We hope your time off from school has been relaxing and an opportunity to (safely) catch up with family and friends. Today’s Friday update contains information about D&E’s plans for ongoing COVID-19 testing and vaccine distribution, among other important announcements. It also includes a heartfelt and cheerful holiday message from D&E President Chris Wood, so be sure to read it and share with your family.
Ongoing COVID-19 testing and vaccine distribution
The College is working closely with local and state officials to secure supplies necessary to keep the campus safe when we return in 2021. Testing supplies and testing requirements are being discussed for the entire student population, student athletes who may have additional requirements, as well as testing for faculty and staff. More information will be shared as quickly as we receive it. As a Closed POD – the campus anticipates having access to vaccines for students early in the new year. We are also part of the state’s plan to provide vaccines for educators and intend to start employee vaccinations later this month.
Fall 2020 President’s List and Dean’s List announced
Davis & Elkins College has released the president’s list and dean’s list for the fall 2020 semester. The president’s list includes all full-time students who earned a 4.0 grade point average for the semester and the dean’s list includes all full-time students with a semester GPA of 3.6 to less than 4.0.
Holds to be placed on student accounts requiring attention
Holds on student accounts for the Spring 2021 semester were placed on applicable student accounts by today, December 11. Please check your Self-Service Portal after December 11 to see if there has been a hold placed on your account. Holds are now being assigned different levels:
- Level 3 is the most severe. Immediate action is required, or you will not be admitted to classes, dormitories, or the dining hall.
- For a Business Office hold (student account to be paid in full or payment plan established), contact business@dewv.edu
- For a financial aid-related hold, contact financialaid@dewv.edu
- For a Student Life-Medical hold (to provide requested medical records), contact studentlife@dewv.edu
- Level 2 is less severe, but must be taken care of as soon as possible or you will not be able to register for classes for the next semester.
- For a Registrar’s Office hold (to provide requested transcripts), contact Registrar@dewv.edu
- For an International Student Services Hold (to provide required documentation), contact international@dewv.edu
- Level 1 is the least severe, but needs be taken care of before you will be able to register for classes for the next semester.
- For a Student Life Disciplinary hold (to complete sanctions as provided in disciplinary hearing), contact studentlife@dewv.edu
- For a SafeCollege Training hold (to complete appropriate online training), contact studentlife@dewv.edu
All offices will be open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. through December 22, and then reopening again on January 4, 2021, to assist you with your holds. If your account has a Level 3 hold, you will not be admitted to classes, dormitories or the dining hall until that hold has been satisfied. Please make every effort to resolve your hold(s) prior to attempting to returning to campus. Continue to check the Self-Service portal daily to confirm you do not have a hold(s) on your account prior to returning to campus.
Mountain East Conference updates athletics schedule
The Mountain East Conference (MEC) Board of Directors announced this week that it has unanimously approved plans to conduct athletics competition in winter sports beginning no sooner than January 7, 2021. The board also approved schedules for conference fall sports competing in the spring semester. Read the full story here.
Small number of student-athletes to return to campus in late December, starting phased move-in for Spring 2021 semester
A small number of student-athletes will return to campus over the break, starting on December 29. A phased move in/move back to campus will then take place January 7-10, leading up to the first day of classes on January 11. An online interface will be used for students to make their move in/move back reservation. Through this online interface, students will also need to upload a recent negative COVID-19 test result before returning to campus.
Friday email updates will continue over holiday break; read them!
Students will continue to receive Friday email updates via their D&E email accounts with important information related to COVID-19. Students are encouraged to read them thoroughly and share them with their parents. Information will range from policy and procedure updates from D&E and the State of West Virginia, what you need to do prior to your return to campus in January, and what you can expect upon your return. As the U.S. continues to have sharp increases in positive cases and deaths, the College urges you to routinely read these updates to aid in the health and safety of students and the entire campus.
Challenges specific to international students outlined
Immigration challenges on top of the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in 11 returning international students taking classes online from their home countries during the Fall 2020 semester. Twenty new international students made it to the D&E campus for the fall semester, while three new international students decided to start their classes online. A small number of international students remained in the U.S. during the holiday break, with six international students staying on campus in the Robert C. Byrd Conference Center. As we approach the spring semester, we are experiencing hurdles in activating I-20s (immigration documentation) for students who were not physically present in the United States during fall semester. Navigating reinstatement for the certificate of eligibility for nonimmigrant students has been demanding. A number of consulates have yet to open, and incoming freshmen are now looking into other countries to interview for their visa. International students will need to quarantine upon their arrival in January and then receive a negative COVID-19 test (PCR) result before attending classes in person.
Students not returning next semester must notify Office of Student Life
Any student not returning next semester must follow appropriate procedures with Angie Scott. She can be reached by phone at 304-637-1983 (office) or 304-642-6217 (mobile); by email at scotta3@dewv.edu; or in person on the third floor of Halliehurst.
Spring 2021 Academic Calendar
D&E has announced the Spring 2021 Academic Calendar. You may access the calendar by following this link.
Packages cannot be forwarded from D&E during holiday breaks
Packages delivered to the D&E campus cannot be forwarded to your home. Any packages received after Thanksgiving will be held at the D&E mail room until campus reopens on January 4. The mail room will be open during regular hours for in-person pick up except when the College is closed for holiday breaks. The mail room will be closed from December 23 through January 1.
Check this weekly student update, the D&E Mobile App, and your email regularly for updates. The Emergency Notification System (nixle) will also be used as appropriate.
Please wear a face mask, practice social distancing, and stay well.
