Campus COVID Update: Fall Wrap up and Spring Expectations

 | 

NC State community,

Thank you for your commitment to protect the Pack this semester. Because of your diligence in following the university’s community standards, COVID-19 cases on campus have remained low, and the university has achieved an 84% vaccination rate among students, faculty and staff. 

As we look ahead to 2022, please see the following important information and updates.

Spring Expectations

Health officials and university administrators continue to monitor COVID-19 infection rates and closely watch how the virus’ variants are affecting our nation, state and local communities. We remain hopeful that trends will improve over the coming weeks, but we will proceed cautiously to help ensure the health and safety of our university community. 

We have demonstrated over the last several months that NC State’s pandemic-related safety measures are effective. All COVID-19 safety measures currently in place will remain in effect throughout at least the first few weeks of the spring semester, as we closely monitor COVID-19 rates when our community returns to campus following winter break. In particular:

  • Face coverings will be required indoors unless a student is in their own residence hall room alone or with their roommates; a faculty or staff member is alone in their enclosed, private office; or an individual is actively eating or drinking.
  • Students, faculty and staff on campus or on university property must either be vaccinated or be tested weekly.
  • Employees who have been notified that they are covered by the federal vaccine mandate must be fully vaccinated by Jan. 4, 2022. Federal vaccination requirements continue to evolve, and as campus impacts are determined, updates will be provided directly to affected employees. 

Please see the full list of NC State’s required COVID-19 community standards.

Return-to-campus testing will not be required but is strongly encouraged for campus community members when returning for the spring 2022 semester.

In addition to gathering campus testing data, the university will follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance and use county-based community spread data to determine when safety requirements can be lessened or lifted. Updates will be provided as we begin the spring semester. Please regularly visit the Protect the Pack website for the most up-to-date information. 

Vaccines and Providing Vaccination Records

COVID-19 vaccines remain the best protection against the virus. Appointments are available for vaccinations, including boosters, on campus for students, faculty, staff, alumni and their immediate families age 12 and older. The vaccine clinic will have reduced hours over the winter break.

If you receive your vaccination off campus, please upload your records into the HealthyPack Portal. If you receive your vaccine on campus, you do not need to upload your records.

NC State is not collecting booster vaccine information at this time.  

Student Health Services is seeing several flu cases each day. Students, faculty and staff are strongly encouraged to get their flu shots as soon as possible.

Testing

On-campus COVID-19 testing remains available for the NC State community. Please check for an updated list of testing locations and hours. Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to be tested before traveling for winter break, especially if they will be around family or friends who might be immunocompromised. 

On-campus testing will continue to be required for unvaccinated individuals in our NC State community. The university will also continue its voluntary surveillance testing of students, faculty and staff in the spring, to broadly monitor COVID-19 presence and spread.

Moving Forward

We hope all members of the NC State community have the opportunity to enjoy a well-deserved winter break. If you plan to travel or gather with family and friends, please continue practicing safety measures to keep yourself healthy and those around you safe.

Thank you again for doing your part to protect the Pack and keep NC State moving forward this fall. We look forward to seeing you back in January and are hopeful about what we can accomplish in the spring.

Go Pack.