Coronavirus Information: We Can Do This

Six weeks since move-in day.  Gardner-Webb is still in good shape. Since the slight increase in cases and quarantines after the Labor Day holiday, we’ve flattened the curve.

If, however, the previous six months have taught us anything it’s that we can’t relax or let down our guard.  The formula is simple:  face coverings + physical distancing + hand washing = staying on campus!

Increased staff presence across campus, especially in Tucker Student Center, continues. These staff members are there to remind students of their responsibilities for face coverings and physical distancing. They’re there to help and support you.

To the many students following the rules and looking for ways to help each other, you’re a powerful part of the solution. We will do all we can to keep you safe on campus. Thank you!

Current Status

As of Friday, September 25, Gardner-Webb has nine confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in isolation on campus. We have four residential undergraduate students who have tested positive and are in isolation at home.

There are 47 students in quarantine/isolation on campus. 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 18 residential undergraduate students who are in quarantine off campus.

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

We currently have no (zero) positive cases of COVID-19 among our faculty and staff.

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

Notification Expectations

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). Faculty may also use [email protected] for any questions or concerns you may have regarding quarantine dates for your students. 

As a reminder if you are a residential undergraduate student who has tested positive or who has had exposure to a positive case of COVID-19, contact Interim Vice President of Student Development Brian Arnold.

If you are a 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.

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 have the opportunity to share a photo and personal message.

If you are a 2020 May or August graduate, please respond to the e-mail for your commencement information by Monday, September 28. If you are a 2020 May or August graduate and have not received an e-mail or have questions, please contact Stephanie Stearns at [email protected]. The guest speaker for the event will be Gardner-Webb graduate, minister and prolific author Clayton King.

Because we recognize how special and important graduation day is for students and families, we are extending an offer to all graduates to physically attend and walk at a subsequent on-campus Commencement once those are again allowed.  If you have any questions, contact [email protected].