Community Update: We must remain vigilant

The number of cases of COVID-19 on campus remains high this week. This is due in part to GWU’s continuing commitment to repeated testing and aggressive contact tracing. That being said, we also know that some of the recent spike is because too many of us have grown complacent and let down our guard.

Let us be absolutely clear—until the number of people with vaccinations surges in our community and beyond, we will have to remain actively vigilant in our efforts to keep everyone healthy and safe. 

• Want to finish out the Spring 2021 semester on campus?…then mask up and keep your distance. 
• Want to see more events return safely to daily life at Gardner-Webb?…then mask up and keep your distance. 
• Seniors, want to have Commencement take place face-to-face rather than online?…then mask up and keep your distance. 

It’s pretty simple folks…just do it.

Tucker Retail Dining

Tucker Student Center is one campus location where mask wearing has declined noticeably in recent weeks.  To help reverse the recent increase in positive cases, we will be limiting all retail dining to take-out-only beginning next Monday, March 22.  That same day, the Tucker Student Center will begin closing at 10:00 pm.  Both measures will remain in effect for two weeks, with reevaluation taking place at the end of that period. 

Current Data

As of today, March 19, Gardner-Webb has 27 positive cases of COVID-19 among residential undergraduate students in isolation on campus. We have 12 residential undergraduate students who have tested positive and are in isolation at home. We have 38 residential undergraduate students in quarantine on campus and 28 residential undergraduate students in quarantine at home.  

There are three commuter/graduate students with COVID-19 in isolation at home, and there are three in quarantine at home.

Students with questions regarding classroom attendance or other student support while in isolation or quarantine should contact Dean of Students, Lesley Villarose, at [email protected]. This includes students who might need access to a desktop computer or laptop.

Among our faculty there are 0 positive cases of COVID-19.  We have seven staff members positive with COVID-19. We have six faculty/staff members in quarantine at home.

It is very important to remember that if you have symptoms you must report them immediately.  Do NOT come to campus or go to class or work with symptoms.

Remember that all employees are allowed a maximum of 10 days of paid leave if they are confirmed to have COVID-19 or are required to quarantine or isolate due to contact tracing or while awaiting test results.

About This Coming Fall

The University is currently planning to resume normal operations during the Fall 2021 semester. Given the current trends and vaccination projections, we expect to further increase in-person classes and expand our campus and community activities. Although safety must always remain our highest priority, our goal is to have all campus buildings and facilities fully operational during the fall semester. Additional details will be provided as we near the start of the semester.

Football

Your 2-0 Gardner-Webb University Runnin’ Bulldogs under first-year head coach Tre Lamb take on nationally-ranked Kennesaw State University on Saturday, March 27^th, at Spangler Stadium. Kickoff is at 1:00 pm.  Students are admitted free. Tickets are available at gwusports.com/  Get there early and BE LOUD!