A SHORT, QUIET SEMESTER In any other year, the population of Morgantown about doubles when WVU is in session. This fall, it’s a smaller, more controlled population boost that ends early.
August Re-entry Students living in university housing moved in in pre- arranged time slots August 1–22. All students and employees were tested as they returned, with a five-day turnaround expected for tens of thousands of results. “We started working with the labs weeks ago to pull this off,” WVU Vice President for Strategic Initiatives Rob Alsop said beforehand. “And we’re asking folks, until they get test results back, to avoid gatherings, wear masks, and adhere to all the protocols.” Although the virus could be transmitted between test and result, Dr. Lee Smith, executive director of the Monongalia County Health Department, felt good about the plan. “Such extensive testing will give a clear idea of the disease prevalence,” he said. “Now this, you can base decision-making on.” Daily results are published at wvu.edu/ return-to-campus/daily-test-results .
Campus Lite Love or hate the fall frenzy, expect this semester to be sedate. It’s hard to know how many students are physically coming to town: at least 10,000 freshmen and graduate students, who will take classes in person, but likely less than 27,000, Fall 2019 enrollment, because upperclassmen will take classes online. Many of the lectures and performances that animate campus simply won’t take place this year. Protocols are strict. Students or employees who refuse masks face disciplinary action. COVID testing continues through the semester, especially in residence halls and athletic and performance arts programs. Students who test positive will be transferred to Arnold Hall, where they’ll be provided meals
WVU Campus Life in a Pandemic
and monitored by Student Health Services. Contact tracing will be in force.
And they’re all out of here
by Thanksgiving.
August 26 Classes start. Classrooms are at 50% capacity. Freshmen and graduate students will attend classes in person; upperclassmen will take classes online.
August 1 Student move-in began in staggered time slots. WVU expects at least 10,000 students physically on campus this fall.
12 MORGANTOWN • AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2020
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