6:00: Morning News

Spring semester at WVU underway with coronavirus rules remaining in place

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Tuesday marked the start of the spring semester at West Virginia University and another grading period impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.

All students and faculty have been tested for the coronavirus, in which 168 students and 17 employees tested positive. Most students are quarantined off-campus, although some are living at residence halls and University Apartments.

Thirty-seven percent of this semester’s classes are in-person because of the pandemic; freshman, Capstone and select clinical courses include face-to-face instruction. Student programs, like Up All Night, have been shifted online.

“As we designed our programs and designed how we were teaching classes and what classes would be in-person, we listened to our students,” said Corey Farris, WVU’s dean of students. “We did more of that over the semester break, and we’ll do more of that during the spring semester.”

Campus-wide coronavirus protocols have not changed from the fall semester; facial coverings are still required, and large gatherings are prohibited.

University officials continue using signage and other communication formats to keep students and staff informed of the university’s coronavirus rules.

“We’ll continue that gentle reminding that what they do certainly does impact the community, from public schools to restaurants and bars,” Farris stated. “We’re in the community, and the students understand that.”

Instruction was suspended for three weeks at the start of the fall semester because of large gatherings and the potential risks associated with superspreader events.

Farris noted students learned lessons from the fall semester they will carry with them through the rest of the academic year, saying students understand the importance of face masks and social distancing.

April 30 is the final scheduled day of classes. Final exams will take place from May 4 through May 8.





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