Coronavirus Information: Stay Safe Bulldogs

Following the long Labor Day holiday weekend, Gardner-Webb authorities have observed a noticeable spike in COVID-19 cases.  The present jump in positive tests is most likely attributable to lax mask-wearing habits and large gatherings.  If you don’t want the 28 current positives to compound further and endanger your ability to continue with on-campus instruction, then we again implore you to do everything you can to keep yourself and those around you safe. 

It is absolutely essential that ALL students wear their face coverings on campus, indoors in all buildings and outdoors as well if a physical distance cannot be maintained.  Wearing face coverings, staying six feet apart, washing hands frequently and avoiding large gatherings, especially parties, is more important than ever. 

Increased Enforcement

Because there is still noncompliance with face covering rules, especially in Tucker Student Center, there will now be increased staff presence there to remind students of their responsibilities. Enforcement will increase with denial of access and/or code of conduct sanctions applied. Fines of up to $300 may be imposed for violations.

Some of GWU’s athletic teams are now implementing curfews to help prevent community spread.

Commencement

The University will hold its first-ever virtual Commencement on Saturday, October 24. The ceremony will be shown on the 24^th at 10:00 am for May 2020 graduates and at 2:00 pm for August 2020 graduates. It will be available on the Gardner-Webb website, on Facebook, and on YouTube. Every graduating student will be announced and will have the opportunity to share a photo and personal message. Graduating students will be contacted in the next week and given a link to submit their information. The guest speaker for the event will be Gardner-Webb graduate, minister and prolific author Clayton King.

Current Status

As of Friday, September 11, Gardner-Webb has 13 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 on campus. These students are in isolation on campus. We have 11 residential undergraduate students who have tested positive and are in isolation at home.

We have 71 students in quarantine/isolation on campus who are in varying stages of the process. Some are showing mild symptoms. Some are waiting to be tested or have been tested and are waiting on their test results. Some are asymptomatic and waiting for their 14-day quarantine to end. We have 21 residential undergraduate students who are in quarantine off campus.

We have two commuter/graduate students who have tested positive for COVID and are in isolation at home. We have seven commuter/graduate students in quarantine at home waiting to be tested or have been tested and are waiting on their results.

We have five staff/faculty who are quarantined at home waiting for quarantine to end or waiting to be tested or have been tested and are waiting on their test results.   

We have two faculty/staff in who have tested positive for COVID and are in isolation at home.

As a reminder to faculty and staff, individuals with actual or potential exposure to COVID-19 should notify their supervisor immediately, and their supervisor will then notify David Wacaster (704.406.3235), Barry Lane (704.406.2266) and Human Resources—Scott White (704.406.4259) or Frances Sizemore (704.406.3502).

As a reminder if you are a residential, commuter, or graduate student who has tested positive or who has had exposure to a positive case of COVID-19, contact the Director of Safety, Barry Lane.

Bottom line, Bulldogs:  Wear your mask, wash your hands, avoid large gatherings, and stay safe!