WEST LIBERTY, W.Va., July 23, 2020 — West Liberty University has stepped up all cleaning services with its contractor, WFF Facility Services in response to the pandemic, in addition to encouraging social distancing and requiring masks.

“Due to COVID-19 and concerns for mitigating risk, we have contracted for additional disinfecting and cleaning beginning Aug. 1. This service is a significant increase to the standard cleaning of buildings, dorms and public areas that occurs on campus throughout the year,” explained President Stephen Greiner. “We want to keep our students and staff safe and will continue to follow the CDC recommendations and those of our West Virginia public health officials as we prepare to open campus.”

Students are expected to return to campus in a staggered fashion beginning in early August, prior to the start of in-seat classes on Aug. 15 at the Highlands Campus and Aug. 17 on WLU’s Main Campus. The university will communicate the exact move-in plan via email soon.

Social distancing will be followed and face masks are required in all campus buildings and in areas where social distancing is impossible.

“We will be performing additional disinfecting that focuses on high-touch points, which includes doorknobs, light switches, elevators, railings and more nightly. We also will be sanitizing twice-a-day in residential buildings,” said WLU’s Director of Custodial Services Shelly Smith, who has been employed on the Hilltop for seven years.

All public areas where visitors congregate will be sanitized nightly as well.

According to Smith, WFF’s staff is trained on CDC procedures and guidelines and prepared for active cases. Additionally, WFF has been proactive since February with regards to training and cleaning relative to COVID-19.

For more information on West Liberty University’s response to the coronavirus pandemic, please visit westliberty.edu/coronavirus.