Dear Davis & Elkins College community,
The safety plan and student behavior at Davis & Elkins College continues to be a model in the state of West Virginia and across the nation! By following the guidelines and protocols established by D&E, you have demonstrated behavior that has kept your fellow students, faculty, and the D&E community healthy and safe! That is the leading the way!
On the heels of that great accomplishment, students are reminded that they will be held accountable for their actions, and punitive 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). If you see a violation of the College Code of Conduct, you can report it by using this form. We all share the responsibility of keeping D&E healthy and safe.
D&E meets with state officials regarding follow-up, COVID-19 testing
D&E met with state officials earlier this week as a follow-up to determine the next steps for COVID-19 testing. As a result, a random testing plan is expected to start on campus within the next two weeks. This plan is designed to ensure that those in the D&E community remain safe and healthy, and that classes continue to be delivered to students in their designated platforms.
Final reminder: Required D&E online, student training deadline is October 2
D&E students will receive an email from Safe Colleges containing links to required training courses. Topics in required online training include “Coronavirus Awareness,” as well as “Title IX Rights and Protections” and “Sexual Violence Awareness.” Included with the Title IX course is the Policy Prohibiting Title IX Sexual Harassment. These training sessions are required and federal law mandates that the Title IX course be offered to students. This should take approximately one hour to complete. You may stop and start the training sessions as your schedule allows. Any student who does not complete the required training prior to the deadline on October 2 at 5:00 p.m. will receive a hold on their D&E account.
Additional online training scheduled for students on ‘Bystander Intervention’
D&E students will receive an email from Safe Colleges containing the link to “Bystander Intervention for Students.” This training is also required for students. This should take approximately 30 minutes to complete. Students will have until October 23 at 5:00 p.m. to complete this training. A hold will be placed on the account of any student failing to complete this required training.
Student activities schedule: Free food and fun this weekend!
The following is the schedule of FREE weekend activities. Be sure to wear your face mask, keep your hands clean, and practice social distancing.
Friday, September 25
Food Truck Friday, Halliehurst Parking Lot (across from The Icehouse), 8-11 p.m.
Senator Entertainment (with support from D&E Dining Services) is proud to host the first Food Truck Friday! will offer the culinary delights of Derrick Helzer. Helzer owned a catering company and restaurant in Nashville before returning to his native West Virginia to study under Certified Master Chef Peter Timmons at The Greenbrier. His catering business, Fabulous Eateries, Incorporated, includes Fabulous Fruits and Fabulous Cakes/Desserts. He also operates Pig Pen Catering. Chef Helzer is preparing a tasty treat for you to enjoy Friday evening, and the cost is covered by Senator Entertainment!
Saturday, September 26
An Afternoon on the Lawn (with Kickball and Corn Hole), Front Campus Lawn, 3-6 p.m.
The weather forecast looks great! Head to the Front Campus Lawn for a number of interactive activities including Kickball and Corn Hole. Sponsored by Senator Entertainment.
Coming soon: The grand reopening of the disc golf course and paintball course!
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.
Provost’s Office issues reminder of important upcoming academic dates
The Office of the Provost has issued a reminder of dates related to academics for the remainder of the semester.
- September 28 – Mid-term grades are due by 1:00 p.m.
- October 2 – Spring 2020 schedule is posted. Please review and make an appointment with your faculty advisor.
- November 3 – Register for Spring 2020 courses
- November 4 – Last day to withdraw from a course with a “W”
- November 20 – Last day of classes
- November 21 – Final exams begin
- November 25 – Last Day of Final Exams
- December 1 – All grades are due by 1:00 p.m.
Double-check your student health checklist
Even though students are back on campus, you should continue to monitor your student health checklist of items to make sure you are healthy and safe. As we enforce special measures on campus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, part of our responsibility is to instill responsibilities in you. All students are asked to make sure they have adequate supplies of their own Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) and over the counter (OTC) medication supplies.Those items include, but are not limited to, the following:
- thermometer (digital)
- masks (medical grade if of high risk to infection due to comorbidity)
- disinfectant wipes
- hand sanitizer – large bottle for residence hall room and pocket size for carrying around campus
- cold and allergy medications of choice
- pain/fever reliever (ibuprofen, acetaminophen, etc.)
By maintaining this checklist, you can decrease or even eliminate routine visits to Student Health. For a comprehensive list of these supplies, please visit this link.
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.
Dr. Rosemary Thomas
Vice President for Enrollment Management
Institutional Advancement
