The University on Friday (March 13) canceled 14 study abroad programs that were to start in May, affecting 124 students.
The decision is the latest in the continuing efforts to ensure the safety of students, faculty, staff and the community as a result of the spread of the coronavirus that causes COVID-19.
The trips were planned for Chile, France, Ireland, United Kingdom, Brazil, Estonia, India, Italy and Taiwan.
Also Friday, in response to Gov. Jim Justice’s decision to close public schools, the University directed all supervisors to allow employees to flex their schedules or start working from home when possible to accommodate parents who need to be home with their children.
Since the University’s Monday announcement of a temporary move to on-line classes, procedures and plans have continued to be refined, clarified and expanded.
Those adjustments, which are is also available in the FAQ on coronavirus.wvu.edu.
Athletic events
- WVU Department of Collegiate Athletics has suspended all upcoming athletic events through March 22. The Mountaineer Ticket Office will provide refunds for any tickets purchases to WVU home events canceled in the near future. Team and recruiting travel is also suspended and no recruiting visits (official or unofficial) will be permitted on campus. The department will re-evaluate the situation daily leading into the March 22 deadline.
Commencement
- Nothing is more important to the University than the commencement ceremonies where we celebrate and honor our graduates. At this time, the University is planning to hold commencement. However, the public health situation is evolving daily. If circumstances change to where it would be a public health risk to hold commencement, the University will communicate that change immediately. We advise parents and students to monitor University communications, delay making travel purchases (if possible) and pursue travel insurance options.
Cleaning updates
- The University continues to take several safety precautions. You will see more hand sanitizer stations around campus, as well as in classrooms. Crews are also adding extra cleanings of surfaces, door handles, etc. PRT cars are also being cleaned daily (vs. weekly).
Events / Meetings
- Large events have been curtailed until at least April 3.
- The University strongly recommends that meetings or events of 100 people or more be canceled or postponed. The use of teleconferencing, group chats, or live streaming as alternatives to in-person gatherings is also strongly recommended.
- The University also strongly discourages all University meetings that include participants from other cities and countries, even if fewer than 100 people.
- The University is requesting that no new non-essential events be scheduled now through April 3, when the University will re-evaluate and communicate new protocols.
General guidelines for regular business meetings:
- Limit exposure to crowds and small meeting spaces.
- Reduce meetings as possible.
- If you can meet by phone or technology (ie, Zoom), it is recommended you do so.
- For in-person meetings, always offer a conference call-in option.
- For in-person meetings, make them a handshake-free zone and have hand sanitizer in the room.
- If you are sick, stay home. Call in to the meeting if you are able.
If you have any questions or concerns about a particular upcoming meeting, please see your supervisor.
Filelocker guidance
- At WVU, the intended use of FileLocker is for uploading files containing sensitive data. FileLocker is not intended for large and mass document uploads. In fact, the University’s servers cannot handle this type of traffic and will crash. As a result, faculty, staff and students are asked to avoid using FileLocker except for the transmission of sensitive data.
- Faculty who want to deliver course content and other large files to students should instead use Google Drive as connected with their university-issued MIX account for delivering or receiving content, or other current instructional tools as they shift to online teaching. Students also have access to Google services. Staff should use OneDrive and Teams for sharing large files with coworkers.
Information for supervisors of student employees and GSAs
(Also emailed to all supervisors on Thursday.)
Before spring break, be sure to review the following guidance and work with your student employees and graduate student assistants to take any necessary actions:
Student employees
- Student employees who need to work are asked to contact their supervisor to make any necessary arrangements.
- If the student does not leave campus during spring break, work with them to determine their work schedule.
- A student employee’s decision to travel during spring break may limit their work options.
- If the student plans to travel, make sure they complete the voluntary travel form. Depending on where the student travels and their potential exposure to coronavirus COVID-19, the University will determine if it is safe for them to return to campus to work.
- Supervisors should await further instruction or authorization before they allow a student who has traveled to work.
Graduate Student Assistants
- Graduate student assistants (i.e., teaching assistant, research assistant, service assistant) need to continue working according to the terms of their appointment letter to be paid under their assignment.
- If the graduate student assistant travels during spring break, the same travel rules apply to them as for all students.
- If the graduate student assistant is quarantined or needs a remote assignment for any reason, you should arrange for them to work remotely.
- Graduate research assistants who are funded on federal grants are expected to return to work with efforts focused specifically on their funded project(s).
Labs / Clinicals / CAC Classes
- The Office of the Provost is working to determine the delivery of courses and/or labs that absolutely cannot be moved to a virtual delivery format. Next steps will be communicated as soon as possible. Please stay in touch with your course or lab instructor. The Health Sciences Center team is developing guidelines for their students.
Lack of Computer/ Lack of Broadband Access / Wants to Return to Campus
Some options include:
- Check with your public library or other potential entities that would have broadband in your hometown.
- If possible, use cell phone as a WIFI hotspot.
- If you are remaining in Morgantown, the WVU Libraries will be accessible. Limited hours may be announced at a future date.
- If you do not have access to high-speed internet at home and wish to return to the residence halls for access to instruction, we ask you take the following steps:
1. Complete the request form.
2. Complete the Voluntary travel form (link to form).
- The University will evaluate any Spring Break travel to ensure your safe return.
- In addition, the University is working with West Virginia public libraries to request extended computer usage periods for those students who will access coursework through their public libraries.
Performances
- The Mountain Stage performance at the Creative Arts Center scheduled for March 29 has been canceled.
- The Celtic Woman event planned for April 1st has been postponed until the Spring of 2021. A new date will be announced within the next few weeks. Tickets to the original date will be honored at the re-scheduled date. Ticket buyers that request a refund will be permitted full refund.
PRT
- The PRT will run on its normal schedule following Spring Break, beginning at 6:30 a.m. on Monday, March 23.
Refunds
- There will be no tuition refunds. While the modes of delivery have changed, instruction is still being delivered and credit is still being earned.
- Reimbursement for Residence Hall and Meal Plan charges are under evaluation.
Student internships
- Students should follow the guidelines of their internship supervisor but will be subject to the same self-monitoring and self-quarantine guidelines if they return to campus as outlined on coronavirus.wvu.edu.
Student Services
- Student services will still be in operation as the University remains open. We do recommend checking on hours, as those may vary.
- The WVU Student Health Services and Carruth Center will continue to operate normal business hours.
All students will have access to Morneau Shepell, which can provide counseling for students who remain out-of-state.
Students can also access a free crisis text line, 24/7 from anywhere by texting WVU to 741741. More information can be found at carruth.wvu.edu.
- Students will have access to dining facilities after the break, though locations and hours may vary. Be sure to check students.wvu.edu for current information.
- Recreation Center will be open, though hours may vary. Please check students.wvu.edu for hours.
Student teaching
- All students completing field placement/practicum hours (or hours prior to their clinical, full-time student teaching) will finish this week (ending March 13) then will not attend their school placement until further notice. Even if the school is open, the WVU student is not to go into the classroom after March 13 until further notice. No exceptions.
- All students completing clinical placements/full-time student teaching will continue to follow their local school calendar as normal until further notice. Any request for exceptions from this need to be sent to the Office of Teacher Education (Stephanie.Lorenze@mail.wvu.edu) for reply.
- University Supervision of students in clinical placements/student teaching by faculty and/or contracted individuals should be attempted virtually if at all possible via phone calls, Skype, Zoom, Facetime, and/or emails.
- If students are completing their edTPA requirements and have not yet finished videoing/collecting student work or assessments, it is advised they video their teaching for the rest of the week and collect work as possible so that if schools close or additional directives are made from the institution, teacher candidates can complete and submit their edTPA remotely.
- Any CIR or TIR (Counselor or Teacher in Residence) positions are technically positions of the county and must follow the county calendar.
Recall of students studying abroad
- Following President Trump’s announcement regarding the suspension of travel from Europe, except for the United Kingdom, the Office of Global Affairs is working to recall 30 students studying abroad back to the United States.
Recruitment update
- Decide WVU Days (March 28 and April 4) have been canceled and a virtual experience is being prepared for April 4. All tours have been suspended until further notice, but we are arranging personal phone calls and appointments via technology. Regional recruiter travel also has been suspended until further notice.
Research update regarding supplies
- Research faculty should consider performing an inventory of chemicals, reagents and laboratory supplies and ordering a 2-3 month supply. Some of these may be sourced from overseas and could experience supply chain disruption. Additionally, local deliveries of gas cylinders, liquid cyrogens etc. may be curtailed.
Teaching out classes/returning to the classroom
- When the University determines it is safe for students to return to campus, classes will transition back to face-to-face instruction.
Travel
- Anyone traveling internationally – professional or personal – must self-quarantine for 14 days upon return.
- Gov. Jim Justice has announced a travel ban for state employees. He also asked all West Virginians to reconsider out-of-state travel.
- In accordance with the governor’s announcement, WVU is suspending all domestic travel for its employees. If traveling out-of-state on personal business, you must follow the guidelines found here. Further discussion is being held to help clarify domestic travel and hot spot locations that may require self-quarantine upon return.
WVU Libraries
- Campus libraries are shifting to spring break hours starting Saturday, March 14 and will be in place through Sunday, March 29.
- Beginning March 30 and until further notice, the following hours will be in place for Morgantown Downtown Campus Library, Evansdale Library and Health Sciences Library:
- Monday – Thursday: 8 a.m. – 9 p.m.
- Friday: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Saturday: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
- Sunday: 1 p.m. – 9 p.m.
- The Law Library: Monday – Friday,8 a.m. – 5 p.m.; closed Saturday and Sunday.
These hours can be found online.