UNC Charlotte spring classes will start remotely due to COVID. Here’s what to know.

UNC Charlotte’s spring semester classes will start virtually for two weeks due to the spike in COVID-19 cases related to the omicron variant.

All undergraduate and graduate classes will begin virtually Jan. 10 through Jan. 24, the college said in an email Friday to students.

The university believes the two-week delay could help stop the spread of the virus, a spokeswoman said.

“By moving to virtual classes for two weeks, we hope to get past the holiday surge of the omicron variant, reduce the spread of the virus in our on-campus population and minimize disruptions to instruction,” Charlotte said in the statement.

On Friday, the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services reported 19,174 new COVID-19 cases, the highest single-day jump in cases since January.

Students who live on campus are “strongly encouraged” to delay their return until Jan. 19-23, Charlotte said. Students who delay their return will receive a credit on their student account, according to the college.

Residential students and employees and students returning for in-person classes are required to have proof of COVID-19 vaccinations, including eligible boosters, or negative tests prior to moving in, according to Charlotte.

The two-week delay of in-person classes does not affect any other dates on the academic calendar, the university said.

University offices will remain open for “critical services.” Supervisors have been asked to work with employees to facilitate teleworking.

All men’s and women’s basketball games during the two weeks will be held without spectators, except for a limited number of family members, according to UNC Charlotte.

The 49ers are the first athletic department in North Carolina, and believed to be the first collegiate athletic program in the nation, to announce such a move. Any events scheduled before Jan. 24 will be postponed or moved to virtual.

College spokeswoman Buffie Stephens said UNC Charlotte works in consultation with the UNC system and public health officials.

“Omicron cases are increasing rapidly across the nation and new information prompted Charlotte to make the best decision for the health and safety of our campus,” Stephens said in an emailed statement. “We alerted the campus community several times that our plans were subject to change as the situation evolved and to monitor their email for the latest updates.”

Other colleges starting remotely

UNC Charlotte isn’t the only university going remote in North Carolina.

Duke University said Friday that all its classes will be remote until Jan. 18 instead of Jan. 10, the previously announced date.

“We also anticipate that positive test results, isolation periods and caregiving responsibilities affecting our faculty and staff will have an impact on campus operations and services as the semester begins,” Duke said in a statement.

Methodist University in Fayettville also pushed back its 2022 spring semester start date for undergraduate on-campus residential and commuter students by one week, from Jan. 10 to Jan. 18.

“I am certain we will have cases on our campus this spring, but as promised all along, we are working daily to remain as open as possible while also being as safe as possible,” MU President Stanley Wearden said. “Delaying the full opening of campus by a week affords us multiple opportunities to mitigate risk.”

MU has required vaccinations since October, which school officials said kept reported COVID-19 cases on campus “at zero for a majority of the weeks since.” The university is taking a phased return-to-campus approach for faculty, staff and students this spring that includes COVID-19 testing and reporting.

N.C. State University said students and staff who are not vaccinated must get tested when returning to campus for the first day of classes on Jan. 10. All students living in campus dorms and apartments or in Greek Village must also get tested, regardless of vaccination or booster status, the school said Monday.

Charlotte schools to start in-person

Two Charlotte colleges planned to start the spring semester in-person, as of Thursday, and one is requiring proof of vaccination.

At Queens University of Charlotte, spokesman Keith Pierce said the spring semester is still scheduled to begin Jan. 10.

All students, faculty and staff who are eligible will be required to show proof of COVID-19 booster shots by Feb. 15, or as soon as people are eligible, according to a Dec. 16 message from the college.

“We were able to maintain our in-person experiences throughout the (first) term because of your care for one another shown by masking up, getting vaccinated, and supporting each other,” the Queens leadership team said.

Central Piedmont Community College also will start its spring semester Jan. 10, according to the college’s website, and is encouraging but not requiring vaccinations or boosters for all students and staff.

This story was originally published December 31, 2021 at 2:59 PM.