CoVID Requirements for Spring 2022

MEMORANDUM

To                    North Carolina A&T Students and Employees
From                Harold L. Martin, Sr., Chancellor
Re                    Start of the Spring Term and the COVID-19 Pandemic

Date                December 31, 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve and require new considerations with regard to the start of the Spring 2022 semester. While North Carolina A&T experienced low infection rates through the fall term, the statewide infection rate with the spread of the Omicron variant has now grown to nearly 22% -- far higher than during earlier spikes. From early study, it appears that Omicron is less likely to cause hospitalization or death but far more infectious than previous strains, generating a volume of patients that is already testing our health care system. There is much more to learn about this variant, however, and we must not let down our guard even as we do so, particularly during the current surge.

Public health experts counsel that, like other colleges and universities, we should expect an increase in Omicron variant infections at North Carolina A&T. With that understanding, as well as the belief that students learn best when they can experience the university in person, we are carefully and cautiously moving forward with plans for the Spring 2022 Semester.

To do so, we are putting significant requirements in place – some new, some continuing – for students, employees, visiting family members and other campus guests to ensure the health and wellbeing of our university.

Students

Students remain top of mind as the university prepares for the start of classes, as scheduled, on Monday, January 10 -- in-person, online and in hybrid presentations.

  • Students living in A&T residential facilities are required to provide a negative COVID test result received within 72 hours of the time of their move-in date and time. This applies to vaccinated and unvaccinated students.
  • Non-residential students are encouraged to have a COVID test prior to the start of classes.
  • All students are strongly encouraged to get fully vaccinated and acquire a booster shot. Proof of both should be uploaded to the https://ncat.medicatconnect.com portal, using the Upload tab and instructions on the site. Scan your vaccination card first, or obtain a copy from the N.C. COVID-19 Vaccine Portal: https://covid19.ncdhhs.gov/vaccines/after-youve-been-vaccinated/your-vaccine-information. For assistance, email CovidVaccineHelp@ncat.edu.
  • All students are required to mask in indoor campus settings where they are accompanied by one or more individuals. Masks are not required outdoors. KN-95 or surgical-grade masking are available in academic and administrative buildings across campus.
  • Social distancing continues to be strongly encouraged.
  • Visitation to residence halls is not allowed at least through January, at which time we will review this issue, should infection rates warrant a change.
  • A&T dining facilities will offer take-out service only, at least through January.
  • Athletics games and matches will continue as scheduled. Attendees of any indoor sports events will have to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test from the past 72 hours and agree to wear a mask while at the event.

 

Employees

  • Employees are strongly encouraged to get fully vaccinated and receive a booster if they have not already done so. For unvaccinated employees, weekly testing will resume on Jan. 4, Student Health Center.
  • Proof of vaccinations and boosters should be uploaded to the https://ncat.medicatconnect.com portal, using the Upload tab and instructions on the site. Scan your vaccination card first, or obtain a copy from the N.C. COVID-19 Vaccine Portal: https://covid19.ncdhhs.gov/vaccines/after-youve-been-vaccinated/your-vaccine-information. For assistance, email CovidVaccineHelp@ncat.edu.
  • Masking will continue to be required in all indoor spaces where more than one person is present. Surgical grade or KKN-95-grade masking is necessary to be strongly effective against Omicron, and A&T has supplies to ensure that all employees have appropriate masks. They will be available via the building reps in all administrative and academic buildings.  
  • Please see Student section above for bulleted info on campus dining, as well as athletic games and matches.

 

We encourage students and employees to bookmark Spring 2022: Aggies Care for access to important information, including all campus communications for the Spring term. The university will continue to monitor developments in the fight against COVID, and the Aggies Care site and its various pages will be updated throughout the semester as new information becomes available. I encourage you to take it as seriously as Aggies have taken all COVID direction for the past 22 months and help us continue to maintain a healthy and strong A&T.