving employees and students.

If you think you have COVID-19
Anyone in the UNC Charlotte community experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, which include fever, shortness of breath, muscle aches or a cough, should immediately contact their medical provider or the Student Health Center and visit the Emergency Management website for additional information about updating the University on their COVID-19 status through the Niner Health Check.

Update on North Carolina Vaccine Distribution

On Thursday, March 25, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper announced that the State of North Carolina will open COVID-19 vaccine distribution to Group 4b, which includes multiple people residing in close group living facilities such as students living in residence halls, starting March 31. All North Carolina adults will be eligible beginning April 7. 

Upcoming COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics for Students

UNC Charlotte has partnered with Atrium Health to facilitate vaccine distribution to students, as it did for employees earlier this month. More information is forthcoming and will be shared via University email directly with students. 

What Students Should Do Right Now

Establish a MyAtriumHealth account to ensure you are able to quickly register for a vaccine when appointments become available.

You do not have to be an Atrium patient to sign up for an account. 

• Go to my.atriumhealth.org.
• Click Sign up Now to create an account.
• Answer the questions and then fill out the information to create an account. (Note: You may be asked a series of questions or be asked to take part in a soft credit check in order to verify your identity when you create your account. If you have any issues, there will be a number at the top of the page you can call for assistance.) 
• This will also allow Atrium to notify you when you are eligible for the vaccine. 

If you already have a MyAtriumHealth account, you are all set. Just make sure you can log in using your username and password. 

You are free to receive your vaccine at your provider of choice. You do not need to provide documentation of your vaccine to the University, but you should retain your vaccination record. Additional information about external vaccine resources is available on the Niner Nation Cares website. 

Easing of additional COVID-19 restrictions

On Tuesday, March 23, Governor Cooper announced that the state would ease some of its COVID-19 restrictions beginning Friday, March 26, at 5 p.m. 

This executive order lifts the 11 p.m. curfew for on-site alcohol consumption, increases mass gathering limits and modifies the capacity limits for certain businesses and facilities. The mask mandate and public health restrictions remain in place. An FAQ can be found on the state’s website.

Here is what you can expect at UNC Charlotte at this time:

• UREC:

  • A mask must be worn at all times, covering the mouth and nose, when in the building, including when exercising and participating in intramural sports. Also, masks are to be worn for outdoor intramurals and sport clubs.
  • The staff will maintain manageable capacities, to ensure safety.  
  • Group fitness and pool activities will continue. Reservations for the indoor pool (outdoor pool remains closed due to weather) and group fitness classes are required. 
     
• Athletics: The executive order permits up to 50% capacity of sports arenas and stadiums for indoor and outdoor events as long as state-mandated safety requirements (i.e. six feet of social distancing between seating pods, fans wearing masks, etc.) are maintained.
   
• Events and meetings: The University will allow for a maximum limit of 50 people indoors and 100 people outdoors for events and meetings based on the capacity of the space and the need to maintain physical distancing. Exceptions to this standard may be granted only by Chancellor Gaber after review by the appropriate vice chancellor or the provost. Begin your request through CRES to check availability and capacities based on your event needs.
   
• Dining: Dine-in seating will be limited to 75% capacity indoors, and table seating will be increased to no more than six people.
  
• Movie theater: The movie theater in the Popp Martin Student Union will open at 50% capacity with physical distancing protocols in place.
   
• Commencement: We are continuing to plan for our in-person commencement ceremonies this May. The UNC System Office has been in contact with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) to determine how this new executive order will affect planned commencement exercises. We will share more information as it becomes available. 
   
• Group gatherings at UNC Charlotte: For any space not specifically addressed above, the University will move to the group gathering limits of a maximum of 50 people indoors and 100 people outdoors, based on space capacity and the need to maintain physical distancing.
   
• Teleworking: Chancellor Gaber shared a message on March 18 outlining the expectations on a return to pre-pandemic hours and regular operations on campus, as well as information on accommodations for health conditions and ongoing teleworking. Please review the message carefully. 
   
• Personal safety protocols: The personal safety protocols, such as following the 6Ws, physical distancing, the daily Niner Health Check, wastewater testing, mitigation testing and others, are still in place.

Dear Niner Nation, 

Over the past year, you have stepped up in countless ways to keep our community safe. You have committed to the 6 W’s, faithfully completed the Niner Health Check and followed our rigorous testing protocols. Your dedication and cooperation have helped us keep our virus transmission low and our campus open. Thank you. 

We now turn our attention to planning for the fall 2021 semester. 

The rates of COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations continue to drop in the county and the state. Additionally, the vaccine is becoming available to North Carolinians at an even quicker pace than originally anticipated. It is expected that every person in the state who wants a vaccine will be eligible to receive one by May 1. 

This is very good news, and it means UNC Charlotte is in a position to plan for a return to full operations in fall 2021. 

Here is what we are planning and what you can expect: 

• Face-to-face classes will resume at pre-pandemic levels. 
• Our residence halls will be at full occupancy. 
• Employees will return to their offices, and all campus services will be offered in person. 
• All buildings and facilities will return to regular capacity, including dining and recreational options. 
• We plan to once again welcome spectators at Charlotte 49ers events, though the exact capacity is still being determined with the state. 

We will continue to closely monitor all local and state data as we move forward with our plans, and we will follow all guidance we receive from health officials and the UNC System to ensure our return is done safely. 

The COVID-19 vaccine is critical to that effort, and I encourage you to receive your vaccination as soon as you’re eligible. Students with pre-existing health conditions are now eligible for vaccination in Group 4, and we expect our students currently living in on-campus residences to be eligible on April 7. All other students will be eligible in Group 5. More information about how you can locate your vaccine and register for notifications about your eligibility is available on the Niner Nation Cares website. Additionally, we are working with Atrium Health to schedule vaccine clinic opportunities for our students. We will share more information about this as soon as it is available. 

We will keep the Niner Nation Cares website updated as we finalize return-to-campus plans, and we will share information through Niner Insider and, as needed, through NinerNotices.  Please make sure to monitor your email closely.  

I also implore you to remain vigilant in precautionary measures over the next few weeks, especially as the vaccine continues to be rolled out. It is important we continue to maintain our commitment to our 6 W’s -- wearing our face coverings, maintaining physical distancing -- so we can finish our spring semester as strong as we started it. And so we can be together again this fall. 

We can do this, Niners!

Sincerely,

Sharon L. Gaber
Chancellor

Dear Colleagues:

Over the past year, you have met every challenge that presented itself to keep our community safe. You have found new methods of teaching and conducting business, all while adhering to our rigorous safety protocols. You have led by example for our students, and your hard work has kept our campus open for our students. I am grateful for all your efforts.

We now turn our attention to planning for the fall 2021 semester.

The rates of COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations continue to drop in the county and the state. Additionally, the vaccine is becoming available to North Carolinians at an even quicker pace than originally anticipated. It is expected that every person in the state who wants a vaccine will be eligible to receive one by May 1.

This is very good news, and it means UNC Charlotte is in a position to plan for a return to full operations in fall 2021. To do that, we need to begin returning to campus. As a follow-up from the employee town hall last week, I wanted to provide some more detailed guidance on our next steps.

Expected return dates

• Student-facing and other customer-facing offices and services: Offices that typically see foot traffic from students, employees or other customers should now be staffed and open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday - Friday or their otherwise stated standard business hours. Supervisors should work to schedule a rotation of staff onto campus, but offices providing services to students should always have in-person staffing during their regular hours.
• All other staff: All other staff should plan to return to pre-pandemic hours and regular operations on campus no later than Tuesday, July 6, in anticipation of a return to full on-campus operations on Monday, Aug. 16.
• Faculty: For the fall semester, faculty should be back on campus by the first day of the new academic year, Monday, Aug. 16.

Preparing for return

Department and unit representatives have been contacted by the Office of Emergency Management to identify their key tasks and resources needed to return to campus for full operations and their estimated date of return. If you have questions about your particular unit or department, please contact your supervisor.

Accommodations for health conditions

We understand that there may be employees with health conditions that prevent them from returning to campus, and the University will provide appropriate accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Any faculty or staff member who believes they qualify for ADA accommodations should consult with Cindy Edwards, director of employee relations, at ckedward@uncc.edu or 704-687-0658.

Ongoing teleworking

Supervisors may consider teleworking arrangements for employees who can complete their duties remotely, as long as the needs of the department and University are fully met and the policy is fairly applied across the unit. Policy 101.22 outlines additional important information about the requirements for teleworking agreements. Arrangements will require additional approval within each division and then final approval from Human Resources.  

Vaccine information

• Important reminders: Please visit the Niner Nation Cares website for important reminders about vaccine eligibility, available time off to receive the shot, and ongoing Niner Health Check and testing requirements.
• Vaccination and return to work: Similar to other colleges and universities, UNC Charlotte does not currently require the COVID-19 vaccine. While we encourage every member of Niner Nation to be vaccinated, we respect an individual’s right to choose not to do so. However, not receiving the vaccination will not exempt employees from the expectation of returning to work July 6.
• Letting us know if you received the vaccine: In April, the University will launch a voluntary reporting form to help assess the rate of vaccination on campus. Your answers will help in preparations for the fall, and we will share more information about this in the next couple of weeks.

We will continue to closely monitor all local and state data as we move forward with our plans, and we will follow all guidance we receive from health officials and the UNC System to ensure our return is done safely.

We will keep the Niner Nation Cares website updated as we finalize return-to-campus plans, and we will share additional information through Niner Insider and, as needed, through NinerNotices. We are also sharing this message with students and their families today to let them know about our intention to welcome them back in the fall.

We are making our way toward the light at the end of this year-long tunnel. But I implore you to remain vigilant in precautionary measures over the next few weeks, especially as the vaccine continues to be rolled out. It is important we continue wearing our face coverings and maintaining physical distancing to ensure we finish our spring semester as strong as we started it.  

I also encourage you to take care of yourself during this time of transition back to campus life, including using the Employee Assistance Program if you need it, or taking time to step away from work. As a reminder, the state is allowing all leave to continue to be used interchangeably until June 30, 2021. You are our most important resource, and we need you.

Thank you for all you have done for 12 months to protect Niner Nation. It is my honor to serve alongside you, and I look forward to being with you on campus.

Sincerely,

Sharon L. Gaber
Chancellor

On Tuesday, March 2, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper announced that the State of North Carolina will open COVID-19 vaccine distribution to Group 3b, which includes UNC Charlotte faculty and staff, starting March 3.

All employees and students are encouraged to receive the vaccine for their health and the health of the community as we prepare for the fall semester and the return to more normal operations. Similar to other colleges and universities, UNC Charlotte does not currently require the COVID-19 vaccine.

Faculty and Staff

UNC Charlotte has partnered with Atrium Health to make the vaccination available to any employee who desires one. More information regarding the dates and times of the vaccine clinic(s) is forthcoming and will be shared via University email. 

Students

The University will also partner with Atrium to offer vaccinations to our students as soon as students are eligible to receive the shot -- most will be in groups 4 or 5. More information will be shared as soon as it is available. 

What you can do right now

Establish a MyAtriumHealth account to ensure you are able to quickly register for a vaccine when it is available. 

You do not have to be an Atrium patient to sign up for an account. 

• Go to my.atriumhealth.org.
• Click Sign up Now to create an account.
• Answer the questions and then fill out the information to create an account.
• This will also allow Atrium to notify you when you are eligible for the vaccine. 

If you already have a MyAtriumHealth account, you are all set. Just make sure you can log in using your username and password. 

Please note: Establishing an account does not mean you will be able to register immediately for a vaccine appointment, but it does speed up the process when you can. The University will send more information to employees and students when they are eligible to sign up for a vaccine clinic through Atrium.
 
You are free to receive your vaccine at your provider of choice. You do not need to provide documentation of your vaccine to the University, but you should retain your vaccination record. 

Additional Information

• COVID-19 Vaccine Information
• COVID-19 Vaccine Fact vs. Fiction
• Atrium Health COVID-19 Vaccine
• Atrium Health COVID-19 Vaccine FAQs

On Wednesday, Feb. 24, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper announced that the state would ease some of its COVID-19 restrictions beginning Friday, Feb. 26, at 5 p.m. 

This executive order lifts the Modified Stay-at-Home Order, increases mass gathering limits and modifies the capacity limits for certain businesses and facilities. The mask mandate and public health restrictions remain in place. An FAQ can be found on the state’s website.

In addition, Mecklenburg County Public Health’s COVID-19 directive will expire on Friday, Feb. 26, at 5 p.m.

Here is what you can expect at UNC Charlotte at this time:

• UREC:

  • A mask must be worn at all times, covering the mouth and nose, when in the building, including when exercising.
  • The staff will maintain manageable capacities to ensure safety.  
  • Group fitness and pool activities will resume. Reservations for the indoor pool (outdoor pool is closed) and group fitness classes are required. 
     

• Athletics:

  • The latest information on attendance policies for Charlotte 49er games is available here.

• Events and meetings: The University will maintain a maximum limit of 25 people indoors and 50 people outdoors for events and meetings, based on the capacity of the space and the need to maintain physical distancing. Exceptions to this standard may be granted only by Chancellor Gaber after review by the appropriate vice chancellor or the provost. Begin your request through CRES to check availability and capacities based on your event needs.

• Dining: Dine-in seating will continue to be limited to 50% capacity, and tables will continue to be limited to no more than four people.

• Movie theater: The movie theater in the Popp Martin Student Union will open at 30% capacity with physical distancing protocols in place.

• Group gatherings at UNC Charlotte:

  • For any space not specifically addressed above, the University will move to the group gathering limits of a maximum of 25 people indoors and 50 people outdoors, based on space capacity and the need to maintain physical distancing.

• Teleworking: Employees who are in student-facing roles, student-facing offices or who are unable to telework to perform their roles remotely are expected to be in the office on a rotational basis, as coordinated by their supervisor. In all other roles, supervisors should encourage teleworking if possible. All COVID-19 safety protocols outlined in offices and units’ reopening plans remain in effect. 

  • Staff returning to on-campus work will be eligible for random selection in ongoing mitigation testing. 
     
• Personal safety protocols: The personal safety protocols, such as following the 6Ws, physical distancing, the daily Niner Health Check, wastewater testing, mitigation testing and others, are still in place.

The Mecklenburg County Public Health has extended its health directive, with some modifications, until Sunday, Feb. 28, to help the county slow the spread of COVID-19. 

Here is what you can expect at UNC Charlotte during this time: 

Students and Faculty

• In-Person Classes: In-person classes will resume as planned on Monday, Feb. 22. We have consulted with health department officials, and we are in agreement that the rigorous safety protocols put in place by UNC Charlotte permit us to continue as planned. 
• Phase 2 Re-Entry Testing: Re-entry testing will continue as planned for identified students and faculty. If you have been identified for re-entry testing, you will receive more information by 5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 5. Please review the categories of students/faculty required to be tested. 
• Move-in: Move-in will continue as planned for on-campus residents in February.
• UREC: UREC will continue to be open with the following modifications: 
  • No group classes will be held.
  • The pool remains closed. 
  • A mask must be worn at all times when in the building, including when exercising. 

Staff

• Teleworking: The University will continue maximizing the use of teleworking. Any employee not needed on campus for the Feb. 22 return to in-person classes should work from home.
• Phase 2 Re-Entry Testing: Any staff member previously identified for re-entry testing and who will be working on campus Feb. 22-28 is encouraged to participate in re-entry testing as scheduled. You will receive more information by 5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 5.

On Tuesday, Jan. 12, the Mecklenburg County Health Department issued a specific directive for three weeks to help the county slow the spread of COVID-19. In support of these recommendations, the following adjustments are in place at UNC Charlotte until Tuesday, Feb. 2:

Employees

• Teleworking: The University will further maximize the use of teleworking during this time. Any employee who can work from home should do so. Only employees who cannot perform their duties from home should report to campus.

Students

• UREC: UREC will continue to be open with the following modifications: 
  • No group classes will be held.
  • The pool is closed. 
  • A mask must be worn at all times when in the building, including when exercising. 
• Residential Students with Exceptions: Those students with exceptions to move into their residence halls this week can continue to do that. 
  • Please remember: You should wear a face covering at all times when in public spaces on campus. 
• Re-Entry Testing for Phase 1: Re-entry testing for residential students and students with meal plans in Phase 1 will continue as planned. If you are required to complete re-entry testing in January, you will receive information by 5 p.m. today, Wednesday, Jan. 13. Please visit the Niner Nation Cares website for more information. 

Dear Niner Nation, 

I hope the winter break brought you some much needed rest and rejuvenation. As we knew, a new year did not bring an automatic end to the challenges we face. However, I am confident our community will continue to find ways to excel while maintaining our commitment to safety. 

Today’s update on the spring semester includes changes to our original plan, so please read this message carefully. In addition, I encourage you to sign up for one of our town hall sessions to answer any questions you may have after reading this communication and the additional information on the Niner Nation Cares website.

As I shared in December, we have been closely assessing state and local data and have consulted with public health officials to analyze the ongoing risks associated with COVID-19. The data shows positive cases and positivity rates continue to climb in North Carolina, once again putting strain on critical health care resources. In Mecklenburg County, the positivity rate has continually remained among the highest in the state and projections anticipate the peak of the virus in early February.

We have listened to feedback from our campus community, including Student Government Association (SGA) representatives and faculty and staff leaders about what worked well over the previous year and what could be improved. We have also reviewed the feedback from many students, families and employees on their concerns and priorities as we begin a new semester. 

In consideration of all facts and feedback, and in consultation with UNC System President Peter Hans and public health officials, we are making the following adjustments to our spring semester with the health of our campus and larger community as our guiding principle. 

Academic Calendar

Classes will begin as scheduled on Wednesday, Jan. 20, but all classes will be delivered online/remotely until Monday, Feb. 22. This decision applies to both undergraduate and graduate classes. 

• On Feb. 22, classes scheduled to be hybrid or face-to-face this semester will begin meeting on campus and continue meeting in-person for the remainder of the semester. All other classes will continue in online/remote delivery. 
• Classes will end as planned on May 5, with exams beginning May 7. 
• Friday, April 30, will once again be a day of remembrance for our community, and no classes will be held. More information on events for that day will be shared later this semester. 

We heard overwhelmingly from SGA about the importance of maintaining a weeklong break for the student body during this upcoming semester, especially given that our fall semester didn’t conclude until Dec. 23. To honor that request in the safest possible way, the break will occur from Feb. 8-12, rather than March 29 - April 3 as previously listed.

• There will be no classes during the week of Feb. 8-12, and classes will resume online/remotely from Feb. 15-19.

In consideration of those students moving into residence halls Feb. 18-21 while classes are in session, we will make the following accommodations:

• For undergraduate students, there will be no assignments due or tests administered Feb. 18 and 19.
• Any undergraduate student who must miss class Feb. 18 or 19 to move into a residence hall will have their absence excused. Housing and Residence Life will provide verification as necessary.
• Academic Affairs will provide more information on this directly to faculty members.

Housing and Residence Life (HRL)

• Residential students with extenuating circumstances who need to move in as scheduled Jan. 14-17 may apply for an exception to keep their selected move-in appointment. Those students who received exceptions in the fall and are already residing in residence halls do not need to take additional action. All other students will move in Feb.18-21. 
• Additionally, understanding students and their families need time to consider their personal circumstances with this new information, residents may choose to cancel their housing and associated meal plan contract without penalty until 11:59 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 15, by visiting the Housing and Residence Life website. 
• More information about on-campus housing will be emailed directly to residents from HRL. 

Off-Campus Students and Employees

Consistent with the state’s most recent guidance, North Carolinians are encouraged to remain at home as much as possible. If you are currently staying at your permanent residence away from the Charlotte area, we encourage you to consider remaining there until the start of in-person classes in February. Employees, please continue maximizing teleworking whenever possible and with the approval of your supervisor. 

Dining

We will adjust our meal plans to be reflective of the changes to in-person instruction. Updated amended meal plan details and rates will be available on the Auxiliary Services Meal Plan webpage by Friday, Jan. 15. You can also contact the Meal Plan Office to discuss your options.

Testing, Health and Safety

We will continue using our daily Niner Health Check and wastewater testing this semester. Both of these tools were critical in our ability to minimize the spread of COVID-19 on our campus during the fall. Additionally, we are adding re-entry testing and enhancing mitigation testing for the spring to enable us further in identifying asymptomatic cases of the virus on our campus. 

• Re-entry testing:Any student with an exception to remain in the residence halls, those who receive exceptions to move into their residence hall as scheduled in January, and students with meal plans who plan to dine on campus in January will need to complete re-entry testing soon. Please review this important information for more details.
  • All other students and employees meeting the criteria for re-entry testing will be tested in conjunction with the start of in-person classes in February. Participation in re-entry testing is required. More information will be sent directly to these individuals by Friday, Feb. 5. 
• Mitigation testing: We will expand our weekly mitigation testing beginning this semester to all individuals who meet the same criteria for re-entry testing. Last semester, only residential students participated in mitigation testing. Participation in this testing is required, and selection will be randomized each week. Testing will start in January for all students who have an exception to live on campus and those with a meal plan; testing for all other students, faculty and staff identified for re-entry testing will begin after the return to in-person instruction. More information will be shared directly with those meeting the requirements no later than Friday, Feb. 5.

We understand that this revised schedule will require many of you to make changes to existing plans, and I can assure you these adjustments were not made lightly. However, they were made with the health and well-being of our community as our priority. The delay of in-person classes will allow local and state health officials to progress with vaccination plans and provide additional time to slow the surge of cases in our area.

I want to thank you again for the patience, flexibility and incredible resilience you’ve demonstrated throughout these challenging times. We remain steadfast in our commitment to provide our students an exceptional educational experience while keeping Niner Nation healthy. 

I look ahead to this new year and new semester with optimism, knowing our future together is bright. 

Sincerely, 

Sharon L. Gaber
Chancellor

UNC Charlotte has confirmed an off-campus COVID-19 cluster involving five students residing in a private residence through its Niner Health Check, testing and contact tracing protocols. 

The students are isolating off campus, receiving appropriate medical care. The University is working with the Mecklenburg County Health Department to ensure all close contacts are notified to begin quarantine and receive necessary testing. 

Cluster notification
A “cluster” is defined by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services as a minimum of five cases with illness onsets or initial positive results within a 14-day period and a plausible epidemiologic linkage between cases (present in the same setting during the same time period -- ex: same shift, same classroom, same physical work area); that is consistent in likely timing of exposure; and has no other more likely source of exposure for identified cases (ex: household or close contact to a confirmed case in another setting). The University will notify the UNC Charlotte community of known clusters involving employees and students.

If you think you have COVID-19
Anyone in the UNC Charlotte community experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, which include fever, shortness of breath, muscle aches or a cough, should immediately contact their medical provider or the Student Health Center and visit the Emergency Management website for additional information about updating the University on their COVID-19 status through the daily Niner Health Check. 

Privacy statement
The University will not broadly communicate details about individual positive cases, consistent with the State Human Resources Act and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, as well as other privacy considerations. Those who need to know about individual positive cases will be notified during the contact tracing process.

As a result of the detection of the SARS-CoV-2 virus during routine residence hall wastewater sampling, the University has since completed 102 COVID-19 tests of students and staff in the impacted areas (81% of the population). No positives were found, but testing is ongoing. 

All residents who tested negative have been cleared by Housing and Residence Life to resume their normal activities. Anyone who tests positive will be placed in isolation, and any close contacts within the residence halls will be placed in quarantine.

Unless clusters are found in the remaining tests, no additional campus notifications will be sent. 

Future wastewater signal and surge testing notifications
Beginning Monday, Jan. 11, wastewater signal and surge testing notifications will be announced in Niner Insider, the University's new daily email. Families, please sign up to receive this publication. Students and employees receive the email automatically. Cluster notifications will continue to be sent as NinerNotices. 

If you think you have COVID-19
Anyone in the UNC Charlotte community experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, which include fever, shortness of breath, muscle aches or a cough, should immediately contact their medical provider or the Student Health Center and visit the Emergency Management website for additional information about updating the University on their COVID-19 status through the daily Niner Health Check. 

Privacy statement
The University will not broadly communicate details about individual positive cases, consistent with the State Human Resources Act and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, as well as other privacy considerations. Those who need to know about individual positive cases will be notified during the contact tracing process.

The University’s wastewater testing has detected the presence of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, in its routine sampling in three residence halls. 

UNC Charlotte is not identifying the residence halls for the privacy of its students and staff, but all residents and staff in the hall have received information directly from Housing and Residence Life. 

Per established protocols, all residents are required to remain in their buildings until they can be tested for COVID-19.

During this time, all residents of the buildings are required to remain in place except to attend medical appointments. Meal service will be provided.

Residents will remain under this directive until their test results are returned. Those testing positive or identified as a close contact of anyone who tests positive will be placed in quarantine/isolation in accordance with the University’s on-campus quarantine/isolation protocols. 

In an effort to further protect the campus community, UNC Charlotte is using wastewater testing because studies have indicated it can identify the presence of SARS-CoV-2 days before symptoms appear. 

Future wastewater signal and surge testing notifications
Beginning Monday, Jan. 11, wastewater signal and surge testing notifications will be announced in Niner Insider, the University's new daily email. Families, please sign up to receive this publication. Students and employees receive the email automatically. Cluster notifications will continue to be sent as NinerNotices. 

If you think you have COVID-19
Anyone in the UNC Charlotte community experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, which include fever, shortness of breath, muscle aches or a cough, should immediately contact their medical provider or the Student Health Center and visit the Emergency Management website for additional information about updating the University on their COVID-19 status through the daily Niner Health Check. 

Privacy statement
The University will not broadly communicate details about individual positive cases, consistent with the State Human Resources Act and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, as well as other privacy considerations. Those who need to know about individual positive cases will be notified during the contact tracing process.

NinerNotice: Follow-up on residence halls testing
As a result of the detection of the SARS-CoV-2 virus during routine residence hall wastewater testing on Thursday, the University has since completed 152 (92%) of the necessary COVID-19 tests of students and staff across the three impacted areas. No positives have been found, but testing remains ongoing.

All residents who tested negative have been cleared by Housing and Residence Life to resume their normal activities. Anyone who tests positive will be placed in isolation, and any close contacts within the residence halls will be placed in quarantine.

Unless clusters are identified in the remaining tests, no additional campus notifications will be sent.

Beginning Monday, Jan. 11, wastewater signal and surge testing notifications will be announced in Niner Insider, the University's new daily email. Families, please sign up to receive this publication. Students and employees receive the email automatically. Cluster notifications will continue to be sent as NinerNotices.

If you think you have COVID-19
Anyone in the UNC Charlotte community experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, which include fever, shortness of breath, muscle aches or a cough, should immediately contact their medical provider or the Student Health Center and visit the Emergency Management website for additional information about updating the University on their COVID-19 status through the daily Niner Health Check. 

Privacy statement
The University will not broadly communicate details about individual positive cases, consistent with the State Human Resources Act and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, as well as other privacy considerations. Those who need to know about individual positive cases will be notified during the contact tracing process.  

As a result of the detection of the SARS-CoV-2 virus during routine residence hall wastewater sampling, the University has since completed 68 COVID-19 tests of students and staff in the impacted area (82% of the population). Based on the tests, the positivity rate is less than 3%, and no clusters were found. 

Anyone who tested positive is now in isolation, receiving proper medical care. Any close contacts within the residence hall will be placed in quarantine. The University’s contact tracing team is notifying any additional close contacts of those with positive test results to begin an appropriate quarantine period. All other residents who tested negative will be cleared by Housing and Residence Life to resume their normal activities. 

Additionally, three other residence halls are undergoing testing as a result of wastewater signals identified today. Per established protocols, all residents are required to remain in the building until they can be tested for COVID-19.

Future wastewater signal and surge testing notifications
Beginning Monday, Jan. 11, wastewater signal and surge testing notifications will be announced in Niner Insider, the University's new daily email. Families, please sign up to receive this publication. Students and employees receive the email automatically. Cluster notifications will continue to be sent as NinerNotices. 

If you think you have COVID-19
Anyone in the UNC Charlotte community experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, which include fever, shortness of breath, muscle aches or a cough, should immediately contact their medical provider or the Student Health Center and visit the Emergency Management website for additional information about updating the University on their COVID-19 status through the daily Niner Health Check. 

Privacy statement
The University will not broadly communicate details about individual positive cases, consistent with the State Human Resources Act and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, as well as other privacy considerations. Those who need to know about individual positive cases will be notified during the contact tracing process.

Dear Niner Nation,  
 
As we approach the winter break, I want to provide an update on spring semester and what you can expect over the next several weeks.

Our current plan

As we announced on Oct. 19, our plan is to start the semester on Jan. 20 with a combination of online, face-to-face and hybrid classes. We will continue with these methods of instruction until spring break, March 29 to April 3, with all classes moving to remote delivery following that week.

This is still our plan; however, I want to be candid with you that actual and projected COVID-19 cases in our area may require us to pivot quickly, potentially impacting our planned academic schedule and spring break.

An evolving situation

Right now, as I am sure you have seen widely reported, cases of the virus continue to rise in the county, state and nation. While we have been able to maintain an on-campus positivity rate of approximately 2% during the fall semester, we must be mindful of larger community circumstances in our decision making.

As we have always said, the health and safety of our campus community are paramount in all we do.

We are reviewing all available data daily, and we are in close communication with local and state health officials and the UNC System Office as we monitor a very fluid situation.

You have been incredibly patient as we navigated the fall together, and I ask for your support again as we continue to monitor the current situation and ensure we are using the latest information to guide decisions that keep our students, faculty and staff safe.

Next steps

It is unlikely we will be able to make decisions about any needed changes to the spring schedule until early January.

Our next update to you will be no later than 5 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 11, to allow time to assess the latest data following the winter holidays.
 
While we know you may have questions prior to Jan. 11 based on potential scenarios, our various divisions, including Academic Affairs and Housing and Residence Life, will not be able to speculate on answers prior to this date.

We are committed to updating you as quickly as we can, and we have planned a series of town halls to provide you with more information as we work through this situation together:

• Residential students and their families: Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2 – 3 p.m.
• Faculty teaching in-person classes: Wednesday, Jan. 13, 11 a.m. – noon
• All students and families: Thursday, Jan. 14, 3 – 4 p.m.
• All faculty and staff: Friday, Jan. 15, 9 – 10 a.m.
• All sessions will be recorded and posted on the Niner Nation Cares website.

As previously announced, we will have COVID-19 re-entry testing prior to the start of spring classes. We will share additional details about testing requirements by Jan. 11 as well.

This has been a year of change and uncertainty, but it has also been a year of innovation and resilience for our University. There is light at the end of this tunnel for us — it just may take a few more turns and a good deal of teamwork before we reach it. We will get there, Niners.

Please continue to take good care of yourself and those you love.

Sincerely,

Sharon L. Gaber
Chancellor

The University’s wastewater testing has detected the presence of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, in its routine sampling in one residence hall. 

UNC Charlotte is not identifying the residence hall for the privacy of its students and staff, but all residents and staff in the hall have received information directly from Housing and Residence Life. 

Per established protocols, all residents are required to remain in the building until they can be tested for COVID-19.

During this time, all residents of the building are required to remain in place except to attend medical appointments. Meal service will be provided.

Residents will remain under this directive until their test results are returned. Those testing positive or identified as a close contact of anyone who tests positive will be placed in quarantine/isolation in accordance with the University’s on-campus quarantine/isolation protocols. 

In an effort to further protect the campus community, UNC Charlotte is using wastewater testing because studies have indicated it can identify the presence of SARS-CoV-2 days before symptoms appear. 

Future wastewater signal and surge testing notifications
Beginning Monday, Jan. 11, wastewater signal and surge testing notifications will be announced in Niner Insider, the University's new daily email. Families, please sign up to receive this publication. Students and employees receive the email automatically. Cluster notifications will continue to be sent as NinerNotices. 

If you think you have COVID-19
Anyone in the UNC Charlotte community experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, which include fever, shortness of breath, muscle aches or a cough, should immediately contact their medical provider or the Student Health Center and visit the Emergency Management website for additional information about updating the University on their COVID-19 status through the daily Niner Health Check. 

Privacy statement
The University will not broadly communicate details about individual positive cases, consistent with the State Human Resources Act and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, as well as other privacy considerations. Those who need to know about individual positive cases will be notified during the contact tracing process.

As a result of the detection of the SARS-CoV-2 virus during routine residence hall wastewater sampling earlier this week in two residence halls, the University has since completed 75 COVID-19 tests of students and staff in the impacted areas (94% of the population). Based on the tests, the positivity rate is less than 2%, and no clusters were found. 

Anyone who tested positive is now in isolation, receiving proper medical care. Any close contacts within the residence halls will be placed in quarantine. The University’s contact tracing team is notifying any additional close contacts of those with positive test results to begin an appropriate quarantine period. All other residents who tested negative will be cleared by Housing and Residence Life to resume their normal activities. 

Unless clusters are found in the remaining tests, no additional notifications will be sent. 

If you think you have COVID-19
Anyone in the UNC Charlotte community experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, which include fever, shortness of breath, muscle aches or a cough, should immediately contact their medical provider or the Student Health Center and visit the Emergency Management website for additional information about updating the University on their COVID-19 status through the daily Niner Health Check. 

Privacy statement
The University will not broadly communicate details about individual positive cases, consistent with the State Human Resources Act and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, as well as other privacy considerations. Those who need to know about individual positive cases will be notified during the contact tracing process. 

The University’s wastewater testing has detected the presence of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, in its routine sampling in two residence halls. 

UNC Charlotte is not identifying the residence halls for the privacy of its students and staff, but all residents and staff of the halls have received information directly from Housing and Residence Life. 

Per established protocols, all residents are required to remain in the buildings until they can be tested for COVID-19.

During this time, all residents of the buildings are required to remain in place except to attend medical appointments. Meal service will be provided.

Residents will remain under this directive until their test results are returned. Those testing positive or identified as a close contact of anyone who tests positive will be placed in quarantine/isolation in accordance with the University’s on-campus quarantine/isolation protocols. 

In an effort to further protect the campus community, UNC Charlotte is using wastewater testing because studies have indicated it can identify the presence of SARS-CoV-2 days before symptoms appear. 

If you think you have COVID-19
Anyone in the UNC Charlotte community experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, which include fever, shortness of breath, muscle aches or a cough, should immediately contact their medical provider or the Student Health Center and visit the Emergency Management website for additional information about updating the University on their COVID-19 status through the daily Niner Health Check. 

Privacy statement
The University will not broadly communicate details about individual positive cases, consistent with the State Human Resources Act and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, as well as other privacy considerations. Those who need to know about individual positive cases will be notified during the contact tracing process.

UNC Charlotte has confirmed an off-campus COVID-19 cluster involving 11 students residing in private residences through its Niner Health Check, testing and contact tracing protocols. 

The students are isolating off campus, receiving appropriate medical care. The University is working with the Mecklenburg County Health Department to ensure all close contacts are notified to begin quarantine and receive necessary testing. 

Cluster notification
A “cluster” is defined by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services as a minimum of five cases with illness onsets or initial positive results within a 14-day period and a plausible epidemiologic linkage between cases (present in the same setting during the same time period -- ex: same shift, same classroom, same physical work area); that is consistent in likely timing of exposure; and has no other more likely source of exposure for identified cases (ex: household or close contact to a confirmed case in another setting). The University will notify the UNC Charlotte community of known clusters involving employees and students.

If you think you have COVID-19
Anyone in the UNC Charlotte community experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, which include fever, shortness of breath, muscle aches or a cough, should immediately contact their medical provider or the Student Health Center and visit the Emergency Management website for additional information about updating the University on their COVID-19 status through the Niner Health Check.

Privacy statement
The University will not broadly communicate details about individual positive cases, consistent with the State Human Resources Act and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, as well as other privacy considerations. Those who need to know about individual positive cases will be notified during the contact tracing process.

As a result of the detection of the SARS-CoV-2 virus during routine residence hall wastewater sampling earlier this week, the University has since completed most of the testing of students and staff in the remaining  impacted areas: 

• Residence Hall One: 86% of testing complete, less than 1% positivity rate
• Residence Hall Two: 77% of testing complete, less than 3% positivity rate
• Residence Hall Three: 92% of testing complete, less than 3% positivity rate. 

One cluster was found involving five total individuals in two of the residence halls above. 

Anyone who tested positive is now in isolation, receiving proper medical care. Any close contacts within the residence halls will be placed in quarantine. The University’s contact tracing team is notifying any additional close contacts of those with positive test results to begin an appropriate quarantine period. All other residents who tested negative will be cleared by Housing and Residence Life to resume their normal activities. 

Unless additional clusters are identified in the remaining tests, no additional campus notifications will be sent. 

If you think you have COVID-19
Anyone in the UNC Charlotte community experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, which include fever, shortness of breath, muscle aches or a cough, should immediately contact their medical provider or the Student Health Center and visit the Emergency Management website for additional information about updating the University on their COVID-19 status through the daily Niner Health Check. 

Privacy statement
The University will not broadly communicate details about individual positive cases, consistent with the State Human Resources Act and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, as well as other privacy considerations. Those who need to know about individual positive cases will be notified during the contact tracing process.

Residence halls undergoing testing
The University’s wastewater testing has detected the presence of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, in its routine sampling in two additional residence halls. 

UNC Charlotte is not identifying the residence halls for the privacy of its students and staff, but all residents and staff of the halls have received information directly from Housing and Residence Life. 

Per established protocols, all residents are required to remain in their building until they can be tested for COVID-19 today, Wednesday, Nov. 18.

During this time, all residents of the buildings are required to remain in place except to attend medical appointments. Meal service will be provided.

Residents will remain under this directive until their test results are returned. Those testing positive or identified as a close contact of anyone who tests positive will be placed in quarantine/isolation in accordance with the University’s on-campus quarantine/isolation protocols. 

In an effort to further protect the campus community, UNC Charlotte is using wastewater testing because studies have indicated it can identify the presence of SARS-CoV-2 days before symptoms appear. 

Follow-up from previous notification of testing
As a result of the detection of the SARS-CoV-2 virus during routine residence hall wastewater sampling earlier this week in two other halls, the University has since completed 82% of necessary COVID-19 tests in one of the two impacted areas. Based on the tests, the positivity rate is less than 2%, and no clusters were found. Testing is still ongoing.

Anyone who tested positive is now in isolation, receiving proper medical care. Any close contacts within the residence halls will be placed in quarantine. The University’s contact tracing team is notifying any additional close contacts of those with positive test results to begin an appropriate quarantine period. All other residents who tested negative will be cleared by Housing and Residence Life to resume their normal activities. 

Additional information about the results from the remaining buildings undergoing testing will be forthcoming.

If you think you have COVID-19
Anyone in the UNC Charlotte community experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, which include fever, shortness of breath, muscle aches or a cough, should immediately contact their medical provider or the Student Health Center and visit the Emergency Management website for additional information about updating the University on their COVID-19 status through the daily Niner Health Check. 

Privacy statement
The University will not broadly communicate details about individual positive cases, consistent with the State Human Resources Act and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, as well as other privacy considerations. Those who need to know about individual positive cases will be notified during the contact tracing process.  

The University’s wastewater testing has detected the presence of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, in its routine sampling in two residence halls. 

UNC Charlotte is not identifying the residence halls for the privacy of its students and staff, but all residents and staff of the halls have received information directly from Housing and Residence Life. 

Per established protocols, all residents are required to remain in the building until they can be tested for COVID-19 on Tuesday, Nov. 17.

During this time, all residents of the buildings are required to remain in place except to attend medical appointments. Meal service will be provided.

Residents will remain under this directive until their test results are returned. Those testing positive or identified as a close contact of anyone who tests positive will be placed in quarantine/isolation in accordance with the University’s on-campus quarantine/isolation protocols. 

In an effort to further protect the campus community, UNC Charlotte is using wastewater testing because studies have indicated it can identify the presence of SARS-CoV-2 days before symptoms appear. 

If you think you have COVID-19
Anyone in the UNC Charlotte community experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, which include fever, shortness of breath, muscle aches or a cough, should immediately contact their medical provider or the Student Health Center and visit the Emergency Management website for additional information about updating the University on their COVID-19 status through the daily Niner Health Check. 

Privacy statement
The University will not broadly communicate details about individual positive cases, consistent with the State Human Resources Act and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, as well as other privacy considerations. Those who need to know about individual positive cases will be notified during the contact tracing process.  

As a result of the detection of the SARS-CoV-2 virus during routine residence hall wastewater sampling earlier this week, the University has since completed 85% of the necessary COVID-19 tests of students and staff in the impacted area. Based on the tests, the positivity rate is less than 1%, and no clusters were found. Testing is still ongoing.

Anyone who tested positive is now in isolation, receiving proper medical care. Any close contacts within the residence halls will be placed in quarantine. The University’s contact tracing team is notifying any additional close contacts of those with positive test results to begin an appropriate quarantine period. All other residents who tested negative will be cleared by Housing and Residence Life to resume their normal activities. 

Unless clusters are identified in the remaining tests, no additional campus notifications will be sent. 

If you think you have COVID-19
Anyone in the UNC Charlotte community experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, which include fever, shortness of breath, muscle aches or a cough, should immediately contact their medical provider or the Student Health Center and visit the Emergency Management website for additional information about updating the University on their COVID-19 status through the daily Niner Health Check. 

Privacy statement
The University will not broadly communicate details about individual positive cases, consistent with the State Human Resources Act and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, as well as other privacy considerations. Those who need to know about individual positive cases will be notified during the contact tracing process. 

NinerNotice: One residence hall undergoing testing for COVID-19
The University’s wastewater testing has detected the presence of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, in its routine sampling in one residence hall. 

UNC Charlotte is not identifying the residence hall for the privacy of its students and staff, but all residents and staff of the hall have received information directly from Housing and Residence Life. 

Per established protocols, all residents are required to remain in the building until they can be tested for COVID-19 today, Wednesday, Nov. 11. 

No additional residence halls are affected at this time. 

Residents will remain under this directive until their test results are returned. Those testing positive or identified as a close contact of anyone who tests positive will be placed in quarantine/isolation in accordance with the University’s on-campus quarantine/isolation protocols. 

In an effort to further protect the campus community, UNC Charlotte is using wastewater testing because studies have indicated it can identify the presence of SARS-CoV-2 days before symptoms appear. 

Anyone in the UNC Charlotte community experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, which include fever, shortness of breath, muscle aches or a cough, should immediately contact their medical provider or the Student Health Center and visit the Emergency Management website for additional information about updating the University on their COVID-19 status through the daily Niner Health Check. 

The University will not broadly communicate details about individual positive cases, consistent with the State Human Resources Act and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, as well as other privacy considerations. Those who need to know about individual positive cases will be notified during the contact tracing process.  

UNC Charlotte 49ers Athletics Department announced today a cluster of eight cases of COVID-19 involving the baseball team. The positive cases were discovered through self-reporting of symptoms by individuals in the Niner Health Check and regular testing required by Conference USA. 

The individuals are in isolation with proper medical care, and the University's contact tracing team is currently notifying any affected members of the UNC Charlotte community to begin quarantine protocols. All baseball activities have been suspended until further notice. 

Cluster notification
A “cluster” is defined by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services as a minimum of five cases with illness onsets or initial positive results within a 14-day period and a plausible epidemiologic linkage between cases (present in the same setting during the same time period -- ex: same shift, same classroom, same physical work area); that is consistent in likely timing of exposure; and has no other more likely source of exposure for identified cases (ex: household or close contact to a confirmed case in another setting). The University will notify the UNC Charlotte community of known clusters involving employees and students.

If you think you have COVID-19
Anyone in the UNC Charlotte community experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, which include fever, shortness of breath, muscle aches or a cough, should immediately contact their medical provider or the Student Health Center and visit the Emergency Management website for additional information about updating the University on their COVID-19 status through the Niner Health Check.

Privacy statement
The University will not broadly communicate details about individual positive cases, consistent with the State Human Resources Act and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, as well as other privacy considerations. Those who need to know about individual positive cases will be notified during the contact tracing process.

UNC Charlotte 49ers Athletics Department announced today a cluster of seven cases of COVID-19 involving student-athletes and staff with the football team. The positive cases were discovered through self-reporting of symptoms by individuals in the Niner Health Check and  regular testing required by Conference USA. The individuals are in isolation with proper medical care, and the University's contact tracing team is currently notifying any affected members of the UNC Charlotte community to begin quarantine. 

In accordance with safety guidelines, the game scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 7, at Middle Tennessee State University has been postponed. More information on a rescheduled date will be shared as soon as it is available. 

Athletics will continue to test all student-athletes and staff, following established University, conference and NCAA safety protocols. 

Cluster notification
A “cluster” is defined by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services as a minimum of five cases with illness onsets or initial positive results within a 14-day period and a plausible epidemiologic linkage between cases (present in the same setting during the same time period -- ex: same shift, same classroom, same physical work area); that is consistent in likely timing of exposure; and has no other more likely source of exposure for identified cases (ex: household or close contact to a confirmed case in another setting). The University will notify the UNC Charlotte community of known clusters involving employees and students.

If you think you have COVID-19
Anyone in the UNC Charlotte community experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, which include fever, shortness of breath, muscle aches or a cough, should immediately contact their medical provider or the Student Health Center and visit the Emergency Management website for additional information about updating the University on their COVID-19 status through the Niner Health Check. 

Privacy statement
The University will not broadly communicate details about individual positive cases, consistent with the State Human Resources Act and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, as well as other privacy considerations. Those who need to know about individual positive cases will be notified during the contact tracing process.

General

Thanksgiving COVID-19 exit testing for students and employees
As announced on Oct. 12, to help protect Niner Nation and prevent community spread as individuals return to their hometowns, the University is partnering with the Mecklenburg County Health Department to provide free COVID-19 tests for students ahead of Thanksgiving. Employees are also now eligible to participate in this testing. 

Tests will be conducted on campus by eTrueNorth and results will be available within 72 hours of testing. Because of capacity, testing is limited to UNC Charlotte faculty, staff and students. 

Registration will open on Monday, and you will receive the link in your @uncc email account. You must register for an appointment by Friday, Nov. 13. 

Learn More

Spring COVID-19 entry testing
COVID-19 testing will be required for all students living, learning or working on campus in spring 2021 prior to the start of the semester. 

Testing will also be required for all faculty and staff working on campus with frequent/close contact with students or the public during the spring semester. 

You will have the option to be tested on campus or by a provider of your choice. Off-campus testing will need to be based on a sample taken within 72 hours prior to your return to campus. On-campus testing is free and will be offered Jan. 15-19.

More detailed instructions and registration for testing times will be shared later this month.

Flu vaccine attestation due Nov. 16
As a reminder, all students, faculty and staff are required to complete a flu vaccine attestation by Monday, Nov. 16. The attestation asks you whether or not you have received the flu shot recently. If you have, you will be asked to provide the date and location of the vaccination. If you haven’t, you will need to get a flu shot or select one of the approved exception reasons. 

• The flu vaccine attestation is sent directly to your @uncc email account. Please search “flu vaccine attestation” in your inbox to locate it.
• Failure to complete the attestation will result in the suspension of NinerNET credentials until the form is completed. 

A final on-campus flu shot clinic will be held Tuesday, Nov. 10, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Student Activity Center (SAC). No appointment is required, and there is no cost for the shot with most insurance providers. Please bring a copy of your insurance card with you to the clinic.

Upcoming town halls
Don’t forget the University is hosting two upcoming town halls to answer your questions about spring 2021. The sessions will also be recorded and posted on the Niner Nation Cares website.

• Students and Families -- TODAY, Friday, Nov. 6, 1:30-2:30 p.m.
• Faculty and Staff -- Friday, Nov. 13, 10-11:30 a.m.

Parking updates
Faculty/staff spring permits will go on sale Jan. 1, 2021. Student spring permits will go on sale Jan. 15, 2021. Proration schedules for permits will be updated on the PaTS website by Dec. 1, 2020.

Contact the Parking and Transportation Communication Center at 704-687-0161 with questions or to discuss your parking options for spring.

A new way to stay connected 
Beginning Monday, Nov. 30, the University will launch a new daily email to provide students, faculty and staff with a one-stop-shop location for the University’s main news and updates. This new communication will take the place of the weekly Inside UNC Charlotte email. Our goal is to provide our campus community with a timely, centralized format for information, especially when so much is occurring virtually. Families, you are invited to sign up here. More details are coming soon!

Students and Families

Pass/no credit option
As Provost Joan Lorden announced on Oct. 29, the Faculty Council has approved a pass/no credit option for the fall 2020 semester. Details are being finalized and will be shared with students as soon as available. You should consult with your academic advisor if you have any questions about how choosing this option might affect your degree progression. 

Class registration, course delivery and advising
Class registration for spring 2021 will open as planned on Monday, Nov. 30.  When registration opens, all course delivery methods should be final (in-person, remote, hybrid) and updated in the system. 

Academic advising will continue to be available to students as normal after the University moves to online learning following the Thanksgiving holiday. Please work directly with your advisor on any questions you have about class selection or degree progression. 

Commencement
The University has not made a decision about spring 2021 commencement ceremonies, but we will provide additional information to graduates and their families no later than Feb. 28, 2021. As a reminder, we will celebrate 2020 graduates (May, August and December) virtually on Friday, Jan. 8, 2021. More information is available on the commencement website. 

Dining update
Dining Services is developing amended spring meal plans and full-semester meal plans that will be available to students who remain on campus after spring break. More information will be provided by Dec. 1, 2020. 

Housing update

• Fall exceptions:  Although the priority deadline for exception requests to stay in residence halls after Thanksgiving break has passed, you have until 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 18, to submit a request for approval and 12 p.m. (noon) on Friday. Nov. 20,  to revoke a previously approved request. If you do not revoke your approved exception request by 12 p.m. on Nov. 20, you will continue to have access to your residence hall through the remainder of fall semester and will not receive a prorated refund of your fall semester rent charges.
• Extenuating circumstances: If you choose to cancel your housing contract because of extenuating circumstances related to COVID-19, including an online-only course schedule for spring semester, you may submit an appeal of your spring semester housing charges through the Tuition, Housing, Dining Appeals process. We understand that students and their families continue to make difficult decisions, and this is a process we can use to review individual circumstances fairly and consistently.  
• Spring exceptions: Housing and Residence Life will provide information about exceptions to stay in residence halls after spring break to residential students once the semester has begun. Similar to the fall semester, we anticipate providing students with the opportunity to request approval to remain on campus after spring break to support their academic progression, employment or other critical support needs. 

Welcome-back-to-campus kits
Welcome-back-to-campus kits have been mailed to all commuter students who updated or added their local mailing address in Banner. If you did not receive a kit, you may pick one up at Barnes & Noble Charlotte located in the Popp Martin Student Union. Kits will be available for the rest of the fall semester or until supplies last. Kits are limited to one per 49er ID.

Important Dates to Remember

As a result of the detection of the SARS-CoV-2 virus during routine residence hall wastewater sampling on Monday, the University has since completed 70% of the necessary COVID-19 tests of students and staff in the impacted areas. No positives have been found, but testing remains ongoing. 

All residents who tested negative have been cleared by Housing and Residence Life to resume their normal activities. Anyone who tests positive will be placed in isolation, and any close contacts within the residence halls will be placed in quarantine. 

Unless clusters are identified in the remaining tests, no additional campus notifications will be sent. 

If you think you have COVID-19
Anyone in the UNC Charlotte community experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, which include fever, shortness of breath, muscle aches or a cough, should immediately contact their medical provider or the Student Health Center and visit the Emergency Management website for additional information about updating the University on their COVID-19 status through the daily Niner Health Check. 

Privacy statement
The University will not broadly communicate details about individual positive cases, consistent with the State Human Resources Act and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, as well as other privacy considerations. Those who need to know about individual positive cases will be notified during the contact tracing process.  

The University’s wastewater testing has detected the presence of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, in its routine sampling in three residence halls. 

UNC Charlotte is not identifying the three residence halls for the privacy of its students and staff, but all residents and staff of the halls have received information directly from Housing and Residence Life. 

Per established protocols, all residents are required to remain in their buildings until they can be tested for COVID-19 on Thursday, Nov. 5. 

During this time, all residents of the buildings are required to remain in place except to attend medical appointments. Meal service will be provided.

Residents will remain under this directive until their test results are returned. Those testing positive or identified as a close contact of anyone who tests positive will be placed in quarantine/isolation in accordance with the University’s on-campus quarantine/isolation protocols. 

In an effort to further protect the campus community, UNC Charlotte is using wastewater testing because studies have indicated it can identify the presence of SARS-CoV-2 days before symptoms appear. 

If you think you have COVID-19
Anyone in the UNC Charlotte community experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, which include fever, shortness of breath, muscle aches or a cough, should immediately contact their medical provider or the Student Health Center and visit the Emergency Management website for additional information about updating the University on their COVID-19 status through the daily Niner Health Check. 

Privacy statement
The University will not broadly communicate details about individual positive cases, consistent with the State Human Resources Act and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, as well as other privacy considerations. Those who need to know about individual positive cases will be notified during the contact tracing process. 

As a result of the detection of the SARS-CoV-2 virus during routine residence hall wastewater sampling on Oct. 28, the University has since completed 176 COVID-19 tests of students and staff in the impacted area. Based on the tests, the positivity rate is less than 1%, and no clusters were found. 

Anyone who tested positive is now in isolation, receiving proper medical care. Any close contacts within the residence halls will be placed in quarantine. The University’s contact tracing team is notifying any additional close contacts of those with positive test results to begin an appropriate quarantine period. All other residents who tested negative will be cleared by Housing and Residence Life to resume their normal activities. 

If you think you have COVID-19
Anyone in the UNC Charlotte community experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, which include fever, shortness of breath, muscle aches or a cough, should immediately contact their medical provider or the Student Health Center and visit the Emergency Management website for additional information about updating the University on their COVID-19 status through the daily Niner Health Check. 

Privacy statement
The University will not broadly communicate details about individual positive cases, consistent with the State Human Resources Act and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, as well as other privacy considerations. Those who need to know about individual positive cases will be notified during the contact tracing process.

UNC Charlotte has confirmed an off-campus COVID-19 cluster involving five students residing together in a private residence through its Niner Health Check, testing and contact tracing protocols. 

The students are isolating off campus, receiving appropriate medical care. The University is working with the Mecklenburg County Health Department and property management to ensure all close contacts are notified to begin quarantine and receive necessary testing. 

Cluster notification
A “cluster” is defined by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services as a minimum of five cases with illness onsets or initial positive results within a 14-day period and a plausible epidemiologic linkage between cases (present in the same setting during the same time period -- ex: same shift, same classroom, same physical work area); that is consistent in likely timing of exposure; and has no other more likely source of exposure for identified cases (ex: household or close contact to a confirmed case in another setting). The University will notify the UNC Charlotte community of known clusters involving employees and students.

If you think you have COVID-19
Anyone in the UNC Charlotte community experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, which include fever, shortness of breath, muscle aches or a cough, should immediately contact their medical provider or the Student Health Center and visit the Emergency Management website for additional information about updating the University on their COVID-19 status through the Niner Health Check. 

Privacy statement
The University will not broadly communicate details about individual positive cases, consistent with the State Human Resources Act and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, as well as other privacy considerations. Those who need to know about individual positive cases will be notified during the contact tracing process.

The University’s wastewater testing has detected the presence of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, in its routine sampling in one residence hall. 

UNC Charlotte is not identifying the residence hall for the privacy of its students and staff, but all residents and staff of the hall have received information directly from Housing and Residence Life. 

Per established protocols, all residents are required to remain in the building until they can be tested for COVID-19 on Thursday, Oct. 29. 

During this time, all residents of the building are required to remain in place except to attend medical appointments. Meal service will be provided.

No additional residence halls are affected at this time. 

Residents will remain under this directive until their test results are returned. Those testing positive or identified as a close contact of anyone who tests positive will be placed in quarantine/isolation in accordance with the University’s on-campus quarantine/isolation protocols. 

In an effort to further protect the campus community, UNC Charlotte is using wastewater testing because studies have indicated it can identify the presence of SARS-CoV-2 days before symptoms appear. 

If you think you have COVID-19
Anyone in the UNC Charlotte community experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, which include fever, shortness of breath, muscle aches or a cough, should immediately contact their medical provider or the Student Health Center and visit the Emergency Management website for additional information about updating the University on their COVID-19 status through the daily Niner Health Check. 

Privacy statement
The University will not broadly communicate details about individual positive cases, consistent with the State Human Resources Act and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, as well as other privacy considerations. Those who need to know about individual positive cases will be notified during the contact tracing process. 

Dear Niner Nation, 

Today, our Faculty Council approved the revised spring 2021 academic calendar and I want to share that information to assist in your planning for next semester. These changes were again made with the health and well-being of our campus as our top priorities. 

Similar to this semester, we will offer a blend of both in-person and virtual instruction with a focus on freshmen students and those academic disciplines in which in-person access to facilities, equipment or other resources are needed. I also want to acknowledge the challenges shifting instruction methods multiple times in a semester have posed to both faculty and students. Our intention is to avoid this in the spring with classes beginning in their assigned instruction method on January 20 and continuing in that manner until March 28. 

Spring Break will be March 29-April 3, and then all classes will resume online for the remainder of the semester. Classes will end on May 5, and exams will continue through May 13. 

April 30 will again be a day of remembrance for our community,  and no classes will be held that day. More details will be shared in the spring semester.

We are finalizing plans now surrounding additional safety protocols and housing, dining and parking options to align with the revised schedule. We will share more information by Friday, November 6, but here is an overview of what you can expect.

Safety and Testing

We will continue with the same safety and health standards we have had in place for this semester -- such as the de-densification of residence halls, the daily Niner Health Check, wastewater testing, the required flu attestation, mitigation testing and contact tracing, and following the 6W’s. We will also implement additional safety measures, including COVID-19 testing at the start of the semester. Students in residence halls, those with on-campus dining plans, student workers and those students with face-to-face classes will be required to be tested on campus or provide proof of recent testing before move-in and the start of classes. 

Housing and Dining

Housing and dining charges will be prorated to reflect the changes in the semester. There will also be an exception process available for those needing to remain in housing following spring break. 

Parking

Parking permits may be returned at the end of March if parking is no longer needed. Permit holders who return their permit will receive a prorated refund, which will follow standard refund policies and proration schedules. Prorated permits are still available for purchase. 

Class Registration

Registration for spring classes will open as planned on November 30. The class delivery type listed at registration should not change. 

Town Halls

Following our next update, we will host two town halls to answer any additional questions you may have. If you are unable to join us, both will be recorded and posted online. 

• Students and Families, Friday, November 6, 1:30 p.m. 
• Faculty and Staff, Friday, November 13, 10 a.m. 

I cannot overstate how grateful I am to all members of Niner Nation for your patience and support as we have navigated an academic year unlike any other. Thank you for adjusting to the changes we’ve had to make for the health of our campus community. 

However, it is important not to lose sight of the fact COVID-19 can still disrupt our plans if we aren’t careful. The choices each of us make daily matter and have far-reaching effects on others. We must continue to be diligent in the weeks ahead, wearing our face coverings, avoiding large gatherings and adhering to all safety protocols. 

None of this has been easy, but working together, we can continue to enjoy our beautiful campus, engage in in-person learning and keep Niner Nation healthy. 

Sincerely, 

Sharon L. Gaber
Chancellor

As a result of an uptick in on-campus COVID-19 cases, the University completed an additional 658 tests on residents and staff in three residence halls this weekend to help mitigate spread of the disease. 

The additional tests identified two clusters in two residence halls -- one with eight students and one with six students. Please note: The cluster totals also include students identified before the additional testing began. The University has also identified a presumed cluster involving both on- and off-campus students. 

Anyone who tested positive is now in isolation, receiving proper medical care. Any close contacts within the residence halls will be placed in quarantine. The University’s contact tracing team is notifying any additional close contacts of those with positive test results to begin an appropriate quarantine period.  All other residents who tested negative will be cleared by Housing and Residence Life to resume their normal activities. 

Cluster notification
A “cluster” is defined by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services as a minimum of five cases with illness onsets or initial positive results within a 14-day period and a plausible epidemiologic linkage between cases present in the same setting during the same time period (ex:  same shift, same classroom, same physical work area); that is consistent in likely timing of exposure; and has no other more likely source of exposure for identified cases (ex: household or close contact to a confirmed case in another setting). The University will notify the UNC Charlotte community of known clusters involving employees and students.

If you think you have COVID-19
Anyone in the UNC Charlotte community experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, which include fever, shortness of breath or a cough, should immediately contact their medical provider or the Student Health Center and visit the Emergency Management website for additional information about updating the University on their COVID-19 status through the Niner Health Check. 

Privacy statement
The University will not broadly communicate details about individual positive cases, consistent with the State Human Resources Act and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, as well as other privacy considerations. Those who need to know about individual positive cases will be notified during the contact tracing process.

Next NinerNotice
NinerNotices will continue to be sent as information becomes available.

As a result of an uptick in on-campus COVID-19 cases, the University is proactively testing all residents of three residence halls to help mitigate spread of the disease. There are currently no clusters in these halls, but there have been confirmed cases. A cluster is defined by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services as a minimum of five cases with illness onsets or initial positive results within a 14-day period and a plausible epidemiologic linkage between cases.

UNC Charlotte is not identifying the residence halls for the privacy of residents, but all residents and staff of the halls have received information directly from Housing and Residence Life. 

Per established protocols, all residents are required to remain in their respective buildings until they can be tested for COVID-19. Meal service will be provided. 

Residents will remain under this directive until their test results are returned. Those testing positive or identified as a close contact of anyone who tests positive will be placed in quarantine/isolation in accordance with the University’s on-campus quarantine/isolation protocols. Any close contacts will be notified through the University’s contact tracing team.

If you think you have COVID-19
Anyone in the UNC Charlotte community experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, which include fever, shortness of breath, muscle aches or a cough, should immediately contact their medical provider or the Student Health Center and visit the Emergency Management website for additional information about updating the University on their COVID-19 status through the daily Niner Health Check. 

Privacy statement
The University will not broadly communicate details about individual positive cases, consistent with the State Human Resources Act and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, as well as other privacy considerations. Those who need to know about individual positive cases will be notified during the contact tracing process.

UNC Charlotte 49ers Athletics Department announced today a cluster of seven cases of COVID-19 involving student-athletes and staff with the Men’s Basketball Team. The positive cases were discovered through self-reporting of symptoms by individuals in the Niner Health Check, the University's contact tracing protocols and regular testing required by Conference USA. 

The individuals are in isolation with proper medical care, and the University's contact tracing team is currently notifying any affected members of the UNC Charlotte community to begin quarantine protocols. All practices and in-person meetings for the basketball team have been suspended until all remaining student-athletes and staff are cleared through subsequent testing. 

Athletics will continue to test all student-athletes and staff, following established University, conference and NCAA safety protocols. 

Cluster notification
A “cluster” is defined by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services as a minimum of five cases with illness onsets or initial positive results within a 14-day period and a plausible epidemiologic linkage between cases (present in the same setting during the same time period (ex:  same shift, same classroom, same physical work area); that is consistent in likely timing of exposure; and has no other more likely source of exposure for identified cases (ex: household or close contact to a confirmed case in another setting). The University will notify the UNC Charlotte community of known clusters involving employees and students.

If you think you have COVID-19
Anyone in the UNC Charlotte community experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, which include fever, shortness of breath, muscle aches or a cough, should immediately contact their medical provider or the Student Health Center and visit the Emergency Management website for additional information about updating the University on their COVID-19 status through the Niner Health Check.  

Privacy statement
The University will not broadly communicate details about individual positive cases, consistent with the State Human Resources Act and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, as well as other privacy considerations. Those who need to know about individual positive cases will be notified during the contact tracing process.

General

Flu shot attestation opens Wednesday
Beginning this Wednesday, Oct. 14, you will receive a link to complete a flu attestation. This year, UNC Charlotte is requiring all employees and students to attest that they have received a flu shot or qualify for an applicable exception by Monday, Nov 16. Medical, religious and personal beliefs are accepted categories for an exception.

On-campus flu shot clinics will continue to be offered. For upcoming dates and more information, visit the Niner Nation Cares website. Questions? Email emergency@uncc.edu.

Reminder: Please complete an exception or health check by 11:59 p.m tonight
Thank you to the more than 95% of the University community who have completed their Niner Health Check regularly. Beginning tomorrow, Tuesday, Oct. 13, students and employees who have not completed a health check in 20 or more days and who do not have an exception on file, will be locked out of their NinerNET credentials until an assessment is completed. 

If you still need to take action, please do so as quickly as possible to avoid suspension of your credentials. 

Win a chance for a $1,000 credit on your 49er Account
As a thank you to the many members of Niner Nation who are doing all they can to support the health of our University community, UNC Charlotte is offering four total chances to win $1,000 on your 49er Account. 

All faculty, staff and students are eligible by: 

• Completing the Niner Health Check at least 75% of all days between Oct. 12 and Nov. 16, 2020  (27 out of 36 days). Note: Completing an exception form disqualifies you from the drawing.
• Completing the flu shot attestation (acknowledging you have received the vaccine or claiming an exception) by Nov. 16. 
• Being enrolled or employed by the University as of Nov. 20, 2020. 

Prize winners will be randomly selected and notified through their UNC Charlotte email by 5 p.m. E.T. Nov. 20, 2020.  Read the official rules for more information. 

Students and Families

University to offer students COVID-19 testing ahead of Thanksgiving break
The University plans to offer free COVID-19 testing for those students residing in the Charlotte area before they return home for the Thanksgiving break. This is part of an effort not only to keep our campus community safe, but to help protect our students’ loved ones and the surrounding communities during holiday travel. 

This testing is not required, but it is highly encouraged. To help us plan appropriately, please indicate your interest in receiving a test by completing this short form. It does not obligate you to or exclude you from testing when it takes place. More information will be shared about testing times by the first week of November. 

Update your mailing address for your welcome-back-to-campus kit
Commuter students who did not pick up their welcome-back-to-campus kits will receive an email requesting that they confirm, update or add their mailing address in Banner. All changes must be made by 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 14. 

On-campus dining availability
Dining Services continues to adjust hours of operation to account for patron traffic, student need and sales patterns. Use Dine on Campus to stay up to date. 

After-hours print services
If Atkins Library is closed, resident students may use the printing stations at the Belk, Hunt and Martin Hall service desks. Any student may use the printer stations located in the Student Union until 11 p.m. View the full list of locations.

Faculty and Staff

Open Enrollment starts this week
This year’s enrollment period, Thursday, Oct. 15, through Saturday, Oct. 31, is shorter than usual and begins earlier this year. To help you prepare, the Benefits Office has created a webpage on the Human Resources website that highlights important Open Enrollment information. With the COVID-19 pandemic, in-person enrollment assistance may be limited and customer service response times may be longer, so please start reviewing your options now.

As a result of the detection of the SARS-CoV-2 virus during routine residence hall wastewater sampling on Oct. 2, the University has since completed 155 COVID-19 tests of students and staff in the impacted area. Based on the tests, the positivity rate is less than 1%, and no clusters were found. 

Anyone who tested positive is now in isolation, receiving proper medical care. On Saturday morning, the University’s contact tracing team notified any close contacts of those with positive test results to begin an appropriate quarantine period.

There are no reports of any COVID-19-related symptoms in residents of the building. The University continues to monitor the health of the students within that building and the larger community through the Niner Health Check. All students, faculty and staff should complete the assessment as required. 

Wastewater testing will continue at all on-campus residence halls to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Research shows it is likely the disease presents in wastewater several days before the onset of symptoms, assisting the University in preventing outbreaks of the virus. 

If you think you have COVID-19
Anyone in the UNC Charlotte community experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, which include fever, shortness of breath, muscle aches or a cough, should immediately contact their medical provider or the Student Health Center and visit the Emergency Management website for additional information about updating the University on their COVID-19 status through the daily Niner Health Check. 

Privacy statement
The University will not broadly communicate details about individual positive cases, consistent with the State Human Resources Act and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, as well as other privacy considerations. Those who need to know about individual positive cases will be notified during the contact tracing process.  

General

Niner Health Check exception form now open
The exception form for the Niner Health Check for the fall semester is now open. Individuals who live outside of a 30-mile radius of UNC Charlotte and are not living, working or studying on campus for any reason will qualify for an exception as will individuals who are on long-term leave from the University.

Please note: To allow for the integration of the exception process, no suspension of NinerNET credentials will take place prior to Monday, Oct. 12. 

Niner Health Check + flu attestation = a chance to win
As a thank you to all members of the UNC Charlotte community who are completing their health checks and flu attestation, the University will offer two students, a faculty member and a staff member (four prizes in total) a chance to win a $1,000 credit on their 49er account at the end of the semester. More details will be shared in a future NinerNotice, but all you have to do is complete your health checks each day and your flu attestation by Nov. 16. For a full list of upcoming flu shot clinics, visit the Niner Nation Cares website.  Please note: Completing an exception form for the Niner Health Check disqualifies you from eligibility. 

North Carolina moving to Phase 3
As Governor Roy Cooper announced on Sept. 30, North Carolina will move to Phase 3 of the state’s phased reopening plan at 5 p.m. today, Friday, Oct. 2. This phase will be in place until Friday, Oct. 23. There will not be any changes to University operations during this time. UNC Charlotte will continue to limit mass gatherings on campus to 10 people inside and 25 people outside, which is stricter than what is allowed by the state’s reopening plan. Exceptions to this restriction may be requested through the appropriate vice chancellor or provost. 

Updated Mail and Package Services hours

• Mail window hours: Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Package window hours: Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Smart Locker package pick up: Any time Prospector building is open.

Department mail has resumed regular delivery.

Employees

Community Service Leave (CSL) Updates
As mentioned in a July HR update, permanent employees who wish to volunteer time with non-profit organizations on COVID-19 activities may use up to 80 hours of expanded Community Service Leave (CSL). This special CSL leave expires Dec. 31, 2020, and is counted separately from an employee’s regular allocation of CSL. Employees may use up to 24 of the 80 hours to volunteer with the Board of Elections to assist with 2020 early voting and/or election day activities. For more information including how to use this leave, visit the HR website. 

Separate from the 80 hours of special CSL leave mentioned above, the list of eligible activities for the child involvement aspect of regular Community Service Leave (CSL) has been expanded until Dec 31, 2020. In addition, on Aug. 17, the Office of State Human Resources “reset” the balances for annual CSL allotments for all state employees eligible for CSL. For more information, visit the HR website. 

Employee leave bank reminders
UNC Charlotte created the COVID-19 Leave Bank so employees can donate leave to colleagues who cannot work due to specific COVID-19-related reasons and who have exhausted their accrued leave. The employee also must have exhausted all personal leave and all accrued paid time off. More information is available on the HR website.

If you are an eligible employee and are able, please consider donating sick, vacation or BONREG leave to the COVID-19 leave bank by completing this form.

General

Reminder: Flu shot clinics under way
In partnership with Publix, UNC Charlotte is offering on-campus flu clinics for employees and students beginning today, Wednesday, Sept. 30. No appointments are necessary, and there is no cost with appropriate insurance cards. Publix will also provide a $10 gift card to participants. Clinics scheduled to date include: 

• Wednesday, Sept. 30 (until 4 p.m.): Lucas Room - Cone Center
• Wednesday, Oct. 7 (10 a.m. - 4 p.m.): Lucas Room - Cone Center
• Tuesday, Oct. 13 (10 a.m. - 4 p.m.): Student Union, Room 340
• Thursday, Oct. 22 (10 a.m. - 4 p.m.): Student Union, Room 340
• Monday, Oct. 26 (10 a.m. - 4 p.m.): Lucas Room - Cone Center

As a reminder, everyone is required to attest that they have received a flu shot or qualify for an applicable exception by Monday, Nov. 16. Students and employees will receive an email with the attestation form beginning Wednesday, Oct. 14.

You do not need to receive your flu shot on campus. Additionally, please remember that getting a flu shot will provide protection for next semester, too. 

Please note: On-campus flu clinics are only available to UNC Charlotte employees and students.

Visit the Niner Nation Cares for more information and flu shot FAQs. 

Students and Families

Town hall available on demand
Did you miss last week’s students and families’ town hall? You can watch it on the Niner Nation Cares website. 

Employees

Employees’ town hall available on demand
If you were unable to attend our virtual employees’ town hall on Monday, you can watch it here.

General

Niner Health Check exception form
In consideration of feedback that many students and employees do not plan on being in Charlotte and on campus this fall, we’re working to develop an exception form for the Niner Health Check. We are committed to the health of our community, but we want to be reasonable as circumstances continue to evolve.This form will exempt specified individuals, including those who do not plan to be on campus this semester, from completing the Niner Health Check daily. More information will be shared next week. In the meantime, please continue to fill out the Niner Health Check.

Please review the FAQ on the Emergency Management website for more information. 

Clarification of in-person instruction and other questions
In a recent video, Chancellor Gaber addressed the four most frequently asked questions following Tuesday’s announcement about fall plans. If you have any additional questions about classes after reviewing the video, please email academicaffairs@uncc.edu.

Parking update 
The deadline for a full parking permit refund has been extended to 11:59 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 25, 2020. 

Requests for permit refunds after Sept. 25, 2020, will follow the standard request procedures and refund schedule. To request a refund, review the standard prorated refund procedures, and complete the Parking Permit Refund/Exchange Form online. 

Contact the PaTS Communication Center at 704-687-0161 or unccpark@uncc.edu if you have questions regarding permit refunds. The Communication Center is open beginning each Monday at 5 a.m. and continuing 24 hours through Friday at 10 p.m.

Dining Update 

Meal plan refunds for resident students
Resident students with the 100 Block, 160 Block and Daily Plan meal plans will receive a refund if they choose not to return to campus housing after Thanksgiving. Refund rates and amended meal plan prices are available on the Auxiliary Services website. 

Students canceling their housing contract
Students who cancel their housing contract may cancel their meal plan through the housing cancellation process. 

Resident upperclass students and commuters
Upperclass students and commuters may make changes to or cancel their meal plan until Oct. 9, 2020, at noon. Students must fill out the Fall 2020 Meal Plan Selection Form.  Students who cancel their meal plan by 11:59 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 25 will not be charged the $25 administrative fee.

Flu shot attestation 
On Wednesday, Oct. 14, all employees and students will receive an email with a flu shot attestation asking if they have received the flu shot or, if not, which exemption they are claiming (such as medical, personal or religious). This attestation is required to be completed by Nov. 16. Regular reminders will be sent. More information can be found online.

Welcome-back kits
Students living on campus will receive their kits at check-in. Other students may pick up their kits on campus starting Oct. 1 by East Deck and the quad outside of the College of Health and Human Services and the College of Education. A 49er ID card will be needed. Any student not picking up their kit will have it mailed to them. Faculty and staff kits have been delivered via interdepartment mail. 

Please check your contact information in Banner
Please make sure your mailing address, alternate email and cell phone number are updated in Banner so the University can mail your welcome-back kit or reach you if needed. 

Students and Families

HRL update 
Housing and Residence Life will offer multiple options to accommodate residential students impacted by the changes in class formats and the decision to move to all online/remote instruction following Thanksgiving break. 

Residents can choose to: 

• Cancel their housing contract without penalty by 11:59 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 25
• Continue to reside on campus following Thanksgiving break by requesting an exception to stay
• Return their room key prior to leaving for Thanksgiving break to receive a prorated refund for the remainder of fall semester (their key will be returned when residence halls reopen for spring semester).

Information on all three options has been emailed directly to residential students from Housing and Residence Life.

Town hall available on demand
Did you miss today’s students and families town hall? You can watch it on the Niner Nation Cares website. 

Faculty/Staff

Updated Employee Return to Campus Guide
The Employee Return to Campus Guide has been updated and posted to the Niner Nation Cares website. You will find updated information regarding health and safety practices, cleaning standards and other resources. 

Dear Niner Nation, 

I write today with an update on our plans for classroom instruction beginning Oct. 1. 

After careful consideration of available data and consultation with both county health officials and the UNC System, UNC Charlotte will:

• Resume select in-person instruction on Oct. 1 in specific areas of academic study and for those students making a transition to University life. 
• Move to all online/remote classes following the Thanksgiving break, including the delivery of all exams. 

 The ongoing decline in Mecklenburg County’s infection rate, coupled with UNC Charlotte’s comprehensive safety protocols, allows the University to move forward with a measured approach to on-campus living, learning and working this fall semester.

 Maximum Flexibility for Learning
We are placing an emphasis on the return to on-campus instruction in two areas: 

• Programs for which in-person access to facilities, equipment or other resources are needed to ensure that we can maintain the best environment for instruction. These programs include: 
  • Engineering
  • Science lab classes
  • Studio and performance art classes
  • Clinical programs in the College of Health and Human Services
  • Architecture
• Courses serving primarily first-year students (freshmen and transfer) in order to ensure that students can successfully transition to University instruction, build community and access campus support (e.g., Prospect for Success, liberal studies and similar lower-division courses). 

Courses in the two categories above will follow the format in effect when students registered -- in-person, hybrid, synchronously online or asynchronously online. All other courses may remain in an online or remote format. Faculty should affirm the format for their classes by 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25, through email or Canvas announcement. 

We are also aware that not all students have access to needed internet bandwidth or other technology that allows them to access online/remote classes effectively. To the extent possible, we want to accommodate the needs of these students by providing access to campus WiFi and computers, assuring equity in students’ abilities to access coursework, and other digital resources. 

Classes Suspended Sept. 28 and 29
As previously announced, all undergraduate classes will be suspended on Monday and Tuesday, Sept. 28 and 29, to allow for campus move-in dates. The lost time will need to be made up during the semester. Faculty will communicate how this will be done with students. 

Additional Student Information
Students who have needs requiring them to continue online education this semester should work directly with their faculty members and their academic advisors to discuss possible options should they be enrolled in courses with a face-to-face component.

Students who find it necessary to withdraw from a class during the semester will receive a grade of WE, withdrawal for extenuating circumstances. Students should consult an advisor before doing so and be aware of the enrollment requirements for financial aid.  

Faculty Information
We know that classes scheduled for hybrid or traditional face-to-face instruction will present challenges for faculty if some students want to continue online and others do not.  Faculty will not be required to teach a course section via several modes of instruction. However, faculty are asked to provide maximum flexibility for students unable to return to in-person instruction. The Center for Teaching and Learning and AISLE are prepared to assist faculty with the necessary technology. 

Faculty who need accommodations for returning to on-campus instruction should contact Lori McMahon, associate provost for budget and personnel, at lmmcmaho@uncc.edu.

It is the faculty’s responsibility to communicate information about any additional changes in class format to their students by direct email and/or a Canvas announcement by 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25.

Additional Safety Measures
By delaying the start of in-person instruction, we have been afforded the opportunity to evaluate other institutions’ in-person openings and adjust our safety measures prior to welcoming students back to campus.  

• Niner Health Check: The University implemented a Niner Health Check earlier this month. This daily health check is required of all faculty, staff and students, regardless of if you are on campus. The assessment takes less than a minute to complete, and it is critical in ensuring we have accurate data on the health of our community. Beginning Oct. 5, anyone not completing the health check as required will have their NinerNet credentials suspended until the assessment is done. You can learn more about the Niner Health Check on the Emergency Management website. 

• Flu Shot Requirement: Cold and flu season is quickly approaching. To help lessen the burden on our healthcare system and to help eliminate confusion between flu and COVID-19 symptoms, the University is requiring all faculty, staff and students to attest that they have received a flu shot or qualify for an applicable exception by Monday, Nov. 16. You can find more information about this requirement, upcoming flu shot clinics and accepted exemptions on the Niner Nation Cares website. 

• De-densified Residence Halls: We have de-densified our residence halls to ensure every student has an individual room. There is no extra cost to students for this change. 

• Dedicated On-site Testing & Contact Tracing: We have implemented an on-site testing and contact tracing process specifically for our campus community. Working with Mecklenburg County Public Health Department, on-campus test results are expected in 36 hours, and dedicated University contact tracers will identify any close contacts of individuals with positive test results.

• Predictive Wastewater Testing: The University started sampling and monitoring the wastewater at several campus sites for the purpose of proactively detecting the presence of the virus and identifying the location of possible outbreaks, including in campus residence halls. 

• Limiting Gatherings: To further support the health of our community, we are continuing to maintain gatherings at a 10-person limit indoors and a 25-person limit outdoors. This is stricter than the current allowed gathering sizes in North Carolina’s phased reopening plan. 

On-Campus Housing
Move-in for on-campus residence halls will continue as planned Sept. 26-29.   

If you wish to change your plans for residing on campus, we will allow you to cancel your on-campus housing contract without penalty until Friday, Sept. 25, at 11:59 p.m. Failure to move-in is not considered a contract cancellation.

Housing and Residence Life will send more information directly to residents. 

Parking/Dining Information

• Parking: The deadline for a full parking permit refund has been extended to 11:59 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 25. Request a refund here. More information is available on the PaTS website. 
• Dining: If you cancel your housing contract by Sept. 25, you will have the opportunity to cancel your meal plan through that same process. Otherwise, the meal plan change period will remain in effect through Oct. 9. More information about changing and selecting a meal plan is available on the Auxiliary Services website.  

Moving Forward 
I want to be clear that believing we can offer on-campus instruction with appropriate safety measures in place does not mean we believe we can open without any instances of the virus in our community. Positive cases of COVID-19 on campus are probable, but if we work together, we believe they can be responsibly managed through isolation, quarantine and appropriate medical care. We are seeing similar outcomes at other institutions in the System and around the country. 

However, we know that our ability to continue with an in-person campus experience this fall and potentially beyond depends on everyone.

Wearing a face covering, following physical distancing guidelines and completing the Niner Health Check are not suggestions. They are requirements, and they will be enforced for the protection of our community.  

Upcoming Virtual Town Halls
We know you likely have questions after this announcement. Please review this FAQ to address many of them. We also invite you to join us for these upcoming virtual town halls:

• Students and Families, Friday, Sept. 25, 12:30 p.m.
• Employees, Monday, Sept. 28, noon

There are no easy decisions when dealing with COVID-19, as we have learned over the past six months. We understand our community’s wishes are vast and varied, and we cannot meet everyone’s individual needs even though we would like to. However, we have listened to the feedback shared with us over the past several weeks and believe this plan offers Niner Nation a balanced, safe path forward. 

Our faculty are unparalleled in their expertise and commitment to their students, and our devoted, talented staff have shown they will keep our University operations running smoothly no matter the circumstances. Whether your classes are online or in person, we are dedicated to the educational excellence for which UNC Charlotte is known. 

There will be more decisions in the weeks and months ahead, and the health and safety of our community will be at the forefront of all we do. 

We will continue to keep you updated via email, and you can expect another communication with additional information by Friday, Sept. 25. You can always find the latest information on the Niner Nation Cares website and on our COVID-19 dashboard.

Thank you for your support, patience and care for our community. 

Sincerely, 

Sharon L. Gaber
Chancellor

UNC Charlotte 49ers Athletics Department announced today the football game scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 19, against UNC Chapel Hill has been canceled. The decision was made because several members of the offensive line were placed into quarantine following the University’s COVID-19 contact tracing protocols. The loss of eligible players prohibits the team from safely playing the game.

Over the past two weeks, there have been three positive cases of coronavirus found in football student-athletes through regular testing required by Conference USA. The individuals are in isolation receiving proper medical care, and all other affected individuals were notified to quarantine for 14 days by University contact tracers. 

Since June 10, 3,150 tests have been administered by Athletics with 20 total positives across all student-athletes, coaches and support staff. Athletics will continue to test all student-athletes and staff, following established University, conference and NCAA safety protocols. 

This announcement does not impact the status of the home opener versus Georgia State scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 26.

General

Phase 2.5 updates
Continuing through at least Oct. 2, 2020, North Carolina is in Phase 2.5 of the state’s reopening plan. More information can be found in the state’s FAQs.

Below are some updates for the University during Phase 2.5:

• Gym facilities: University Recreation facilities will be open in two phases. This week, through Sept. 11, a variety of outdoor and select indoor activities are available. Starting Sept. 12, UREC will be open with less than 30% capacity. Most activities will require a reservation. More information can be found at urec.uncc.edu. 
• Gathering sizes: UNC Charlotte will continue to adhere to a gathering standard of 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors. This is different from the Phase 2.5 standard of 25 people indoors and 50 people outdoors. Exceptions to this standard may be requested through each division’s respective vice chancellor. 

Welcome-back-to-campus kits
All faculty, staff and students will receive a welcome-back-to-campus kit. Each kit contains disposable and reusable face coverings, hand sanitizer, a thermometer and information regarding campus resources. Kits are limited to one per person. Distribution will be as follows:

On-campus residents: 

• Students living on campus will receive their kit during move-in. Students who are already living on campus should have received their kit. Please contact HRL if you have not received yours.

Commuter students:

• Pick-up locations will be set up outside of Prospector and in the CHHS and COED quad across from the Student Union during the first week of October.  You will need to present your 49er ID card to retrieve your kit.

Faculty/Staff:

• Kits have been delivered to your department through interdepartmental mail. You will need to come to campus to retrieve your kit.

All other students:

• Your kit will be mailed to you. You will receive an email the second week of October to confirm your mailing address.

Face covering availability
In addition to providing reusable and disposable face coverings in welcome-back-to-campus kits, disposable face coverings will be available to anyone who needs them on campus. They can be picked up at the visitor’s desk in the Popp Martin Student Union at no cost and are being added to vending machines for purchase for $1. If you have questions about face coverings, please email emergency@uncc.edu. 

Parking refund deadline reminder
The deadline for a full parking permit refund is 3 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 15. Request a refund here. All requests received after this date will be subject to the standard proration schedule and a $25 admin fee.

Students

Earlier this week, some courses on Canvas were unable to be viewed, and others did not have an instructor assigned. These issues should now be resolved. If you are still experiencing issues with accessing a course on Canvas, email academicaffairs@uncc.edu and provide the following information:

• Course Name
• Course Number
• Instructor Name
• Class Meeting Date(s)/Time(s)

This FAQ might be helpful for other Canvas-related inquiries.

Faculty and Staff

UNC Charlotte opting out of employee payroll tax deferral
UNC Charlotte has made the decision to opt out of the temporary payroll tax deferral offered in a federal executive order and in effect through the end of the year. This decision was guided by direction received from the University of North Carolina System Office and after careful review of the facts surrounding the order.  

No action on your part is needed. There will be no changes to your payroll tax deductions as a result of this executive order. If you have any questions, email the Payroll Department at PayrollDept@uncc.edu.

Questions about teleworking or other accommodations
Employees should first work with their supervisors on teleworking or other accommodations needed as a result of COVID-19-related concerns. If additional support is needed, please contact Cindy Edwards, employee relations manager, at 704-687-0658 or ckedward@uncc.edu. 

Child Care Assistance
The North Carolina Office of Human Resources has identified the following resources for state employees who need assistance with child care and work-life balance during COVID-19.

• NCDHHS Child Care Hotline - Families and caregivers in need of child care for children up to age 12 can call the Child Care Hotline at 1-888-600-1685 to be connected directly to care options in their community that meet their families’ needs.
• NCDHHS Child Care Provider Search - Find a child care provider in your area.
• NCDHHS Child Care Subsidy Information - Find assistance to help pay for child care.
• Smart Start - Helps working parents pay for child care and provides health and family support services. 
• NC Head Start - Supports low-income children and their families.
• NC Pre-K Program - Designed to provide high-quality educational experiences for eligible four-year-old children.
• NC Child Care Resource and Referral Council - Assists with finding child care that best meets the needs of your child and family.
• Child Care Aware of America - Serves the U.S. Military and Department of Defense families by providing fee assistance and respite child care programs.

The Mecklenburg County Health Department has confirmed an off-campus COVID-19 cluster involving eight students residing together in two private residences. These students isolated appropriately and have since recovered. The University has been and will remain in close contact with the health department on all COVID-19 matters.

A “cluster” is defined by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services as five or more cases that are deemed close proximity or location. The University is committed to notifying the UNC Charlotte community of known clusters involving employees and students, even when located off campus. Anyone in the UNC Charlotte community experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, which include fever, shortness of breath, muscle aches or a cough, should immediately contact their medical provider or the Student Health Center and visit the Emergency Management website for additional information about updating the University on their COVID-19 status. All faculty, staff and students are asked to commit to the #NinersPledge to uphold community standards that will help keep Niner Nation safe. 

While UNC Charlotte has not yet started classes for the fall semester, the University is providing notice of this COVID-19 cluster in order to raise campus and community awareness. The University will not broadly communicate details about individual positive cases, consistent with the State Human Resources Act and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, as well as other privacy considerations. Those who need to know about individual positive cases will be notified during the contact tracing process.

General

Niner Health Check 
UNC Charlotte will launch Niner Health Check tomorrow, Tuesday, Sept. 1, for all employees and on-campus students. It will launch Monday, Sept. 7, the start of fall classes, for all students. 

Niner Health Check is a daily assessment that helps keep the University community healthy by screening for symptoms of COVID-19 and connecting faculty, staff and students to testing resources if necessary. 

The assessment consists of a daily four-question survey that will take less than two minutes to complete. Read more about what you can expect and the important role your participation will play in protecting Niner Nation. 

Early detection system for COVID-19
The University will begin regularly sampling and monitoring the wastewater at several campus residence halls to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19.  Research suggests that evidence of the disease presents in wastewater several days before the onset of symptoms. Read more. 

Parking refunds and enforcement
You will be able to request a full parking permit refund if your parking needs have changed due to the delayed in-person start date. Refund instructions and important deadlines will be sent this week from Parking and Transportation Services (PaTS) to your @uncc email account.

Faculty/staff and visitor areas continue to be enforced. Full campus enforcement resumes Sept. 7. You will be required to have a permit or to pay for visitor parking to park on campus at this time. 

If you would like a chance to win free parking for the spring semester, tell us how you are going to commit to the #NinersPledge to protect your health and the health of all Niners. 

Students and Families

New Student Convocation Sunday, Sept. 6
We are looking forward to welcoming our new students to the UNC Charlotte community!  You are invited to join us for this live virtual event that will incorporate student and faculty voices, academic messages and university traditions. Tune in on Sunday, Sept. 6, at 4:49 p.m. at livestream.uncc.edu or youtube.com/unccharlottevideo.  Additional virtual college programming follows the event on Sunday and throughout the first week. View the virtual event agenda and more info at studentconvocation.uncc.edu. 

Town Hall available 
If you missed our families/students town hall live on Wednesday, Aug. 26, you can watch it anytime on the Niner Nation Cares website. 

Amended meal plan options
Students received information from Dining on Friday, Aug. 28, regarding amended meal plan options. Meal plans are available for use beginning today, Monday, Aug. 31. However, students who do not use any portion of their meal plan on or before Sept. 25 will automatically be reassigned to the corresponding amended plan and refunded the difference. 

Learn more about your options for meal plan selection, and contact the Meal Plan Office (704-687-7337) with any questions.

See Dine on Campus for open dining locations and operating hours.

Textbook pickup and shipping
Barnes & Noble Charlotte will remain open 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. If you  selected in-store textbook pickup, you may pick up your books any time the store is open or email sm276@bncollege.com to have textbooks shipped to you. 

Graduate student onboarding portal
The Graduate School has launched a graduate student onboarding portal to welcome all new graduate students to the fall 2020 semester.

Faculty and Staff

COVID-19 Leave Bank update
The COVID-19 Leave Bank remains available for employees who have exhausted all personal leave and all accrued paid time off and who still require time away from work related to COVID-19. More information is available on the HR website.

If you are an eligible employee and are able, please consider donating sick, vacation or BONREG leave to the COVID-19 leave bank by completing this form.

Reminder about Labor Day
Because Monday, Sept. 7, is the start of online classes, UNC Charlotte will be open. Employees have been given a floating holiday to use in place of the University being closed that day. You have until Dec. 31, 2020, to use this leave.

Dear Niner Nation,

I write to you today to share the path forward for UNC Charlotte’s fall semester. As I mentioned in my message on Thursday, August 20, I have been in active discussions with the UNC System and the Mecklenburg County Health Department about our return-to-campus plans for the semester. Throughout our planning process, we have relied on local, state and federal public health officials to guide our decisions and safety protocols to protect the well-being of our campus community.  

In recent weeks, Mecklenburg County has seen COVID-19-positive cases start to decline and public health officials are encouraged by these trends. However, the county continues to have the highest number of outbreaks and clusters in the state. While the community is making considerable progress to slow the rate of transmission, we do not want to lose this momentum.

Fall Plan Adjustments
In close consultation with the Mecklenburg County Health Department and the UNC System Office, we are making the following adjustments to our fall plan:

Academic Classes

• UNC Charlotte will begin classes as scheduled on Monday, September 7, but will delay the start of undergraduate and graduate in-person instruction for three weeks until Thursday, October 1. 
• All instruction will begin as planned on the first day of classes, Monday, September 7, but will now be delivered online/remotely. Faculty with in-person classes should communicate directly with their students about how instruction will take place.
• All undergraduate classes will be suspended on September 28 and 29 to allow for new campus move-in dates and the transition to on-campus instruction.

Housing & Dining

• We will continue to offer on-campus housing and dining services for students who are already on-campus, international students and others with approved extenuating circumstances. Housing and Residence Life (HRL) is working to reduce the density of residence halls to achieve single room occupancy for residents. 
• Move-in to residence halls will happen September 26-29, and HRL will send a separate communication with more information by September 11. For international students and those who have extenuating circumstances, we will continue to honor your originally planned move-in date during August 31-September 6. You can apply for an exception here. 
• Students scheduled for early arrivals in August will receive more information directly from their program advisor/director.
• The date to cancel on-campus housing contracts has been extended to 11:59 p.m. on Friday, September 4. Should there be further change in the University’s plan prior to October 1, another opportunity to cancel housing will be afforded to students. Housing fees will be adjusted based on when you move in.
• Unless required by public health guidance, it is our intention that students who live on campus will be allowed to stay on campus should online instruction be extended through the entirety of the fall semester.

Other Campus Facilities & Support

• Online tutoring and coaching will be expanded to support student learning, particularly for our freshmen. 
• Research laboratories will remain open, and research programs will continue.
• The library and other campus facilities will open as planned for student access. UREC remains closed in compliance with the state’s phased reopening plan. 

The decision to adjust our plan was not made lightly.  I recognize that these changes will be frustrating for some and a relief for others. However, this decision is made with the health and well-being of our students and employees as our top priorities. The additional time allows the county's infection rate to further stabilize, creating a safer environment for our University and our community this fall. The safety of our campus will continue to guide all of our discussions and our planning.

Keeping You Informed
I know you likely have many questions based on the adjustment to our plan, and we are working to get those answers to you. We are posting information as quickly as possible to the Niner Nation Cares website.  I encourage you to review the available FAQs carefully. 

Additionally, I invite you to participate in a virtual town hall session for students and families at noon on Wednesday, August 26, which will also be recorded and posted to the Niner Nation Cares website. Please register online if you plan to attend. 

We have a previously scheduled town hall for faculty and staff at 3 p.m. on Friday, August 28. Registration information was sent to employees in an email from HR on Friday, August 21. 

We will send you regular NinerNotices as we have additional information to share.  

Moving Forward
I am grateful for the partnership of the Mecklenburg County Health Department throughout our planning process and particularly their counsel in the past few weeks since I began as chancellor. I am appreciative for the ongoing support and approval of our plan by UNC System President Peter Hans.  Additionally, I want to thank our dedicated front-line employees and staff who have been working tirelessly to prepare the campus for a safe return this fall; and our talented faculty who are constantly innovating to ensure students receive a rich, interactive learning experience, even when it is delivered remotely.  

We are monitoring local conditions daily, and we are prepared to adjust our plans accordingly in concert with public health and UNC System guidance should it become necessary. Please watch your UNC Charlotte email account, and continue checking the Niner Nation Cares website for the most up-to-date campus information. 

We know that in-person instruction, living on campus and engaging in student life will require each of us to take significant personal responsibility to protect our individual health, the health of others and the health of the community. This will not be easy. Parties and other events that would have been harmless a year ago now pose real dangers to ourselves and others. It is imperative for the health of our community that students and employees adhere to physical distancing guidelines, no matter where they are. Consistent with North Carolina’s phased reopening plan, social gatherings with more than 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors are not allowed, and we are working with local property managers to enforce this standard at off-campus residences. 

Unfortunately, we have seen on other university campuses that the actions of just a few people can impact the experience for the majority of others who uphold community standards.

But we aren’t like other universities. We are Niner Nation. 

We have worked closely with President Hans and the System Office to plan differently with the hope it will result in our ability to be together on campus soon. Thank you again for your continued patience, flexibility and being a part of the Niner family.

Sincerely,

Sharon L. Gaber
Chancellor

Dear Niner Nation, 

Life as we know it currently has been called unprecedented, challenging, evolving, the new normal -- among other descriptors. But ultimately, it’s just hard. Plain and simple. 

It is hard to deal with changing guidance and directives, making decisions ever more challenging. 

It’s hard to adjust to new ways of living with masks and distance between us, but the alternative is that we will not be able to keep ourselves and our community safe; and that’s even harder. 

As you have likely seen, NC State University announced today they received approval from the UNC System to shift their undergraduate classes online following a series of cluster outbreaks on their campus. This follows a similar announcement by UNC Chapel Hill on Monday. Both universities’ outbreaks appear to be attributable to large off-campus gatherings and not a lack of adherence to on-campus community standards. 

I know these recent announcements raise additional questions about the status of UNC Charlotte’s plans, so I want to share with you what we know now and what we are doing. 

I have been very clear in my conversations with the UNC System that the health and safety of our campus community is paramount to me. I have heard from many of you about a desire to move to all online instruction, while many others have reached out to express your excitement about in-person campus life and classes. Unfortunately, there is no perfect answer that will meet everyone’s needs. We are in active discussions with the System Office and public health officials to assess all available options to us moving forward. I expect to have more information to share with you by mid-next week. 

Understanding students and their families need time to consider their personal circumstances, we are extending the ability to cancel housing contracts without penalty until 11:59 p.m. on Friday, August 28, by going to the Housing and Residence Life (HRL) website. Additionally, we have moved our deadline for payment of fall 2020 charges to Tuesday, September 1. Students, please check your email for more information about this from Niner Central.

I ask for your patience over the coming days. In turn, I pledge to keep you informed about our plans and to provide answers to your questions as quickly as possible. 

I know this situation continues to be uncertain, and there will be hard moments ahead. But my first month as your chancellor has convinced me that Niner Nation is stronger than any challenge we face. We will work together, we will care for each other, and we will persevere -- because that’s what Niners do.

Sincerely, 

Sharon L. Gaber
Chancellor

General

Statement on Chapel Hill’s Announcement

As you may have seen, UNC Chapel Hill announced this afternoon it would move its undergraduate classes online beginning Wednesday, Aug. 19, in response to outbreaks of COVID-19 clusters in Chapel Hill  over the past several days. 

Following guidance from the UNC System, UNC Charlotte and other System institutions will proceed as planned with on-campus instruction.

We are in close contact with local public health officials and are continually assessing our current protocols to make any necessary changes to further protect the health and safety of campus.

In light of UNC Chapel Hill’s announcement today, we offer these updates and reminders: 

• Residence hall contracts: We have put in place extraordinary health and sanitation measures to provide a safe on-campus housing experience, but we recognize some students and families may be concerned about returning to on-campus living. We will allow students to cancel their on-campus housing contract for the upcoming semester without penalty until Friday, Aug. 21 at 11:59 p.m., by going to the Housing and Residence Life (HRL) website. Students who have canceled the housing between July 16 and today will receive a credit for cancellation penalties. Please note you must contact HRL to void your contract. Not moving in is not sufficient notification. For students who choose to live in residence halls this fall, distancing measures will be in place, including reducing room occupancy, to further achieve de-densification in the buildings. 

• Care of on-campus residents: UNC Charlotte is prepared to care for any on-campus student who becomes ill. We have designated quarantine and isolation space identified and have plans in place to deliver food and other necessities to affected students. 

• Large social gatherings: Large social gatherings (more than 25 people outside and 10 people inside) are strictly prohibited under the governor’s executive order, and they are a danger to you and to others. Those found to be in violation of this order will be held accountable under the Code of Student Responsibility and could be subject to further legal action as a Class 2 misdemeanor. Please do not risk your health and the health of Niner Nation by hosting or attending large events. 

• Self-identification of at-risk status: The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) defines those most at risk for complications from COVID-19 as people above the age of 65 and/or those with underlying health conditions. We have sent emails to both employees and students asking you to identify if you or someone in your immediate household is at high risk of complications because of these underlying conditions. 

  • Students: If you or anyone in your household identifies as being at risk from one of these conditions and you wish to discuss options for changes in your course schedule to accommodate your concerns, please contact your academic advisor directly.
  • Faculty and Staff: If you or anyone in your household identifies as being at risk from one of these conditions, please complete this form. 
     

• Niner Health Check: This fall, the University will launch Niner Health Check, an online daily assessment to help keep Niner Nation safe. You will receive a daily email with a link, instructing you to complete a short survey about your health to ensure it is safe for you to come to campus. Here is what you can expect: 

  • Timing: You will begin receiving emails daily with a link to the Niner Health Check on Monday, Aug. 31.  
  • Questions: The confidential survey will ask if you have been around anyone with COVID-19, are undergoing testing for COVID-19 or if you have any symptoms of the virus. Depending on your answers, you will be encouraged to stay home, asked to seek testing or cleared to come to campus. 
  • Text reminders: Beginning Monday, Sept. 7, the start of classes, you will also receive a daily text reminder to the number on file in Banner reminding you to complete the survey. Please make sure your cell phone number is current by visiting Banner Self Service. 
  • Until Niner Health Check launches: You should be monitoring yourself daily for symptoms of COVID-19. If you believe you are ill or you have been exposed to anyone who has the virus, remain at home and contact your health care provider for additional guidance. Complete our current online reporting form so we can make sure you get the support you need. 
  • More information: We will share more information with you about checking your symptoms and the Niner Health Check soon at your @uncc email account. 
  • Take the #NinersPledge: It is critical every member of Niner Nation adhere to the community standards outlined in the Niners Pledge -- both on and off campus.  Commit to the pledge, and share your commitment on social media for a chance to win a free semester of parking. Learn more and review the official rules on the Niner Nation Cares website. 

The University continues to monitor this situation closely. We remain in discussions with the UNC System and public health officials regarding local conditions and taking the appropriate actions to protect the health and well-being of Niner Nation. 

We will continue to keep you updated. Please closely monitor your @uncc email account for the latest information. 

Building access update

Building access returned to normal today, Monday, Aug. 17. A 49er ID card will no longer be required to access buildings during normal operating hours. The following are exceptions to this change and will remain on swipe-access only: 

• King

• Reese

• Cato

• Price Counseling Center

• PORTAL

• Cameron

• Woodward

• Foundation

• URec

Lockdown override test Thursday

On Thursday, Aug. 20, at 10 a.m, the University will test the lockdown mechanism and first-responder override system. For approximately 15 minutes, you will be unable to enter buildings even with your 49er ID card. Please note: This is not a test of the NinerAlert system. 

Parking reminders

• • Parking enforcement resumed today, Monday, Aug. 17, in faculty/staff areas (Cone Deck, East Deck 1, Union Deck, Lot 11A, Lot 15, Lot 29 and CAB lot).

  • Visitor areas (East Deck 1, Cone Deck and Union Deck) will require payment and gates will be down.  

  • Full campus enforcement begins on Sept. 7. 

  • You can purchase a permit online. 

CDC alters international travel guidance

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) have altered their guidance for individuals returning from international travel. There is no longer a requirement or recommendation to quarantine for 14 days unless you have been around someone who has COVID-19 or are experiencing symptoms of the virus. 

Students/Families

Hybrid classes finalized

Times and locations for hybrid classes are now finalized. You can view details and your entire schedule by following the instructions outlined on the Niner Central website. 

Town hall available online

Did you miss our recent virtual students and families town halls? Watch the most recent one online on the Niner Nation Cares website. If you have questions that aren’t addressed, please complete our inquiry form.

Today, Wednesday, Aug, 5, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper announced he is extending Phase 2 of the state’s reopening plan until at least Friday, Sept. 11, in an ongoing effort to contain the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). 

The University will begin classes on Monday, Sept. 7, as previously announced.  

General

North Carolina remains in Phase 2 until Aug. 7
Yesterday, Tuesday, July 14, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper announced he was extending the Safer at Home Phase 2 of the state’s reopening plan until at least Friday, Aug. 7,  in an ongoing effort to contain the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). Teleworking remains strongly encouraged at the University under Phase 2. Campus offices and departments may continue phased reopenings after receiving approval to do so through the Returning to Campus plan. Please see more information about the K-12 public schools reopening announcement under Faculty/Staff.

Students and Families

Classroom instruction methods updated
The majority of course schedules for students enrolled in the fall 2020 semester are complete. To check classroom instruction methods, follow these steps. The instruction method listed for classes should not change unless required for reasons of health or safety. These types of situations could include UNC System guidance changes; local/state public health directives; or related developments as a result of the pandemic. If this happens, students will be notified. 

In-class meeting times for hybrid courses are still in development. The Office of the Registrar will email students in the coming weeks when their schedule is finalized with times and classroom locations for these classes. If a class is hybrid, it will be indicated following the steps linked above. 

While students are continuing to enroll for the fall, we expect approximately 50 percent of classes will be delivered in person (either face-to-face or hybrid), while the others will be delivered remotely.

GradGuard available for fall
Effective for the upcoming fall semester, UNC Charlotte has partnered with GradGuard to offer Tuition Insurance Protection to students and their families. 

Enrolling in Tuition Insurance Protection is completely optional. It is a personal insurance policy between GradGuard and the student or payer. This policy can reimburse up to 100% of nonrefundable school costs after a full withdrawal for a covered illness (including COVID-19), injury or psychological condition. More information can be found on the Niner Central website. Please note: Tuition Insurance Protection from GradGuard does not cover adjustments, disruptions or withdrawals due to changes in University operations as a result of COVID-19, such as changes to instruction delivery methods, the availability of housing and dining plans, or other adjustments to campus operations made by UNC Charlotte or directed by the UNC System or public officials.

Faculty and Staff

K-12 public school plans
Yesterday, Governor Cooper announced that all North Carolina K-12 public schools will be a combination of in-person and remote instruction. At minimum, all schools will operate under “Plan B,” a mix of remote and in-person learning. Local school districts may also choose to operate under “Plan C,” which is full remote learning. At this time, we do not know how Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools and surrounding counties will choose to operate. We do know, however, that either option may present challenges for some of our employees. We are consulting with the UNC System and are awaiting further guidance on what support will be available. Human Resources will share more information directly with employees as soon as possible.

Reminder: Return to campus guidance available
If you have not yet done so, please review the Employee Guide for the Return to Campus and the Niner Nation Cares website. We will continue to update this information in the weeks ahead. Additionally, stay tuned in early August for our fall education campaign focused on the 6Ws WE can all do to protect the health of Niner Nation.

General

Face Covering Information
In accordance with updated guidance from state and system officials, everyone is expected to wear a face covering that covers your nose and mouth whenever you are indoors on the University’s campus, including The Dubois Center at UNC Charlotte Center City, unless you are alone in a personal space. This requirement is regardless of the distance between you and others. Students should consult the Housing and Residence Life website for more information about requirements in residence halls. Visit Niner Nation Cares for more information about fall semester. 

Parking Information

• Parking permits for the 2020-21 academic year will be available for purchase through UNCC MyPark beginning Aug. 1. Permits are valid beginning Aug. 15. Be sure to purchase a permit before returning to campus. 

• Starting July 6, parking will operate in a Level 3 status. Parking will only be enforced in restricted areas, such as reserved spaces and ADA. View all of PaTS modified services. 

Students and Families

Course Delivery Update
The Office of the Registrar is finalizing all course delivery methods in Banner. The final step is the hybrid courses, which they are working on now. We expect this to be completed in the next one to two weeks. When it is, we will send an email to students to let them know they can log in to Banner to see their final class schedules. Stay tuned for more information. 

Scheduling Virtual Information Sessions
We are working to schedule a variety of virtual informational sessions for students and families so we can answer the questions you have about the start of the academic year. More information will be shared as soon as dates are finalized.  In the meantime, please review the Niner Nation Cares website, then complete this form to let us know what’s on your mind as you think about the return to campus. It will help us make sure we’re addressing your concerns in the information sessions.

Faculty and Staff

Human Resources Message
Some employees experienced a delay in receiving the message from HR on Friday, June 26. If you missed it, please review the information about changes to administrative leave, a new leave donation system, upcoming employee information sessions, and additional details about face coverings for employees. 

Campus Signage
A working group is developing a variety of signage options for the return to on-campus operations as part of a comprehensive fall operations communications strategy. Departments and units are asked to please refrain from making their own signs. More information and ordering should be available to managers in the next one to two weeks. In the meantime, please reach out to ba-comms@uncc.edu with any questions. 

Mail and Package Services
Mail Services will deliver to mailrooms on campus on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays through the end of July. Departments are encouraged to have their outgoing mail ready for pick up by 10 a.m. View all of Mail and Package Services’ operational updates.

Questions?
Please continue to use the inquiry form to submit your questions. We will get back to you as soon as we can, and we will use your questions to inform online FAQs. 

Please see below for important updates regarding the start of the fall semester and the return to on-campus operations. Students and families, please pay special attention to the fall FAQs. Faculty and staff, please review the return-to-campus guide. 

General

Classes starting Sept. 7 as announced
The University will begin classes on Monday, Sept. 7, as previously announced on May 4. The decision to delay the start of our academic calendar was based on several factors, including public health guidance and our unique location in Charlotte. Our top priority is the safety of our students, faculty and staff, especially those members of Niner Nation who may be most vulnerable to COVID-19.

Charlotte is the largest city in North Carolina, and with phased reopening and the unpredictability of the virus, we want to allow additional time between the projected peak of the virus in Mecklenburg County and the beginning of the academic year. Cases of the virus are rising and public health officials estimate the surge to be even later this summer than originally predicted. While the scope, speed or resurgence of this pandemic is unpredictable, extra time to prepare means we can have plans in place to ensure a successful academic year. The academic calendar is posted on the Niner Central website.

• Final Exams: Final exams begin Dec. 17. We also know time with family is important to our students, faculty and employees. In-person exams will be scheduled first, allowing students and faculty the flexibility to leave campus before the winter break begins on December 23. Online/remote exams will continue as planned. Exam delivery will be communicated by instructors on the first day of class.

Return-to-campus packets and face coverings
When classes resume in the fall, everyone will be expected to wear a face covering in classrooms and anytime you are within six feet of others. Before the start of classes, the University will provide return-to-campus packets to all faculty, staff and students that contain reusable and disposable face coverings, hand sanitizer and other items. Disposable face coverings will also be available in campus vending machines. Stay tuned for more information. 

Working groups planning for fall
Focusing on six guiding principles, leaders from across campus are involved in the development and execution of the plans directing the University's ongoing response to COVID-19. Oversight is provided by the Policy Group, which includes the Chancellor, the Chancellor’s Cabinet and other associate vice chancellors and directors. The Incident Management Team (IMT) provides the infrastructure for the operational response and provides coordination to 22 working groups. More information is available on the Emergency Management website.

Air quality on campus
One of UNC Charlotte’s 22 working groups planning the return to fall classes is focused solely on air quality. After extensive assessments of guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) and many other industry best practices, the group has determined our building air systems meet and exceed the current recommended air changes per hour. The air change is the number of times air enters and exits a room in an hour. This means the air circulating through our buildings is being properly cleaned and is safe. It is also important to note that there are no reports of air distribution systems spreading COVID-19 or other infectious diseases such as the flu. 

The working group will continue to increase the frequency of filter changes as an additional precaution. They will also increase the monitoring of building automation and control systems to ensure all systems remain functional and are prepared to act quickly in the event of emergency failure. 

Students and Families

Fall FAQs now available
We know you have many questions as you prepare to return to campus in the fall. We have started a fall semester FAQ on the Niner Nation Cares website, and we will continue to add more answers as we have them.  As we get closer to the start of classes, the Niner Nation Cares website will become a centralized source for the latest information. We are committed to keeping you updated, and we will provide more complete return-to-campus guidance to you no later than mid-July.

Fall move-in for residential students
Move-in week will take place Aug. 31 through Sept. 6. Move-in appointments will limit the number of residents moving into each hall on a given day to ensure physical distancing. Appointments can be scheduled online in early August. Residents will receive an email from HRL with additional details. 

Laptop requirement for new students
The University has implemented a new laptop requirement for new students in the fall semester, both undergraduate and graduate. While this is not applicable to returning students, some colleges have computer requirements for their majors. Laptops will still be available for short-term checkout from Atkins Library, and desktop computers will be available in the library and computer labs.

Course delivery and tuition and fees
On Friday, June 12, Provost Joan Lorden shared information with students about the instructional methods that will be used in the fall semester. This includes in-person, a hybrid of both in-person and remote, and synchronous and asynchronous online learning.

• Synchronous = live, online teaching in recurring weekly time slots

• Asynchronous = materials and instructors are available, but no "designated class meeting time"

All course delivery methods will be finalized in Banner by early July. Students will receive email communication when this is done. Assigned face-to-face meeting times for hybrid courses may not be finalized until later. We expect most students will have a combination of hybrid/face-to-face instruction and online instruction.

Based on direction from the UNC System, tuition and fees for the fall semester will follow the standard model that is calculated on program type, not course delivery. Additionally, while safety precautions will be in place, all campus services will be available to students during the fall semester.

Faculty and Staff

Return-to-campus guide
As faculty and staff begin to return to campus ahead of the start of fall classes, the University has developed a guide with information regarding health and safety practices, cleaning standards and other resources. We also know all the information you need won’t be found in this version of the guide. There are still questions to be answered, and we are working diligently to get the needed information to you. We will provide an updated version of this document before classes resume. A similar document will be developed for students and families, too. 

Next NinerNotice
Additional NinerNotices will be sent as more information becomes available.

Dear UNC Charlotte Community,
 
As we announced on May 4, the University has made the decision to delay the start of the fall semester. Over the past several weeks, we have engaged in conversations with faculty, students, the UNC System office and local public health officials to finalize our academic schedule. While there are many views on the optimal plan for the fall semester, one thing remains consistent: the health and wellbeing of our students, faculty and staff is our top priority.

The fall academic calendar has now been posted on the registrar’s office website. Classes will begin on September 7 and end on December 15, with exams beginning December 17 and continuing through December 23. To ensure exams are completed before the winter break, it will be necessary to eliminate fall break and reduce Thanksgiving break by one day. Winter commencement ceremonies are scheduled to take place on January 8 and 9. The new schedule extends our traditional winter break until the spring semester classes resume on January 20, and provides students a total of three additional days of break (27 days) as compared to the 2019 fall semester (24 days).

Like other universities all around the world, we are having to make difficult decisions, informed by local circumstances. We must use the best information we have to make decisions that continue to prioritize the health and safety of Niner Nation, knowing that adaptability remains critical in responding to the ongoing pandemic.

We also know how important in-person instruction, hands-on learning, interaction with faculty, and activities with friends and peers are essential to the UNC Charlotte experience, and we are committed to preserving a rich learning environment in the fall even in, or perhaps especially in, this uncertain time. The Office of Academic Affairs is working with faculty to incorporate digital learning elements into all courses to deliver high quality instruction, but also provide flexibility to shift to exclusive online/remote delivery should a resurgence in the virus warrant such a change.

We are also exploring a final exam schedule that respects the desire of students and employees to spend time with friends and family over the winter holidays while meeting the required number of class days. For example, we are working with faculty to move exams that must be taken in person to the beginning of the exam period and deliver other exams online, giving individuals the flexibility to leave campus for the winter break earlier than December 23.

Finalizing the academic calendar is a significant step forward in our planning efforts toward bringing students, faculty and staff back to campus safely for the fall. There are many details still being worked out by our campus reentry task force teams, the Incident Management Team (IMT), the Chancellor’s Cabinet and the many dedicated professionals committed to helping ensure the health and safety of the campus community. Additional details about the fall semester will be forthcoming in the days and weeks ahead.

As we move forward, I want to thank you again – our students, faculty and staff – for your hard work, commitment and dedication. The last three months have been very challenging for our entire community and COVID-19 has disrupted all of our lives. But as Niners, you stepped up, overcame those obstacles and pushed not only yourselves but our entire community forward.

We know there is a lot on your minds, and are committed to providing answers to the many questions you may have over the next few months. During this time, we must all prepare for some inconveniences and adopt the community standards and behaviors that will help ensure a safe campus. We are confident that, although fall 2020 may be different, it will be a successful and meaningful semester for Niner Nation.

Cordially,  

Philip L. Dubois
Chancellor

Joan F. Lorden, 
Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs  

Dear UNC Charlotte Class of 2020 and Families,

We hope you enjoyed the special commencement messages, commemorative program and video created to recognize and celebrate your UNC Charlotte accomplishments.

I am writing to you today because we promised an update by the end of this month on our decision to conduct an in-person ceremony for May 2020 graduates in either August or December this year.

While the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact our daily lives, UNC Charlotte’s priority remains preserving and protecting the health and safety of our Niner family. Based on public health guidance, we have decided to move the start of the fall semester from August 24 to September 7 to allow more time between the projected peak of the virus in Mecklenburg County and the start of the academic year.

This decision, based on the uncertainty surrounding the timing of the state’s reopening guidelines and limitations around large gatherings, means that we will not be able to effectively plan for an August commencement ceremony. Therefore, we are moving forward to determine whether an in-person ceremony for our May 2020 graduates can occur in December.  

The University is exploring in-person ceremony options for December that will comply with state guidelines, while ensuring the health and safety of our graduates and their guests. We expect to finalize plans by the end of September. Our commencement website and FAQs will also be updated with the latest information.

While I recognize that an in-person ceremony is a wonderful tradition that symbolizes the culmination of your college career, please know that the absence of a physical ceremony does not take away from your hard work, significant accomplishments or this important milestone in your life. You are now a proud UNC Charlotte alumnus/a, one that has shown incredible resilience, perseverance and determination — qualities that we need in the leaders of tomorrow.

We will do everything we can to safely commemorate your graduation day in person later this year. But in the meantime, know that all of us at UNC Charlotte are cheering you on in the next phase of your life. Go Niners!

Sincerely,

Philip L. Dubois
Chancellor

Today, Wednesday, May 20, Governor Roy Cooper announced North Carolina will enter Phase 2 of the state’s reopening plan on Friday, May 22, at 5 p.m. More information can be found in the state’s Phase 2 FAQs.

Here is what you can expect during Phase 2 at UNC Charlotte:

• Maximized teleworking is encouraged.

• For those individuals who cannot telework, social distancing of at least six feet between all individuals should be maintained.

• Individuals should wear a face covering when around others. (Please note: This is a new instruction based on updated guidance from the state and CDC.)

• No employee may return to work without permission, and no department or area may allow employees to return without seeking approval as outlined below in this document.

  • Visit the Emergency Management website for more information on plans to return to work on campus. 

• Gyms and other recreational facilities will remain closed. 

• Modified dining options remain available on campus.

• On-campus camps (for youth 18 and under) remain canceled for the summer. Those that can transition to online or remote delivery can continue. 

• Conferences and events are canceled through July.

Please note: The state’s phased reopening plan outlines what can happen in each phase. It isn’t a requirement for what must happen. The University is able to set a pace for returning to campus operations that makes sense for us. Information about the University’s current reopen plan is available here. Updated information will continue to be shared with the UNC Charlotte community through NinerNotices, the COVID-19 webpage and the Niner Nation Cares website. 

General

Camps and Events

Camps -- All in-person camps at UNC Charlotte scheduled for July and August have been canceled. Any camps that can transition to an online or remote delivery may continue. 

• Camps are defined as those events involving youth, less than 18 years in age.

• Camps that include overnight stays in the residence halls are also canceled.

• Camps on Campus (organized by Continuing Education) -- Participants will receive more information from camp organizers regarding full refunds. More information about Camps on Campus, including new virtual Online Youth Programs for Summer 2020, is available online. 

• Other Camps -- Information about Athletics and other camps will be shared with participants by event organizers. 

Events and Conferences -- All other events and conferences at UNC Charlotte and those sponsored by the University at off-campus locations are canceled through July 31. Information about events and conferences beginning Aug. 1 will be shared by June 30. 

Dining Updates

• Crown Commons will continue providing brunch and dinner takeout service. The door rate has been reduced to $6.

• Straight Declining Balance meal plan rollover funds from 2019-20 meal plans will be available for use through Aug. 11, 2021.

• Summer 2020 meal plans will not be available for purchase.

• More information.

49er Card Office

• The Meal Plan and 49er Card Office is open virtually from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays to serve students and employees who need replacement or temporary cards and card account or meal plan information.

• If you need in-person service, the office is now open by appointment Tuesdays and Thursdays. 

• More information.

Students and Families

Fall Study Abroad

Due to the continuing uncertainties surrounding COVID-19 and following guidance issued by the UNC System, UNC Charlotte has made the very difficult decision to cancel all fall study abroad programs. The Office of Education Abroad (OEA) will work with students and faculty over the coming days to minimize the impact of these cancellations on students’ programs of study.  

For more information about the study abroad program cancellations, visit edabroad.uncc.edu/health.

Pass/No Credit Grading Option Now Available

Students have until 5 p.m. on  Monday, June 1, to make grade elections. You have the option to replace standard letter grades for Spring 2020 courses with pass/no credit (for undergraduates) or pass/unsatisfactory (for graduate students). No credit (N) is not an option in the graduate grading scale. Students should review pass/no credit option details before making a decision.

To replace a grade, use the P/N or P/U grading election option in Banner Self Service available through My UNC Charlotte. Do not send grading petitions to your advisor. More information is available on the Niner Central website.

A special note for U.S. veterans: If a U.S. veteran using the G.I. Bill opts to take no credit (NC) for a course grade, then they will either be required to pay all of the funds back from the first day of the term (including BAH, tuition, fees, book funds, etc.) or they may be allowed to repay prorated debts through the last day of attendance. 

Students can reverse their election for no credit by submitting an academic petition:  

• Undergraduate petition: https://ugpetition.uncc.edu/login

• Graduate petition: https://gpetition.uncc.edu/login

CARES Act Fund Distribution Under Way for Students

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act provides approximately $12 million in funding to UNC Charlotte for distribution to qualifying undergraduate and graduate students to help cover expenses related to the disruption of spring 2020 campus operations due to COVID-19.  The University is pleased to have already posted over 6,000 awards to students' accounts as of Friday, May 15, and additional grants will be forthcoming. 

Eligibility and Distribution of Funds

• The funds are distributed to those students identified as having the highest need based on their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

• Approximately 74% of the funds will be given to students with the most significant need in the form of block grants in set amounts.

  • A student’s Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) will be used to determine if they qualify for block grant funding, and only those students with the most significant need will be given a block grant. 

  • No application is needed to be eligible for the block grant because distribution is based on the student's FAFSA information. 

• The other 26% of the CARES funding will be given out in emergency aid throughout the summer and fall via an application review process. 

  • Students who do not receive CARES Act block grant funding, or whose financial situation has changed since filing their FAFSA, may request funds by completing this Emergency Aid application. 

  • Graduating seniors are eligible to apply for funds using the Emergency Aid application.

• Requests will exceed funding availability. Not everyone who meets the criteria will receive grant funds.

Please review details about eligibility requirements and FAQs on the Niner Nation Cares website.

Textbooks and Class Materials

• Summer books and course materials are available for purchase online through the bookstore. Hard copy materials ship free. Digital materials are available immediately after purchase for download.

• Reminder: Free ebooks through VitalSource and Barnes and Noble College will end on May 25, 2020. All ebooks that are checked out at that time will be automatically returned.

Next NinerNotice
We will continue to send NinerNotices as needed when updates and new information are available. 

General

Plans for fall semester
If you missed it, please review the message from Chancellor Philip L. Dubois earlier today about plans for the fall semester. 

NinerNotices over the summer
As we transition into the summer months, NinerNotices will shift from weekly to an as-needed basis. We will continue to keep you informed on important updates as we move toward the fall semester. Additionally, our inquiry form remains open to answer your questions during this time. We hope everyone has a safe, healthy summer!

Changes to Niner Transit Bus System
Over the summer months, Niner Transit will implement the following changes:

• Starting tomorrow, May 5, Niner Transit will stop operating the apartment bus shuttles.

• Starting May 9, one Silver and one Green line will operate on weekends, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

• Starting May 11, one Green and two Silver lines will operate on weekdays, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

• More information is available on the PaTS website. 

Students

Pass/unsatisfactory grading option for graduate students
All graduate students will have the option to select Pass/Unsatisfactory for each of their Spring 2020 courses. Please note: No Credit (N) is not an option in the graduate grading scale.

Graduate students are required to have a 3.0 GPA in their program of study in order to graduate. Graduate students are held to a higher standard and, as a result, are suspended when they earn a grade of U or an unacceptable number of C grades. A student can elect a Pass (P) grade to replace a C grade this semester. Students who earn a U or an unacceptable amount of C grades will be suspended or terminated, as appropriate. This process will not change for spring, and suspensions or terminations will be effective for Fall 2020. 

Graduate students are advised to consult with their program director before making a grade change selection, if relevant. 

Textbook returns
Last week’s Niner Notice listed the textbook rental return deadline as June 15. This date did not take into account the recent extension. Textbook rentals need to be returned no later than Aug. 29. You can access prepaid shipping labels here.

Faculty and Staff

Work beginning May 9
Governor Roy Cooper's stay-at-home order is currently expected to expire on Friday, May 8. If there is no extension of the order, the state will enter phase 1 of the governor's reopening plan at that time. Phase 1 includes the directive that liberal teleworking continue, and the University will abide by this instruction. All employees who are teleworking should continue to do so. If you cannot telework and believe you need to return to campus to carry out your duties, you should contact your supervisor directly to discuss your situation. Additional information about administrative leave and other COVID-19-related HR policies will be shared with employees as soon as further guidance is received from the UNC System. 

Faculty Staff Textbook Loan Program
Faculty and staff who took advantage of the Faculty Staff Textbook Loan (FSTL) Program should either contact Linda Burke (lburke10@uncc.edu) to set up a time and date to return their textbooks or mail them back to the store at their own cost.

Dear Niner Nation, 

As you may have seen last week, UNC System Interim President Bill Roper shared the intention of all System institutions to return to on-campus instruction in the fall. UNC Charlotte has been engaged in extensive discussions to assess what is most appropriate for our University. I write today with an update on the fall semester and information on federal grant money to assist qualifying students as they prepare for a return to campus. 

Plans for Fall Semester
We know how critical in-person instruction, hands-on learning, and activities with friends and peers are to a well-rounded student experience. As faculty and staff, we miss our interactions with students and each other, experiences that are important to maintaining the sense of community we feel deeply at UNC Charlotte. We also know we must be responsible about balancing the return to classrooms, offices, and residence halls with the health and safety of Niner Nation and the uncertainty this pandemic poses. 

After consultation with public health and UNC System officials, we have made the decision to begin our fall semester on Monday, September 7, two weeks after our previously scheduled start on August 24.  Given our unique location in North Carolina’s largest city, these two weeks allow additional time between the projected peak of the virus in Charlotte and Mecklenburg County and the start of the academic year. We are seeing the flattening of the virus’s curve as a result of social distancing, but county health authorities tell us the peak in the outbreak in Charlotte is now projected to occur in mid-June. As the city begins to return to life as a hub for global business and travel, we will assess any additional safety protocols that may be necessary on our campus. The health of our students and employees, especially those who may be at higher risk, is our top priority in making this decision.

We realize the delayed start will pose some logistical challenges, including the start on Labor Day. That is why we wanted to share this decision as soon as possible.

A complete schedule for a semester that begins instruction on September 7 is in preparation and will be released as soon as it is available. This will include specific dates that will guide move-in into campus residence halls, semester and holiday breaks, academic deadlines, and commencement plans. 

We know you have many more questions about how life on campus will work when you return with social distancing protocols in place, how classes will be delivered, and other important topics. We are committed to getting you those answers as quickly as we can. 

I asked for your patience and flexibility as we worked through the change to remote classes, and I ask for it again now. There is still much to be done to ensure we are welcoming you back to campus as safely as possible. As we move through that process, we will post updates online and send regular communication to keep you informed. 

Our academic advisors and other support services remain open and available to assist you remotely to ensure you are registered for fall classes and progressing toward degree completion. Please visit the Niner Nation Cares website for more on these resources.

CARES Funding for Students
Funding from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act provides approximately $12 million in grant money to UNC Charlotte for distribution to qualifying undergraduate and graduate students to help cover expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to the pandemic. A team of University leaders has developed a plan for how this money will be distributed to those students identified as having the highest need based on their most recent Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). 

Grant amounts will vary by student and are unique to each student’s circumstances. The specific criteria that will govern the allocation of funding will be released shortly.  What is important for most students to know is that the funding is extremely limited.  Although $12 million is a lot of money, we also have a large number of students in need.  

To be eligible for CARES Act funds, students must have been enrolled in spring 2020 and registered for fall 2020 classes, eligible to receive federal financial aid, and have filed a 2020-2021 FAFSA.  Students who did not file a FAFSA will be given the opportunity to do so.  The money will not be applied to any outstanding balances owed the University. We anticipate the grants will begin being distributed within 2-3 weeks. Recipients will see the amount of their grant posted to their student account before it is disbursed.

More information about the grants, including the form to complete if you haven’t filed a FAFSA, will be posted on the Niner Nation Cares website soon. Students are encouraged to check the site for updates frequently. 

Niners Helping Niners
Just like you, this is not the semester I imagined when we began in January, but I am proud of how this community has come together. 

I am truly grateful for how Niner Nation has stood in support of one another. Through generous support of employees, alumni, friends and students, we have raised $500,000 in emergency funds and have helped more than 1,000 students to-date. This money helped pay rent, buy groceries, and reduce the strain of lost jobs and disrupted work and school schedules. Most importantly, it demonstrated the care Niners have for one another. 

The past 12 months have challenged our University in unimaginable ways. At each turn, you have risen above every obstacle, showing the strength and resilience of Niner Nation.  

I know you will continue to do so.

Sincerely,

General Information

A Message of Care for Niner Nation
UNC Charlotte Dean of Students Christine Reed Davis recently sent a message of care for students, but there are lessons that everyone in Niner Nation can use, including six reflection questions to help keep you grounded during these challenging times. You can view the video here.

New COVID-19 Reporting Form
UNC Charlotte cares about the health and well-being of our students and employees. If you have been diagnosed or evaluated by a healthcare provider for COVID-19, please complete this form to aid us in providing adequate support to our campus community.  This form replaces the University’s self-quarantine reporting form. 

Send Your Best Wishes to the Class of 2020
In recognition of the original May commencement dates, UNC Charlotte is creating a video compilation of what graduating means, straight from the voices of May graduates, their loved ones, and the faculty and staff closest to them. Review this information for how you can send your best wishes to the Class of 2020. 

Phased On-Campus Reopening Guidance
The University is reviewing the on-campus reopening guidance issued by the federal, state and local government, and we are in close contact with the UNC System for additional instruction. We will share more information with the campus community as it becomes available. 

For Students

Information about Academic Probation and Suspension
Courses selected for pass/no credit in spring 2020 will have no impact on a student's spring semester GPA or overall cumulative GPA. Because of the extraordinary circumstances due to COVID-19 this spring, UNC Charlotte will not be implementing the usual academic suspension process at the end of the spring 2020 semester. Any student on probation from fall 2019 who does not meet the cumulative requirements for good academic standing, at the end of spring, will be classified as "Special Probation." Students who were in good standing prior to Spring 2020 whose cumulative GPA fell below 2.0 this semester will be placed on Academic Probation as normal. Please review this FAQ for additional information on this and other topics related to the pass/no credit option. 

Check Out New Virtual Resources -- Including Virtual Events
Navigating a new virtual approach to life and education is a big change. To help students successfully manage this changing landscape, Student Affairs recently launched go.uncc.edu/virtual to provide virtual resources from different areas of the University and the community related to wellness, counseling, learning and fun, including a list of virtual events from the Campus Events web calendar.

Reminders about HRL Move Out
Housing and Residence Life (HRL) will continue with its planned move out, continuing through Friday, May 8. Social distancing and safety measures will be in place; the extension of North Carolina’s stay-at-home order will not delay this effort. 

• Textbooks from Barnes & Noble Charlotte

  • Students who wish to participate in textbook buyback can sell their books online and ship them for free with the Barnes & Noble Charlotte buyback tool.

  • Textbook rentals are due June 15 and must be shipped to the store. Prepaid shipping labels are available here.

  • Textbooks for summer courses will be available for purchase online and will ship for free. May 25 is the last day to receive a refund on any summer textbooks.

• Returning Items from Atkins Library 

  • If Moving Out of Residence Halls: Students may return library books (including Interlibrary Loan) to any campus book drop location. Students with laptops or library equipment other than books to drop off during scheduled move out dates may contact Mark Price to make an appointment to return the equipment to the library at a specified time. Returning library materials during move out is optional, and late fines will not be charged for overdue items at this time. Only lost or damaged items will incur fees for repair or replacement.

  • If Not Returning to Campus for Move Out: Anyone with library books or DVDs to return who has left the Charlotte area or is unable to come to campus may request a postage-paid label to return books by mail. Please visit the library updates page for more information on this option. Laptops and other equipment cannot be returned by mail at this time.​

For Faculty and Staff

• Administrative Leave and Families First Coronavirus Response Act
  Employees can expect to hear more information via email from Human Resources by Friday, May 1, on the status of administrative leave and the application of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA).  FFCRA is legislation that extends provisions of family and medical leave and sick leave to employees with COVID-19-related absences. 

Today, Thursday, April 23, Governor Roy Cooper extended the stay-at-home order for North Carolina through Friday, May 8, in an ongoing effort to combat the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). 

This order includes UNC Charlotte and supersedes Mecklenburg County’s order, which expires April 29. 

There are no additional measures necessary by the University to comply with this extension. As previously directed, employees should continue to work from home until further notice. Additional information will be shared with the campus community in Monday’s scheduled NinerNotice. 

Additional Resources

• State information

• University information

Niner Nation Cares Website Launch
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed many things for the UNC Charlotte community. Living rooms have been transformed into classrooms, students and professors are interacting through computer screens and campus events are being held virtually. What hasn’t changed is our care for and commitment to 49er students and alumni. 

The University recently launched ninernationcares.charlotte.edu, a care portal to make navigating these uncertain times a little easier for students. Alumni Affairs has also created a site with centralized resources for alumni.

CARES Act
The recently passed Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act provides funding to state and local governments, including educational institutions. The UNC System is expected to receive approximately $179 million in support, with UNC Charlotte's anticipated funding totaling around $24 million. The legislation prescribes that 50 percent of the funding, approximately $12 million, must go to direct aid for students in the form of modest emergency aid grants and the remaining funds are for the financial impact to the University from the COVID-19 pandemic. Because the federal legislation is complex, guidance from government agencies and the UNC System Office is forthcoming. We appreciate your patience as we work through how the funds provided can be used. More information will be shared with campus in the next several weeks. 

Wellness Support Available for Students and Employees
UNC Charlotte cares about the health and wellness of our students and employees. This means supporting our community in focusing on personal wellness during this time. The Price Center for Counseling and Psychological Services, the Student Health Center and the Center for Wellness Promotion can help students maintain emotional and physical health through online, telehealth services, including individual appointments with medical and mental health providers and health educators. The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) helps faculty and staff through such services as telephone counseling support and assistance in financial and work-life decisions. You are encouraged to take advantage of these resources available at no cost to you. 

Volunteer from the Comfort and Safety of Home
Yesterday kicked off National Volunteer Week. We can’t participate as we have in the past, but there are still opportunities to give back to the Charlotte community without leaving the safety of your home.  Read more. 

Housing, Dining and Parking Refunds
Last week, the University processed dining, housing and parking refunds to eligible students, faculty and staff totaling approximately $14 million.  Students who received a refund should have received direct email communication from Niner Central, and employees with parking permits should have received an email from Parking and Transportation Services (PaTS).  Answers to a number of frequently asked questions about refunds are available for review.

Student Emergency Relief Fund
For those who are able, there is still time to make a donation to the Student Emergency Relief Fund. To date, the University has awarded more than $333,000 to approximately 900 students thanks to the generosity of donors. However, more than 700 additional students have requested support from the fund. All donations go to meeting that need. 

Student Mail Forwarding
Students who receive mail on campus and did not receive an exemption to remain on campus should fill out the Change of Address webform to have their mail forwarded to their current address.

Fact or Fiction?
We understand rumors are expected in such uncertain times. However, it is important to have correct information. Below are the facts to rumors we’ve heard circulating recently.

Rumor: Since the University is offering pass/no credit options this semester, I do not have to complete any additional coursework in order to get a grade of pass (P). 
Answer: Students should complete all assigned coursework through the remainder of the semester. Students will receive a letter grade for the entire semester’s work. Students then can either accept the letter grade or request a grade of pass or no credit.

Rumor: The University will not have in-person classes in fall 2020.
Answer: At this time, typical instruction is planned for fall 2020.  Any changes to course delivery methods (in-person or remote) will be determinant upon public health recommendations.

Stay Informed
The University is committed to keeping the campus community updated during this rapidly evolving situation.

• NinerNotices and emails: We will send NinerNotices every Monday and more email communication as warranted.

• Website: We will continue to keep the Emergency Management website and FAQs updated with the latest information. Check these resources often.

• Social Media: We will communicate with you on social media via the NinerAlerts Twitter and Facebook accounts and the University’s main Twitter and Facebook accounts.

Next NinerNotice
Unless changing circumstances warrant earlier communication, the next NinerNotice is scheduled for Monday, April 27.

Residence Hall Move Out Update
Housing and Residence Life (HRL) is working on a safe and efficient process for remaining residential students to retrieve their belongings and complete their move out.  Residents will receive information from HRL by email later this week.

Meal Plan and Housing Refunds
Students with meal plans and/or housing contracts will begin receiving detailed emails regarding their refunds this week. These refunds will initially be processed for students who left campus by March 20, defined as those who did not receive an exception to remain in housing. As a reminder, any refund amount will first be applied to outstanding balances on students’ accounts. 

To facilitate the refund process, meal plans with swipes have now been removed from the accounts of students who are not on campus. Crown Commons and Market on Craver remain open. Optional Dining Accounts, credit cards and Straight Declining Balance plans are still accepted at these locations.

Dean’s and Chancellor’s Lists
The Faculty Executive Committee approved an exception to the Academic Policy allowing students to be eligible for the Chancellor’s List or Dean’s List if they have earned at least 9 credit hours (instead of 12) in courses graded A, B or C. This allows students to accept a Pass (P) grade in some courses, as long as the student accepts letter grades in at least 9 credit hours. This exception applies only to Spring Semester 2020. This exception can be found in the Academic Honors policy here as well as in the current Catalog.

SOAR Moving to Online Delivery
The Student Orientation, Advising and Registration (SOAR) program will be hosting virtual sessions this summer. Admitted students have been notified of this program change and will have access to the SOAR reservation system beginning May 1. 

Face Covering Advisory
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have advised everyone to wear a cloth face covering when in public. The University encourages all mandatory employees who must be on campus to wear a face covering, and those who need one may pick them up at the Popp Martin Student Union or the Facilities Operations and Parking Services (FOPS) building. The FOPS lobby is open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

For information on how to make and clean a cloth face covering, visit the CDC website. 

Reminder about Prorated Parking Refunds
On Thursday, April 9, Chancellor Dubois announced the University would be able to offer prorated refunds for parking to eligible students and employees. Read more in his letter to the community. Additional information will be sent to parking permit holders in the coming days. 

Stay Informed
The University is committed to keeping the campus community updated during this rapidly evolving situation.

• NinerNotices and emails: We will send NinerNotices every Monday and more email communication as warranted.

• Website: We will continue to keep the Emergency Management website and FAQs updated with the latest information. There is also a page where the University is tracking confirmed cases of COVID-19 affecting the campus community. 

• Social Media: We will communicate with you on social media via the NinerAlerts Twitter and Facebook accounts and the University’s main Twitter and Facebook accounts.

Next NinerNotice
Unless changing circumstances warrant earlier communication, the next NinerNotice is scheduled for Monday, April 20.

Dear Niner Nation, 

On Tuesday, we told you the UNC System shared system-wide guidance that parking fees were not eligible for reimbursement for the spring semester. That was true, and we were following the direction provided to us. 

However, after further conversation with the System, we received new guidance today and each institution can now determine how to implement their parking refund policies. 

I am pleased to announce that UNC Charlotte will be able to apply our established parking refund procedures with additional special considerations for the impact of COVID-19.

Students: Eligible students will receive a refund for the prorated amount of the permit type held by the student, calculated as of March 16, the day classes moved to online/remote delivery, and excluding any outstanding parking fees associated with the account. More details on the refund process will be provided soon. 

Employees Who Purchased in One Payment: Eligible employees who paid in one payment will receive the prorated amount of the cost refunded to a credit card if that was the original form of payment or a check for the amount owed if originally paid by check or cash. The total refund will be calculated as of March 16, and it will be based on the standard proration schedule for each permit type and any outstanding parking fees associated with the account.

Employees with Payroll Deduction: For eligible employees who pay through payroll deduction, the last payment will be in the April 15 payroll. Because payroll deduction for parking is one month in arrears, individuals paying through that method will have paid for parking through March 15.

The prorated refunds of parking permits will be a manual process for our Parking and Transportation Services (PaTS) team. You will receive additional information within the next week, and you should expect to receive your refund within three to four weeks. 

In the meantime, please make sure your direct deposit or permanent mailing address information is updated by visiting my.uncc.edu 

This remains a confusing time for all of us with rapidly changing information, but I am pleased we are now able to offer this to our students, faculty, and staff.

Thank you for your ongoing patience and support. 

We will get through this. 

Cordially,

Philip L. Dubois
Chancellor

Update on South Village Move Out
This evening, Mecklenburg County announced that current projections for COVID-19 overflow patients are lower than original estimates, which means social distancing efforts and stay-at-home orders are having positive results in our community. The University has been notified by the county that the options for standing up a mass care facility are under review, including the request made of UNC Charlotte. Pending a final decision by the county, Chancellor Dubois has suspended the second phase of the move-out for South Village residence halls this week. Please read this message from Chancellor Philip L. Dubois for more information. 

Refunds Update

Housing and Dining: As stated in the March 30 NinerNotice, the University is developing plans to provide prorated refunds for housing and dining for the spring 2020 semester for eligible students. Here is the latest information: 

• Make sure your information is updated. Login to Banner Self Service at my.uncc.edu and make sure your direct deposit information is updated. If you have not signed up for direct deposit, refunds will be sent to the mailing address the University has on file. In Banner Self Service, go to the Personal Information tab to make sure your address is correct. 

• Timing: Eligible students will receive their refunds by April 30, 2020. Per UNC System Office guidance, the refund period begins March 21, the day after students were requested to leave campus, through May 8. Please note: The refund period will differ for those students who remained on campus beyond March 21. 

• Outstanding charges: If you have a balance due on your student account, any refunds will first be applied to the outstanding balance. The remainder will be disbursed to you via direct deposit or check.

• Additional communication: Students who are eligible to receive refunds will receive an individualized email from Niner Central in the coming days with additional information, including the refund amount, any amount applied to an outstanding balance, and the net amount that will be disbursed.

Parking:  The UNC System Office will not authorize UNC Charlotte to issue prorated parking refunds. 

Summer Classes 
All summer classes (first half, second half and the full-term) will be delivered online/remote. Curriculum and meeting times for first-half and full-term courses will be finalized April 10, and second-half summer courses will be finalized by April 20. Students may continue to register but should be aware of these course finalization dates since there may be changes to currently scheduled required meeting days and times as instructors plan to move to remote instruction. Summer classes start on May 18. Classes for the second-half summer term begin June 29. As we work to update Banner and our student billing systems, students will not see new charges for tuition and fees reflected on their accounts until approximately April 17.  More information is available on the Niner Central website.

Summer Camps, Conferences and Events
All summer camps, conferences and events are canceled through June 30. Decisions for July 1 and forward will be made no later than May 18. Please see additional information below. 

• Camps on Campus: More information about Camps on Campus, offered through Continuing Education, is available at http://go.uncc.edu/camps-update. 

• CRES events and camps: Conference, Reservations and Event Service (CRES) staff will reach out to event organizers with more information. 

• Center City: UNC Charlotte Center City staff will contact event organizers directly with more information. 

Caps and Gowns
Caps, gowns and honor cords are available for online ordering through Oak Hall. Please visit the Commencement website for more information. Please note: A decision on the rescheduled commencement will be made in May. More information will be shared with graduates and their families as soon as possible.

Temporary Off-Campus Niner Transit Routes
To help students who live in surrounding off-campus housing near the University, Niner Transit has added three temporary bus routes with service to the Popp Martin Student Union, where to-go food service and grocery essentials are still available. Visit the PaTS website for more information.

Crown Commons and Market on Craver
Crown Commons and Market on Craver in the Union are open for takeout service and essential items. Curbside pickup is available for Market on Craver mobile orders. Learn more about curbside pick up. 

Stay Informed
The University is committed to keeping the campus community updated during this rapidly evolving situation.

• NinerNotices and emails: We will send NinerNotices every Monday and more email communication as warranted.

• Website: We will continue to keep the Emergency Management website and FAQs updated with the latest information. There is also a page where the University is tracking confirmed cases of COVID-19 affecting the campus community. 

• Social Media: We will communicate with you on social media via the NinerAlerts Twitter and Facebook accounts and the University’s main Twitter and Facebook accounts.

Next NinerNotice
Unless changing circumstances warrant earlier communication, the next NinerNotice is scheduled for Monday, April 13.

Dear Niner Nation, 

As you know, the COVID-19 situation continues to be very fluid, and UNC Charlotte is working closely with county, state, and hospital leadership to prepare and ensure our community has the resources to manage through this crisis.  

Today, Mecklenburg County announced that the projections for overflow hospital patients are significantly lower than original estimates, and that social distancing protocols are helping advance these efforts. Based on these updated projections and the needs of the hospital systems, I have suspended the second phase of the move-out for South Village residence halls this week until we gain further direction from the county. 

Also, based on North Carolina’s statewide stay-at-home order in effect through April 29, we ask that students and families do not return to campus to secure their belongings until the order is lifted. Once the county and state’s directives have been lifted, a process for complete check out of all residence halls will be shared. 

I want to thank all of our students in Hunt, Laurel, and Levine and their families who returned quickly to campus over the weekend to retrieve belongings and our staff members who facilitated this effort. 

Our preparations were not in vain. If the fight against COVID-19 has taught us anything, it is to expect the unexpected and to be ready to adjust quickly to changing information.

We stand ready to help if we are needed by Mecklenburg County and the State of North Carolina. If called upon, Niner Nation will do what is necessary to help safeguard the lives of our families, friends, and neighbors. 

I appreciate your continued flexibility and patience in this extraordinary situation. 

Sincerely, 

Philip L. Dubois
Chancellor

Dear Niner Nation, 

Last week, I wrote to you with information about the ways we are uniting to support our fellow Niners. Today, I am writing to tell you how Niner Nation may be called upon to help our local community in a significant way. 

We are in an international crisis. We are being asked to live, study, and work differently. We must also think differently about our responsibilities to each other and the larger community during this time, which means sometimes stepping forward to serve the Charlotte region in new ways.

Similar to other universities, we are working closely with state and local officials to assess the needs of our respective communities in this extraordinary situation. During this time, it may become necessary for South Village residence halls (Holshouser, Hunt, Laurel, Levine, Sanford and Scott) to be used in conjunction with Mecklenburg County or the state of North Carolina’s planning and response efforts for COVID-19.  All efforts in support of the county and state’s plans are critical to protecting the health and safety of our community as a whole. In the interest of saving lives, I have pledged the full cooperation of the University to the county and state as needed in the days ahead.

We have contacted South Village residents and are working to reunite them with any belongings left behind using a scheduling plan and protocol that practices appropriate social distancing during the relocation process.  

Under the terms of the county and state stay-at-home orders, the University has been granted an exception for these residents to come back to campus under these circumstances. However, it will not be possible for students who lived in other residence halls to retrieve their belongings at this time. Once the county and state’s directives have been lifted, a process for complete check out of all residence halls will be shared. We appreciate your patience and continued cooperation on this.

As we communicated on Monday, we have received guidance from the UNC System regarding prorated refunds for housing and dining charges for the semester. We will provide more information on the refund process as soon as possible.

I want to acknowledge the disruptions this decision is causing our students and their families. I appreciate their understanding and fast response during this extraordinary situation. I also want to recognize the staff members who are working around the clock to ready the campus should it be needed, on top of the many needs of our employees, students, and families.

This is a difficult situation, but supporting our community is why we exist. UNC Charlotte’s mission is to address the cultural, economic, educational, environmental, health, and social needs of the greater Charlotte region. 

We also cannot forget that those who may need our help -- medical professionals, city, county and state officials, first responders, our neighbors -- are the same people who came running to assist us a little less than a year ago when we needed them most. It’s now our turn to help them. 

The days ahead will bring additional challenges; that is certain. But we will do what Niner Nation always does: We will come together and support the community to which we proudly belong. 

Sincerely, 

Phil

Today, the UNC System announced that institutions will be able to provide students prorated housing and dining refunds for the spring semester. The University is committed to working with the System to provide these refunds as soon as possible. We are working diligently to finalize the details, and expect to have more information to share about the refund process in the next few weeks. 

Summer Classes and Fall Registration
Registration for all summer terms and the fall semester opened as scheduled today, March 30. All courses for the full summer term and the first-half summer term (Session A) will be completely online. The decision for whether or not to move the second-half summer term (Session B) fully to online will be made by May 18, prior to the payment due date. Classes for the second-half summer term begin June 29. More information is available on the Niner Central website. 

Communication about Confirmed COVID-19 Cases
UNC Charlotte is committed to keeping faculty, staff and students informed about confirmed cases of COVID-19 that may affect the campus community. However, sending a NinerNotice for each case is no longer practical because of the prevalence of community spread of the disease and because most employees and students are no longer on campus. Instead, we have launched a new webpage on the Emergency Management website where we will list known, confirmed cases of COVID-19 involving faculty, staff or students. The page will be updated every Monday, and you can access it at any time. We will also include a link in our weekly Monday NinerNotice. We will continue to work with local health departments to communicate directly with individuals who may have been exposed on campus to an individual with a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis.

Camps on Campus
Camps on Campus will cancel summer camps scheduled in June. Camps scheduled in July and August will remain open if the University offers in-person classes for the second-half summer term. The decision for whether or not to cancel July and August summer camps will be made by May 18. More information is available at go.uncc.edu/camps-update.

HR Reminders
Earlier today, Gary Stinnett, associate vice chancellor for human resources, sent an email to all employees with information about administrative leave and compensation for mandatory, on-campus employees. Please review his message if you haven’t already. 

Popp Martin Student Union
Popp Martin Student Union has transitioned to swipe-card access. Students and employees can access the building using their 49er ID card from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. 

Fact or Fiction?
We understand rumors are expected in such uncertain times. However, it is important to have correct information. Below are the facts to rumors we’ve heard circulating recently.

Rumor: The Student Health Center is closed.
Answer: This is false. The Student Health Center is open and serving students who need health care, though students are asked to call first before visiting the Center. More information is available on the Student Health Center website. 

Stay Informed
The University is committed to keeping the campus community updated during this rapidly evolving situation.

• NinerNotices and emails: We will send NinerNotices every Monday and more email communication as warranted.

• Website: We will continue to keep the Emergency Management website and FAQs updated with the latest information. Check these resources often.

• Social Media: We will communicate with you on social media via the NinerAlerts Twitter and Facebook accounts and the University’s main Twitter and Facebook accounts.

Next NinerNotice
Unless changing circumstances warrant earlier communication, the next NinerNotice is scheduled for Monday, April 6.

The University has been notified that an evening contract worker assigned to UNC Charlotte Center City has been diagnosed with COVID-19. The individual is in isolation and receiving proper medical care. Classes were online during the time of possible exposure, and we have been advised the threat to staff is low. Employees who may have been in contact with this individual will receive direct communication from the University with additional information. 

To protect individuals’ private health information, UNC Charlotte will not identify employees or students diagnosed with COVID-19. 

Please follow the stay-at-home orders and adhere to social distancing practices during this time to protect your health and the health of your loved ones. 

Next NinerNotice
Unless changing circumstances warrant earlier communication, the next NinerNotice is planned for Monday, March 30. 

Today, Friday, March 27, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper issued a stay-at-home order for the state in an effort to fight the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. This order will be enforced beginning at 5 p.m. on Monday, March 30, and is effective for at least 30 days. 

The order is similar in nature to the stay-at-home order issued by Mecklenburg County on Tuesday, March 24, except it is in effect for all of North Carolina. 

Because the University is adhering to the order by Mecklenburg County, no additional changes to operations are necessary beyond those shared in the March 25 NinerNotice. However, it will extend our actions from 21 days under the county order to 30 days under the state order. 

Please review the additional resources below: 

• State resources pages

• County resources page

• University resources page

Additional Information about Pass/No Credit Grading
The Faculty Council, which determines grading policies, is currently considering a proposal to allow students the option to request Pass/No Credit to replace a letter grade for any or all of their Spring 2020 courses. Students will receive their letter grades as normal for the semester, and then will have a time-limited option to accept the letter grade (which counts toward GPA), or request a "Pass" or "No Credit" on their transcript, neither of which count toward or against GPA. Students and faculty will receive more information about these options by March 27.

Additional Information about County’s Stay-at-Home Order
Yesterday, Mecklenburg County issued a stay-at-home order that will be in effect for 21 days beginning at 8 a.m. Thursday, March 26. This order is an effort to combat the ongoing spread of coronavirus (COVID-19).  

Please review the information below carefully as there have been some changes to campus operations based on this order. Designated by the county order as an “essential” institution, the University will continue to operate, but we are taking actions to further reduce the number of people on campus. 

What this means: 

Everyone

• You should remain in your place of residence, leaving only for the essential reasons outlined in the county order. These include travel to necessary work functions and medical appointments and to purchase necessary supplies at grocery stores, pharmacies, or other essential businesses. Outdoor exercise is also permitted. More information is available on the Mecklenburg County website. 

Faculty and Students

• Online and remote delivery of classes will continue uninterrupted. Students should continue to follow the guidance of instructors on assignments. Faculty should consider the limitations on student movement, social distancing protocols and access to materials in making assignments.

• Students: Unless you were granted an exception by Housing and Residence Life to remain in a residence hall, you should not come to campus. 

• Faculty: Unless you have received an exception to conduct essential research activities, you should not come to campus. Research and Economic Development will be in touch with faculty with more information about the types of research that qualify for an exception. 

Staff
Only staff who perform work in functions designated by the University as essential should report to campus -- and only if instructed by their supervisors to do so. All other employees should work remotely or be placed on COVID-19 Administrative Leave. Reminder: Employees who are teleworking should do so until further notice.

• All supervisors who previously designated employees as mandatory will be contacted by divisional leadership to review those designations again in light of this order. 

• If you are unclear if your duties can be performed remotely, consult your supervisor directly. 

• Human Resources will provide additional information to supervisors this week about other HR-related updates related to COVID-19. 

Additional Campus Services
Effective at 8 a.m. Thursday, March 26, no one other than those employees designated as essential and those students remaining in residence halls should be on campus. Buildings will require a 49er ID card to enter via swipe access. 

Library and Campus Computer Labs: Atkins Library will close effective 4 p.m. on Wednesday, March 25, and all computer labs will be closed effective 5 p.m. Wednesday. 

• Borrowing laptops: Students who need to borrow a laptop from the University to complete their academic work should visit or contact Atkins Library prior to closing at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, March 25. Options for laptop pick up after 4 p.m. today are being finalized by staff and will be posted on the library’s website. 

• More information on virtual services are available on the library’s website. 

Dining:

• Crown Commons will continue providing brunch and dinner takeout service.

• Market on Craver will be open in the Union.

• Please visit the Auxiliary Services Operational Changes webpage for more information.

Student Union: 

• The Student Union will close today, March 25, at 7 p.m. The building will then be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. 

• The Campus Salon and Norm’s will close today at 5 p.m.

• Movies are canceled, and Union Station, Barnes and Noble Charlotte and NinerTech are closed until further notice.

CAPS and Student Health Center: CAPS and the Student Health Center will continue to provide services. Please visit their respective websites for hours and more information. 

Transportation:

• Niner Transit will operate the Silver and Gold Routes from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. 

• Paratransit service is unavailable until social distancing restrictions are lifted. 

• Please visit the Auxiliary Services Operational Changes webpage for more information.

Events: All events of 10 more people, regardless of location, are canceled until further notice. No exceptions will be granted by Chancellor Dubois. 

Mail Services: Mail Services will be open on a reduced schedule. Departmental mail will be held at Lower Prospector for pick up by the authorized department contact. Please visit the Auxiliary Services Operational Changes webpage for more information.

Receiving and Stores: Central receiving will remain open to accept packages from FedEx and other carriers. There will be staffing from 7:30-10:30 a.m. each day to assist campus customers. To contact Receiving and Stores, call 704-687-0372. Please leave a message if no one is available to answer this phone. 

Additional Resources

• Mecklenburg County FAQs

• UNC Charlotte FAQs

Next NinerNotice
Unless changes warrant earlier communication, the next NinerNotice is planned for Monday, March 30. 

Today, Tuesday, March 24, Mecklenburg County issued a stay-at-home order in an effort to combat the ongoing spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). This order includes UNC Charlotte and is in effect beginning 8 a.m. Thursday, March 26. 

Because of previous measures taken by the University, including teleworking and online and remote delivery classes, we believe we are positioned to respond quickly to this order, but additional changes may be needed. The University will review the order in detail and provide more information to the community as soon as possible.

Dear UNC Charlotte Community:

The University was informed today that a student has tested positive for COVID-19. We have been in contact with this student, and they are in isolation and receiving the proper medical attention.

The student was studying abroad, self-quarantined upon return to the U.S. and did not return to campus. 

In accordance with privacy laws and University policy, we will not release any additional identifying information about this person. We are working closely with local health department officials to ensure notifications are made quickly to those who may have come in contact with the student so they can be directed as to their next steps. We are grateful for the health department’s partnership and expertise in this situation.  

I know this is concerning news. However, as testing for the virus becomes more widespread, we will begin to see more confirmed cases in the Charlotte region. I encourage everyone to remain vigilant in protecting their health and the health of others. 

We will continue to complete our classes online, and our employees will continue to telework with only mandatory employees on campus to ensure we are doing all we can to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

As reported by the Centers for Disease Control, most who experience this illness will have mild flu-like symptoms. If you are experiencing fever, cough, or shortness of breath, please contact your primary health care provider directly for assistance and guidance on next steps. 

Please continue to take the following precautions:

• Follow social distancing practices in your daily lives, including staying at least 6 feet away from other persons and avoiding people who are sick. 

• Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly for at least 20 seconds with soap and water. If water and soap are unavailable, use an alcohol-based sanitizer. 

• Cover your cough and sneezes (into your elbow or tissue) and wash your hands immediately.

Our leadership team is monitoring this rapidly changing situation. I ask that you pay close attention to your email and the information on the Emergency Management website for updates.

Please continue to take care of yourself, your families, and each other. 

Sincerely,

Philip L. Dubois
Chancellor

Please see below for the latest information from UNC Charlotte.

Please note: There are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 involving UNC Charlotte faculty, staff or students. 

Pass/No Credit
The University’s Faculty Council is considering options to address the possibility of pass/no credit grading for classes this semester. More information should be shared with the campus community by the end of the week. 

Atkins Library
Atkins Library remains open but with limited hours. The library will be open until 7 p.m. today (Monday, March 23) and then move to 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Students needing laptops can still access them from Atkins. More information is available on the library website.

Administrative Leave
UNC Charlotte is in close contact with the UNC System about administrative leave beyond the current authorization through March 31 for employees who are unable to work remotely as a result of COVID-19. We will share more information as soon as possible. 

Teleworking Until Further Notice
As a reminder, all non-mandatory employees who can should telework until further notice and beyond March 31. For more information, please review the working remotely information on the Emergency Management website. 

Returning to Residence Halls for Check Out
Housing and Residence Life (HRL) is establishing a plan for students and their families to return to residence halls to complete check out for the spring semester. Dates and times for this will be shared once the University is confident it can ensure the safety and well-being of students, families and HRL staff during this process. Students and families are asked not to return to the residence halls unannounced.  

Supporting Our Community
Chancellor Philip L. Dubois shared this morning several ways the University is supporting our students, alumni, families and employees as we come together as Niner Nation to get through this difficult time. Please review the assistance that is available and the ways you may be able to help. 

Commencement Reminder
As Chancellor Dubois announced Friday, May’s commencement ceremonies have been postponed as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The University is reviewing ways to honor graduates and their academic accomplishments. We expect to make a decision in May on the date of an in-person ceremony for Spring 2020 graduates.

CATS On Modified Schedule
The Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) has announced modified schedules for its services, including light rail, beginning Wednesday, March 25. Please visit the CATS website for more information. 

Additional Resources for Students

• Ebooks available: To help facilitate the transition to online learning, Barnes & Noble College and VitalSource have made free ebooks available for the remainder of the semester. For more information, please visit the VitalSource information page on the Auxiliary Services website.

• Returning rented textbooks: Rented textbooks can be returned by mail. For information about printing a free shipping label, please visit Barnes and Noble Charlotte’s Rental Book Return webpage. 

• Financial literacy: Personal financial security and well-being are vital components of overall health and wellness. Brad Yeckley, assistant director for financial literacy in Student Assistance and Support Services, has compiled five tips to help students (and anyone) navigate this unprecedented time.