Rogers: Campus COVID-19 Guidance Update

Campus Community,

It was great to celebrate three commencement ceremonies in person two weeks ago. We successfully navigated spring semester and now we focus on planning for the return to campus and a fall semester that’s more traditional, including more students living on campus and football in Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium.

Last Friday, N.C. Gov. Roy Cooper updated his executive order related to COVID-19 and lifted many restrictions to reflect the latest public health guidance from the NC DHHS and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. As has been the case under previous executive orders, chancellors retain the authority to impose public health requirements on their campuses that are more restrictive than those of an executive order in light of the unique circumstances and community conditions of the campus. Accordingly, ECU is updating its campus community expectations as follows.

Please read this message carefully since it contains important updates as we prepare for a full return to campus for fall semester.

• Face coverings are still required on campus indoors for faculty, staff, visitors and students, regardless of vaccination status because of the continued prevalence of COVID-19 and the low vaccination rate in Pitt County and the region. This requirement will be revisited with an update to campus by June 30.
• Reminder: You are not required to wear a mask if you are alone in an enclosed room, such as an office with a door, or while you are actively eating or drinking.
• Masks are still required in health care settings and on public transportation, including ECU Transit.
• Social distancing is no longer required in classrooms and other meeting areas.
• Masks are no longer required outdoors.
• Mass gathering limits are lifted.
• It is still strongly recommended that unvaccinated individuals continue to wear a face covering at all times when in the presence of others.

While the governor’s latest update reflects the great strides that North Carolina has made against COVID-19, the ECU community must continue to do our part to protect ourselves and others. As of this week, less than half of adults in North Carolina are fully vaccinated, according to NC DHHS.

Vaccinations are encouraged and available on campus for faculty, staff and students. Schedule your appointment through Student Health Services. If you have received your vaccine elsewhere, such as a pharmacy, you are encouraged to let the university know by uploading your vaccine card to your MyPIRATEChart. (More detailed information on this is forthcoming.)

Thank you for continuing to do your part to keep the Pirate community safe.

— Dr. Philip Rogers
Chancellor