(March 17, 2020) – Spring break will be extended for one week for students at West Virginia University at Parkersburg. President Chris Gilmer announced on Tuesday, March 17, that spring break is extended on both campuses through Sunday, March 29. Classes will resume in a fully alternate, non-face-to-face format on Monday, March 30.

The college president also closed the campuses – both Parkersburg and the Jackson County Center – to the general public. Both campuses are open to students, faculty and staff only. Members of the general public are asked to transact business by telephone or through technological means. This will include requesting admission to the university, registering for classes, getting advised, paying bills, and other necessary functions. A link will be available on the college’s website to allow students to access these functions in a succinct online location. Students are also encouraged to call 304-424-8310 to talk to the admissions staff.

“The university recognizes that this decision will create a hardship for some faculty members, some students, and the public. We deeply regret any inconvenience; however, the decision is judged essential toward the promotion of public health and is in keeping with prevailing national trends,” President Gilmer said. “We look forward to providing our usual excellent customer service when this crisis has passed.”

At present, the University hopes to resume face-to-face instruction on Monday, April 20, although this date will be evaluated regularly and could be extended.

Computer labs on both campuses will be open during regular hours, and the IT help desk will remain open, anticipating a higher volume of calls due to an increase in online instruction. Labs will be available for student and faculty use to complete instruction because the University recognizes that many students and some faculty members do not have reliable access to the Internet at home. Social distancing will be enforced in the labs.

“The goal is to protect the university’s employees and the public to the degree possible by enforcing social distancing,” President Gilmer said. The practice of social distancing is now in mandatory effect on both campuses. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention define social distancing as “remaining out of congregate settings, avoiding mass gatherings, and maintaining distance (approximately six feet or two meters) from others when possible.”

The opportunity for most employees to work remotely will be phased in over the next few days.

The college will continue to make updates to the campus website to notify students, faculty and staff. The web link is https://www.wvup.edu/coronavirus/.