Dear Faculty and Staff,
At WVU, we stand together as a community — especially during times of hardship. Our commitment to the Mountaineer family in Southern West Virginia is unwavering, and we are here to offer support, compassion and resources to those impacted by the recent flooding.
Whether you or your loved ones have been directly affected, know that the University is dedicated to helping you navigate this difficult time with care and understanding.
A steering committee composed of the Center for Community Engagement, Student Government Association, ROOTS, Division of Student Life, School of Nursing, WVU Tech, Extension and impacted students has been formed to lead flood response efforts at WVU.
WVU is committed to supporting flood-affected communities with care, respect and intentionality through a structured, three-phase relief effort:
Phase 1: Cash and Care for Impacted Students
This phase emphasizes support and care for our students and their families. The immediate response focuses on providing flexible financial resources, ensuring that local agencies and community leaders can address urgent needs quickly and effectively.
Find ways to help flood victims through Dollars for Disaster.
The Division of Student Life encourages faculty to be flexible and understanding at this time. Students can seek assistance with class absences by contacting the Office of Campus and Community Life at campuslife@mail.wvu.edu and mental health support by contacting the Carruth Center at 304-293-4431. Student Life is also ensuring financial aid needs are met through the WVU Hub, where students affected by flooding can request updates to their FAFSA to reflect changes in their family’s financial situation.
Phase 2: Material Drives and Deliveries
After initial coordination, targeted material drives are being organized based on identified community needs. This phase allows for thoughtful collection and delivery of essential items, fostering community involvement while ensuring logistical efficiency and direct impact. We are currently coordinating with larger distribution sites in impacted counties to prepare and will begin our drive in the coming days.
Phase 3: In-Person Service and Support
In the final phase, volunteers will engage directly with the community, offering hands-on support for long-term recovery efforts. This phased approach reflects the University’s dedication to being intentional, respectful and community-centered to ensure each step of the relief process is both effective and considerate of those impacted.
If you are interested in joining this effort or would like to share your thoughts and ideas, send an email to serveandlearn@wvu.edu.
If you have students interested in helping, they can contact Garrett Oursler, student board chair, at go00004@mix.wvu.edu.
For questions, contact Kristi Wood-Turner, director of the Center for Community Engagement, at kwood@mail.wvu.edu.