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MURFREESBORO – Even though the risk of infection remains low and with no reported or self-reported cases of COVID-19 (coronavirus) exposure as of Friday, Chowan University has decided to extend spring break for students for another week, through March 22.

As of March 13, Chowan officials said they are planning for students to return to class on Monday, March 23.

The University has asked faculty to report to campus on Monday, March 16. Staff will follow normal business operations.

“Chowan University officials and medical experts, in close coordination with the state and local public health experts, are closely monitoring for developments and will offer additional guidance to the university community as the situation continues to unfold,” University officials said in a statement released Friday. “These decisions allow the University the time to take additional measures to protect the health and safety of our campus community.”

In reference to spring sports teams at Chowan, Conference Carolinas has made the difficult decision due to the evolving COVID-19 public health issue to suspend all athletics competitions until further notice. The suspension goes into effect immediately and includes both home and away competition happening as early as Friday, March 13 and extending until further notice.

All University updates will be sent via university email, posted on the university website at chowan.edu/coronavirus, sent via CUHawkAlerts, and posted on university social media outlets.

Meanwhile, all UNC System institutions will transition from in-person instruction to a system of alternative course delivery, where possible and practical, no later than March 20.

Alternative course delivery will begin on March 23 and last indefinitely. The goal is to return to in-person instruction as soon as reasonably possible. Each institution will communicate the specific details to its students and faculty.

Additionally, the NCAA has suspended all athletic events until further notice.

UNC System schools include East Carolina University, Elizabeth City State University, Fayetteville State University, NC A&T State University, NC Central University, NC State University, UNC-Asheville, UNC-Chapel Hill, UNC-Charlotte, UNC-Greensboro, UNC-Pembroke, UNC School of the Arts, Winston-Salem State University, and Western Carolina University.