Campus Gathering and Events

The CDC continues to recommend that large gatherings be avoided, particularly those where distancing cannot be maintained between people from different households. 

Before relaunching in-person experiences, event organizers need to thoughtfully consider safety and security risks for their event. Groups wishing to host an in-person event or gathering on campus must take into consideration gathering size restrictions in place for the State of NC, Durham and the NCCU campus.

It is important to remember that in order to meet the unique needs and circumstances of our campus community, NCCU may impose a more conservative gathering limit to ensure health and safety. Currently, events at NCCU must meet the following criteria:

1. All persons must wear face coverings indoors at all times except when eating or drinking; masks may be worn outdoors if event is free-flowing and/or distancing cannot be managed;
2. Hand sanitizer and disinfectant products should be readily available;
3. Close contact should be minimized to the extent possible;

Organizers must complete and submit a Pre-Event Verification Form 72 hours prior to hosting any event.  

If conditions change (e.g., rise in cases on campus), all non-essential events may be cancelled or postponed in order to best “Protect the Nest.”

In combination, the following factors can help determine the level of risk.  Several factors can contribute to the likelihood of attendees getting and spreading COVID-19 at events.

• Number of COVID-19 cases locally—High or increasing levels of COVID-19 cases on campus or in the community increase the risk of infection and spread among attendees. Relevant data can often be found on the Durham Public Health website. 
• Setting —Indoor events, especially in places with poor ventilation, pose more risk than outdoor events.
• Length of the event—Events that last longer pose more risk than shorter events.
• Number and placement of people – Events with more people increase the likelihood of being exposed. The size of the event should be determined based on whether attendees from different households can stay at least 6 feet apart from one another. Physical distancing at events can reduce transmission risk. 
• Behavior of attendees during an event— Events where people engage in behaviors such as singing, shouting, not maintaining physical distancing, or not wearing masks consistently and correctly, can increase risk.