Please see the below message to the campus community from Vice President for Academic Affairs Maynard Schaus:
Thank you for your patience and support as we navigate the rapidly evolving COVID-19 situation.Virginia Wesleyan officials have been monitoring developments closely, and continue to heed guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Virginia Department of Health, and Sentara Healthcare in order to make the best decisions for the health and safety of our campus community. Based on the most recent CDC recommendations, we have decided to shift to remote course instruction for the remainder of the semester. Our faculty members have been preparing for this possibility, and will contact students with specific course information by the end of the day on Monday, March 23.
The University will also shift to remote work for employees with supervisor approval. Certain essential staff will need to report as directed. Instructions from your Vice President will follow.
All campus events are cancelled through the end of the spring semester (May 8). This includes Spring Alumni Weekend, Port Day, Spring Honors Convocation, and all athletic events. It also includes the Marlins Day Open House scheduled for April 4, though the Office of Enrollment will continue in-person campus tours to small groups by appointment throughout the semester, as well as offering virtual tours.The May Baccalaureate and Commencement ceremonies will be postponed to a later date. We are communicating with senior student leadership about this and will announce a specific date soon.
The University will continue to offer on-campus housing to current residential students who apply and are granted special permission to reside on campus through the end of the semester. Permission will be granted on a case by case basis. For those who stay, all group gatherings and events will be cancelled, limited campus resources and services will be available, and no guests will be permitted on campus. Based on recommendations and guidelines from state and national health officials, students will not be permitted to return to campus to retrieve belongings until instructions for how to do so are communicated. Students will receive detailed information from the Office of Residence Life shortly. Information will also be forthcoming regarding a prorated student account credit for room and board for those who do not return to campus housing.
We thank our students for their flexibility and understanding, as we know this news is disappointing, especially to our seniors. We also offer our sincerest appreciation to our faculty and staff for keeping operations and instruction running smoothly during this time. We ask that you stay safe and continue to monitor your Virginia Wesleyan email and the VWU COVID-19 resource page at www.vwu.edu/coronavirus.
