The West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (WVSOM) has suspended all on-campus classes and labs for the remainder of the academic year.
After the school’s spring break ends March 27, classes will resume in an online setting. The decision to move classes from a physical environment to an online one was one of the latest updates provided by WVSOM President James W. Nemitz, Ph.D., in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The move was made in abiding by West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice’s stay-at-home order that went into effect Tuesday night.
“All WVSOM students have been told to stay at home. Students who have left the Lewisburg area for spring break have been told not to return to campus at this time and to stay where they are,” Nemitz stated. “A modified curriculum will be delivered electronically so students can complete the school year in their home locations.”
Nemitz noted that more than 100 students made the decision not to travel during their spring break. Students who remain in the Lewisburg area will not have access to campus facilities unless they have been given permission to continue their studies in a specified location on campus due to extenuating circumstances, such as having a poor Internet connection at home.
Additionally, all non-essential WVSOM employees have been asked to stay at home, and if possible, continue working remotely. Only essential employees — those who have a responsibility to help the medical school maintain operations, including employees who deliver online curriculum or campus service workers who maintain a clean environment — are working on campus. These employees are still encouraged to practice health guidelines such as social distancing and good hygiene practices.
“The safety of our community and our students is of paramount concern,” Nemitz said. “We are doing everything we can at WVSOM to keep our community safe during this national crisis.”
All campus facilities are closed to the public and are accessible only to WVSOM employees and those students who have been granted access due to extenuating circumstances. The WVSOM Founders’ Activity Center (gym) and O’Café are also closed to employees and students at this time.
“I’m asking everyone to do their part and follow the governor’s directive to stay at home to protect yourself and others,” Nemitz said. “Only go to public places if you are well, and minimize the amount of time you are in those places, such as grocery stores. I am also asking people to adhere to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines and practice good hygiene, including regular hand washing and social distancing. Let’s keep ourselves, and our community, safe.”
Information about what the medical school is doing to keep its students, employees and local residents safe continue to be shared on WVSOM’s coronavirus webpage [www.wvsom.edu/News/Coronavirus].