What You Need to Know
Originally posted: June 3, 2020
Last updated: June 30, 2020
Based on input from state and local public health officials, WVU plans to resume in-person instruction for the fall 2020 semester. In April, a steering committee was established with its membership managing a variety of working groups including: Academics, Communications, Financials, Health and Safety, Operations, Research, Student Life and Talent and Culture. These working groups are developing plans for specific areas, while working in concert to ensure consistency of policy, practices and communication.
The following measures provide for a methodical and thoughtful phased re-opening of the WVU System that also ensures the safety and health of our faculty, staff, students and communities.
Please review the information below regarding WVU’s Return to Campus. There will be a taped Return to Campus Conversation available on Thursday, June 4. Senior leaders will explain further details on the topics below.
Beginning Monday, June 8 through early August, there will be weekly communications to help you prepare. Live Return to Campus Conversations will be held weekly beginning June 11. Be sure to review the schedule of announcements to learn when more information will be available. Additional questions may be directed to returntocampus@mail.wvu.edu.
Personal Safety
Testing
- All faculty, staff and students who will be on campus this fall will be tested before classes begin. A detailed plan for broad-based, initial testing will be shared in the coming weeks. WVU will continue to conduct surveillance testing throughout the fall semester.
Campus Density
- WVU will continue to de-densify its campuses. Employees who need to return to campus for the success of in-person instruction and the student life experience will be informed of the decision by their supervisor by late July.
- To reduce the risk of spread, many units will continue to work from home. This also allows the University to maintain costs and manage necessary cleaning and safety supplies.
Personal Protective Equipment and Education
- All faculty, staff and students will need to complete a COVID-19 education module by Aug. 15. This module will be available in late July.
- As COVID-19 is primarily spread through respiratory droplets, WVU will require that all faculty, staff, students and visitors wear masks while on campus.
- All physical distancing protocols will be adhered to the extent possible, including maintaining a safe distance apart (usually 6 feet) and maintaining the practice of good personal hygiene (i.e., self-monitoring of symptoms, hand-washing, etc.).
- All faculty, staff and students will receive a Welcome Back Kit that contains a cloth mask or gaiter, disposable masks, hand sanitizer and a safe touch tool. A distribution plan will be shared at a later date.
Academics
Academic details are available on "What You Need to Know: Academic Affairs."
Operations
Operation details are available on "What You Need to Know: Campus Safety."
Student Life
Student life details are available on "What You Need to Know: Student Life." Visit the WVU Beckley and WVU Keyser pages for info specific to those campuses.
Health Sciences
Morgantown Health Sciences Campus info is available on "What You Need to Know: Health Sciences."
Communication
- On Thursday, June 4, a taped Return to Campus Conversation with several senior leaders will be released to answer additional questions.
- Every Tuesday from June 16 through Aug. 4, new and updated information will be shared via letter to University email addresses.
- A live Return to Campus Conversation will then be held each week on Thursday to answer questions.
- Any additional questions should be sent to returntocampus@mail.wvu.edu. Staff will answer questions as quickly as possible.
- In addition, you are encouraged to visit this website throughout the summer to review FAQs, watch E-News and Unews and monitor social media channels for additional information.