CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- UNC-Charlotte Administrators are planning on students returning to campus September 7, two weeks later than expected, to begin the fall semester.
School officials say the semester has been planned as a condensed schedule, taking away certain days off for students.
Those dates include Labor Day, fall break, and the day before Thanksgiving.
The schedule would also extend exams until December 23.
While school leaders hope this will give incoming students the best chance to get acclimated with campus, returning students fear it will cause too much stress. Especially for students who live out of state.
“I really appreciate Charlotte’s efforts in like trying to look out for students,” rising junior Gabrielle Hitchcock says. “But I think it is good for us to step up and use our voice for students to advocate. Because, in these circumstances we really feel like we’re not being considered, we’re not being validated, and the decisions that the institution is implementing that are affecting so many of us."
The Student Government Association passed two resolutions Tuesday, asking administrators to start the semester online on August 24 and then start in-person on campus on September 7.
We reached out to the University who told us in a statement, “In an effort to safely return to on-campus instruction in the fall, UNC-Charlotte made the decision to begin the semester on Monday, September 7, two weeks after our previously scheduled start on August 24. The University engaged in extensive discussions, consulted with public health and UNC System officials, and considered the health and safety of students and employees in making this decision. We are working with faculty and considering all options to determine the fall academic calendar and expect to share those details by the end of May.”