The 2025-2026 Academic Year
Welcome and welcome back, WCU community!
The 2025-2026 academic year began on August 25, as West Chester University students, faculty, and staff brought campus to life for the fall semester.
Perhaps the most visible change since the conclusion of the spring semester is the completion of the work on High Street. New traffic signals at Sharpless Street and University Avenue are now functioning and lines have been painted on the roadway allowing for left turn lanes.
As always, the safety of our community is paramount. Please pay attention to new signals, curbs, crosswalks, and traffic patterns.
Welcome Week
New students, returning Golden Rams, WCU faculty and staff, as well as members of the local community enjoyed the spirit at the Ram Rally under the lights on August 22 at Farrell Stadium. Fireworks topped off the high-energy celebration that included Rammy, the cheer and dance teams, prizes, and free Ram swag, plus a performance by the Incomparable Golden Rams Marching Band.
For the first time in West Chester University’s history, a Convocation Ceremony on August 24 in Hollinger Field House kicked off the fall semester for our new first-year students. President Laurie Bernotsky, Rammy, and student leaders inspired the Class of 2029 with encouraging messages and tips for college success.
Modern, Modular Matlack Court Is Open
Students returning for the fall 2025 semester could select a new housing option: Matlack Court, prefabricated, temporary modular housing configured in a court-style arrangement, located east of the Matlack parking structure.
Matlack Court provides single-occupancy amenities for 100 beds and double occupancy for 28 students. Single rooms each have a full-size bed, private bathroom, TV, mini-refrigerator, and microwave. Double rooms are fully furnished and have a hallway bathroom. In addition, a community building includes mail pick-up, washers/dryers, vending machines, and an office for a residence hall coordinator. A late-night shuttle serves the residents of this community, which is fully occupied.
The temporary modular community will provide consistent housing availability for returning students across the five-year, four-phase timeframe of WCU’s housing plan; phase one begins this fall. WCU will launch a major renovation and expansion project in October that will begin to add an additional floor onto each of its 11 South Campus apartment buildings. By vertically expanding each apartment building, the University will add 220 new beds to its overall residential housing complement — without the need for additional land development or the expansion of its South Campus footprint.
This court-style modular housing provides the swing space needed for the University to begin deferred maintenance projects on other on-campus housing units while we pursue authorization to renovate existing buildings or add something new for a greater number of beds. As these long-term plans are reviewed by our local municipalities and hopefully approved, our short-term modular housing will be removed within five years.
Getting Around
In addition to the Matlack Court shuttle, there are two new off-campus shuttle routes and additional enhancements to several routes. Campus shuttle buses are free to WCU students, faculty, and staff and while the Matlack and West Goshen routes are intended for students, these shuttles are available for employees as well. Plus, new shuttle shelters are being installed at the Q-Lot and R-Lot bus stops to enhance the campus shuttle experience. They’ll be completed early this semester.
New this year is a shuttle serving apartments where many of our students live. The West Goshen Loop operates M-F 6:45 a.m. to 10:45 p.m. Stops include Aldi, West Goshen Shopping Center (beginning at 11 a.m. for these first two), Goshen Manor, Goshen Terrace, Golf Club Apartments, The Willows, RamsGate Court, The Edge, Wayne Hall. As a one-year pilot program, the free West Goshen Loop will be evaluated, and feedback will be sought from riders at the end of the fall 2025 semester.
A new Late Night Loop operates Thursdays through Sundays from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Check the schedules, routes, and adjustments for holidays at this link.
Find out where a shuttle is with the live tracker here.
As of August 25, 2025, all SEPTA routes to the West Chester campus — including the Paoli-Thorndale Regional Rail Line and the Route 104, 92, and 135 buses — continue in operation, although during off-peak hours there will be approximately 20% fewer vehicles on the 104 bus route and on the Paoli-Thorndale line.
If you rely on public transit, we encourage you to review your usual travel plans and watch for updates from SEPTA and the University. SEPTA’s Trip Planner is useful for understanding your options. In addition, WCU’s Transportation and Commuter Options website provides information on other public transit services, carpool, WCU shuttle, bicycling, and other commuter choices.
WCU’s Bicycle Lending Library offers members of the WCU community the opportunity to borrow a bike for a two-week period or for the entire semester. Cyclists who own bikes can check out tune-up tool kits from the library help desk or attend any of the weekly bike maintenance workshops.
Click here for more transportation information, including carpooling resources.
Facilities Improvements
Every summer, the teams in University’s Facilities complete upgrades, renovations, and deep cleaning. Some highlights:
- Custodial Operations team: refinished nearly 55,000 square feet of hard-surface flooring (about the size of a football field!); deep-cleaned more than 270,000 square feet of carpet in classrooms, lecture halls, hallways, and common areas; installed new sustainability-focused recycling signage across campus to increase awareness and improve waste diversion efforts.
- Interiors team: completed many office, classroom, and program renovations/upgrades.
- Grounds team: installed a new pollinator meadow on South Campus; removed invasive bamboo in L-Lot; installed post-and-chain barriers around Residential Quad walkways for safety and appearance; and kept campus beautiful, sustainable, and welcoming.
- Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) team: partnered with the West Chester Fire Department and local first responders to enhance emergency readiness. Completed more than 400 fire extinguisher inspections; upgraded infrastructure including alarm systems and emergency lighting. EHS also led efforts in hazardous waste disposal, fume hood upgrades, and improved universal waste storage, supporting sustainability and regulatory compliance. EHS purchased 60 new purple safety vests so Residence Life staff can clearly be identified by first responders during fire alarm activations.
- Maintenance Operations: performed upgrades to the campus geothermal loop that will ensure 52% of the campus will be provided with the necessary heating and cooling for years to come. Both Sykes and SOMPAC parking lots have been sealed and restriped. Energy management is utilizing new software that will streamline our collection of utility data, assist us in completing mandatory DEP reports, and help us identify additional energy efficiency projects.
Facilities teams are also responsible for renovations to the CESW Tech Center that allow for better flow of service and interaction between the Tech Center staff and customers. The 1,050-square-foot renovation was designed in-house and construction completed by our Maintenance team.
The Facilities team also completed the design in-house and construction for the Physician Assistant Program, which was relocated from Exton to the Graduate Center over the summer.
Starbucks recently underwent a major renovation to align with the corporation’s modern standards. The updated space is warm and inviting, featuring new technology designed to enhance customer experience.
Art on Main
Main Hall’s newest banner installation is a powerful visual statement that explores the mutual relationship between emotional well-being and creative expression. Designed by Kayla Lockburner, a rising junior graphic and interactive design student, the artwork supports the College of Arts and Humanities’ 2025-26 theme, “Mental Health Supports Humanity ↔ The Arts and Humanities Support Mental Health.”
University Libraries
This semester, the Innovation Media Center (IMC) in FHG Library is hosting Workshop Wednesdays and Crafternoons on a variety of fun and useful topics including community art, designing research posters, and sticker making. See their calendar of events for more information.
New Science Series
“Science on Tap” is a new casual discussion series that is free and open to the public. It is organized by Dr. Christopher Roemmele, Department of Earth and Space Sciences.
Held at Barnaby’s Restaurant (15 South High Street, second floor, West Chester, PA 19382), Science on Tap brings fascinating topics from across the spectrum of science: biology, computer science, chemistry, geology, psychology, and beyond. Each session will feature a different WCU expert sharing exciting research work and new information and discoveries, with opportunities to ask questions, spark discussion, and connect with fellow science enthusiasts.
Dr. Elliott Arnold, Earth & Space Sciences, opens the series on Tuesday, September 16, discussing “Disentangling the Subtleties of Climate Change through Observation and Inference: How can looking into the past help us salvage our future?” The presentation begins at 6 p.m.
Digital Accessibility Update: What You Need to Know
West Chester University is working together to meet new federal accessibility requirements by April 24, 2026, ensuring that all web content, mobile apps, and digital materials align with WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards. The Office of Equal Opportunity and Compliance is leading a Web Accessibility Task Force made up of staff from TLC, OEA, Web, and IS&T. Starting in Fall 2025, the task force will offer training and resources to help the campus community make digital content more inclusive and accessible. These resources can be found on the Website and Digital Accessibility resource page.
This is a campus-wide initiative, and everyone who creates digital content plays an important role. Simple steps like using accessible templates, adding alt text to images, and ensuring video captions are accurate can have a big impact.
Philadelphia Site
WCU In Philadelphia offers undergraduate and graduate programs designed for adults at 701 Market Street in Philadelphia. Students have access to the same or similar resources and support as WCU main campus students. One example is the Philadelphia site’s resource pantry. Through partnerships with Philadelphia County nonprofits Philabundance and Sharing Excess, the site has secured non-perishable and perishable items (respectively) that have substantially increased the pantry inventory. Fridge and freezer storage for that pantry is a result of securing PA Hunger Free Campus Grant funds through a collaboration with WCU’s Center for Civic Engagement and Social Impact (CCESI). The Philadelphia pantry continues to work closely with CCESI to provide other resources to students such as SEPTA passes and parenting supplies.
Are You Ready for Some Football?
Cheer on the Golden Ram football team this fall with new game days experiences!
Every home game Saturday will deliver a full-on campus experience – think more energy, more tradition, and more reasons to come early and stay late. There will be pre-game pep rallies, a kids’ zone, live music, fun food, free Golden Ram swag, and lots more. Buy your tickets today!
Installation of the new scoreboard at Farrell Stadium is underway and will be complete in time for the Homecoming game on Saturday, October 4.
The first Home Game kicks off on September 20. Check out this exciting lineup:
- 11:30 a.m.: Pre-game pep rally outside the SECC stairs, with free swag and treats.
- 12:30 p.m.: Kids’ zone opens with a mini football field, lots of games, face painting, photo ops with Rammy, and much more (free with game ticket).
- 1:15 p.m.: Celebrate the legacy of Golden Ram legends at the Tomlinson-Fillippo Field naming ceremony and help us acknowledge the generosity that has made WCU’s new video board possible.
- 2:00 p.m.: Watch our Golden Rams charge through the spirit tunnel and then take on Seton Hill University.
Select Dates
Visit the campus calendar to view all events.
Thursday, September 4: Sustainability Showcase
Friday, September 19: Concert on the Quad
Thursday, October 2: Dr. Clifford E. DeBaptiste Frederick Douglass Institute Lecture
Friday, October 3: Comedian Chris Distefano
Friday, October 3 through Sunday, October 5: Homecoming and Family Weekend
Tuesday, October 7: Toward a Plastic Free Future: A Community Panel
Monday, October 13 & Tuesday, October 14: Fall Break, no classes
Click here for a list of free concerts on the Wells School of Music calendar.
Click here for information and tickets to performances by the Department of Theatre & Dance.