COVID-19 Campus Update — Sept. 13, 2022

It has been an exciting start of the academic year as we resumed the majority of our in-person activities and welcomed our new first year students to campus through The Pirate Experience and other ECU traditions. As we enter our fourth week of classes, we wanted to acknowledge some of the changes to our COVID information and provide updated resources to our campus community.

Please note that The Return of Pirate Nation website, which served as the primary hub of online COVID-19 information during the last two years, has been archived and is no longer the main resource for policies or recommendations. The new website for ECU can be found on the main homepage under COVID-19 Updates. University-wide updates will be posted to this page, as well as any other community memorandums or changes to CDC guidelines.

Additionally, the Division of Student Affairs has created a webpage with information related to Student Health Services and Campus Living updates. The webpage includes several frequently asked questions and related answers as well as recommendations for faculty and staff regarding COVID-19 policies. Specific Student Affairs updates throughout the academic year will be posted to this webpage, including information for on-campus residents, their families, and students utilizing Student Health Services.

Thank you for your support as we continue to modify our operations and practices to meet current campus needs.

FAQs for Faculty/Staff

I’m a faculty member and have received a self-report for a student who has tested positive. What should I do?

• Students who submit the self-report are directed to also contact their faculty members to discuss missed assignments or classes. Current CDC guidelines, which we are following, requires a five-day isolation period from positive test if asymptomatic or beginning of symptoms if symptomatic.
• Short term illnesses, including COVID-19, are not covered under the University Excused Absence policy, and students are asked to work with their faculty members.
• Students who submit a self-report after testing positive on an at-home test should not be asked to complete additional confirmatory testing at Student Health or other clinics.
• Students who submit a self-report after testing positive should not be asked to attend classes, even if masked or socially distanced from others within the classroom.

I’m a faculty or staff member who has tested positive. Whom should I contact?

• ECU employees who have questions about confirmed COVID-19 tests should contact their primary care provider or email employeehealthcovid@ecu.edu for medical questions. Employees should contact their supervisors for guidance on workplace expectations specific to their department, college or division.

FAQs for Students

I’m a student living in a residence hall and test positive:

• Students must complete the COVID-19 self report in Pirate Port to alert your faculty that you are unable to attend class due to isolation. Keep in mind this is not an official University Excused Absence, but faculty are asked to consider the self-report when determining attendance/missed assignments. Please email your faculty members immediately to begin the discussion about missed and/or upcoming assignments and classes.
• Do not attend any in person campus events or utilize ECU Transit.
• You will need to return home for your isolation period.
• For those unable to return home or isolate off-campus, the university will allow you to isolate in your residence hall room (leaving only for food pick-up and medical care while wearing a mask). Students should wear a mask while using the restroom facilities or while in their rooms with their roommates.

I’m the roommate of a student living in the residence hall who tested positive:

• For roommates who do not have COVID, a limited amount of temporary space is available in another campus residence hall by request. To inquire, please contact your Neighborhood Service Office (NSO):
  

If you live off-campus and test positive:

• Students living off-campus must complete the COVID-19 self report in Pirate Port to alert your faculty that you are unable to attend class due to isolation. Keep in mind this is not an official University Excused Absence, but faculty are asked to consider the self-report when determining attendance/missed assignments. Please email your faculty members immediately to begin the discussion about assignments and classes.
• Do not attend any in person campus events or utilize campus transit.
• You will need to remain off-campus for your isolation period.

How do I know when to end my isolation?

• To help you determine when your isolation period should end, please visit the CDC Isolation and Precautions for People with COVID-19.

Please note: ECU Student Health Services no longer automatically provides clearance documentation. If you tested positive with ECU SHS and need a letter stating you can return to class/clinical activities, you can request that letter by e-mailing GotQuestions@ecu.edu or calling the SHS office at 252-328-6841 during business hours.

What should I do if I was exposed to COVID19?

• According to current CDC guidelines, individuals are no longer required to quarantine but are asked to wear a mask and test if they know they have been exposed.
  

— Virginia D. Hardy, Ph.D., Vice Chancellor, Student Affairs