Chapel Hill Review

North Carolina Central University issued the following announcement on Aug. 26. 

We are sending you this Eagle Alert Emergency Notification as a requirement of the U.S. Department of Education Clery Act, which guides what health and safety information universities share with their campus.  As you return to campus, we want to remind you that COVID-19 is still present in Durham and the greater Triangle region and we must all take steps to slow the spread of the disease.  The intent of this message is to share information about North Carolina Central University COVID-19 resources and protocols for the Fall semester.  The full guidance documents are available through the NCCU Coronavirus website.

Community Standards

As the University continues to closely monitor the local, national and worldwide incidence of COVID-19, the coronavirus and the illness it causes, students, faculty, and staff are asked to review and adhere to all workplace policies, guidance and planning protocols.

The University’s priorities in setting these workplace procedures are to:

• Maintain the safety and health of our students, faculty and staff;
• Sustain, to the extent possible, student services, academic programs and operational continuity; and,
• Encourage an environment of fairness, open communications and flexibility to help ensure the well-being of the entire North Carolina Central University community.

As a reminder, all persons on campus will be expected to comply with certain standards, as outlined in the NCCU Operations, Recovery and Continuity plan, including the three W’s:

• Wear a cloth covering over your nose and mouth;
• Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer; and
• Wait 6 feet apart.

Communication

The University is maintaining a COVID-19 Dashboard that is updated multiple times each week indicating the number of identified COVID-19 cases on campus.  The dashboard will help inform our decision making related to campus operations, in consultation with the University of North Carolina System Office and local public health officials.

As a reminder, the University will not communicate broadly about individual positive cases, consistent with the State Human Resources Act and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, as well as other privacy considerations. Individuals who meet the CDC definition of a close contact of a person who tests positive for COVID-19 or has other potential exposure risk will be notified through the University’s contact tracing procedures, making broad communications unnecessary.  The University will determine the release of non-identifying communications about positive results based on approved guidelines.  COVID-19 specific guidance will be provided from COVIDInfo@nccu.edu.

Health and Wellness

Before leaving home for work or study each day, all persons should check themselves for symptoms of COVID-19 and complete the applicable COVID-19 survey.

• Faculty and Staff
• Students
• Visitors

All students are required to show proof of vaccination for COVID-19 or submit to weekly surveillance testing. Beginning September 8, 2021, all faculty and staff working on campus must either be vaccinated or be tested weekly.  Compliance can be achieved by either:

1. Uploading proof here that you are fully vaccinated; or
2. Participating in weekly surveillance testing on campus; or
3. Uploading weekly documentation here for surveillance results obtained off campus (will be active prior to September 8, 2021)

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is being provided to all students.  If needed, additional or replacement masks can be obtained via Student Health Services.  For faculty and staff, PPE can be requested by supervisors through the Environmental Health and Safety PPE Order Form.

If a student tests positive for COVID-19, they should immediately contact their healthcare provider and complete the Self-Report of COVID-19 form so contact tracing can be initiated.  If the student resides on-campus, they will be moved to isolation housing and provided with care and support.

If an employee tests positive, they must immediately notify the University using the Self-Report of COVID-19 form and seek medical advice from their healthcare provider.  Employees who are asked to quarantine or isolate will be provided guidance based on CDC symptom-based return to work practices.

The NCCU Coronavirus website and COVID-19 Dashboard will be updated regularly; we encourage community members to reference these resources frequently. 

For additional information about COVID-19, please see the CDC COVID-19 website or the NCDHHS COVID-19 site.

For questions and additional information, please contact NCCU Environmental Health and Safety at EHS@nccu.edu.

Original source can be found here.