Queens University to reopen this fall with safety changes in place

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Queens University will have fewer students on campus this fall in an effort to safely reopen for the school year amid the coronavirus pandemic, according to plans announced Thursday.

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In partnership with Novant Health, Queens will have an online symptom checker that students and employees are required to complete each day before coming to campus or leaving their dorm room. The university will also have universal tele-health services for all employees and students, as well as continued advice, direction and counsel on all aspects of testing, tracking, quarantine and isolation.

School officials said Queens’ reopening plan depends on those on campus social distancing, wearing face masks, and closely monitoring their personal health. Other items in the plan include:

• An adjusted academic calendar: Queens is starting classes early and skipping breaks in order to finish instruction by Thanksgiving and minimize travel to and from campus.
• Reduced density in residence halls: Upperclassmen have been released from the three-year residency requirement in order to reduce the number of people in the halls.
• Flexible modality of courses: All classrooms are being modified to maintain physical distancing. Where the size cannot be accommodated, classes are being changed to hybrid or virtual.
• Comprehensive and ongoing testing: All faculty, staff, and students will be tested for COVID-19 prior to returning to campus, and in partnership with Novant Health, the university has designed an ongoing survey testing program to monitor for asymptomatic cases and for early identification of potential clusters of cases.

“We are incredibly grateful to have our partners at Novant Health provide guidance, technology and expertise,” Queens President Dan Lugo said. “This partnership enables us to be cutting edge in our approach to protect our community as we aim to re-open and stay open safely and responsibly.”

Novant Health’s response to COVID-19 in North Carolina has guided its recommendations for Queens University.

“Novant Health has been on the forefront of the pandemic response caring for many of North Carolina’s COVID-19 patients,” said Dr. Jerome Williams, Jr., senior vice president of consumer engagement and corporate health for Novant Health. “We are honored to share our expertise and knowledge as we partner with Queens University to ensure it has the resources needed to reopen safely and effectively.”

Novant Health and Queens officials will continue to monitor the number of COVID-19 cases both statewide and nationwide. They will adapt the reopening plan as needed or as government regulations require.

“As the circumstances are fluid, our plan must be agile,” President Lugo said. “Our collective commitment to create a culture of accountability and care is most important to our success and safety. In addition to our great partnership with Novant Health, our ability to return to campus and, even more importantly, to stay on campus, will require all members of the Queens community to take the appropriate measures to protect themselves and our most vulnerable community members, and to help our nation decrease the rampant spread of this disease.”

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Cox Media Group