Community Update: Fall 2021 Updates

Hello Bulldogs!

We’re almost a month from move in! As we get closer to the beginning of the fall semester, our plans continue to evolve. As was our practice last year, we will follow the guidelines and direction provided by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) as well as state (NC DHHS) and local (Cleveland County Public Health Center) health authorities. Protecting our campus community remains our first priority. We expect to be fully operational and fulfilling our educational commitments. And we can’t wait to have you back on campus.

Please review these expanded FAQs. If you are a student with questions, contact Dean of Students Lesley Villarose [email protected] If you are faculty or staff and have questions, contact Eric Plemmons [email protected] in Human Resources.

Please remember that GWU reserves the right to amend our rules and procedures based upon future changes in guidance from local, state, and federal health authorities.

Q. Will vaccination for COVID 19 be required for students to return to the Gardner-Webb campus?

COVID-19 vaccinations will NOT be required for students to return to campus, though a vaccination is strongly encouraged. With the broad availability of effective vaccines, Gardner-Webb will operate this fall with the expectation that students will make the individual choice on how to protect themselves, their families, and our campus community. 

Q. What should vaccinated students bring with them?

Vaccinated students should bring their proof of vaccination documentation to fall check-in with them, as this may allow them to avoid quarantine or isolation. This can be a vaccination card or any official documents.

Q. Will masks or face coverings be required on campus?

Masks or face coverings will not be required indoors or outdoors on campus.

Q. Do students need to do anything before they return to campus?

All students will be required to take a self-administered health screening 48 hours prior to their return to campus. Students should look for more information on this in their GWU e-mail.

Q. Will classes meet in their previous locations or in larger campus spaces?

Campus activities will resume at normal capacity (classrooms, dining areas, etc.) and in their regular locations.

Q. Can students still get COVID-19 tests and vaccinations on campus?

As during the previous academic year, COVID-19 testing will be available to all students at the Atrium-Student Health Clinic if they feel ill.  Free vaccine clinics will be offered during August and throughout the fall.

Q. How will the University handle positive tests, isolation and quarantine?

Any student who is required to quarantine or isolate due to COVID-19 will be expected to do so off-campus.  In the event there are extenuating circumstances that prevent a student from moving to an off-campus location for the duration of quarantine/isolation, the University will do its best to accommodate individual needs.  Individual requests for on-campus housing must be submitted to Dean of Students Lesley Villarose ([email protected].)  All requests are subject to the limitations of available space on campus.    

Q. What happens if a student must be isolated or quarantine off campus?

All students who are required to quarantine/isolate as a result of COVID-19 will be afforded the opportunity to complete missed work in coordination with their course instructors. Instructors may require documentation or confirmation from a health care professional, Student Development or campus health and safety authorities that the student was required to quarantine or isolate as opposed to missing class for unexcused reasons.

Q. Will student-athletes have the same set of requirements?

           Yes. Additionally, they will follow all current NCAA guidelines.

Q. Will international students have to quarantine or isolate?

At this time returning international students are not required to quarantine. We will continue to monitor the guidance from the CDC.

Q. What are the move-in dates this year?

Move-in begins with student-athletes on August 3 and ends for all students on August 17. Students should look for more information from Housing and Residence Life in their Gardner-Webb e-mail.

Finally, make sure you stay in touch with the upcoming fall sports schedules at gwusports.com! And connect on social with Facebook and Instagram!

We’ll see you soon…in The Springs!