Reinventing the Collegiate Classroom
Unique Responses to COVID-19
COMPILED BY EMILY RICE
Fairmont State University Dr . Mirta Martin , President
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 . •
“ As we continue to assess the ever-changing nature of COVID-19 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 .”
Davis & Elkins College Dr . Rosemary Thomas , Executive Vice President and Chair of the COVID-19 Task Force
“ At the start of the fall 2020 semester , one residence hall was taken offline and prepared as a COVID-19 isolation space . The facility was staffed , and meals were delivered to those who required isolation . Everyone came together to support our student body . Our chaplain created virtual worship experiences and messages on a weekly basis . A weekly Wellness Wed nesday event was put into place to serve as a support system for all who needed such services . 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 .”
Marshall University Dr . Jerome Gilbert , President
“ To continue delivering education to our students in the early days of the pandemic , Marshall University changed to a fully online experience . This project was achieved by our faculty , staff and administrators , who worked tirelessly to pivot the delivery of classes to virtual . The pandemic also 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 . Ultimately , the lesson for the university 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 .”
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WEST VIRGINIA EXECUTIVE