UNC Gives Move-Out Order to Most Students

Posted on Aug. 19, 2020   |   Updated Aug. 21, 2020

The University began clearing out campus residences on Tuesday with a message to students that unless they qualified under special circumstances, they should make immediate plans to leave the campus and take all their belongings.

UNC began online-only instruction for undergraduates on Wednesday over concerns that COVID-19 infections were spreading too fast to be contained within the University’s plans for the fall semester that included in-person classes as well as remote and hybrid classes.

“While we recognize that some students will need to remain in residence, students should make plans over the next week to return to their permanent home for the fall semester unless they are unable to do so,” a message from campus housing said.

“Given widespread transmission on campus, and with concern for friends, family and communities, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services recommends that students who have been in congregate living settings proactively self-quarantine for 14 days once they leave campus.”

Students who are currently in quarantine or isolation can remain there; they are not permitted to return to their residence halls to retrieve belongings until they have completed their quarantine/isolation period and have been cleared by Campus Health Services.

Students were told to cancel their housing contracts by Aug. 25 — with refunds coming — unless they fell into one of these categories:

• Lacking safe alternative housing;

• Lacking reliable internet off the campus;

• Having family members at home who are at high risk for COVID-19;

• International students;

• Those involved in academic and research programs that can’t be conducted remotely; and

• Others with compelling needs or hardships.

ROTC students and varsity athletes also are being allowed to remain.

The University will use a formal review process for students who need to remain on campus.

There will be no penalty for canceling housing contracts.

For those who stay, there will be further restrictions on use of common spaces, and students may be required to change rooms to further reduce density.

Campus Health Services continues to provide medical care, and temporary isolation and quarantine housing will remain available.

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