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PARKERSBURG -- West Virginia University at Parkersburg is taking steps in case in-person classes are suspended, among other preparations in response to the COVID-19 coronavirus, the president of the college said.
President Chris Gilmer said he is in "close communication" with Chancellor Sarah Tucker of the West Virginia Community and Technical College System concerning developments at the state level, according to a statement from Gilmer on Tuesday.
"I was recently updated that a state of emergency has not been called in West Virginia, and no guidance has yet been provided on a statewide level about consideration of closing campuses or curtailing events. We will, of course, follow any statewide guidance that we receive," Gilmer said. "Unless and until such guidance is received, we will make the very best and most informed decisions that we can make on a local level.
"To the degree that such transition is possible, I have instructed the provost of WVU Parkersburg to begin making preparation to transition our face-to-face classes to online classes. I may make this decision to transition at a local level or state authorities may make it at a statewide level," he said. "Further, I am reviewing requests for out-of-state travel on a case-by-case basis, and am considering putting a complete halt on non-essential domestic travel. I have not yet taken that step, on advice of medical authorities who do not believe such a step is currently necessary. WVU Parkersburg is not aware of any University-sanctioned international travel recently undertaken or planned."
WVU-Parkersburg on Tuesday held a public forum on the coronavirus, part of the college's commitment to provide up-to-date communications with the school and community, Gilmer said.
"As the medical experts have told us, this situation changes very rapidly, therefore, the university will err on the side of caution and will continue to communicate with our stakeholders on a heightened basis," he said.
WVU in Morgantown, Ohio State and Marietta College this week announced in-person class cancellations. Shawnee State University at Portsmouth, Ohio, said it is investigating three suspected cases of coronavirus. Marshall University has canceled all university-sponsored international travel through April 30.
On Wednesday, WVU also announced that its annual Academic Media Day scheduled on March 30 will be canceled in light of the college's decision for students to remain home after spring break and the cancellation of domestic and international travel, John Bolt, senior executive director of communications for the university, said.
"I also realize that many of you might not have been able to attend because of the avalanche of news happening these days, so canceling seemed the most prudent decision," he said.
At Shepherd University at Shepherdstown, W.Va., students getting ready to leave for spring break were advised to take textbooks, course materials, laptops, tablets and personal items with them if the university changes the academic schedule or they are unable to return on March 23.
Course instruction may move from the classroom to online via Sakai, depending on the severity of the coronavirus over the next few days and weeks, Holly Morgan Frye, interim vice president for student affairs and director of Community Relations and the Campus Health Task Force, said in a message to students.
Travel during spring break may require quarantine in place if there are coronavirus reports in the home region or travel area, she said.
Fairmont State University canceled faculty-led trips to Ireland and Egypt. Glenville State College advised students to be careful about where they travel during spring break next week.
In the meantime, the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Services Tuesday night said a third test for a possible coronavirus infection was negative. Five people have been tested and two tests remain outstanding, the department said.
No cases of the virus are confirmed in West Virginia.
Centers for Disease Control coronavirus website is cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/summary.html.
The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources around-the-clock COVID-19 information hotline is 1-800-887-4304. The website is coronavirus.wv.gov.
Jess Mancini can be reached at jmancini@newsandsentinel.com.