A message from Chancellor Gaber

Dear Niner Nation,

Life as we know it currently has been called unprecedented, challenging, evolving, the new normal — among other descriptors. But ultimately, it’s just hard. Plain and simple.

It is hard to deal with changing guidance and directives, making decisions ever more challenging.

It’s hard to adjust to new ways of living with masks and distance between us, but the alternative is that we will not be able to keep ourselves and our community safe; and that’s even harder.

As you have likely seen, NC State University announced today they received approval from the UNC System to shift their undergraduate classes online following a series of cluster outbreaks on their campus. This follows a similar announcement by UNC Chapel Hill on Monday. Both universities’ outbreaks appear to be attributable to large off-campus gatherings and not a lack of adherence to on-campus community standards.

I know these recent announcements raise additional questions about the status of UNC Charlotte’s plans, so I want to share with you what we know now and what we are doing.

I have been very clear in my conversations with the UNC System that the health and safety of our campus community is paramount to me. I have heard from many of you about a desire to move to all online instruction, while many others have reached out to express your excitement about in-person campus life and classes. Unfortunately, there is no perfect answer that will meet everyone’s needs. We are in active discussions with the System Office and public health officials to assess all available options to us moving forward. I expect to have more information to share with you by mid-next week.

Understanding students and their families need time to consider their personal circumstances, we are extending the ability to cancel housing contracts without penalty until 11:59 p.m. on Friday, August 28, by going to the Housing and Residence Life (HRL) website. Additionally, we have moved our deadline for payment of fall 2020 charges to Tuesday, September 1. Students, please check your email for more information about this from Niner Central.

I ask for your patience over the coming days. In turn, I pledge to keep you informed about our plans and to provide answers to your questions as quickly as possible.

I know this situation continues to be uncertain, and there will be hard moments ahead. But my first month as your chancellor has convinced me that Niner Nation is stronger than any challenge we face. We will work together, we will care for each other, and we will persevere — because that’s what Niners do.

Sincerely,

Sharon L. Gaber
Chancellor