Due to the continued spread of COVID-19 and recommendations by the CDC, White House, the Governor and the WV-DHHR, Fairmont State University will complete the remainder of the semester, including final exams, through digital modalities.   

The culminating achievements of graduating students will be celebrated through a Virtual Commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 9.  In addition to the virtual celebration, traditional Commencement rites and rituals will be observed later this fall.  A tentative date of Saturday, August 8 has been set.  Graduates will be provided more information regarding both events in the weeks ahead. 

Students residing or who have belongings in the residence halls will receive communication through StarRez about when they may retrieve their items. This process will depend on when the campus is reopened per West Virginia’s Stay-at-Home mandate.  

In response to the devastating effects the novel coronavirus COVID-19 is having on our nation, Congress passed a $2 trillion stimulus package on Friday, March 27. Included in the package were resources to assist higher education institutions and their students. Once further guidance is received from the Department of Education on how those dollars can be used to credit our students, we anticipate being able to announce a plan. We know this is a stressful and frustrating time for all; we appreciate your patience as we continue to work through this together. 

Also, please be advised that no students will be placed on academic suspension due to their spring 2020 grades.  For this semester only, students who do not meet the minimum academic standards will be placed on a “special probation.”  While on “special probation” students will be able to schedule for summer and fall courses but will be required to engage in additional communication and oversight from their academic advisor.  

As always, University updates can be found at www.fairmontstate.edu/COVID19. Questions regarding University operations can be sent to coronavirus@fairmontstate.edu.