N.C. A&T BOTs Receive Vital Updates During Annual Retreat

EAST GREENSBORO, N.C. (June 19, 2020) – As North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University makes unprecedented decisions and changes for students, faculty and staff to return to campus for the 2020-21 academic year, the university’s Board of Trustees met virtually, June 18, for its annual retreat.

Following a welcome, board president Venessa Harrison opened the meeting by introducing, N.C. A&T Student Government Association president Brenda Caldwell as the newest ex-officio board member. Caldwell and her administration were lauded by Chancellor Harold L. Martin Sr. as an active and engaging team.

Trustee John W. Bluford III, provided an overview of the state of COVID-19, juxtaposing national statistics against data for North Carolina, as well as how the virus compares with other major instances of mortality since the Spanish Flu. Bluford also examined the availability and resources of medical facilities within general proximity of the university.

The board received in depth updates from Martin, his cabinet and university leaders regarding return to campus health and safety protocols, course delivery and instruction, returning to work instructions for faculty and staff, housing and residence updates and athletics activities and procedures.

Among many changes, protocols include self-monitoring; facilities sanitization preparations and future processes, social distancing and space area guidelines; implementation of a hybrid concept of course delivery and instruction; phased return-to-work plans, mandatory trainings and standards for university employees, updated human resources policies, provisions, and employee resources, relations, accessibility and ADA considerations; housing allocations including reduction in occupancy (for certain halls), tiered move-in, residence hall cleaning, visitation policies, quarantine methods, residence assistant training; dining services, common areas, including the student and recreation centers and events; athletics risk assessment, management and prevention, phased reintegration strategies, athlete testing and injury treatment, sanitization, and stadium and ticketing procedures (contingent upon state restrictions). 

The university scorecard report was shared in relation to the “Higher Expectations” University of North Carolina System Strategic Plan and N.C. A&T’s Preeminence 2023 scorecard. The university scored high marks or exceeded goal expectations in undergraduate enrollment, first year retention, financial resources, the athletic academic progress rate and institution reputation. Areas to be improved upon included graduate enrollment, online undergraduate and graduate enrollment, transfer enrollment and full-time faculty. Additionally, preliminary results indicate a slight drop in research and innovation from fiscal year 2019 to 2020; however, full results have not yet completed.

University general counsel shared an update regarding new Title IX regulations, changes and requirements. The campus community will begin seeing more communications about the federally-mandated changes within the upcoming weeks.