| (UPDATE 5/12/2020 – The grounds of the Gardens remain open. Please follow all local regulations and recommendations for traveling outside of the home, and maintain proper social distancing in the Gardens. The McMillan Greenhouse is CLOSED until further notice. There are no indoor facilities or restrooms open at this time.) Friday, March 13, 2020 Good afternoon, At this time, in accordance with University decisions regarding COVID-19 and social gatherings, we are putting into place the following plan to be implemented on Sunday, March 15, and lasting through Monday, April 16. The health and safety of students, faculty, staff, and community friends remain UNC Charlotte’s top priority. As the situation around coronavirus rapidly evolves, the Botanical Gardens’ leadership will continue to work thoughtfully with University administration to determine next steps and will update this plan each Monday as necessary. Visitors and Group Tours – The grounds of the Botanical Gardens will remain open as a restorative place of beauty. – (UPDATE 3/16/2020- the McMillan Greenhouse is CLOSED until further notice) – Group tours that are currently booked will be rescheduled or refunded. – Groups can still request tours for future dates at https://gardens.uncc.edu/visiting-the-gardens/group-tours/ Volunteers – Gardens’ volunteering opportunities are suspended until further notice. Classes – (UPDATE 3/17/2020 Classes through May 14 will be postponed and/or will be delivered remotely. Registrants will be contacted with more details.) – Any students registered for a postponed class will be notified of the change and their registration will automatically carry to the new date(s) – Any students registered for a cancelled class will be notified of the change and be given the option of full credit for a future class or a full refund. – For students who choose to withdraw from a class (either original dates or postponed dates), we are changing our normal 21 day cancellation policy for classes, to a full refund with 3 days notice of cancellation. – If any currently registered student wishes to cancel their registration for any reason, they may do so up until the day of the class and receive full credit towards a future class. – If you are exhibiting symptoms of a cold or the flu, please stay home. Events – All Gardens’ events are cancelled through April 16. – We are working diligently to determine how to successfully modify later events, including our Plant Sale, to keep our visitors’ health and safety our top priority. – We will release details about these events as decisions are made. Photography Sessions and Ceremonies – We are still accepting photography and ceremony reservations for future dates through the form on our website at https://gardens.uncc.edu/visiting-the-gardens/photographers-and-ceremonies/ Thank you for your patience and continued support of the Gardens as we navigate this rapidly changing situation. We will share further updates as they are available. Sincerely, Jeff Gillman, Director, Botanical Gardens |