The University's Jan. 7 announcement that in-person classes would be delayed until Feb. 8 was a relief to some, but an indicator of potential risks to others. Faculty members share their concerns with the delay and the potential for resuming some in-person classes later this semester.
Read More »Over 150 faculty members have signed the open letter, calling for the University to go remote for the spring semester. The op-ed signals growing fears that restarting in-person learning as COVID-19 infections and deaths increase across the country could trigger a dangerous surge in local cases. Faculty are calling for the N.C. General Assembly and the Board of Governors to alleviate the University’s financial challenges through alternative means. Chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz and Provost Bob Blouin addressed some of the concerns highlighted by the op-ed.
Read More »International students living abroad face compounded challenges taking online classes, from class times at odd hours to uncertainties surrounding returning next spring. Vedika Parikh was studying abroad in Denmark in March when she heard that President Donald Trump had imposed a travel ban on all non-U.S. citizens coming in from Europe due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Parikh, who isn't a U.S. citizen, didn't think she could go back to the United States, but she also didn't know if she could stay in Denmark. Due dates, too, have become a minefield, as the time difference makes it more difficult to keep up with submission deadlines.
Read More »The pandemic has increased food insecurity for community members such as refugees and those who live in public housing developments. Public housing developments are located farther away from grocery stores, often requiring a round trip of more than one mile. Limited bus routes due to COVID-19 have added to inequities in transportation. Organizations, such as PORCH and Food Not Bombs, have been working together to provide aid to community members.
Read More »Concerns about Greek life have circulated since UNC’s leadership announced the full reopening plan in May. And now that UNC is shutting down its residence halls, all eyes are on students who remain in off-campus housing — especially those in Greek organizations. As UNC planned its Carolina Roadmap, Greek life organizations also had to assemble plans to comply with county and University COVID-19 rules. During discussions about off-campus community standards enforcement, University leaders said sorority and fraternity houses are privately owned, meaning the majority of enforcement falls to the CHPD. Police Chief Chris Blue said the volume of party-related complaints received by the Police Department in the past month has been on par with years past.
Read More »On July 30, UNC announced the launch of the new Carolina Ready Safety App — replacing the LiveSafe app — developed in conjunction with UNC Police Chief David Perry and his team. The app includes features such as a mobile BlueLight system that connects students to emergency services through location-sharing and is only operational on campus. However, some UNC community members are concerned that software vulnerabilities could potentially leave users open to hackers and privacy breaches.
Read More »"This year has made it abundantly clear that we are at turning points in our own wars. Wars, not against the Fire Nation, but against disease, racism, climate change, inequality and authoritarianism. Like us, Aang and his friends stand on the precipice of great change as the series closes. They choose to remember the past, yes, but not to repeat it, forging a new path of peace and kindness."
Read More »Though the University has dramatically altered the upcoming fall semester in an effort to shut out COVID-19, some fear that UNC’s regulations won’t ensure compliance from off-campus fraternities — opening the door for potentially deadly outbreaks.
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According to the CDC, people of any age with underlying medical conditions such as diabetes, obesity or moderate-to-severe asthma, as well as people who are immunocompromised, may be at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19. For many UNC students with pre-existing medical conditions, the decision to return to the University in August is quickly turning into a matter of life and death.
Read More »Both the North Carolina court system and UNC offer differing forms of no-contact orders — commonly called "restraining orders" — to victims of harassment, stalking, abuse or assault when they seek protection from their perpetrators. While each type of no-contact order varies by degree of enforcement and consequences, they all establish, on paper, measures prohibiting contact between involved individuals. But in reality, many victims have found that enforcement of these protective measures can fall on their shoulders alone, leaving them no more sense of protection than they felt before seeking official action.
Read More »Andrew Perrin discusses the new general education curriculum at the Apr. 12 Faculty Council Meeting.
