The University of North Carolina Pembroke announced Thursday that students, faculty and staff will be required to show proof of a negative PCR or rapid antigen test taking within 72 hours before returning to campus for the spring semester.
“To ensure we start our semester together and healthy, UNCP is implementing an enhanced reentry testing requirement for the spring 2022 semester for all students, faculty and staff who will attend on-campus classes, work on campus or otherwise be present in person for any purpose,” Chancellor Robin Gary Cummings wrote in an email. “Many employees have already completed the reentry testing as they returned to work this week.
“In addition to the testing requirements, we will also reinstate some COVID-19 safety measures as we start the spring semester and adjust as needed.”
REENTRY TESTING
UNCP will require proof of a negative PCR or rapid antigen test, taken within 72 hours before returning to campus. The test must be performed by Student Health Services or a health care provider, pharmacies included. At-home tests will not be accepted for reentry testing.
The following groups are required to complete reentry testing:
• All residential students, regardless of vaccination status.
• All students who work on campus, regardless of vaccination status.
• All students who attend any classes on campus and in-person, regardless of vaccination status.
• All faculty and staff who conduct any portion of their work in-person and on campus, regardless of vaccination status.
All students and employees included in the above groups must submit proof of a negative PCR or rapid antigen test performed within 72 hours before returning to campus. Documentation should be submitted through the Patient Health Portal for Student Health Services to verify submissions.
Note: Any student or employee who provides documentation of a positive test during the previous 90 days and has completed isolation per protocol will be considered immune and cleared to return to campus.
If you have symptoms, suspect you have COVID or receive a positive test result, do not report to campus. Notify the university immediately by sending an email to covid@uncp.edu or calling 910-521-6219. Please include your contact information and a copy of your test result, if applicable. Student Health Services and a response team will provide additional instruction and follow-up.
Though students and employees are encouraged to get tested before returning to campus, for some this may not be possible. UNCP is prepared to provide rapid antigen testing for all students and employees who are unable to obtain off-campus testing to complete the reentry protocol.
Reentry testing dates, times and locations will be available on campus as follows:
• January 6-7: 8 a.m.- 12 p.m. and 1 p.m.- 4 p.m. in the Pine Hall Multipurpose Room
• January 10-13: 8 a.m.- 12 p.m. and 1 p.m.- 4 p.m. in the Pine Hall Multipurpose Room
• January 14-16: (Residential student move-in) 9 a.m- 12 p.m. and 1 p.m.- 4 p.m. in the Auxiliary Gym
• January 17: (MLK Day) 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. in the Auxiliary Gym
• January 18: 8 a.m.- 12 p.m. and 1 p.m.- 4 p.m. in the Auxiliary Gym
• January 19-April 14:
• Pine Hall Multipurpose Room: Monday, Tuesday, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. and 1-4 p.m.
• Cypress Multipurpose Room: Thursday, Friday, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. and 1-4 p.m.
• Courtyard Community Building: Wednesday, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. and 1-4 p.m.; Sunday, 6 p.m.-8 p.m
In selecting a testing day, remember to coordinate within the 72 hours before your return to campus for the semester. If your classes begin on January 18, it’s important you make arrangements to be tested at a time that allows you to arrive to class on time. We have made arrangements to offer testing every day leading up to when classes begin, including Martin Luther King Day, a university holiday in which most operations are typically closed, to ensure you have testing options that won’t interfere with your classroom instruction.
Results from on-campus testing are typically delivered in the NAVICA app and via email within 15 minutes. Please download the NAVICA app before arriving at the testing site to receive your results fast and conveniently and to keep the testing site running quickly and efficiently.
COVID-19 SAFETY MEASURES
In addition to reentry testing, UNCP has reinstated a face covering requirement for all public, indoor spaces on campus for all students, faculty, staff and visitors, regardless of vaccination status. Faculty and staff in their own private offices and students in their own private rooms are not required to wear a face covering.
REVISED ACADEMIC CALENDAR
The revised academic calendars reflecting the semester start of January 18 are now available and can be viewed using the below links. The Online Accelerated Program (OAP) calendar was not altered by the delayed semester start date.
Undergraduate Calendar
Graduate Calendar
RESIDENTIAL STUDENT MOVE-IN
Residential student move-in will occur January 14-16 from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. and 1 p.m.-4 p.m. Housing and Residence Life will provide specific information related to move-in to residential students. Please check your emails for this information.
VACCINES
The best defense against COVID-19 is getting vaccinated and then getting your booster shot. It’s strongly recommend getting vaccinated or getting your booster before returning to campus. The vaccines have been highly effective at preventing severe cases, hospitalization and death from COVID-19, including the new variant. For more information on where to get vaccinated, visit uncp.edu/cvax.
If you receive your vaccine or booster off campus, please upload your records to the Patient Health Portal. If you receive your vaccine on campus, your records will be automatically uploaded.
MOVING FORWARD
As a follow up to the start of semester testing, in partnership with the Robeson County Health Department, UNC Pembroke will offer free drive-thru surveillance testing open to all faculty, staff and students on January 27-28, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. in the Caton Fieldhouse/Grace P. Johnson Stadium parking lot. It’s encouraged for everyone to take advantage of this convenient testing opportunity and help provide metrics on our campus community a few weeks into our spring semester. You can register at robeson.curativeinc.com.
As always, please check your email for updates and information. If you have any COVID-related questions, you can also email askUNCP@uncp.edu.
About Author
