UNC field hockey players stand as the starting lineup is announced during the NCAA Championship Game at Kentner Stadium on Sunday, Nov. 24, 2019. UNC won 6-1, marking their 8th national championship.

NCAA cancels Division I fall championships, football still allowed to play

By Jared McMasters

NCAA President Mark Emmert announced Thursday evening that the NCAA is canceling all 2020 Division I fall championships.

  • This announcement comes eight days after the Division II Presidents Council and Division III Presidents Council each canceled their respective fall championships.
  • The NCAA will attempt to have the championships in the spring.
  • Fall sports teams will still be allowed to participate in a regular season schedule, but they will not have a chance to win a national title.

2020 Coronavirus Outbreak

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Signs promoting social distancing and safety at the Die-In Protest on Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2020 as Jennifer Standish, a UNC graduate student in the Department of History, speaks outside of South Building on Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2020. The protest called for UNC to transition to fully remote classes for the Fall 2020 semester after a letter of caution sent to Chancellor Guskiewicz by the Orange County Health Director Quintana Stewart.

UNC employees sue the University system over workplace safety

By Maydha Devarajan

Gary Shipman, a Wilmington-based lawyer, is representing UNC System faculty and staff in the midst of preparing a class-action lawsuit to delay in-person classes. In a response to Shipman, NCDOL General Counsel Jill F. Cramer and Deputy Commissioner of Labor Kevin Beauregard acknowledged the concerns of faculty and staff members. However, they stated it is the responsibility of the UNC System to develop policies and plans that reduce the risk of exposure of contracting COVID-19 — not the department. 

UNC fans cheer on the football team at the homecoming game against Duke on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019 at Kenan Memorial Stadium. UNC defeated Duke 20-17 for the first time in three years.

Will students feel comfortable going to games this fall?

By Ryan Heller

Despite a rising number of positive COVID-19 tests across the country, the ACC plans to start its football season the week of Sept. 7-12. With the North Carolina football team planning to play an 11-game schedule, the UNC athletics department could open the doors of Kenan Stadium to fans in a limited capacity.  

Tyler Smith, an incoming first-year, exits Graham Residence Hall wearing a mask as two RA's, sophomores Tiel Pham (left) and Nigel Goins (right) sit in the entryway to assist with move-in on Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2020.

Orange County health director calls for UNC to go fully remote for at least five weeks

By Maddie Ellis and Sonia Rao

Orange County Health Department Director Quintana Stewart sent a letter to UNC officials on July 29 recommending the University limit on-campus housing and implement online-only instruction for the first five weeks of the semester as a minimum. The letter was released to the public Wednesday, sparking outrage among faculty and community leaders. Shutting down campus, however, "is not a realistic option," Stewart said.