MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – As the Russian invasion of Ukraine continues West Virginia University is responding to help students from both countries.
WVU has eight undergraduate students and one exchange student from Ukraine along with two undergrads and eight graduate students from Russia who are enrolled.
B.J. Davisson, executive vice president and chief development officer with the WVU Foundation, said in addition to being cut off from their families and financial support, some students with plans to return home are unable to enter the war-torn area.
“They can’t get money from their parents and they can’t go home because there’s no home to go to,” Davisson said. “I think we’re just beginning to see what the specific needs and challenges are and will continue to be.”
Sanctions are preventing some students from accessing cash while university rules only allow students to work 20 hours per week on campus. It’s an especially difficult situation for students nearing the end of a degree process,” Davisson said.
“If they can’t return home, even if they were planning to return home, the costs associated with staying in the country for another additional months, just living expenses and basic things in terms of how they can continue their educational journey,” Davisson said.
Through the WVU Foundation, donations can be made to the Barbara Alvis International Student Emergency Fund or the Kenneth and Carolyn Gray Student Emergency Fund. Both funds help students in times of crisis.
“As of this morning we have about 24 gifts, so we’re going to keep an on it the next week or so and see what kind of response we’re getting,” Davisson said.
Donors are asked to designate which fund they would like their gift to be directed to.
“Give.wvu.edu/Ukraine and there’s an easy way to make an online gift to one of these two funds,” Davisson said.
Many people have inquired about the students’ well-being and how they can help since the conflict began.
“We just felt that this was one where people were asking us how they could help and we really wanted to spread the word that was an easy way to do that,” Davisson said.
The students also have access to mental health services available through the Carruth Center and the Faculty and Staff Assistance Program. Also, the WVU Immigration Law Clinic is helping other students comply with federal visa rules.