This morning, Chancellor Sharon L. Gaber opened the 2020-21 academic year with a video greeting to UNC Charlotte students. Acknowledging the remote start to the fall semester due to COVID-19, she assured the campus community that although “we may not be together in person today, we certainly stand together as Niner Nation.”
Gaber’s message follows Sunday evening’s Student Convocation, an annual tradition held usually in Halton Arena to welcome new students to the University, delivered this year via livestream. Opening with the high-spirited energy of the Pride of Niner Nation Marching Band and closing with the University Chorale’s rendition of the UNC Charlotte Alma Mater, 2020 Student Convocation shared enthusiastic and heartfelt messages from students, faculty and staff that reminded new Niners that they were selected from more than 26,000 freshman and transfer applications, shared ways to be successful in their studies and offered advice for getting involved and meeting people.
“As a new Niner, I’m so excited to be on this journey with you,” said Gaber as she introduced herself to Convocation’s viewers on her 49th day as chancellor. “As I begin my time here at UNC Charlotte, I pledge to you to do everything in my power to lead responsibly during these uncertain times, to support and strengthen our academic enterprise, to ensure a great college experience for our students and to prioritize the safety and wellbeing for our students, faculty and staff.”
A new year, and new faces
Joining Niner Nation this fall are a record 4,000+ new freshmen, whose average weighted GPA is 3.9; and more than 2,500 transfer students. The newest Niners represent 91 of 100 North Carolina counties, 49 U.S. states and 25 countries. More than 2,100 are first-generation college students. As overall enrollment is finalized for all undergraduate and graduate students, it’s likely that UNC Charlotte’s total student population will surpass 30,000 for the first time.
“Niner Nation continues to grow not only in numbers but in terms of opportunity, diversity and outcomes,” said Joan Lorden, provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs. “Our academic programs, research enterprise, campus facilities, student experience and successful alumni make UNC Charlotte a first choice for many students from across the state, region and country.”
Virtual classrooms for now
As students and their professors start the semester today, they do so online. The decision to delay face-to-face classes until at least Oct. 1 was made last month to provide time to monitor the status of COVID-19 diagnoses and the overall trajectory of the disease in Mecklenburg County and statewide.
Over the summer, faculty members--close to 1,000--have taken advantage of professional development opportunities offered by the UNC System and the University’s Center for Teaching and Learning to optimize the online learning experience in their classrooms.
“I've realized that I cannot simply take face-to-face classroom material and put it online,” said Amanda Dexter, who teaches respiratory therapy. “I learned that I must adapt my instruction for the online format by choosing my content carefully, and then build enriching activities and assignments that keep my students engaged while they virtually learn and work.”
Getting involved is key to a successful Niner experience
Meeting new people--a hallmark of college life--is encouraged through several options unique to fall 2020. “Even though we’re starting virtually, the best thing you can do is reach out to other students and get connected,” said chemistry major Abby Warren, a senior from Kernersville, N.C.
Gold Rush, a series of activities that welcomes new and returning students to campus, features over 30 virtual events, accessible by downloading the Gold Rush and Year One Launch guides in the Niner DestiNation app. Students can explore 400+ Student Organizations--and learn more about them through the Virtual Student Organizations Showcase. In addition, each of the colleges have planned academic-related virtual activities during the first week.
University Recreation offers a variety of outdoor and select indoor activities (adjusted for physical distancing). These include outdoor fitness and open recreation at the NRFC. UREC opens Sept. 12 (fall update), offering virtual and group fitness at the outdoor pool, lap swimming at the indoor pool, and open registration for intramural sports. Reservations are required for most activities. Other campus events are available, too.
A campus wide priority: health and safety
“Our Community will be following a ‘New Norm,’ wearing face coverings, physical distancing, washing hands often, sanitizing surfaces and much more to protect the health of all members of Niner Nation,” said Gaber, as she encouraged students to take The Niners Pledge.
NinerNationCares outlines all the ways UNC Charlotte has prepared to mitigate the effects of COVID-19 for students, faculty and staff.