MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – West Virginia University students and faculty are being tested and learning requirements and procedures for returning to campus this fall during the coronavirus pandemic.
Before returning all faculty, staff and students are required to complete a COVID-19 education module, an online test and schedule a virus test. During the most recent “Return to Campus Conversation” Vice president of Strategic Initiatives, Rob Alsop said if faculty staff do not complete the requirements they could face disciplinary action or a temporary work from home order until the required tasks are completed.
“It’s really important that you (students) complete this test and module,” Alsop said,”In fact, failure to complete the module will result in a $250 fee because we really want you to take this seriously, and a referral to the Office of Student Conduct.”
Masks in all areas of campus inside and out, social distancing and be aware of the three “C” guidelines- close continuous contact with others, avoid crowds and avoid close spaces.
Mountaineer Week will be reduced to music demonstrations, beard contest and Mr. & Ms. Mountaineer contest. Sorority and fraternity Rush will be available to those eligible, Diversity Week, the Strongest Mountaineer and the WVU-Go Employment Fair will go on as planned.
Due to capacity limitations registration is required for all events.
When a student tests positive for the virus the local health department, student support services and their professors will be notified. The student will receive course work materials while in quarantine or isolation. Also, the professor would contact campus authorities if the student did return to class before the quarantine of isolation order is issued.
The physical testing will be administered by WVU Medicine and Quest Diagnostics will analyze the samples for a positive or negative result. The university will use different methods to transmit total testing results to the campus community and any changes to guidelines that may result. Test refusal will result in a $250 fee for students and other sanctions for employees.
“The Provost’s Office is working on assigned seating for the fall,” Alsop said,”So, it help with contact tracing and so we can know and keep track of students who should or should not be in the classroom at any point in time.”
According to Alsop, Arnold Hall is the quarantine facility and can hold about 170 students.
WVU Dean of Students, Dr. Corey Farris said the campus is united with the local community to ensure safety and students will be expected follow that lead.
“There are a set of guidelines and rules that our students, on campus and off campus must follow,” Dr. Farris said,” Morgantown city council and other local authorities have also passed some ordinances that will enforced locally and we’ll fully support that through our Office of Student Conduct.”
Students that leave the state during the semester won’t be required to take a test in every case, but they will be required to quarantine for a five day period.
Alsop defined isolation as completely cut off from others because of a positive COVID-19 test, but quarantine is not as restrictive.
“If you’re a close contact you could be ordered into quarantine which means you need to stay away from others, it’s not as strict as isolation,” Alsop said,”But, we do have the ability and the health department can order a quarantine based on a contact without a positive test.”
Farris explained that this is a very serious public health matter and the guidelines must be followed to ensure the safety of the campus, students and Morgantown residents.
“If a student decides not to cooperate with us we will engage our Office of Student Conduct,” Dr. Farris said,”The range of sanctions can be that you comply, which stops the conduct process, all the way to suspension or expulsion.”