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Pandemic Pivot Coronavirus disrupts normal campus operations BY PHILLIP BROWN
At press time, UNC Charlotte continued operations under North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper’s stay-at-home orders and guidance from the UNC System.
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NC Charlotte leaders were among those who started monitoring the situation in China as news of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) began to break in late 2019. As the virus began its global spread, planning was underway, beginning in January, on how the University would respond should the virus begin to overwhelm health care systems. Unknowns about the virus were many at the outset, but what was clear—COVID-19 was highly contagious and was transmitted easily among humans who had no immunity. Public health officials at state and federal levels advised implementing social distancing practices to slow the spread of the contagion, for which there is no vaccine. Beginning in mid-March, the University moved to online instruction for students and faculty, and teleworking options for nonessential personnel, prior to Mecklenburg County’s or the governor’s shelter-inplace orders on March 24 and March 27, respectively.
Patience, Flexibility, Social Distancing
“We know this extraordinary situation will result in very real challenges for our community,” wrote Chancellor Philip L. Dubois in a message to students, faculty and staff on March 12. “I ask for your patience in the days ahead as we all adapt to this new reality and work through these challenges together. We will not have answers to all the questions that will immediately arise. This is a rapidly evolving situation not only for us, but for our state, our country and across the globe. What I can tell you is there is a dedicated UNC Charlotte team working tirelessly in the face of unprecedented 42 UNC CHARLOTTE magazine
| Summer 2020
uncertainty to maintain the health and well-being of our 49er community, and to communicate those decisions to you as quickly as possible.” Provost Joan Lorden commended faculty members for quickly moving coursework online to enable students to complete the spring semester. “Please be flexible with your students, and listen to their feedback,” Lorden stated in an email to faculty members. “Our students will be served best right now, if the focus is on creative ways to fulfill course objectives, so that every student, regardless of circumstance, can successfully complete the course.” Social work professor Sonyia Richardson, in addressing the importance of limiting contact with one another to slow COVID-19’s spread, stated, “Over time, we will learn how to adjust to this new daily routine and social distancing. Individuals will develop routines to support ongoing social connections and relationships with others despite the physical distance. For example, many may spend more time on the phone speaking to family, friends, colleagues or engaging more in social media.” University faculty and students responded positively to online instruction. For example, the College of Health and Human Services’ School of Nursing deployed virtual simulations to ensure students would meet the clinical requirements of accrediting agencies.
“I feel like even though this is a big learning curve for both students and faculty, we are all supporting each other during this time,” said student Haley Shriner. “The faculty have been understanding and have been working diligently, many staying up late to make sure we get our hours in.”
Intrepid Teaching Solutions
“We are very fortunate to have four certified health care simulation experts on faculty who have worked tirelessly to ensure that students receive the best possible simulated experiences,” said Dena Evans, director of the School of Nursing. “While direct clinical care hours are the preference, simulation provides students the opportunity to engage in well-constructed and meaningful clinical experiences designed to help meet course and program outcomes.” Bobby Campbell, associate professor of graphic design, met with students one-on-one via Google hangout to discuss their work, and he demonstrated techniques via webcam. The annual exhibition of student work became a virtual display. Going forward, the College of Arts + Architecture plans to continue the online exhibition in addition to an inperson one. Writing, Rhetoric and Digital Studies Senior Lecturer Debarati Dutta decided to offer asynchronous instruction to enable students to
