(Editor’s Note: President Gordon Gee’s corresponding letter to the WVU community is available at https://presidentgee.wvu.edu/messages)
Students will return to West Virginia University’s three campuses to begin fall classes on Wednesday, Aug. 19, the University announced Wednesday (June 3).
Students will remain on campus, with no fall break, through Nov. 24, then depart for Thanksgiving Break, not returning to campus for the rest of the fall semester. There will be one week of online instruction following Thanksgiving Break, with finals also conducted online.
Spring classes will begin on campus on Jan 19, continuing with no spring break through April 30, and finals on campus from May 3-7.
A separate, phased schedule for staff and faculty to return to campus will be released at a later date.
“We have given careful consideration to the wisdom of returning to campus while the COVID-19 pandemic is still with us,” President Gordon Gee said. “However, it is clear our students want to be with their professors and fellow Mountaineers. We are taking every precaution and making every preparation possible so they can do that safely.”
Under Gee’s direction, a steering committee and multiple task forces began developing plans for a fall return in early April. The groups are developing protocols and precautions for personal safety, campus safety, as well as community safety.
Those precautions will include mandatory testing for all students, faculty and staff before returning to campus; requiring masks to be worn while on campus, including in classes; social distancing; increased frequency of cleaning; limits on travel and visitation to campus; and a variety of other actions. Additionally, all faculty, staff and students will be required to complete an COVID-19 education course prior to Aug. 11.
A more detailed outline of steps being taken, as well as schedule of the Conversations, is available at http://www.wvu.edu/return-to-campus.
Dr. Clay Marsh, WVU vice president and executive dean for health sciences who recently served as the coronavirus czar for the state of West Virginia, stressed that personal accountability will be key to keeping campus open this fall.
“West Virginians have done extremely well in flattening the curve of COVID-19. Our actions have saved lives, protected our healthcare providers and achieved some of the best metrics in the United States,” Marsh said. “Our rate of positive tests remains around 2 percent, which is amazing given our neighboring states’ rates are four to 20 times higher.
“But the tricky part will be the Return to Campus, and the most effective way to reopen safely, slow the spread of the virus, protect our campus community and save lives is to wear a mask.”
The campus community will be kept informed over the next two months through E-News, Unews, a new website, http://wvu.edu/return-to-campus, and multiple Return to Campus Conversations. This Monday, June 8, and then every Tuesday thereafter, new information will be released, followed by a Return to Campus Conversation held at 10 a.m. the following Thursday.
The first Conversation, which will be prerecorded, will be available at wvu.edu/return-to-campus to view beginning at 10 a.m. tomorrow, June 4, and feature Vice President for Strategic Initiatives Rob Alsop; Dean of the School of Public Health Dr. Jeff Coben; Vice President for Talent & Culture Cris DeBord; Dean of Students Corey Farris; Vice President for University Relations & Enrollment Management Sharon Martin; and Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Maryanne Reed.
In a letter to the WVU community today, Gee said, “This is new territory. We may not always have all the answers. Be mindful that public health conditions may change that would redirect our work. Be patient with each other. And together, we will create the best fall experience for our faculty, staff and students.”
Even though plans are to return, the University continues to monitor the situation and consult with public health and government officials in case it needs to change course.
“As always, the safety of our students, faculty and staff is paramount,” Gee said. “Therefore, we will be ready to act in their best interests as the challenges unfold.”
