In-person Classes Will Start February 7, 2022

January 27, 2022

A Message from President Fiorentino and the President’s Cabinet:

Students, Faculty, and Staff:

In-person classes and instruction will start at WCU on February 7, 2022. With national and regional data indicating that the surge in the omicron variant of COVID-19 has declined, we look forward to continuing the spring semester in a way that enables us to gather safely. We thank you for your flexibility as we began the first two weeks of our spring 2022 semester remotely.

As our world continues to live with the ongoing virus, WCU will need to remain cautious and continue to follow protocols recommended by public health experts. Following recommendations provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), WCU has updated its masking guidelines. Like many university and college campuses, we will now have three ways that you can choose to mask on campus. You must choose one of the following options to comply with the University’s mask requirements:

  • Good: a surgical mask
  • Better: a surgical mask with a cloth mask worn over it
  • Best: a KN95 mask (or the equivalent)

To help, dispensers with surgical masks will continue to be found in each WCU building. These dispensers have been improved to make mask retrieval easier and increased quantities of masks will be given to our building managers on a regular basis. We will also make a limited number of KN95 masks (or their equivalents) available in our buildings. These masks can be found in classrooms, academic department suites, and in each College’s or School’s dean’s office.

As you know, WCU will continue all policies, procedures, and protocols that have been effectively in place for fall 2021:

Mask Wearing Protocol for All Students, Faculty, Staff, and Visitors:

  • All faculty, staff, students, and visitors, regardless of vaccination status, are required to wear a mask that covers the nose and mouth when indoors.
    • All members of the University community may remove the mask to eat when seated while in appropriate dining locations.
  • It is recommended that faculty, staff, and students always carry two (2) masks to account for the possibility that a mask might be lost or spoiled.
  • Masks will be provided at various locations throughout campus to ensure the ability for compliance with this requirement.
  • Face masks may be worn when outdoors, but it is not an obligation of this policy notice.

Steps to Help Golden Rams Remain Healthy

  • Residential students who provide proof of vaccination will be exempt from mandatory testing.
  • Residential students who previously tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 90 days and provide proof will be exempted from mandatory testing.
  • Residential students who do not submit proof of vaccination will be required to complete on-campus COVID-19 testing throughout the semester.
  • Non-residential students or commuter students who do not submit proof of vaccination will be requested [although not required] to complete on-campus COVID-19 testing.
  • As members of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC), the University complies with Conference rules, including COVID-19 testing for student athletes who are not fully vaccinated.
  • Faculty, staff and students can continue to access free testing services in Philips Green Room.

COVID-19 Testing:

  • The purpose of screening testing is to monitor cases and transmission.
  • COVID-19 testing will be conducted using a University approved protocol.
  • Residential students selected for screening testing will be notified by email and provided instructions for testing. Students are responsible for checking their WCU email daily.
  • Students receiving COVID 19 testing at the Philips Green Room will not be charged.
  • Residential students who receive a positive test during screening testing may be: (1) referred for additional confirmatory testing (PCR) with Student Health Services or another provider, and (2) directed to isolate off-campus while awaiting confirmatory results.

We wish all Golden Rams continued success and good health as the spring semester moves forward.

 

Student FAQs for Spring Semester 2022

 

Back to top of page.