Unique Responses to COVID-19
For the past two years, West Virginia’s two- and four-year public and private colleges and universities have been learning to navigate higher education during a global pandemic. The people, businesses and organizations of the Mountain State are known for their fighting spirit and innovative approach to problem solving, and through that lens, the staff at West Virginia Executive magazine decided to reach out to the education community to find out what unique solutions have been implemented. These responses from leadership illustrate new policies that have carried over into yet another school year, what existing issues COVID-19 brought to light that were able to be solved and which solutions might be applicable in a post-pandemic world.
Davis & Elkins College
“At the start of the fall 2020 semester, one residence hall was taken offline and prepared as a COVID isolation space. The facility was staffed, and meals were delivered to those who required isolation there. Everyone came together to support our student body. Our chaplain created virtual worship experiences and messages on a weekly basis. A weekly Wellness Wednesday event was put into place to serve as a support system for all who needed such services. Dining services created carry-out and grab-and-go options to allow for timely and safe food distribution. Although athletic teams were unable to have spectators, their contests were live streamed and watch parties were held to support their efforts. When we made the decision not to host an in-person homecoming and family weekend, our institutional advancement team planned fabulous virtual events with people attending from all around the globe.”
Fairmont State University
“We are proud of the resiliency our students and faculty have demonstrated as we navigate the COVID-19 pandemic together as one Falcon family. As we continue to assess the ever-changing nature of COVID climates, Fairmont State University has experienced the need for consistent and frequent communications. The need for internal communication with our students and employees greatly increased, and along with that was the need for a strategy to disseminate the information in consumable chunks and provide easy reference points. As we move forward, we will continue to communicate with our campus community through various channels to provide important information in a way that is easily accessible for our audiences. We will also continue to utilize technology to communicate with our campus community in ways that are convenient and accessible for all.”
Marshall University
“To continue delivering education to our students in the early days of the pandemic, Marshall University very quickly changed to a fully online experience in terms of class delivery. The majority of our online classes were synchronous, virtual classes. The switch was made over the course of several weeks. This gargantuan project was achieved only through the coordinated efforts of our faculty, staff and administrators, who worked tirelessly to pivot the delivery of classes from face to face to virtual. The change also required additional resources and the purchase and implementation of extra instructional equipment. In addition to the changes in class delivery, the university was able to quickly develop and implement an application system to help students apply for federal aid through the federal CARES packages. These changes allowed many of our students to swiftly receive assistance during a critical time. Finally, the pandemic forced a higher level of interlocking systems between our Huntington campus and our health sciences campus. This heightened collaboration is an important one for the university as Marshall works toward Carnegie R1 status. A positive development as a result of the pandemic is the realization that commencement can be easily hosted at Marshall’s Joan C. Edwards Football Stadium. The university has historically had its spring commencement indoors at a local arena because no on-campus facility could accommodate the audience, but this past May the event was held outdoors on the field for the first time in school history. It was a resounding success, and it is expected spring commencement 2022 will be at the football field again. Ultimately, the lesson for the university in all things related to the pandemic is that flexibility and agility can happen very quickly when circumstances demand it. Our people rose to the occasion time after time to solve problems and to come up with fantastic alternatives.”
New River Community and Technical College
“New River Community and Technical College continues to offer students three options for classes: in-person, online and web enhanced face-to-face using Zoom video conferencing. College meetings continue to be offered through Zoom, and we are meeting as a college throughout the year even as staff have returned to campus. Counseling services continued to be offered for students online. Many community and workforce education classes are also now offered through Zoom video conferencing providing community members with another option to participate in classes. In 2020, looked closely at our use of technology. This reflection led us to launch a new, user-friendly, online application that could be completed on a desktop computer, tablet or smart phone. College processes that previously relied on physical documents being mailed or circulated through college offices have been moved online to increase efficiency and productivity. From increased uses of video conferencing to file sharing, I think that all the solutions developed during the pandemic will carry over into the post-pandemic world.”
University of Charleston
“Innovations at the University of Charleston spanned three main areas: community health and safety, student learning and social engagement. We adopted new technology such as an app that everyone used to complete a daily health check survey and thermal temperature screening devices to routinize increased health awareness and monitoring. We emphasized the importance of every individual staying healthy and in so doing keeping our entire community safe. The pandemic has provided valuable lessons reinforcing the importance of communications. It is hard to overstate the significance of frequent and concise messaging that reinforces our mission, values and strategic priorities. We continue to explore the best mix of mediums and content to keep our community informed, comfortable and focused on why we are here—to prepare students for lives of productive work, enlightened living and community involvement.”
West Liberty University
“I had the most unusual circumstance of traveling to West Liberty University from South Carolina, being interviewed with a mask and subsequently hired in the midst of COVID-19. In fact, I took office on January 1, 2021, in the midst of COVID-19, and it has been an amazing experience. I am pleased to see that the university came together and addressed the pandemic changes in every way, from maintenance to academics to athletics. West Liberty University is fortunate to have so many willing employees, both faculty and staff, who met the challenge. Our students too are wonderful and for the most part, comply with all safety requirements, keeping us hard at work providing the quality education that the university is known for. Once again, the oldest public institution of higher education in the state has prevailed during a trying time.”
West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine
“Technology is definitely playing a larger role in medical education, which will continue to impact medical students. This includes the delivery of virtual instruction, whether it is as a medical student for a course or for a practicing physician as continuing medical education. Technology has improved our ability to communicate via video conferencing, and this trend will continue especially for meetings where the participants are in different locations. Technology is improving our ability to deliver specific services, including mental health services via telehealth options, which will increase especially for rural, isolated areas. As a result, training in telehealth will increase for medical students.”
West Virginia State University
“A heightened cleaning and sanitizing program was implemented throughout the fall 2020 and spring 2021 semesters with classrooms and public spaces being cleaned and sanitized multiple times a day. Hand sanitizer and wipes were placed in every classroom and hand sanitizer was placed at building entrances and near elevators. These protocols continue for the fall 2021 semester. In addition, wall-mounted thermometers were placed throughout campus so students, faculty, staff and visitors could easily check their temperatures. Students, faculty and staff throughout the fall 2020, spring 2021 and fall 2021 semesters received a daily email from the university asking them to perform a health check and encouraging them to stay home if they are sick or are exhibiting virus symptoms. In addition, the university website and social media channels have been used to encourage mask wearing and vaccinations and to promote vaccination and testing events on campus.”
West Virginia University
“At West Virginia University, we reimagined nearly every facet of the higher education experience. Last spring, faculty at our campuses in Morgantown, Beckley, Keyser, Charleston and Martinsburg quickly pivoted our academic modalities online. We expanded virtual campus tours and family and student support services, including financial aid, high school outreach and other recruiting and retention efforts. The university also partnered early on with local health departments to provide testing and vaccination clinic opportunities for our students, faculty and staff. We had to rethink classroom and common areas of our campuses and add protective measures to enhance health and safety amid the pandemic. We expanded mental health services and bolstered scholarship support for students. Beyond our campus borders, we supported local communities and the state through service, research and expertise. A few examples include the development and testing of new personal protective equipment, making hand sanitizer by the gallon, building a COVID-19 testing lab in collaboration with the state and assisting to process tens of thousands of applications for pandemic unemployment benefits. These, and many other innovations, were born out of necessity and in the spirit of our university to go first and meet challenges head on. This pandemic has revealed the power of partnerships. Whether it’s the West Virginia University Extension Service’s collaboration with West Virginia Public Broadcasting to create educational content for children or our continued work with local, county and state agencies on a myriad of COVID-19-related projects, West Virginia University is committed to reinforcing and renewing its value and purpose for all it serves as we look to the future.”
West Virginia Northern Community College
“Upon learning about the impending COVID-19 pandemic back in early spring 2020, West Virginia Northern Community College (WVNCC) quickly formed a COVID-19 task force. Membership was comprised of faculty, staff and senior executives. Included were a couple faculty from our allied health division, who helped us navigate the medical nuances of the pandemic. We also formed an internal contact tracing team that played an integral part in keeping cases to a minimum on our three campuses. I am extremely proud of the dedication of both teams. Northern did not have a reported case from a WVNCC employee or student until October 29, 2020. We have only had 35 reported cases to date. One innovative strategy the college developed was our drive-through registration events. As the task force met through the spring 2020 semester, it became apparent things were not going to get back to normal anytime soon. Concerned for our upcoming fall 2020 registration, our enrollment management team implemented a drive-through registration strategy on all three campuses. Registrants drove through our parking lots to visit various booths and tents where they accessed college services and registered for fall classes without ever leaving their vehicles. It proved to be so well-received that we have continued these events and even held one this summer that was well attended by prospective students. Our enrollment management team has discussed continuing these outdoor events for years to come. Not only were they popular with students, but the faculty and staff who participated commented about how fun they were, what a great opportunity they presented to meet students, and how they were a great team-building activity.”
West Virginia University Parkersburg
“We have been able to offer opportunities for students to participate in a synchronous online environment. Historically, we were known for asynchronous online learning. This was also at a time when less than 20% of all courses were provided online. During the pandemic, we had to switch nearly 75% of all our courses online. The result is a need for students to learn in a face-to-face virtual environment. We became dependent on video options for lectures. We set up a myriad of Zoom rooms on campus for faculty to come to the campus to teach to students, although they also have the option to teach from their homes. These methods continue in an era of quarantines and continued virtual learning. Classes that meet in person can still use Zoom to record and then post the lecture online for students to view later. COVID-19 brought to light struggles students face. With the integration of a mobile text service provided by the company EdSights, West Virginia University Parkersburg (WVUP) was able to reach directly to students and ask questions about their academic progress, mental health and overall satisfaction with the college. Because of the personal touch points and allowing students to send messages back and forth, the college was able to identify students who may need additional support and was able to get them in contact with the right resources. If the student did not reach out the support offered, staff would follow-up with the student. The text messaging system took on the persona of Ricky the Riverhawk, the college mascot. Of around 3,000 students, WVUP has a 97% opt-in rate to this service. Also, with over half of students satisfied with online learning, the college was able to obtain data on what areas students would like to receive additional support in their classes. This included self-efficacy, technical difficulties, workload and communication with professors. WVU Parkersburg will continue to use this service, in a post-pandemic world, to continue engaging students.”
