FAIRMONT, W.Va. – Students will begin moving in for the fall semester at Fairmont State University Thursday in time for the start of classes next Monday.
The process this year will be done under completely different rules as coronavirus response moves to an endemic level, according to assistant vice president of enrollment and student life Alicia Kalka.
“Fairmont State University will still have what we call protocols in place in the event we do have a surge,” Kalka said. “What we will do is work with our campus health department which we have all along.”
A reduction in active cases, reduced severity of coronavirus symptoms and more vaccinations have prompted a mass rollback of protocols from the pandemic. However, a COVID liaison nurse school has been added this year and leaders will continue to work with the Marion County Health Department and enact protections if a virus surge develops.
“Right now, students are not required to mask and students are not required to test upon return,” Kalka said. “We do encourage students to self-test because many of those tests are free.”
Kalka expects it to be busy on campus with move-in activities through Sunday.
“This weekend we’ll have between 900 to 1,000 students returning who are new students and returning students,” Kalka said.
Students are Local businesses are encouraged to attend a Resource Fair on campus Friday from 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Resident assistants and staff members will be available during the move in for any problems that may arise.
“There are administrators also here to assist and if anything goes wrong with their car or anything like that we have a fully staffed Department of Public Safety that is here 24/7,” Kalka said.
The deadline to register for classes is Friday but Kalka said they would help any student that was interested in registering. Many non-traditional or students that have taken a break from college classes are encouraged to consider restarting their academic careers.
“If you’re somebody that really wants to make that happen, finish your degree, we’re here for you and we can help you through that process,” Kalka said. “We want to see students and people in general finish their college education- that’s what we’re here for.”