The University of North Carolina Greensboro is vacating all residential students from the campus amid the coronavirus outbreak in the state.Earlier Tuesday, Guilford County health officials announced its first COVID-19 case. North Carolina's state toll is now stands at 45 cases."As you likely know from new national and state directives, it has become clear that effectively reducing the spread of COVID-19 requires even more comprehensive, immediate action in every community," the university announced. "UNCG is no exception, and we must now implement further measures to keep our students, faculty, staff, and community as safe as possible while contributing to the broader public health effort around COVID-19. Policy discussions are happening frequently and we are making decisions rapidly; please understand that the situation remains fluid and your patience and flexibility are appreciated."UNCG said it campus will remain open in an effort to serve students to the best of their ability, but the conditions of their operations will further change. Changes include:Residential students must vacate by Friday, March 20, unless they receive an exception.Effective immediately, students must vacate all UNCG residence halls, suites and apartments by 5 p.m. Friday. Students who are able to leave more quickly are asked to do so. Students are being told to remove their personal belongings and turn in their keys, similar to the move-out process at the end of spring semester. Students who are not removing all of their belongings should keep their room key for when they return to pick up belongings at a later date. After 5 p.m. Friday, students may not return to collect any items left behind until directed, school officials said.•UNCG's said their strong preference is for students to return home if at all possible, rather than moving into off-campus housing in groups. •Students who are away from UNCG and not currently in campus housing should not return for their remaining belongings until directed. •Based on state guidance, UNCG will keep a limited number of residence hall spaces open for those who do not have any practical alternative. No student will be left without a viable option. Only students who secure an exception (which includes a health screening) from Student Affairs will be allowed to remain on campus past Friday. Exceptions must be requested by 12 p.m. Wednesday.Decisions on exceptions will be made as soon as possible. Students who receive an exception may be moved to a different location to remain on campus. Details are available here.•UNCG officials told students that it is reasonable to plan for confirmed cases within the UNCG population to emerge at some point, and states that it does have the capability to quarantine or isolate students who remain on campus should the need arise. Students remaining on campus should contact student health immediately if they feel ill. Those leaving campus should contact their healthcare provider or local healthcare resources.Face-to-face classes suspendedAs previously announced, all UNCG classes are suspended for the rest of the week of March 16. On March 23, the majority of courses will resume online. Some courses were originally planned to continue face-to-face, but will be indefinitely suspended. Faculty planning to teach these classes and students enrolled in them will soon receive a separate communication with details about how we will work to minimize impacts on academic progression. Campus services and accessServices on campus will be substantially reduced, including library hours and spaces, dining services and other functions where reducing operations supports the public health mandate. •Effective immediately, all UNCG buildings will be secured as they are during a standard university break. Employees will be required to use ID cards and/or keys to access their buildings and offices. •In order to ensure the security of facilities and research, university police will not provide individual access. If you require additional access, please contact your department head as soon as possible.•Faculty will be receiving a subsequent communication from the Office of Research providing details on access to research space.Commencement considerationsUNCG said it is working with the UNC System to determine the best course of action and will provide an update.Employees must work remotely if possible•All UNCG employees who can telework must begin doing so as soon as possible and no later than close of business on Wednesday. Employees who are not able to work remotely, including temporary and student employees, will receive administrative leave for time missed through March 31.