MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Another semester is about to begin for students and faculty at West Virginia University.
Representatives with the WVU Office of Student Life, along with dozens of different student organizations, welcomed back the over 24,000 students who returned to campus over the course of three days. WVU Dean of Students and Associate Vice President of Student Life Carrie Showalter is expected to still be busy despite the majority of students either returning to a dorm or off-campus residences, with staff involved in student service programs prepared to address any concerns involving the student body within a moment’s notice.
“It’s much less formal, we don’t have a formal welcome week like we do in the fall, but students will be receiving information about their support (systems) that we have here if they are in need,” said Showalter.
According to Showalter, a light fare of activities will be hosted throughout the first week of the 2026 spring semester, with opportunities to sign up for extracurricular programs that will be seen at both the Downtown and Evansdale campuses. This includes offerings from Adventure WV that will be hosted at the Evansdale Recreation Center along with dozens of student organizations that will host tables inside the Mountainlair throughout the first week of classes. Options that are aimed at piquing the interest of the majority of students on campus.
“The Rec Center always has activities around wellness, so there are always activities for them,” said Showalter. “For students to get out and kind of explore what West Virginia has to offer.”
The WVU CARE Team is also expected to stay active during the start of the 2026 spring semester in the event that any issues with students can be addressed as quickly as possible. The CARE (Collaboration, Assessment, Response, and Engagement) Team includes a coordination of representatives with the WVU Police Department, the Caruth Center, and multiple members with the WVU Department of Student Life. While the expectation is that the CARE Team will be minimally needed, Showalter emphasizes that any concerns, whether it’s the sudden death of a family member or simply trying to adjust to changes academically.
“The goal is really to provide proactive intervention for at-risk students to try to make sure that they’re connected to support and resources,” said Showalter. “To be successful academically, but also to make sure they find a sense of belonging here as members of our community.”
Despite the low-key nature of the return of WVU students for the 2026 spring semester, Showalter also emphasized that the WVU Office of Student Life will be available to address whatever needs are brought by students. All referrals to the WVU Office of Student Life can be made both in person and online, with offices located at Elizabeth Moore Hall (a.k.a. E. Moore Hall) on the downtown campus. While the first week of classes is expected to be uneventful in comparison to years past, Showalter wants to emphasize that WVU faculty is ready to address any need from the over 24,000 students on campus.
“We’re certainly here to provide guidance and support and make sure that they understand what they need to get ready for their spring classes and have the resources that they need,” said Showalter. “So I can tell you that the Dean of Student Office and Student Life are always here to help in any way with any issues that arise with students.”