News for WVU Potomac State College

West Virginia University Potomac State College Alumnus Ken Ward Jr. (Class of 1987) was recognized this spring by the Alumni Association and the College with the inscription of his name on the Duke Anthony Whitmore/Henry Louis Gates, Jr. Academic Achievement Wall.

When late faculty member, Chef Thomas Vieli, is mentioned in conversation among his peers, former students or friends, it is with fondness, respect and admiration.  And because of the profound effect Chef Thomas had on his students and others around him, he was chosen as the 2021 faculty member to have his name inscribed on the Duke Anthony Whitmore/Henry Louis Gates, Jr. Academic Achievement Wall.  This honor is bestowed posthumously on Chef Thomas who lost his battle with cancer on May 28, 2013.

Pictured from left: Don Schafer, Assistant Baseball Coach; Jay Stanislawczyk, Vice President Belt Paving; Dr. Jennifer Orlikoff, Campus President; Randy Cirillo, General Manager Belt Paving and Doug Little, Head Baseball Coach

With recent decreases in COVID-19 cases across the country and the knowledge that COVID-19 vaccines are extremely safe and effective, West Virginia University now plans to fully reopen its campuses this fall.

COVID-19 numbers within the U.S. and West Virginia have significantly decreased as the number of vaccinations has increased. As of Monday (June 14), there were 2,799 active COVID-19 cases in West Virginia, a decrease of 57% from this time a month ago. The state is currently experiencing the lowest transmissibility rates since the pandemic began, according to data provided by the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources. At this time, more than 52% of West Virginians above the age of 12 have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.

This, coupled with proven preventative measures such as masks, physical distancing, self-symptom monitoring, COVID-19 testing and good personal hygiene (e.g. handwashing and hand sanitizer), shows WVU students and employees have access to the tools to fight COVID-19 and the spread of the disease to others.

West Virginia University’s highest priority is to offer a fully in-person, on-campus academic and student experience this fall. Lessons learned from the pandemic will influence how the University approaches some activities and events moving forward. As always, the safety of students, faculty, staff and guests will be an important guiding factor.

Please note the following details for the fall semester may be adjusted based on infection and hospitalization rates and input from health experts. Unless noted, this information pertains to WVU campuses in Morgantown, Keyser and Beckley, as well as Health Sciences campuses in Martinsburg and Charleston. Importantly, WVU Medicine and patient care clinics located in Health Sciences have their own set of policies, procedures and protocols for staff, patients and visitors.

Vaccines

At this time, WVU strongly encourages everyone to be vaccinated but it is not required for faculty, staff or students. The University will reevaluate vaccination requirements upon FDA approval.

Those who have yet to be vaccinated, but would like to be, can find available vaccination appointments at http://vaccines.gov. Vaccines continue to be readily available across the country.

As of today (June 15), 25% of students and 36% of employees on the Morgantown campus have verified that they have been vaccinated. Five percent of students and 35% of employees at Potomac State College in Keyser have verified their vaccination. Eight percent of students and nearly 38% of employees at WVU Tech in Beckley have verified their vaccination.

All students, faculty and staff must verify their vaccine status by Aug. 1 at http://myhousing.wvu.edu. This videoexplains the steps and information needed to complete verification.

Those who received the vaccine from a WVU or WVU Medicine vaccine clinic are still responsible for verifying their vaccine status by Aug. 1.

The percentage milestones (e.g. 50%, 60% and 75%) previously announced that relate to on-campus activities are no longer relevant.

However, Food Fest and Fall Fest, both of which attract large crowds in tight spaces, will not resume in their previous formats until a 70% vaccination rate is achieved.

In addition, the University plans to unveil incentives on Thursday (June 15) for those who have already verified their vaccine or will do so between now and Aug. 1.

Those not fully vaccinated and those who have not verified their vaccine status by Aug. 1 must:

Mary Moore, professor of computer information systems at West Virginia University Potomac State College, was recently selected to join the Atlantic Council Digital Forensics Research Lab 360/Digital Sherlocks program (DFRLab), whose mission is to counter online disinformation.  

Matthew Bane, a biology major from Keyser, was recently recognized with the inscription of his name on the Duke Anthony Whitmore/Henry Louis Gates, Jr. Academic Achievement Wall.  Bane was honored along with others during Recognition Day at West Virginia University Potomac State College.

The Achievement Wall, originally conceived to recognize the academic and scholarly activities of PSC's students, alumni and faculty, was named in honor of Alumnus Henry Louis Gates, Jr., PhD, who serves as the Alphonse Fletcher University Professor and director of the Hutchins Center for African & African American Research at Harvard University, and for deceased PSC Professor Duke Anthony Whitmore, PhD, so that “…the student and his mentor may be honored together.”

Bethany Smith, a nursing major from Old Fields, was recently recognized with the inscription of her name on the Duke Anthony Whitmore/Henry Louis Gates, Jr. Academic Achievement Wall.  Smith was recognized along with other students, alumni, faculty and staff during Recognition Day at West Virginia University Potomac State College.    

Each year, up to three students may be selected who exhibit exemplary scholarship and potential for continued achievement.

Allison Cowgill, a business management major from Romney, W. Va., was recently recognized with the inscription of her name on the Duke Anthony Whitmore/Henry Louis Gates, Jr. Academic Achievement Wall.  Cowgill was recognized along with others during Recognition Day at West Virginia University Potomac State College earlier this spring.     

Each year, up to three students may be selected who exhibit exemplary scholarship and the potential for continued achievement.

As  West Virginia University prepares to welcome back students, faculty and staff to campus for the fall 2021 semester, the University has developed plans and guidelines for employees to ensure continued adaptation of new ways of working and operating in as safe a manner as possible.
 
Telecommuting Agreements for Remote and Hybrid Employees
To prepare to reconfigure the workspace within many campus buildings and introduce new programs, policies and services for remote or hybrid employees, supervisors were asked to confirm or update the long-term work arrangements for their direct reports in the  Applaud HR system prior to  May 31. These arrangements include:
 

Alex Oates is a sophomore exercise physiology major at WVU Potomac State College. He’s also a member of the College’s Esports program, having earned his seat on the Madden team. Oates is a fierce competitor and stand out in his sport having gone up against all Big 12 schools to win the Big 12 Conference in the Level Next Fall Champions Madden Series this year.

So, how was Oates able to parlay his gaming talent into monetary donations in the way of gift cards to the College’s Catamount Care Closet that collects food, toiletries and clothing for students as well as a donation to the Mineral County Food Bank?