Chancellor Mitchelson: Return Updates for Faculty/Staff

Good morning colleagues,

Permit me a few moments to provide updates on our intended reopening (fall classes start on August 10). I know you have many questions and valid concerns. I apologize for lack of updates over the past few weeks as we engaged the planning process in a very intense manner.

First, a very large thank you to those of you who have participated directly in developing our approach to reopening. The plan entitled Return of Pirate Nation will go live on Monday, June 22 with the launch of a dedicated website, linked to from the ECU homepage. Detailed guides for employees, students and visitors are being developed and will be posted on the website. The website will also have links to key guidance documents from CDC, ACHA, NCDHHS, and UNC System. So at least some of the many questions that you have will start to have answers on June 22. We will continue to update the website as we progress to the start of the Fall 2020 semester. Thank you for your patience.

I am aware of the concerns associated with reopening. Reasonable people must have concerns when dealing with this level of uncertainty. We have scheduled a (virtual) town hall for all members of the ECU community to ask questions. That will take place on June 24 at 3-4 p.m.

I can assure you that our plan will reflect the need to meet our mission while respecting the needs of our individual members. Pirates are passionate about the mission and compassionate in executing it. That will be reflected in our plan to reopen.

RonM
Ron Mitchelson, Interim Chancellor