This week’s COVID-19 status on campus is far better than last week’s situation, with only 18 students remaining in isolation of the initial 31 students. Additionally, 60 random tests were administered this week and, with 59 of the tests completed by the lab, 58 were negative. In addition to the one positive found in the random sampling, there was an additional positive in the campus community from an externally administered test. The totals related to all testing are reflected on the chart found here.
Students are reminded that D&E is a closed campus. Those entering campus must stop for screening, as well as read and strictly follow guidelines provided at the campus entrance. Regularly scheduled weekend disinfecting measures are part of our safety protocols, as is the use of advanced electrostatic spraying. This procedure provides a comprehensive cleaning to surfaces including equipment and electronics.
COVID-19 cases continue to surge in many states nationwide, including West Virginia. D&E safety protocols are designed to protect our campus, and our continued commitment to these health and safety policies is critical. Again, you are urged to continue your commitment to a safe and healthy D&E campus. By doing so, you ensure that courses will resume in their regular delivery channels and that the campus stays open. A safe and healthy campus requires that commitment from all of us.
Student Health Services COVID-19 testing information
D&E will conduct an optional and final COVID-19 testing opportunity on Monday, November 16, in the lounge of Gribble Hall from 9:30-11:30 a.m. There will be no charge for this test, nor will you need insurance information. This is a saliva test, so ensure that you are well-hydrated the morning of the test and DO NOT eat, drink, smoke, vape, or chew gum at least 30 minutes before you plan to test. You must bring your cell phone or iPad when reporting for your test. You will be registering and completing demographic information for VAULT, the testing lab, and all communication will be completed through your D&E email address. If getting tested requires you to leave early from a class or makes you late to a class, a note will be provided to you.
Since we are approaching the end of the semester, D&E is offering this option to anyone who has not tested in the past week. If you are going home for Thanksgiving and will be near vulnerable family members (those with hypertension, heart conditions, lung conditions, elderly, obese, in treatment for cancer, etc.), you are welcome and encouraged to get this free test. If you have tested positive in the recent past, DO NOT test again. It is highly likely that any COVID test you take in the next few months will be positive and you will be required to isolate again. If you are an international student and plan to travel home for the holidays, it would be in your best interest to check with your airline as well as your destination country for clarification about travel restrictions, if any.
Regular class delivery resumed today; students may choose online only
Davis & Elkins College resumed in-person and hybrid classes today, November 13. For many students, in-person or hybrid courses provide the best chance for academic success, especially as we move toward the end of the semester and finals week. However, if you wish to take courses online for the remainder of the semester, please submit a request to Donna McCauley at mccauleyd@dewv.edu and include a reason for your request.
Students urged to complete President’s Diversity and Inclusion Initiative survey
D&E students are urged to complete the brief President’s Diversity and Inclusion Initiative survey, which also serves as an entry to win one of two $250 prizes. The Student Diversity and Inclusion Climate Survey will only take a few minutes to complete and helps D&E determine how members of specific communities perceive their experiences on campus. Students who complete the survey by the end of Monday, November 16, will be eligible to win one of two $250 credits at the D&E bookstore. Sharing your thoughts and experiences is valued as we strive to live out the values we espouse.
Students should complete required Residential Departure Survey immediately
D&E is requiring that students complete the Fall 2020 Residential Departure Survey immediately so that we have an accurate count of residential students currently on campus as well as those who have departed. This form can be found by referring to the closing notice sent by the Office of Student Life earlier this week, and will also let D&E know of your planned departure date for the end of the semester. Should you have any questions, please reach out to the Office of Student Life at studentlife@dewv.edu or at (304) 637-1211. As noted on the Academic Calendar and in the Davis & Elkins College Policy Manual: Volume VI, Student Life Policies, the residence halls close at 12:00 p.m. on Friday, November 27. The Office of Student Life requires that you vacate your residence hall room within 24 hours of your last final, with a deadline of 12:00 noon on Friday, November 27.
Fall 2020 final exam schedule announced
The following is the final exam schedule for the Fall 2020 semester. The specific class is listed, followed by the exam time and date.
- 8:00 a.m., MWF – 3:15 pm on Nov. 21
- 9:00 a.m., MWF – 8:00 am on Nov. 24
- 10:00 a.m., MWF – 10:15 am on Nov. 23
- 11:00 a.m., MWF – 8:00 am on Nov. 25
- 12:00 p.m., MWF – 3:15 pm on Nov. 23
- 1:00 p.m., MWF – 3:15 pm on Nov. 24
- 2:00 p.m., MWF – 10:15 am on Nov. 25
- 3:00 p.m., MWF – 10:15 am on Nov. 21
- 4:00 p.m. or later, M or W – 5:30 pm on Nov. 21
- 8:00 a.m., TR – 8:00 am on Nov. 21
- 9:25 a.m., TR – 1:00 pm on Nov. 21
- 12:00 p.m., TR – 10:15 am on Nov. 24
- 1:25 p.m., TR – 1:00 pm on Nov. 23
- 2:50 p.m., TR – 8:00 am on Nov. 23
- 4:00 p.m. or later, T or R – 5:30 pm on Nov. 23
Quiet hours begin November 20; exam snacks available at Cadillac Daddy Café
The observance of 24-hour quiet hours begins on Friday, November 20, at 11:59 p.m. and will continue through the end of the semester (12:00 p.m. on Friday, November 27). There will be a $30 fine for each violation.
The extended Booth Library hours during finals week are:
- Friday, November 20: 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
- Saturday, November 21: Noon to 8:00 p.m.
- Sunday, November 22: 2:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
- Monday, November 23: 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
- Tuesday, November 24: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Wednesday, November 25: 9:00 a.m. to Noon
Exam snacks will be available each evening at Cadillac Daddy Café in the Madden Student Center from 9-10 p.m. from Saturday, November 21 through Monday, November 23:
- Saturday, November 21: Taco/Nacho Bar
- Sunday, November 22: Sundaes on Sunday-Sundae Bar
- Monday, November 23: Late Night Breakfast-Breakfast Bar
The Benedum Dining Room and Cadillac Daddy Café will be closed during the break. Cadillac Daddy Café will be closed following exam snacks on Monday, November 23. The Benedum Dining Room will close no later than November 25, depending on demand on campus, with distributed pack-out meals provided as needed.
Students not returning next semester must notify Office of Student Success
Any student not returning next semester must follow appropriate procedures with Angie Scott, Director of Student Recruitment and Success. 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 announced
D&E has announced the Spring 2021 Academic Calendar. You may access the calendar by following this link.
Student activities schedule announced through November 20
The following is the schedule of FREE activities for this weekend. Be sure to wear your face mask, keep your hands clean, and practice social distancing.
Friday, November 13
Free Friday: Food Truck Friday featuring Joey’s Rockin’ Dogs and Tacos; Halliehurst (parking area facing The Icehouse); 7-9 p.m.
Senator Entertainment is proud to host another Food Truck Friday! After working in the mental health field for a number of years, Joey Simonton was ready for a change. While visiting his mother on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, he expressed the desire for a change. to which she said, “This island needs a hot dog cart.” Within two weeks, Joey had tracked down the only used hot dog cart around the island and put together a plan. With a $3,000 gift from his mother, he bought the cart, got his license/permits and secured a place to live. Joey’s Hot Dogs a la Cart was born! His plan was to grow the business on Hilton Head and then go back to West Virginia. Now, 20 years after it began, Joey is staying true to his roots with hot dogs and Mexican food. Joey’s Rockin’ Dogs and Tacos will deliver the absolute best street food to D&E!
Saturday, November 14
Super Saturday: Virtual Event; 7 p.m.
Wet Plate Photography: History & Resurgence in the 21st Century
The Augusta Heritage Center of Davis & Elkins College welcomes you to watch a cultural session focusing on the history of wet plate technique and its resurgence and place in modern photography. Presented by Lisa Elmaleh, who recently shot the cover photo for Tyler Childers’ new album “Long Violent History,” this discussion focuses on technique and experience. Lisa Elmaleh’s work is an exploration of rural America. Using a portable darkroom in the back of her truck, Elmaleh photographs using the 19th Century wet plate collodion process. Elmaleh is a West Virginia-based photographer and educator at the School of Visual Arts in New York City. Her work has been exhibited nationally and internationally, most recently featuring her American Folk work as a solo show at KMR Arts Gallery in Connecticut and a group show, Imaging Eden: Photographers Discover the Everglades, at the Norton Museum. Elmaleh’s work has appeared in Harper’s Magazine, Smithsonian, and The Oxford American.
Sunday, November 15
General Assembly Meeting of Student Assembly; Microsoft Teams; 6 p.m.
General Assembly will meet Sunday, November 15, at 6 p.m. via Microsoft Teams. As a reminder, this meeting is required for all Class Senators, who will receive the link to this meeting via email/Teams. This event is open to all students. Please pre-register by connecting with David Magda at magdad@dewv.edu.
Wednesday, November 18
D&E Thanksgiving Dinner; Benedum Dining Room; 5-8 p.m.
D&E Thanksgiving Dinner will be served by President Wood and the Cabinet of Davis & Elkins College.
Friday, November 20
Free Friday: Teddy Bear Stuffers Workshop; Madden Student Center; 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
At a young age, the bond between bear and child is one of comfort and trust. Thanks to Senator Entertainment, students will reaffirm that bond by creating their very own stuffed animal. Featured animals to make/stuff include bears (assorted), elephants, giraffes, leopards, turtles, monkeys, dogs (assorted), and reindeer.
Student responsibilities outlined prior to departure at conclusion of semester
Students are reminded to make sure the following safety precautions are completed prior to your departure following fi8nal exams. Failure to fulfill these responsibilities will result in a $50 fine.
- Tidy up your room.
- Properly dispose of all trash and perishable food.
- Close and lock all windows.
- Turn off all lights.
- Turn off heat (only in the residence halls with individually controlled heating/cooling units (such as Moyer Hall and Presidential Center).
- Unplug everything (except refrigerators).
- Lock your door.
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 12 p.m. on November 25 through November 27 and December 23 through January 1.
Mental health counseling sessions available to students
Counseling through D&E Counseling and Wellness Services is free to college students and is being offered through a telemental health format this semester. Telepsychiatry services are also available to students through iSelectMD with any related fees charged to the individual’s student account. Students may schedule an appointment for counseling or telepsychiatry services by calling 304-637-1363, texting 304-621-7339, or emailing fallettam@dewv.edu. We can also provide information for off-campus counselors, psychologists, and/or psychiatrists to students, faculty, and staff.
Your COVID-19 behavior impacts the entire D&E campus
Students are reminded that they will be held accountable for their actions, and measures will be taken for violators. Violations of the Davis & Elkins College Code of Conduct will be processed in accordance with the discipline policy (sanctions range from/include fines, residence hall suspension, and expulsion). Serious disciplinary actions have already been taken for violation of safety protocols on campus. If you see a violation of the College Code of Conduct, you can report it using this form. We all share the responsibility of keeping D&E healthy and safe.
Reminder: Non-essential travel protocol
D&E continues to strongly discourage travel outside the 90-mile commuter zone. If you engage in non-essential travel, a strict process has been put in place to protect the D&E community. For pre-approved “essential travel” designation, students must consult with the Campus Nurse, the Dean of Students, or the Academic Dean before travel occurs. Essential travel will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
If you choose to travel and your travel is deemed non-essential, your return to campus will be processed in the following manner, including assessed fees for specific services during your quarantine period.
- You must check in with the D&E Office of Public Safety. From there, you will be escorted to a private quarantine room in the Byrd Center.
- Quarantine begins the day you arrive back to campus – Day 0. You will be tested for COVID-19 on Day 4 by the Campus Nurse. You may not leave quarantine until your test results are received and they are negative. COVID testing is self-pay (you provide your health insurance information to the nurse).
- Quarantine means you may not leave the room and you may not have visitors.
- Your classes will be delivered in an online format. It is your responsibility to communicate with your faculty.
- Food will be delivered to you. You must fill out the meals form before meals will be delivered.
- You will be assessed a meal delivery charge, a cleaning fee, and a COVID testing fee.
- If you test positive for COVID, quarantine continues for 10 more days, provided symptoms do not manifest.
- Failure to report to the Office of Public Safety after a travel excursion is in violation of the college’s code of conduct, which will result in sanctions (ranging from/including fines, residence hall suspension, and expulsion).
Help keep our campus safe. Stay out of large crowds and practice safety protocols that include wearing a face mask, social distancing, and washing your hands. By following safety guidelines, the campus stays open.
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.
