A message from Dr. Montrose Streeter, Vice President for Student Affairs:

Chowan University administration communicated our intent to return to a more vibrant traditional campus experience for Fall 2021. Vaccinations are an essential tool in accomplishing this goal. We strongly encourage our students, staff, and faculty to get vaccinated.

The research and data have demonstrated that vaccines were very effective in earlier trials and appear to be as effective in real-world use limiting the spread of the COVID-19 virus and the severity of symptoms among those who may become infected. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) in conjunction with the Center for Disease Control (CDC) urge individuals 12 years and older to get vaccinated as soon as possible.

Students who choose to become vaccinated may submit documentation providing proof of full COVID-19 vaccination to the Wellness Center, prior to August 1, 2021 preferably.  The fax number is 252-398- 6446 or you may scan and send it to ­­hullc@chowan.edu. 

Students, staff, and faculty who have not provided proof of vaccination will be required to take a COVID-19 entrance test when returning campus. Also, members of the Chowan campus community who are unvaccinated will be subject to weekly surveillance testing as well.

Vaccination information is protected medical information and can only be discovered on a voluntary basis. Please be considerate and empathetic with fellow campus community members who may choose not to share this information.

We acknowledge this is a very sensitive stage of recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and policies may continue to change. We are appreciative of everyone who has contributed to the success we have experienced thus far and hopefully into the future. The sanitizing processes put in place last year will continue.

We continue to plan for a traditional on-campus experience in August and our health experts will monitor COVID-19 variants and the potential impact for the Chowan community. However, given an increase in the incidents of positive COVID 19 throughout our country, to include North Carolina, and because the Delta variant is resulting in new cases and disruptions, we are updating our safety guidelines as follows:

The following face-covering requirement becomes effective August 1.

CU requires face coverings in the following indoor situations to protect against a possible COVID-19 surge upon return to full density on campus: 

• Classrooms, teaching laboratories, studios and other spaces where instruction occurs, unless a safety plan has been submitted and an approved exception has been issued,
• Any indoor setting where social distancing of at least 3 feet cannot be maintained, and
• Other spaces identified per the current Governor’s Executive Order. 

On CU’s campus, no face covering is required outdoors. However, all unvaccinated individuals are encouraged to wear a face covering when social distancing of at least 3 feet cannot be maintained. This face-covering restriction will be re-evaluated on or before September 15, 2021.

The goal of our efforts is to manage through the continued and on-going threat of COVID-19 throughout the fall semester, and especially the early weeks after the return of students – to protect our nest and minimize disruptions.  We are SAFER TOGETHER and Chowan Strong!