March 23, 2020  JASON TYSON

 

VIDEO: UNC System Interim President Bill Roper Issues New Update Highlighting Coronavirus Response

 

CHAPEL HILL, NC – UNC System Interim President Bill Roper has released a third video updating the System’s continuing response to the coronavirus:

Full Transcript of the Video:

“Hello. I’m Bill Roper, interim president of the UNC System.

To our students and their families, I want to thank you all for your contributions to our ongoing efforts to confront our national health crisis. I am here today to give you an update of where the UNC System is in its response to this national emergency.

Everyone should, by now, be aware that the CDC and health experts have issued urgent warnings that, if Americans don’t act quickly, the COVID-19 infection will spread rapidly, and our health care systems will be overwhelmed.

Students and young people are not immune to COVID-19. The public health advice to practice 1) social distancing, and 2) frequent and careful hand-washing with soap is meant to help decrease the spread of this virus. You may not get seriously ill, but you may transmit the virus to others who may be more susceptible to illness.

With your help, the UNC System has responded quickly to protect the health and safety of students, faculty, and staff … and to support our State and national effort to “flatten the curve” of infection.

To mobilize nearly 240,000 students across the UNC System, the System and each of our institutions have had to apply strict guidance in little time. But each institution has put into place processes for granting exceptions for students facing extenuating circumstances and needs.

If you are a student with unique challenges that make it difficult for you to find food and shelter off-campus, or to get access to online course materials, please reach out to representatives at your institution. We want every student in need to have a viable option for remaining in campus housing, with access to food and the internet.

Many of you have questions and concerns during this unprecedented period of upheaval. There are many, many moving parts to this situation … and they are moving very quickly. We don’t yet have answers to all the questions, but we are working diligently to find them, as quickly as we can.

We are addressing the most critical issues first: health and safety, the transition to online learning, and the well-being of our students in need. I know matters related to fees, room and board, and grades are important … but they aren’t as urgent as these other issues are…right now.

We expect to be in a position to start to answer these questions thoughtfully, carefully, in consultation with the federal and state government, and accreditors, in the weeks ahead.

Unfortunately, the projected time frame for the virus reaches into our spring commencement season. Simply put, we have had to face the reality that spring graduation ceremonies will be disrupted.

I know and understand that this will disappoint our students and their families, who have worked toward this goal for so many years. But the health and safety of our students, faculty, and staff must be our top priority. Rest assured, your institution will celebrate your academic achievement in due course.

COVID-19 presents the UNC System with one of the most significant challenges it has faced in its long history. But witnessing our faculty, students, families, and leaders at every level of the UNC System, rallying together, has filled me with great optimism.

We will not get everything right as we adjust to a rapidly evolving situation, but I can assure we will make corrections as we move forward.

These are challenging times, and the UNC System is rising to this challenge, quickly and thoroughly. Thank you all for your contributions to this vitally important effort.”

 

JASON TYSON

Director of Media Relations

University of North Carolina System
 
March 30, 2020

UNC System Commits to Prorated Reimbursements for Unused Housing and Dining Services

JASON TYSON

CHAPEL HILL, NC - During a special meeting of the UNC Board of Governors, held on March 30, 2020, Interim President Bill Roper announced that the UNC System is committed to prorated reimbursements of payments for unused housing and dining services as a result of the UNC System’s rapid response to COVID-19. The chief financial officers at each of our institutions are working together with the UNC System Office to ensure uniformity of processes and calculations for determining refund amounts.

“It is our commitment to all UNC System students and parents to get this done as quickly as possible. It is also our obligation to get this done right,” explained Dr. Roper. “We hope to be able to announce specifics for processing and issuing refunds in the upcoming weeks.”

Click here to access a list of student emergency funds that will be used to directly benefit students experiencing hardship because of this crisis.

JASON TYSON
Director of Media Relations
 
March 26, 2020

UNC System Donors Can Assist Students Facing Hardships Through Emergency Funds

JASON TYSON

CHAPEL HILL, NC – The University of North Carolina System announces a System-wide effort to help students in need who are facing unique challenges as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Over the course of a few weeks, nearly 240,000 students have mobilized in support of state and national efforts to “flatten the curve” of infection. While nearly all have now left their campuses and have transitioned to online learning, some students continue to face unexpected difficulties during this period of upheaval. Many depend on service industry or campus jobs to help pay for their expenses. This sudden downsizing has left many with limited or no means to buy food, acquire the internet access necessary for online courses, or pay their rent. Others cannot afford to travel back to their homes.

Each institution in the System has established emergency funds designed to directly benefit students. The UNC System has also established a portal to direct audiences to each of these sites, where alumni and concerned citizens can contribute. A donation to one of these funds will assist students who are struggling financially due to the ongoing health crisis.

“COVID-19 has disrupted all of us,” said UNC System Interim President William Roper. “Your contribution to one of these funds can help minimize disruption to the academic aspirations of a deserving student.”

Click here to access a list of student emergency funds that will be used to directly benefit students experiencing hardship because of this crisis.

JASON TYSON
Director of Media Relations