Student Leaders Share How to Celebrate Halloween Safely
Dear Fellow Tar Heels,
There is no denying that 2020 has impacted many of the traditions we love at Carolina. From climbing the Bell Tower to graduation ceremonies, from football tailgates to warm afternoons chatting with professors and classmates on campus, the last eight months have been very different from what we expected and hoped. We know that our Carolina community has given up so much already. Social distancing and remote learning have taken a heavy toll on our mental and emotional health, and many of us are experiencing significant economic hardships. Nevertheless, we must be patient, and all do our part to continue fighting this virus. That includes major changes to how our campus community celebrates Halloween.
While we will not be able to enjoy the usual festivities and iconic crowds on Franklin Street or attend any number of social gatherings hosted on and around campus, that doesn’t mean we can’t still have fun. Student Government and Student Affairs have compiled general information as well as a list of virtual and socially distant activities that will allow us to celebrate Halloween in a responsible way. We also encourage you to check out this video from the Town of Chapel Hill, which highlights important safety guidelines.
Whatever your weekend plans may hold (staying home and watching a re-run of Hocus Pocus is perfectly acceptable!), we urge you to be careful and follow all CDC guidelines. Wear your mask, wash your hands regularly, practice social distancing, and limit the size of our in-person gatherings. Your fellow Tar Heels and our friends in Chapel Hill and Carrboro are counting on you to help keep our community safe.
We also want to remind you to take advantage of free, drop-in COVID-19 testing at the Carolina Union, Monday – Thursday, 11 AM – 5 PM and Friday, 11 AM – 4 PM. Participating in voluntary testing for those showing no symptoms, is critical to identifying cases early and prevents spread of the virus. If you believe you may have been exposed to COVID19 or have symptoms, you can schedule an appointment for testing through Campus Health by requesting an appointment through the Patient Portal or call 919-966-2281
The Carolina community has shown enormous resilience over the past year. We will get through this crisis together and emerge stronger than before. Have a healthy and safe weekend, and we look forward to seeing you again soon.
Hark the Sound,
Reeves Moseley
Student Body President, Undergraduate Student Government President
Ryan Collins
Graduate and Professional Student Federation President