Health Notices

West Chester University continues to take all necessary steps to protect the health and wellbeing of our students, faculty, and staff as we closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States and around the world. We continue to follow the guidance of global, national, and local health and government officials.

We cannot ignore the potential danger of bringing thousands of students back to campus for face-to-face instruction. Continuing remote instruction for the spring 2021 semester will ensure that our students’ education will be uninterrupted as they earn credits required for academic degrees. A few courses will be delivered in a hybrid format (both in-person and remote) in order to assist those students with clinical placements, student teaching, performance obligations, internship sites, and similar academic responsibilities. Faculty and staff will continue to be accessible and highly committed to student success.

The Spring 2021 academic calendar will not change. The academic calendar can be reviewed here.

Yes, we are keenly aware of the financial challenges students are facing as a result of the pandemic. For that reason, we are providing additional financial support for all of our students this spring 2021 semester.

• For the upcoming academic year, WCU has already invested over $5 million in scholarships and grants to increase affordability and access.
• As part of that, more than $1.1 million has already been dedicated to out-of-state students.
• In addition, we are providing a COVID-19 relief credit to both in-state and out-of-state students, full-time and part-time, for Spring 2021, which will lower the total cost of tuition and fees.
• On average, for a full-time in-state undergraduate student, the total for tuition and fees for spring 2021 will be reduced from $5,235 to $4,666, a savings of 11%.
• On average, for full-time out-of-state undergraduate students, who pay a much higher rate than in-state students, the total for tuition and fees for this spring will be reduced from $11,147 to $8,649, a savings of 22%.
• The same pattern will be applied for graduate students and will produce similar savings.
• Finally, we are also waiving the Distance Education fee for all programs, which will result in additional savings for students who have typically pursued online degrees at WCU.
• These spring 2021 pandemic-specific adjustments are part of an overall investment of more than $25.5 million dollars from the University for this academic year.
• Students can expect to see their bills in myWCU by Wednesday, December 9, 2020.

UPDATE 11/20/20: Beyond providing financial savings for students, in support of the University’s goal of all undergraduate students completing at least 30 credits per academic year in pursuit of finishing in four years, for the Spring 2021 semester, eligible full-time WCU undergraduate students will be able to take advantage of up to 6 “free” credits during the upcoming Summer 2021 sessions or the Winter 2021 session, depending on their total number of spring 2021 credits. As full-time tuition costs are the same for 12 to 18 credits in WCU’s spring semester, undergraduate students taking 12 credits in the spring will be able to take an additional 6 credits in the Summer 2021 sessions or the Winter 2021 session without being charged tuition. Similarly, undergraduate students taking 15 credits in the spring will be able to take an additional 3 credits in the Summer 2021 sessions or the Winter 2021 session without being charged tuition.

Cleaning and sanitation efforts throughout campus have been increased to meet appropriate CDC guidelines.

All students and employees must wear face masks on campus. The University has provided or will provide all students and employees with two WCU reusable face masks.

West Chester University has aligned and is consistent with local, state, and federal public health guidelines and recommendations to provide a safe environment for those who return to campus, including some staff and faculty, as well as students who return to campus to live in campus housing, and those who are on campus for labs, internships, clinicals, etc. Everyone on campus must wear a face mask that covers both the nose and mouth and practice six feet of social distancing as directed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Pennsylvania Department of Health (PADOH).

The University will continue enhanced sanitization, enhanced social distancing, and technology upgrades.

• Cleaning and sanitation efforts throughout campus have been increased to meet appropriate CDC guidelines.
• Classrooms have been upgraded with technology (audio and video) to allow for concurrent in-person and remote learning wherever possible.
• Space barriers (roll-up or rigid) have been installed in offices where in-person visits are required.
• Sanitizing stations have been installed in common areas (lobby, lounge, corridors, entrance foyers).
• Signage has been installed across campus to encourage social distancing both inside buildings and outside.

The University has decreased the number of staff on campus on any given day. Using a rotation schedule, we have worked to ensure that we are providing in-person service while providing for social distancing for our employees.

All faculty office hours and student advising will continue to be conducted remotely (i.e. Zoom meetings).

All non-instructional meetings between faculty, staff, and students will continue to be conducted remotely (i.e. Zoom meetings). CDC as well as Commonwealth phased opening guidelines for other gatherings will be followed, and we will update the campus community as these guidelines evolve.

Social distancing measures and guidelines are in place for non-instructional student facilities (i.e. Sykes Student Union, Student Recreation Center, etc.). Resources and guidelines have been provided for students to utilize spaces on campus that follow CDC guidelines, according to the phases of opening directives from the state at that time. Facilities like the library, Sykes Student Union, and the Student Recreation Center are operating at lower capacities to comply with state and local health guidelines. Large gatherings and events will continue to be significantly curtailed through the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic.

While Chester County is now in the green phase of reopening, visitors to campus in public spaces are required to wear a mask and follow all University guidelines for social distancing.

Public events, except those that will be held virtually, are cancelled for the spring terms. CDC as well as Commonwealth phased opening guidelines for other gatherings will be followed, and we will update the campus community as these guidelines evolve.

UPDATE: Thursday, February 25, 2021

The Athletic Department announces its spectator attendance policy for all home events during the upcoming spring sports season:

At this time, no spectators will be allowed in attendance at any of the facilities located on the campus of West Chester University, including John A. Farrell Stadium, Vonnie Gros Field, or the softball field and tennis courts located along S. New Street on South Campus until further notice. Furthermore, spectators will not be allowed to attend baseball games at Maple Zone Sports Complex, or the Dr. Edwin B. Cottrell Invitational held at Penn Oaks Golf Course.

UPDATE: Wednesday, January 20, 2021
West Chester University Director of Athletics, Terry Beattie, announced an update to the Return to Activity plan for student-athletes. Spring sports student-athletes had no change to their plans to return to campus the weekend of January 23-24. First practice is still set for Monday, Jan. 25. Winter sports had its first practice date pushed back two weeks to Feb. 16 while fall sports had its first practice date pushed back two weeks to Feb. 23.

UPDATE: Thursday, November 19, 2020
West Chester University administration announced plans to hold a competitive season for outdoor spring sports while also moving ahead with plans to return fall and winter sport student-athletes to in-person practice as well.

West Chester University Athletics  COVID-19 Spectator Protocols 

• NO VISITING TEAM SPECTATORS WILL BE ADMITTED. 
• Spectators will be limited to two (2) per WCU team tier one personnel. 

WCU student-athletes and team personnel will be required to submit names via ARMS to the Athletics Office no later than the day (24 hours) prior to the competition. 

Only those individuals with their names appearing on the guest list will be permitted to watch the competition.  

• Spectators will be permitted to access the designated viewing areas NO MORE than 1 hour prior to the competition start time.  
• Spectators/family members should not expect to interact with athletes and coaches before, during, or after competitions. 
• Spectators should complete a COVID-19 symptom self-screening and temperature check before leaving for the event and should not attend if they are experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms or have a temperature of 100.4° or higher. 
• Spectators are expected to remain masked at all times while at athletic events hosted by West Chester University.   
• Spectators are required to maintain appropriate social distance from spectators outside of their own family unit and avoid mingling with others. 
• Use of bathroom facilities will be severely limited. 
• All spectators must vacate the premises within 15 minutes of the conclusion of the event and should not expect to greet their athlete post-game. 
• No pre-game, in-game, and/or post-game tailgating is permitted for any event. 
• WCU Athletics staff and WCU Public Safety will be responsible for enforcing social distancing guidelines and procedures.  Any spectator refusing to comply with any of the above-mentioned protocols will be immediately removed from the premises and may forfeit the privilege of attending future WCU Athletics events. 

 
 

EVENT SPECIFIC INFORMATION 

BASEBALL 

• NO VISITING TEAM SPECTATORS WILL BE ADMITTED. 
• Spectators will be limited to two (2) per WCU team tier one personnel. 

WCU student-athletes and team personnel will be required to submit names via ARMS to the Athletics Office no later than the day (24 hours) prior to the competition. 

Only those individuals with their names appearing on the guest list will be permitted to watch the competition.  

• Spectators/family members should not expect to interact with athletes and coaches before, during, or after competitions. 
• Spectator seating is limited to the area along the outfield fence at Maplezone Sports Village.   
• No spectators will be allowed on the center walkway between fields. 
• Spectators should expect to stand or supply their own chairs for seating along the outfield fence. 
• Spectators should refrain from touching balls hit out of play. 
• All spectators must comply with any instructions given by WCU Athletics staff or by Maplezone Sports Institute staff. 
• Spectators should exit the facility within fifteen minutes of the completion of games. 

 

SOFTBALL 

• NO VISITING TEAM SPECTATORS WILL BE ADMITTED. 
• Spectators will be limited to two (2) per WCU team tier one personnel. 

WCU student-athletes and team personnel will be required to submit names via ARMS to the Athletics Office no later than the day (24 hours) prior to the competition. 

Only those individuals with their names appearing on the guest list will be permitted to watch the competition.  

• Spectators/family members should not expect to interact with athletes and coaches before, during, or after competitions. 
• Spectator seating is limited to the hill along the first base side of the field.  There will be no bleacher seating available this season. 
• Spectators should expect to stand or supply their own chairs for seating on the hill. 
• Spectators must not cross the rope line marking spectator-designated areas. 
• No spectators will be allowed along the outfield fence or along the third baseline fence. 
• Spectators should refrain from touching balls hit out of play. 
• All spectators must leave within fifteen minutes of the conclusion of games. 

 
LACROSSE

• NO VISITING TEAM SPECTATORS WILL BE ADMITTED. 

• Spectators will be limited to two (2) per WCU team tier one personnel. 

WCU student-athletes and team personnel will be required to submit names via ARMS to the Athletics Office no later than the day (24 hours) prior to the competition. 

Only those individuals with their names appearing on the guest list will be permitted to watch the competition.  

• Spectators/family members should not expect to interact with athletes and coaches before, during, or after competitions. 
• Vonnie Gros Field bleachers may not be available. 
• Spectators should expect to stand or supply their own seats, should bleacher seating not be available. 
• Spectators must not gather at the top of the hill and wait for their student-athlete to exit the field.   
• All spectators must leave within 15 minutes of the conclusion of the game. 

 

TENNIS 

• NO VISITING TEAM SPECTATORS WILL BE ADMITTED. 
• Spectators will be limited to two (2) per WCU team tier one personnel. 

WCU student-athletes and team personnel will be required to submit names via ARMS to the Athletics Office no later than the day (24 hours) prior to the competition. 

Only those individuals with their names appearing on the guest list will be permitted to watch the competition.  

• Spectators/family members should not expect to interact with athletes and coaches before, during, or after competitions. 
• Spectator seating is limited to the area across the driveway from the tennis courts.  Spectators should not cross the driveway to gain closer access to the tennis courts. 
• Spectators should expect to stand or supply their own chairs for seating. 
• All spectators must leave within fifteen minutes of the conclusion of the match. 

 

GOLF 

• NO VISITING TEAM SPECTATORS WILL BE ADMITTED. 
• Spectators will be limited to two (2) per WCU team tier one personnel. 

WCU student-athletes and team personnel will be required to submit names via ARMS to the Athletics Office no later than the day (24 hours) prior to the competition. 

Only those individuals with their names appearing on the guest list will be permitted to watch the competition.  

• Spectators/family members should not expect to interact with athletes and coaches before, during, or after competitions. 
• All spectators must remain on cart paths. 
• Spectators must comply with any instructions given by WCU Athletics staff or by staff of Penn Oaks Golf Club. 
• Spectators should not gather around leaderboards and avoid interacting with individuals outside of their own family unit. 
• Spectators must exit the facility within fifteen 15 minutes of the conclusion of their student-athlete's round. 

 

TRACK & FIELD 

• NO VISITING TEAM SPECTATORS WILL BE ADMITTED. 
• Spectators will be limited to two (2) per WCU team tier one personnel. 

WCU student-athletes and team personnel will be required to submit names via ARMS to the Athletics Office no later than the day (24 hours) prior to the competition. 

Only those individuals with their names appearing on the guest list will be permitted to watch the competition.  

• Spectators/family members should not expect to interact with athletes and coaches before, during, or after competitions. 
• Spectators must remain in the visitor's side stands of Farrell Stadium during their time at any WCU Track & Field Competition. 
• Use of permanent bathrooms is reserved for competing student-athletes.  Spectators should use the portable toilets located on the visitor's side of the stadium. 
• Spectators at the hammer/discus cage or the javelin throw should remain behind the perimeter ropes and avoid close interaction with student-athletes. 
• Spectators should exit the facility within fifteen minutes of the completion of their student-athlete's events. 

 

RUGBY 

• NO VISITING TEAM SPECTATORS WILL BE ADMITTED. 
• Spectators will be limited to two (2) per WCU team tier one personnel. 

WCU student-athletes and team personnel will be required to submit names via ARMS to the Athletics Office no later than the day (24 hours) prior to the competition. 

Only those individuals with their names appearing on the guest list will be permitted to watch the competition.  

• Spectators/family members should not expect to interact with athletes and coaches before, during, or after competitions. 
• Spectators must remain in the designated seating area. 
• Spectators are required to maintain appropriate social distance from spectators outside of their own family unit and avoid mingling with others. 
• Spectators refrain from gathering near the walkway to and from the field and should not attempt close interaction with their student-athlete before or after the game. 
• All spectators should exit the facility within fifteen minutes of the conclusion of the game. 

The University understands that impact of the COVID-19 pandemic continues unabated and, in many ways, has increased in its disruption since the start of the fall semester. We realize that the stresses of this reality are causing students to be more anxious and stressed than ever before.  When we implemented the COVID-19 grading policy this past spring, we found that students ultimately ended up performing better when compared to previous springs semesters. Many of us believe that this was because the policy provided students with the opportunity to focus on learning instead of worrying so much about their grades.  It is in this context that we are announcing that the COVID-19 Alternative Grading Policy adopted for the spring 2020 semester will be applied to the entire 2020-2021 academic year (fall 2020, winter 2020/21, spring 2021, and summer 2021 terms).

Our shared governance groups have come together to support the adoption and implementation of this policy, and we could not be prouder of the faculty and staff who worked to author this document. From a procedural perspective, this was approved by the Curriculum and Academic Policies Council Executive Committee, a group empowered to make decisions between the body’s Assembly meetings. The University’s primary shared governance leadership was also consulted, including the President of the WCU Chapter of APSCUF, the Faculty Senate President and Immediate Past President, and the Chair and Co-Chair of the Council of Chairs.

Highlights of this policy can be found on the 2020-2021 Academic Year COVID-19 Alternative Grading Policy page. 

The University is committed to providing an on-campus commencement/graduation experience for the spring and winter Classes of 2020 and will continue to follow CDC as well as Commonwealth phased opening guidelines for gatherings.

Ceremonies have been arranged by college or school for the spring and winter class of 2020, as well as for the spring 2021 graduating class.

All commencement ceremonies held this spring will take place outdoors in Farrell Stadium. Rain dates have also been scheduled.

Complete information for winter and spring graduates of 2020 and spring 2021 graduates.

Student Health Services tests students who are symptomatic or have a known exposure to a person confirmed with Covid-19. If a Student Health medical provider determines the criteria is not met, students may be referred to off-campus testing options. 

More information on Covid-19 testing on Student FAQ page.