2 Charlotte-area colleges make switch to all virtual plan for the fall

Charlotte-area colleges and universities are preparing to reopen both physically and virtually for the fall semester amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Queens University of Charlotte announced Friday that it will have an entirely virtual fall semester. That came one day after Johnson C. Smith University announced it would deliver instruction only online.

In June, Johnson C. Smith had announced its plan to return to face-to-face classes, but in a letter, JCSU President Clarence Armbrister noted the increased number of cases in North Carolina and states where many students reside.

“Unfortunately, under current conditions, the risk of an outbreak on campus which cannot be contained are considered to be unacceptable if we continued on the path toward face-to-face instruction we announced in June,” Armbrister wrote.

At Queens, university President Daniel Lugo said in a letter that the decision was primarily based on the increased number of cases in the region, especially in Mecklenburg County. The university initially planned to test anyone returning to campus prior to their arrival, but Lugo noted the lag in testing could prevent the feasibility of this.

“Our surrounding area’s experience with the pandemic has worsened over the last month and is not showing promise for dramatic improvement in the coming month,” Lugo wrote.

But other Charlotte colleges and universities, including UNC Charlotte and Davidson, are set to open in-person, at least partially, in the fall.

All area colleges offering face-to-face instruction noted facial coverings would be required inside, per state order by Gov. Roy Cooper. Nearly all universities will provide both online and in-person courses as well as a “hybrid” model, which would allow for a combination of the two.

Many of the colleges offering in-person classes have announced they would cease face-to-face meetings after Thanksgiving break, allowing students to finish the semester online.

Belmont Abbey College

Start date: Aug. 18

In-person vs. remote: Classes will be conducted in-person with social distancing, but classes that have too many students will be split into online and face-to-face instruction.

Mask requirement: Masks will be required in places where social distancing can’t be observed, the reopening plan stated.

Academic calendar change: Belmont Abbey will conduct classes on Labor Day and during the originally planned fall break. According to a letter from the university president, in-person classes will end before Thanksgiving break and then shift to virtual.

Other restrictions: Individuals who exhibit COVID-19 symptoms are to get a test off campus and self-isolate if it comes back positive.

Central Piedmont Community College

Start date: Aug. 10

In-person vs. remote: Central Piedmont is offering online and in-person classes, as well as hybrid or “blended” courses — both of which include online and face-to-face meetings, according to its website.

Mask requirement: Students and faculty are required to wear masks in places social distancing isn’t possible, like classrooms and bathrooms.

Academic calendar change: According to its website, Central Piedmont Community College will finish most of its face-to-face instruction before Thanksgiving, and the remainder of class meetings will be online.

Davidson College

Start date: Aug. 20

In-person vs. remote: According to its website, Davidson College plans to utilize both indoor and outdoor spaces so classes can meet adequate social distancing guidelines. It is offering small classes in person, some in a hybrid method and some completely remote.

Mask requirement: Masks will be required at all times indoors and outdoors while on campus. Masks aren’t required while alone in a private office, in a private living space or while eating in dining facilities.

Athletics: Davidson’s conference, the Atlantic 10, announced all fall-scheduled games and championships would be postponed.

Academic calendar change: Davidson has eliminated its fall break. After Thanksgiving, classes would resume online to limit students on campus.

Other restrictions: Davidson’s website stated it could not regulate students’ travel off of campus, but said it could “reserve the right to require safety steps upon return, such as isolation.”

Pfeiffer University

Start date: Aug. 18

In-person vs. remote: Pfeiffer will offer both in person and online courses, according to its reopening plan.

Mask requirement: Face masks are required in all areas of campus other than outdoors. They will be required in dining halls when people are not eating.

Athletics: Pfeiffer will collaborate with leaders in its conference on a plan for athletics.

Academic calendar change: Pfeiffer will end in-person classes after Thanksgiving break and transition to online-only for the rest of the semester.

Other restrictions: Pfeiffer wrote that it would limit gatherings and visitors to campus to allow for social distancing.

UNC Charlotte

Start date: Sept. 7

In-person vs. remote: UNC Charlotte will offer remote, in-person and hybrid courses. According to its reopening plan, in-person classes are not required to have an online component. In hybrid courses, half of the students will attend in-person and the other half will attend online. The groups will then switch.

Mask requirement: All students and faculty are required to wear face masks while in buildings where “social distancing is not possible.” The return plan notes that students can only remove their masks when instructed to do so while asking a question, participating in a discussion or giving a presentation. The plan notes if students don’t comply with this, they’ll be dismissed from the class session.

Other restrictions: Shared furniture in common areas of residence halls will be removed to allow for more social distancing.

This story was originally published July 31, 2020 at 3:38 PM.