This message was sent to students on 1.8.2021 from Dean of Campus Life, Michael Reynolds.
Dear Students,
As we prepare for your return to campus, the COVID Response group has been closely monitoring the status of COVID cases in the state of North Carolina. While we remain dedicated to providing an on-campus experience for our students, community spread is at critical levels throughout the state. In fact, there are now 84 counties designated as red (critical community spread). Union, Mecklenburg and surrounding counties are all in that category.
Wednesday, Governor Roy Cooper noted, “In North Carolina, we have seen some of our highest case counts, percent positives, hospitalizations and ICU bed usage numbers in the past few days. No matter where you live, work, worship or play, COVID-19 remains a deadly threat, and we must treat it that way."
In order to mitigate the risk for all faculty, staff, and students, the University will test students upon their return to campus and intends to continue random and targeted surveillance testing as needed.
College students are identified as part of Phase 3 in North Carolina’s phased approach to providing Covid-19 vaccines. We remain in contact with officials as to who can receive a vaccine when, how and where and will provide vaccination information as soon as it becomes available.
While we know it’s frustrating, the University will also continue with the following restrictions until at least February 1.
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No visitors or gatherings will be allowed in residence hall rooms or apartments. This means that students cannot visit other residential spaces or rooms.
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Campus Safety and Residence Life staff will monitor gatherings and break up groups with more than 10 people or groups in which people are not social distancing or wearing face coverings.
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Per the Governor’s order, students should plan to remain in their residential spaces from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.
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Dining Operations are open; limited seating in WT Harris; Klondike “to go” only
Failure to comply with any of these requirements may result in university sanctions.
The University will continue to monitor the number of positive and quarantine cases on campus, the number of spaces available to house quarantine and isolation students, as well as the overall health of the community (including our University, county, and state) in determining when restrictions can be lifted. Students are also reminded to fill out the Daily Symptom Tracker and download the SlowCovidNC app.
Our greatest hope would be that our steps to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 will result in the University relaxing some of these restrictions. Our faculty, students, and staff faithfully following the 3 Ws: washing your hands, wearing a face covering, and waiting 6 feet apart from each other, is the best way to get back to the kind of on-campus experience that we know is integral to a true Wingate University experience.
Take care,
m