School of Public Health

West Virginia University has released its Fall 2021 Dean’s and President’s lists, as well as the list of graduates for the fall semester.

West Virginia University reminds students, faculty and staff that it is extremely important to follow current public health guidance for individual, as well as campus community safety, in light of the continued rise in COVID-19 cases due to the omicron variant. Health experts predict the surge in positive cases may peak in West Virginia over the next two weeks.

West Virginia University is committed to providing an on-campus learning experience as the spring 2022 semester approaches; however, with the rise in COVID-19 cases across the country and throughout the state because of the omicron variant, the University is implementing several updated campus health and safety protocols ahead of the start of classes that begin on Monday, Jan. 10.

West Virginia University’s spring 2022 semester will begin Monday, Jan. 10 with many of the current COVID-19 campus health and safety protocols remaining in place as health officials monitor the emerging omicron variant.

A sea of decorated mortarboards and the sounds of cheers from family and friends and tapping of the University mace will once again fill the West Virginia University Coliseum as December and August graduates gather on Saturday, Dec.18, for two commencement ceremonies, marking a return to Mountaineer tradition.

While most people go years without needing the smoke detectors in their homes, they would never choose to get rid of a device that saves lives and prevents injury in the event of an emergency. But that’s often what happens to public health systems across the country. Dr. Christopher J. Martin, professor for the West Virginia University School of Public Health, calls it the “paradox of public health.”

The amount in external funding for research and other sponsored programs at West Virginia University for fiscal year 2021 tops the previous year’s record by $8 million.

As infection and hospitalization rates due to the delta variant decrease, West Virginia University will lift mask requirements for individuals in indoor spaces, regardless of vaccination status, beginning Thursday, Oct. 21; however, the University will continue to require masks in all classrooms, labs or any WVU System facility or building being used as a classroom for the remainder of the semester.

The West Virginia University School of Public Health is providing critical insights to help target minority communities and other key demographics as the state works to boost its vaccination rate amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The announcement is a continuation of requirements put in place in September which were set to be reevaluated in early October and apply to all people, regardless of COVID-19 vaccination status.