FACULTY / STAFF CENTRAL
Dean’s Message
You can always find Dean Angela Kashuba’s latest message below.
September 10, 2021, at 12:30 p.m.
Good afternoon faculty, staff and learners,
I hope you each had a relaxing, rejuvenating, and email-free Labor Day Weekend. As we kick off the month of September, I’d like to highlight next week’s Back to School Social, hosted by the Student Senate Wellness Committee. This event is for all UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy students, faculty, and staff, and will be held on the front lawn of Kerr Hall on Wednesday, September 15, from 5-7pm. You can participate in cornhole, spike ball, mini golf, wellness-associated bonding prompts, and more! Masks are required and all ESOP COVID-19 guidelines will be in place. Panera boxed lunches will be served, with social distancing. Please fill out this form by midnight tonight if you’d like to place an order. And if you have any questions, Tom Diaz (thomas_diaz@unc.edu), Libby Powell (elizabeth_powell@unc.edu), Sarah Gorban (sarah_gorban@unc.edu), and Kaley Hart (kaley_hart@unc.edu) are standing by to answer them.
As always, for the latest information on COVID-19 guidance and standards, please continue to read below and check our School’s Return to Campus website.
Before we end the week, I encourage you to pause and reflect on the lives lost and affected by Sept. 11, 2001. Saturday marks the 20th anniversary of the terror attacks that forever changed our nation. To my colleagues, students and friends at the School who are grieving, please know I am thinking of you.
All my best,
Angela
ANGELA DM KASHUBA, BScPhm, PharmD, DABCP, FCP
Dean, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy
John A. and Margaret P. McNeill, Sr. Distinguished Professor
Director, Clinical Pharmacology and Analytical Chemistry Core, UNC Center for AIDS Research
Adjunct Professor of Medicine, UNC School of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases
Community Standards
The UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy is closely aligned with community standards listed on the University’s Carolina Together website, with the exception of types of masks worn and when masks are worn. Please review our community standards for both the Chapel Hill and Asheville Campus, including masking guidance, contact tracing, and testing on our Return to Campus website under the “Community Standards” tab.
If you are experiencing COVID-19 Symptoms, please visit the “If You’re Sick” tab on our Return to Campus website.
FAQs for instructors regarding positive COVID-19 cases, contact tracing and in-person classes: You can now find answers to FAQs regarding in-person classes for Fall 2021 on the Carolina Together website: carolinatogether.unc.edu/positive-cases-contact-tracing-and-in-person-classes-faq-for-instructors/.
VIOLATIONS REPORTING:
Faculty and Staff: If you notice someone not adhering to safety guidelines, politely ask the individual to comply with the community standard, report the violation to your supervisor and/or Human Resources or submit a report online. We are monitoring and addressing each concern that comes through. If you choose to utilize the online form, please provide as many details as possible.
Students: Please utilize the Eshelman Care Team Referral form to report violations. The Office of Curricular and Student Affairs receives these reports and will take appropriate action.
Vaccine Updates
Vaccines: As of yesterday, the University achieved a 92% vaccination rate for students, 96% for faculty and 84% for staff. Last week (Aug. 30- Sept. 5), they collected 7,293 COVID-19 tests at the Carolina Together Testing Center at the Carolina Union, up from 6,563 the week prior. And the University is happy to report the positivity rate dropped to 1.07%, a decrease from 2.45% the week prior. Vaccines are readily available and usually do not require an appointment. You can find vaccine sites around the state on the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services website.
UNC-Chapel Hill students: Students who have not attested they are vaccinated will be tested twice a week as part of the Carolina Together Testing Program. The University will monitor this expansion of the testing requirement through September 15 to assess its effectiveness. If you are unvaccinated, have chosen not to provide your information or have yet to respond in ConnectCarolina you will be subject to this updated requirement in HallPass.
UNC-Chapel Hill faculty and staff: As of Sept. 15, all faculty and staff will be required to provide proof of vaccination by completing the COVID-19 Vaccine Certification Form or be required to test weekly as part of the Carolina Together Testing Program.
Asheville students, faculty and staff: For faculty, staff, and students who remain unvaccinated, regular testing will be expected beginning no later than Sept. 1.
Wellness
Course Directors: This has been an incredibly challenging week for many on campus with the tragic student death that occurred at Forest Theater last week. I want to remind you that students may need more support during this difficult time, as I have heard that Campus Health is starting to see an uptick in students requesting appointments and who need more support. If you notice any students who appear to be struggling or who need help, please refer them to UNC CAPS. Walk-in appointments are available. You may also contact or refer the student to the Office of Curricular and Student Affairs (OCSA) and a member of the OCSA team will work with the student to get the help or support they need. Students may request flexibility or miss class related to visiting CAPS or dealing with this tragedy. I ask that you please work with students who may be in this situation.
The Wellness website also has several resources in each of the 8 dimensions of wellness, along with immediate resources such as our Eshelman Care Line, Campus Health contact info, and the Employee Assistance helpline. Please continue to utilize this resource.
Other News
Volunteer Opportunities: The Carolina Student Services Corps is seeking student volunteers for the Carolina COVID-19 Student Services Corps (CSSC), an opportunity for volunteers to engage in service activities that will address specific needs.
Students / COVID Student Services Corps:
- The Carolina Covid Student Services Corps connects students to volunteer opportunities to serve our Chapel Hill community and keep UNC Chapel Hill students, faculty, and staff safe.
- There are a wide variety of volunteer opportunities that include overseeing COVID testing stations, contact tracing, health promotion activities, and student engagement.
- Students will be placed in a Sakai site that will serve as a listserv to sign up for opportunities.
- To sign up to be a part of the Corps, please click on the following link: https://unc.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8v8fIthoyCVQncy. If you wish to learn more about Carolina CSSC, please view this story.
Faculty/Staff: Faculty or staff should apply to volunteer using this link: Volunteer Application
NCAP Student Pharmacist Conference 2021: NCAP presents, in partnership with our North Carolina pharmacy schools, the 2021 Student Pharmacist Conference and Residency Showcase, held Oct. 9 in a virtual format. This conference is open to all 1st – 4th year student pharmacists. Out-of-state students are welcome to attend. Programming will include sessions on leadership, entrepreneurship, personal and financial wellbeing, roundtables and Pharmacy Jeopardy! In addition, residency programs from across the state will join for the Residency Showcase to highlight many of the excellent programs in our region. For more information or to register, visit the NCAP website.
Upcoming Events
- Sept. 15: Back to School Social
- Sept. 17: Teaching and Mentoring Award Nominations: Nominate a teacher or mentor for a University Teaching Award! Each year, UNC recognizes faculty, staff, coaches, and graduate teaching assistants for outstanding teaching and mentoring. Please take a moment to nominate a deserving teacher or mentor via this website: uta.oasis.unc.edu.
- Sept. 28 and Oct. 19: Wellbeing at Work Book Club
- Oct. 12: University Day is Tuesday October 12, 2021. The University Day ceremony will take place at 2 p.m. and classes will be canceled that afternoon from 1:45 p.m.-3:30 p.m. Instructors and students, plan accordingly for that afternoon. For more information, please check https://www.unc.edu/universityday/ for updates.
For a complete list of events, please check your Monday Weekly Digest email.
