APRIL 2: CORONAVIRUS UPDATE

Regular updates and information about COVID-19 and steps ECU is taking to protect the health and safety of our community are available on the university’s coronavirus website. Additionally, a weekly update will be sent via email through ECU Alert until the situation no longer warrants weekly updates.

Please know that ECU is working closely with the Pitt County Health Department, the lead agency in communication for presumptive and confirmed positive cases. With increased testing, it is likely the number of confirmed cases will increase in our region.

UPDATES

Housing and dining refunds

ECU is working on the details with the UNC System of how housing and dining refunds will be processed. Additional information will be announced no later than April 7.

Summer school

In alignment with UNC System guidance, ECU will continue online/alternative course delivery through Summer 2020, Sessions 1 and 2.

Human Resources guidance

As the COVID-19 event continues to evolve and spread, the UNC System Office has provided new Faculty and Staff work and leave provisions for April 1 through April 30, 2020. Please see a summary of this guidance below.

State Stay-at-Home Order

As of 5 p.m. Monday, March 30, N.C. Governor Roy Cooper has issued a statewide stay-at-home order. ECU students, faculty and staff should continue to remain at home as much as possible and minimize direct personal contact when it is necessary to venture out. The statewide order is expected to remain in place for at least a month.

PREVIOUS UPDATES

City of Greenville Stop the Spread Order

Greenville has issued a Stop the Spread Order beginning Thursday, March 26, at 5 p.m. This order directs all city residents to stay at home and limit movements outside of their homes to only essential needs. The order is valid through April 10, 2020.

Pitt County Stay Home Order

New restrictions for all unincorporated areas of Pitt County started Wednesday, March 25 in further efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19. It limits all non-essential travel and the number in assembled groups to no more than 10 people. The order is set to last from 5 p.m. on March 25 until April 8, 2020.

Residence hall move out

March 25 was the final day students were permitted to remove items out of campus residence halls. Students who have opted to leave their belongings in the residence hall will be contacted in the next several weeks about the process to return to campus to complete the move out process.

Alternative course delivery

Courses transitioned to alternative course delivery on March 23. Tips for online learning are available here. Resources for faculty and staff are available here.

Emergency grading accommodations

On March 23, ECU implemented the pass/fail option to undergraduate students. Courses graded as pass/fail under this exception will count towards applicable curricular, major, continuation and graduation requirements.

Spring 2020 Commencement

May’s in-person commencement celebrations, including unit and departmental ceremonies and Grad Bash, will not be held. The university is working to develop a plan to recognize and celebrate your accomplishments. In addition to the virtual event in May, we are also discussing events in August and December to recognize our graduates. We will provide more details as those plans are finalized. Our ECU Commencement website will be updated with the latest information.

Human Resources information for employees

Guidance related to teleworking, administrative leave, mandatory status and timekeeping are available. Employees are encouraged to reach out to supervisors with any questions.

Call center

The call center closed on March 24. If additional information is announced and there is a need to re-open the call center, we will do so at that time. Inquiries from students, employees and parents while the call center is inactive should be directed to COVID19@ecu.edu.

Please continue to take the following precautions:

• Avoid contact with persons who are sick.
• Practice social distancing of at least six feet.
• Frequently clean hands with soap and water or alcohol-based sanitizer.
• Cover your cough and sneezes (into your flexed elbow or tissue) and wash your hands immediately.

NEXT UPDATE

Unless changing circumstances warrant earlier communication, the next update will be sent on Thursday, April 9.