NC State Faculty, Staff and Students,

NC State continues to work with county and state health officials to monitor the evolving outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and to prepare for the potential of significant impacts to our university. The health and safety of our campus community, and maintaining academic continuity, remain NC State’s top priorities.

I have assembled a leadership team — headed by Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost Warwick Arden and Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration Charles Maimone — that is working collaboratively across the university to ensure we are taking proactive, appropriate measures to plan, prepare for and address COVID-19 concerns at NC State. Throughout campus, our dedicated staff are working hard to help make sure the university remains a safe and healthy environment in which to learn, work and live.

Effective immediately and until further notice, NC State is implementing the following actions to keep our campus community safe and to limit the potential of COVID-19 to affect our ability to fulfill the university’s core academic mission.

Academics: Spring Break Extended; Moving to More Online Course Delivery

All classes are cancelled for next week as the university transitions to online and alternative course delivery where possible, to limit large class gatherings. Classes will resume on Monday, March 23.

Under Provost Arden’s leadership, faculty have been working hard to update or implement academic continuity plans. Students should pay attention over the next several days for additional communications regarding classes.

Residence Halls and Greek Village Open

Throughout the extended spring break, students who are able to stay off campus are encouraged to do so, in order to limit the on-campus population. For students who remain on campus during the break or who need to return to campus, residence halls, Greek Village and dining facilities will be open throughout the extended break. Campus buildings and services will continue operating on spring break hours.

Returning to Campus; Travel Registry

All students, faculty and staff on personal travel over spring break are strongly encouraged to let the university know where you traveled by completing the Spring Break Travel Registry. University health and safety officials will review the information in order to best advise individuals on any suggested or required health-related measures.

Some individuals may be subject to temporary quarantine and/or campus restrictions in order to keep themselves and the community safe. However, students are assured that if you need to be quarantined or cannot come to campus, NC State will ensure your class work can be done remotely and you can complete your semester. Quarantined or restricted employees are reminded that telework is often an option, and the possibility of telework will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Additional Travel Restrictions

Effective immediately and until further notice, all university-related travel outside the state of North Carolina, or within the state to gatherings of 100 or more people, is prohibited. Individuals and groups can submit an appeal for essential travel or special circumstances by completing a Travel Exception Request. Appeals will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Campus Events and Meetings

In order to encourage social distancing outside the classroom, effective immediately and until further notice, NC State is prohibiting on-campus events, meetings and gatherings of more than 100 people. Individuals and groups can submit an appeal for special event circumstances by completing an Event Exception Request. Appeals will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

We encourage the campus community to move meetings online where possible, using technologies such Zoom or Google Hangouts. Review the video, audio and web conferencing solutions provided by NC State’s Office of Information Technology at https://oit.ncsu.edu/campus-it/web-conferencing-services/.

In addition to larger gatherings, students, faculty and staff are also encouraged to use these or other technologies to limit smaller gatherings such as staff meetings and study groups.

Additional Campus Resources

The best way to keep up with university updates is to regularly check www.ncsu.edu/coronavirus/. This site also includes a growing collection of Frequently Asked Questions, important health-related information, links to community contacts and other helpful resources.

Any students who believe they may be ill with COVID-19 and who have the disease’s most common symptoms (fever and cough or shortness of breath), and who have risk factors of travel to a COVID-19-affected area or direct contact with a COVID-19 patient, can make an appointment with NC State Student Health. Students need to call ahead at 919-515-7107 (do not use the online form) and let the appointment staff know their risk factors immediately.

Campus community members with other questions related to COVID-19 can call the Wolfpack Response Line at 919-512-3272.

Throughout the campus adjustments outlined above, NC State will remain open and fully operational. Campus community members should pay attention for additional, specific student, faculty and staff communications over the next several days, and keep up to date with additional updates at www.ncsu.edu/coronavirus.

Please continue to take care of yourself, and take care of the Pack. Thank you all for your efforts to keep the NC State community safe and healthy.

Randy Woodson

Chancellor