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Western to start semester remotely

Western to start semester remotely

Western Carolina University has shifted its spring semester schedule in response to record-high COVID-19 cases and a resulting strain in critical care resources.

Classes will begin on Monday, Jan. 25, as scheduled, but all classes will be delivered via remote instruction through Feb. 12. On Feb. 15, classes will resume as originally scheduled through in-person or hybrid instruction. Classes already scheduled to meet remotely will continue that mode of instruction.

Students’ return to campus residence halls will also be delayed. Move-in will begin Feb. 6. Students scheduled to move in to the residence halls will receive information from Residential Living with information on reentry testing, prorated refunds/credits, and move-in instructions.

The spring semester will conclude May 14 as originally planned.

The decision came after senior campus leaders reviewed state and regional COVID-19 activity with University of North Carolina System leadership, public health officials, and local hospital representatives in anticipation of the beginning of the spring semester.

WCU faculty, staff and students are reminded to follow Catamounts Care community standards, use community testing sites and vaccine sites as they become available, and maintain a period of quarantine where appropriate.

Additional information on spring operations, including a FAQ about changes to the beginning of the spring semester is available at info.wcu.edu/campusupdate.