BOONE, N.C. — Monday was the first day of classes at several area colleges, and campuses are trying to keep things as normal as possible for students and staff.
The rules are different depending on the campus, though.
Students moving back into their dorms at UNC Charlotte this week are encouraged but not required to get vaccinated against COVID-19.
For those who don’t, they are required to get regular tests. Masks are required for everyone on campus.
According to the UNC system, if a student wants to live with a vaccinated roommate, “housing and residence life” will help them find a match.
[ ALSO READ: Some unvaccinated App State students could be regularly tested throughout semester ]
Roughly 20,000 students returned to class Monday at Appalachian State in Boone. Vaccines are not required but masks are, in hallways and common areas of dorms.
Students will not be told who’s gotten their shots, though. The policy allows an unvaccinated student to move in with a proof of a negative COVID test.
Going forward, the university is also requiring those unvaccinated students to undergo random testing.
“Anytime we walk indoors we have to have our mask on, including even in our dorms when we’re walking to our bathrooms,” said student Hunter Collins.
Sasha Sterling is like many other students on campus. She said she has gotten the vaccine and already knows that her roommate has, too.
“Most students here have been vaccinated,” Sterling said. “They made it really easy. Even now they can sign up. They send our daily emails.”
Later this week, App State plans to release data on what percentage of students have gotten the shots. The university is also holding a prize drawing for fully vaccinated students and staff on Monday.
(Watch the video below: Researchers at UNCC lab tracks if COVID-19 has mutated)
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