Community Expectations

UNC Asheville Expectations of Mutual Respect & Care for All

Given the reality of the COVID-19 pandemic, we expect each and every member of the UNC Asheville community to follow rigorous self-care for all health and safety protocols throughout the fall semester.

The health and safety of our faculty, staff, students, visitors, and the Asheville community are our highest priority, and we will offer high-quality, in-person academic instruction and co-curricular experiences that are rooted in each person’s responsibility for the health of all. This is a time of collective responsibility for our shared culture of care, compassion, and mutual respect.

Each of us has a responsibility to be knowledgeable about and to comply with virus mitigation protocols that maximize a healthy environment for all at UNC Asheville.

Together we will face the COVID-19 challenges through individual responsibility, resilience, mutual respect, and attention to the common good for all.

The Agreement

As members of this community, we care about everyone.

As faculty, staff, students, and visitors, we have chosen to be a part of the UNC Asheville community and we understand that our actions to follow health and safety practices will impact the health and safety of others.

We recognize that not all populations are impacted equally and agree to take care to protect vulnerable populations such as people 65 years and older, people who are immunocompromised, people with asthma or diabetes, and Black, Hispanic, and Latinx communities.

Our shared commitment is to take the necessary precautions to avoid spreading COVID-19 while following all recommended health guidelines.

As a member of the University community, I agree to:

The University agrees to:

  • Wash my hands frequently following CDC standards and to use the hand sanitizer that will be available throughout campus.
  • Provide hand sanitizer readily and widely across campus.
  • Have face coverings available for students, employees and visitors. Contact the Highsmith Student Union Guest Services Desk at (828) 251-6600 for more information.
  • Follow physical distancing and room or building capacity guidelines as appropriate.
  • Encourage respect and understanding for any individuals who continue to wear masks, even when not mandated to do so, at any time that they wish to do so.
  • Monitor any symptoms as outlined by the CDC, stay home if I have symptoms, get tested as needed.
  • Share symptom self-check resources and, with guidance from the Department of Health and MAHEC, provide the necessary resources to diagnose, treat, and care for students who test positive for COVID-19. Employees will consult their medical provider.
  • Consult with a medical professional if anyone around me shows symptoms and follow isolation and quarantine protocols as needed.
  • Provide the maximum amount of flexibility possible with regard to student coursework and employee workload for those in quarantine or isolation.

Download a PDF version of the Community Expectations (updated March 2022).