Students who live off-campus near the University are "strongly encouraged" to return to their permanent addresses if possible, according to a Wednesday email from Aaron Bachenheimer, executive director of off-campus student life.
The email said this suggestion is made for students' well-being and social distancing during the coronavirus outbreak.
"You should be making housing decisions with the aim of achieving social distancing to the greatest degree possible," Bachenheimer said in the email. "In most cases, being with immediate family at a permanent home address is best."
Bachenheimer said in the email that he was reaching out to provide guidance for students currently living off-campus, or moving out of on-campus housing and considering staying with friends who live in Chapel Hill.
The email said the University acknowledges that while some students are able to move to a permanent home address away from campus, other students' local off-campus are their permanent or semi-permanent homes.
The University initially announced that campus would remain open and operational, though classes would become remote on March 23 in response to the spread of COVID-19. On Tuesday, UNC announced that students must move out of their on-campus residence halls unless granted an exception by the University.
