West Liberty University Begins Moving in Students

WEST LIBERTY, W.Va., Aug. 6, 2020 — West Liberty University unlocked its doors this past Monday and welcomed back employees as it began the slow and careful return of its students.

Move-in started in a staggered manner in order to follow social distancing rules and CDC guidelines. The official Return to Campus Plan for students and Return to the Workplace Plan for employees is posted online and is updated regularly during the pandemic.

“It’s great to have our students back on campus and to allow our residential students a safe move-in experience, we divided students up into two groups moving in on different dates. Group A consists of students residing within 2.5 hours from campus. These students are now moving in and will return home after dropping off their belongings and then Group B, which will be students who live 2.5 hours or great distances away will move in between Aug. 8 – 15,” explained Scott Cook, Vice President of Student Services.

All residential students will be back on campus the weekend of Aug. 15 – 16 as classes begin at the Highlands Center on Aug. 15 and on the main campus Aug. 17.

Free COVID-19 testing clinics are in the works for all students and employees and will be coordinated by the Wheeling-Ohio County Health Department. Details are expected soon and will be shared via email.

There are a variety of other move-in rules designed to limit the number of students and parents or visitors on campus at any one time. Students and guests must wear masks and gloves during move-in except in their own room with the door closed.

If someone has forgotten a mask or needs hand sanitizer, gloves or other PPE items, vending machines are now installed throughout campus for students and staff that allow them to obtain supplies free of charge with their Topper Card.

Those exposed to someone with COVID-19 or experiencing any symptoms are not permitted on campus.

Other COVID campus changes for fall include:

• Masks are required by staff, students and visitors when inside buildings.
• Gloves and masks are required in all computer labs and while using public computers.
• Social distancing is expected and must be maintained.
• Good hygiene and hand sanitation are required. Dispensers are found throughout campus.
• Housing offered single rooms to all residential students who wanted them for safety reasons.
• Classes are a blend of in-seat, online and virtual.
• Classroom seating capacity will be at 50% or less to create adequate distancing between students and faculty.
• Student life events, club meetings and programs be virtual for the first month of school. For more information visit the Student Life webpage.
• West Liberty University stepped up all cleaning services and professional sanitation measures in all student housing and has increased these measures in all classrooms, stairwells, public spaces and more throughout campus.

WLU is adjusting its teaching methods to meet the needs of students and the impact of the pandemic. Much depends on the number of students in the class and the subject and type of class and students are encouraged to contact their class instructors and advisor to find out if class is available hybrid (both in-seat and remote) or remote (Zoom) or in-seat.

“Though much has changed this fall on the Hilltop, we want to have a great semester for our students and provide the same quality education and friendly student experience that West Liberty is known for,” Cook added.

“Despite the coronavirus pandemic, enrollment for the fall semester is running ahead of last year,” added Cook.

For more information on West Liberty University’s response to the coronavirus pandemic, please visit wlibertydev.wpenginepowered.com/coronavirus.