UNC-Chapel Hill Spring 2021 Update

On Thursday, October 8, UNC-Chapel HIll shared guidance on the current planning for the spring 2021 semester. Please continue to monitor the Carolina Together updates page for additional details from the University.

Chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz and Provost Robert Blouin announced a revised calendar for the spring semester, with changes incorporating feedback from the Campus and Community Advisory Committee, as well as the roadmap implementation team, student and faculty advisory groups and the advice of public health and medical content experts, state and Orange County health departments, and the UNC System.

Per the University, the start of the semester will be delayed by two weeks to Tuesday, Jan. 19, providing the maximum time between winter break and the start of classes. This allows the largest implementation window for planning for the semester. This will delay the spring 2021 Commencement for one week, to Sunday, May 16. The last day of classes will be Wednesday, May 5, and exams will run Friday, May 7,until Friday, May 14. Registration for the spring 2021 semester will start on Nov. 30, 2020, shortly after fall final exams.

There will not be a traditional spring break during the semester in an effort to limit any potential spread of the virus caused by travel during an extended break. Guskiewicz and Blouin added: "We have heard from many of you that we need to provide more breaks during the semester, so we will incorporate five days either individually or in combined clusters for that purpose. In addition, the schools and deans will make clear that these wellness days are intended as breaks from the semester — not for studying — so faculty will be instructed to avoid scheduling exams, quizzes and other major assignments on days following these breaks. The dates for the wellness days will be updated on the Registrar’s website soon."

Winter Commencement will be postponed due to the ongoing health and safety concerns and considerations regarding COVID-19.

In order to better inform logistics decision-making for the spring, the university urged continued participation in community standards and guidelines. It also encouraged testing for COVID-19, which is available for students at the Carolina Union, and noted that it is important for all students, faculty and staff to receive a flu shot before coming to campus. More information on the flu vaccine is available here.

Additional details and updates from UNC-Chapel Hill will be forthcoming. Continue to check carolinatogether.unc.edu for information.