June 24, 2020
NCCU Community:
Together, we are working to ensure our community remains healthy while COVID-19 continues to shift our normal way of life. As you read in the Protecting the Nest: Guidelines for Returning to North Carolina Central University, adoption of new health and safety protocols on campus is critical to reopening and preparing for our students return in August.
An important part of this change has been the recommendation by global health officials that everyone wear a face covering to protect themselves and others from spreading the disease. Face coverings are part of the three “W”s of health safety: 1) Wear a face covering; 2) Wait six feet apart from others to avoid close contact; and 3) Wash your hands for 20 seconds or more with soap and water often or regularly use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
Following this guidance, the University of North Carolina System is requiring all individuals to wear face masks or other face coverings while on campus. The Centers for Disease Control and Protection and public health officials have noted that face coverings help slow the spread of COVID-19.
Both the North Carolina State Office of Human Resources and University of North Carolina System leadership have issued statements requiring the use of face masks. The following is the new requirement and guidance from the UNC System:
“All individuals shall be required to wear face coverings in classrooms, lecture halls, and any other instructional areas and campus locations as may be designated by the universities consistent with this health and safety standard and any requirements instituted by state authorities.”
The Chancellor has been given the authority to relax the mandatory face-covering requirement, if determined to be necessary. Decisions about individual face covering issues at NCCU will be made in conjunction with human resources and health and safety experts to ensure compliance with federal, state and local authority. Personnel who are unable to wear a face covering for health reasons should contact Mr. Cloyed Brown in the Office of Human Resources ([email protected]) to discuss reasonable accommodations.
NCCU will provide university branded face coverings to all residential students. Additionally, students, faculty and staff are encouraged to use and wear their own masks, if they meet the requirements noted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Employees should make certain their face covering is appropriate for the workplace.
The Protecting the Nest: Guidelines for Returning to North Carolina Central University and NCCU’s Operations, Recovery and Continuity Plan have been updated with the new requirement.
Signage (pictured below) will be placed throughout campus highlighting the proper use of face coverings, as well as the requirement to do so.
While at NCCU and in other environments, please continue to make safety a priority for you and those around you.
Thank you.
