• Winter Weather Updates

    Remote Instruction Continues  – Thursday-Friday, Jan. 29-30

    Remote instruction will continue on Thursday and Friday for Hickory and Asheville locations.

    This decision reflects our ongoing priority to support the safety of our community as weather conditions evolve across the region. By making a decision about Friday now, we aim to provide clarity and allow everyone to plan accordingly.

    Important reminders:

    • Faculty: Continue to communicate directly with students regarding course expectations.

    • Staff: Remain in contact with your supervisors regarding work arrangements.

    We appreciate everyone’s flexibility and care for one another as we navigate these conditions together.

    We will continue to monitor the forecast and will communicate any additional updates as needed.

    Storm Updates

Mask Requirement

Effective beginning August 18, 2021 and until further notice

Unfortunately, COVID-19 remains an issue and, while the academic year will certainly look much more like it has traditionally, we will continue to take precautions to ensure the health and safety of our campus community. With COVID-19 cases involving the more infectious delta variant trending upward, the CDC has recommended that everyone wear a mask in all indoor public spaces in areas of high or substantial levels of transmission. This currently includes the communities that are home to all three of our campuses.

As a result, we are implementing updated policies and accommodations for each of the groups of individuals as we begin the school year. These protocols are attached and include:

  • LR will require masks to be worn indoors in public areas (including classrooms and library) for those who are fully vaccinated. The indoor mask requirement for fully vaccinated individuals does not apply to those who are eating or drinking, those alone in their office, apartment or residence hall, or those who are with their fully vaccinated roommates.
     
  • Anyone not fully vaccinated, including those individuals who received an approved vaccine exemption, will be required to wear masks at all times in public settings both indoors and outdoors, and participate in COVID testing a minimum of twice each week.

This will be effective beginning August 18 and until further notice.

We believe that our comprehensive policies provide us with the best chance to return to normal and ensure the health, safety and well-being of our campus community, and we will continue to modify them to best respond to current conditions.