CAMPUS
'Not reformable': Members of UNC Epsilon Eta abolish the honors fraternity
Members of UNC’s chapter of the environmental honors fraternity Epsilon Eta announced the abolition of the group in an Instagram post on Sept. 2 after former members called out the fraternity for its role in upholding a space rooted in white supremacy. “As a historically exclusive and majority-white institution with semblances of Greek life, we have contributed to the preservation of white supremacy on UNC-Chapel Hill’s campus," the post said. The letter and abolition of the group has sparked a conversation among UNC students and within Ep Eta’s own former membership group. “It needs to be the act of abolishing it that shows that we don't support those values,” former Ep Eta member Michael Byrd said.
UNC's COVID-19 research makes headway and headlines
Articles from ProPublica and The New York Times shine light on lab and data security at UNC as it continues to lead the way in COVID-19 research.
BOG Committee on Budget and Finance discusses tuition costs and student fees
As a result of COVID-19, the committee discussed UNC school tuition for the upcoming year. Chairperson James Holmes recommended holding tuition costs flat for in-state students. This would be the fifth consecutive year that in-state undergraduate tuition would remain the same.
‘Something to look forward to’: Students weigh housing options for fall 2021
Allan Blattner, executive director of Carolina Housing, said the Carolina Housing process typically occurs in late October/early November, but that this year the process will be run entirely in the early spring semester due to COVID-19.
The Suite Life of Gum Box: First-year suitemate band optimistic despite move back home
Just weeks after they arrived, the members of Gum Box — along with thousands of other students — were moving off campus again. Instead of having impromptu jam sessions in their hallway or doing homework to the sound of a saxophone solo, the group is now facing a semester of Zoom calls and carefully planned recording meet-ups. “We’re all super stoked about the prospect of creating some original content together,” guitarist Harrington Shaw said. The band members are spread from Wilmington to Apex, but they’re prepared for the challenges of distance. In some ways, the distance could even have its benefits. The band is making plans to meet for its first recording session, in preparation for its first livestream performance.
'It just feels really inconsiderate': Carolina Housing terminates student staff
After being informed of their termination, effective Oct. 30, Carolina Housing student staff ask: Of all of the pay cuts that could have been made, why us?
Struggling together: Students recreate study spaces online
Students are finding ways to come together during COVID-19 through Zoom study rooms and GroupMe chats. "I wouldn't say I’m making friends through the group chat, but I definitely feel like I'm not the only one struggling through this, and I've got this group to struggle with me together," Zorah Davis, a first-year communication studies major, said.
'Making history': UNC's Asian American Center officially opens after 25 years of work
Almost 25 years in the making, the Asian American Center marked its official reopening with a kickoff event and looks ahead to future fundraising and planning.
Faculty Council Meeting: UNC could see a revenue loss of $300 million
The Faculty Council met Friday to discuss the University's budget, the current COVID-19 outlook and UNC's plans for the spring semester.
Chancellor Guskiewicz discusses learning from the fall and looking ahead to the spring
For the first time since the University moved to remote instruction one week after the first day of class due to COVID-19 outbreaks, the DTH talked to Chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz over Zoom to discuss the fall semester and plans going forward. "I don't regret any decisions. We've learned a lot — and there's some areas that we know, as we reflect back on the development of that roadmap and the implementation of it in the start of the semester, that I believe we'll look closely at and and modify as we make plans for the spring semester." Guskiewicz said he hopes to bring students back on campus in the spring, and a group is being assembled to begin making plans.
UNC will now only report COVID-19 tests administered by UNC in positivity rate metric
In an email sent to the campus community, UNC announced changes to the way the COVID-19 dashboard would report the campus positivity rate, as well as a new voluntary testing program.
As students leave campus, workers express mixed feelings over safety and job security
According to the UNC-Chapel Hill COVID-19 Monitoring Dashboard, no new COVID-19 cases have been reported among campus employees as of Sept. 1. Despite a smaller number of students on campus, some UNC workers are having mixed feelings about their presence on campus.
'Ghost town': Students still in dorms talk readjusting to life in an empty campus
"What used to be the most spontaneous and energetic place on campus suddenly feels like the most somber place to walk by these days."
Off-campus students struggle with internet access during a remote semester
Several off-campus students at UNC are struggling with internet connectivity issues this fall. Since the pandemic caused undergraduate classes to go online, access to internet has become essential. Jeff Sural, director of the North Carolina Broadband Infrastructure Office, said the influx of college students and residents using the internet in quarantine can result in slower internet connections for those in the area. UNC is offering students a $200 internet supplement award through the Office of Scholarships and Student Aid to help students purchase internet this semester, UNC Media Relations said in an email.
Students' opinions are divided on the University's new pass/fail grading policy
UNC announced a new pass/fail policy for the fall semester. Here's what students and faculty think about it.
How are COVID-19 tests reported at UNC?
Students both on and off campus are being tested for COVID-19 after clusters were identified in 13 residence halls since UNC's reopening. But after the test is administered, where does it go? UNC Media Relations said in a statement that tests performed at Campus Health Services are sent to LabCorp, a clinical laboratory company that runs various tests, including screening for COVID-19. As for tests administered off campus, the route is less clear. Orange County Community Relations Director Todd McGee said in a statement that test results are not typically reported directly to the county.
Academic accommodations help students with coursework during remote learning
University faculty and administration are providing students with accommodations to ensure that students who test positive for COVID-19 feel supported academically during the semester.
'It’s not just a job': The Meantime perseveres during COVID-19
The Meantime reopened on Aug. 25 and is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Back in time: students reflect on their lives before the coronavirus
Many students are experiencing more free time than usual during the COVID-19 pandemic. With this spare time, they are able to reflect upon their most cherished memories from before isolation.
