Coronavirus Information & Updates

In an effort to keep you informed and healthy, this webpage will share information and address concerns about the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) but should not be considered as your primary source of information for coronavirus in our region.

Update (10/20/2021)

Memo from the President: Updated Testing and Quarantine Guidelines.

Update (10/10/2021)

Update (9/8/2021)

Memorandum from the President: COVID 19 – Delta Variant Update

Update (8/13/2021)

As the College enters into the fall 2021 semester, we will be administering random COVID-19 surveillance testing of all unvaccinated employees and students. Vaccinated employees and students are exempt from testing requirements (unless testing is requested as part of contact tracing protocols) but the College will require proof of vaccination. Whether any individual is vaccinated or not, face coverings MUST be worn at all times inside all campus locations. Please view the full COVID-19 Surveillance Testing for Unvaccinated Employees and Students Memo from Dr. Striplin for further information.

Update (8/10/2021)

As of August 10, 2021, $32,750 of HEERF III ARPA has been distributed to eligible students.

Update (8/5/2021)

Return to Operations Memorandum: Effective Monday, August 9^th, 2021, ALL individuals who enter any of Eastern’s locations MUST wear a face covering, vaccinated or unvaccinated. This will extend to using the state vehicles for business travel purposes.

Read the full Return to Operations Memorandum from Dr. Striplin here.

Update (7/22/2021)

Per US Department of Education requirements, on a quarterly basis, this form must be conspicuously posted on the institution's primary website on the same page of the IHE's activities as to the emergency financial aid grants to students made with funds from the IHE's allocation under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act (Student Aid Portion) are posted. The form provides a quarterly summary of Eastern's expenditures of funds received under CARES Act Sections 18004(a)(1) Institutional Portion, 18004(a)(2), and 18004(a)(3), if applicable. Henceforth, this form will be updated and posted 10 days after the end of each quarter (January 10th, April 10th, July 10th, October 10th, etc.) until all funds are expended. For more information, please visit https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ope/caresact.html

Update (7/13/2021)

Based on a review of the guidelines provided by the CDC, the changes in state health mandates announced by the Governor, and the current metrics for coronavirus in our surrounding counties, Eastern will make the following changes beginning July 13^th, 2021.

Faculty and staff are planning for in-person instruction to resume for the fall semester. Administration and faculty will be discussing options including staggered schedules for in-person learning, live streaming, and hybrid classes.
Any staff, faculty, student, parent, and visitor who has been fully vaccinated (Two weeks after the second dose for Pfizer and Moderna and two weeks after the single dose for Johnson & Johnson) is NOT required to wear a face-covering on campus.
Eastern will continue implemented safety measures such as signing in at the front lobby, safe distancing whenever possible, sanitizing stations, and limited room occupancy based on numbers.
We encourage employees and students to continue to administer daily self-health checks. If an employee experiences any symptoms such as high fever, including a fully vaccinated employee, he or she should work remotely from home with a supervisor’s approval or take sick leave. Students should contact their instructors or Student Services immediately for guidance on the completion of current coursework or rescheduling of appointments.

Please view the full Return to Operations Plan Addendum 2: Summer/Fall Semester here.

Update (5/11/2021)

Return to Operations Addendum (5/11/2021)

Update (4/9/2021)

Update (3/22/2021)

STUDENT VACCINE DISTRIBUTION

Eastern encourages any student who wishes to get the vaccine before and after leaving campus for the summer to sign up in the state’s vaccine system (www.vaccinate.wv.gov) if they are a WV resident. If they are not a WV resident, they can use their home state’s system. Eastern students can also find vaccine availability at www.vaccinefinder.org especially as related to supplies available at local chain and independent pharmacies.

Update (3/1/2021)

Return To Operations Addendum (Updated 03/01/2021)

Update (2/9/2021)

All West Virginians age 16 and older are encouraged to pre-register for COVID-19 vaccination by creating a WV COVID-19 Vaccine Registration System account at vaccinate.wv.gov or by calling the WV COVID-19 Vaccine Info Line at 1-833-734-0965.

Click here for further information and detailed instructions.

Update (1/28/2021)

Return to Operations Addendum (Updated 1/28/21)

Update (1/26/2021)

The United States Postal Service is experiencing an unprecedented volume increase and limited employee availability due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. There may be a delay or disruption in services that involve the postal service, including receiving and processing transcripts. Eastern suggests utilizing electronic delivery of transcripts, if possible.

Contact the Student Services Office with any questions or concerns at (304) 434-8000 or askeastern@easternwv.edu.

Update (1/10/2021)

Updated CARES Act information is now available. As of December 31, 2020, $105,944 have been distributed to eligible students.

For complete information, click here.

Update (1/10/2021)

Update (11/30/2020)

Effective November 30: With the increasing number of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations across the region, state, and nation, college facilities will be closed to the public and to students who have not received prior permission to be on campus from either faculty or Student Services through a scheduled appointment.

College operations will be managed remotely by employees working from home with essential staff operating on campus until further notice.

Eastern's administration will monitor local and state cases to decide what actions to take in January 2021.

If you need assistance, call (304) 434-8000 and follow the prompts to leave a message. Your call will be returned.

Please watch your student email and visit the Eastern COVID-19 webpage for additional details: https://www.easternwv.edu/coronavirus.

Update (11/11/2020)

As part of continued efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and to ensure the safety of our students, employees, and community, Eastern West Virginia Community and Technical College will continue to offer most academic courses online. Hands-on academic and career and technical programs will continue to meet face-to-face, following proper safety guidelines. Online course fees will continue to be waived.

A full list of course offerings and learning formats can be found here.

Update (10/29/2020)

Update (10/26/2020)

Updated CARES Act information is now available for students. Those who meet qualifying criteria will receive an award in the amount of $465 for the fall semester. Students who are eligible were notified via email by Monica Wilson, Dean of Student Access and Success. As of October 26, 2020, $46,141 have been distributed to 101 students for the Spring 2020 semester.

For complete information, click here.

Update (10/4/2020)

On-Campus Faculty, Staff and Students - Please see an important update for surveillance testing at Eastern: COVID-19 TESTING Saliva Collection Process Overview

Update (9/28/2020)

Surveillance Testing Process

Update (8/12/2020)

Return-To-Operations Addendum 2: Fall Schedule/Students

Update (7/20/2020)

The College Foundation of West Virginia (CFWV) has released a series of frequently asked questions (FAQs) for incoming college students. Read the FAQ here.

Attend Instant Decision Day on July 24th from 8 AM - 6 PM! Whether it is by phone, email, or on campus, admissions staff will be available to help you:

Complete the FREE Admissions Application
Discuss degrees, certificates, skill sets, short-term trainings, or transfer opportunities that best fit your needs
Complete fall registration
Complete the FAFSA
Order Books

Students who register for at least six academic credit hours towards a degree or certificate by this day will receive a $200 Grant. Don't miss the opportunity to receive money towards your fall semester academic and personal expenses! Please remember to wear a mask during your campus visit to Instant Decision Day. Weather permitting, staff will be set up in socially distanced tents outside of our main campus. In the event of poor weather, please call (304) 434-8000 to schedule an appointment that works for you between 8 am - 6 pm.

Update (7/10/2020)

Return-To-Operations Addendum

Update (7/7/2020)

ATTENTION: FACULTY, STAFF, AND STUDENTS:

On July 6th, West Virginia Governor Jim Justice announced that an Executive Order will establish a statewide indoor face-covering requirement effective July 7th, 2020 at 12:00 am. The order requires all individuals age 9 or older to wear “a face covering at all indoor public places where six feet of social distancing cannot be maintained.”

For the safety and well-being of everyone at Eastern, we are requiring all faculty, staff, and students who are planning to be on campus to wear a face-covering (mask) upon entering and moving throughout the building.

If you haven’t already seen Gov. Justice’s press briefing, please see link below for additional guidance: https://governor.wv.gov/News/press-releases/2020/Pages/COVID-19-UPDATE-Gov.-Justice-announces-statewide-indoor-face-covering-requirement.aspx

Update (6/8/2020)

View the Return-to-Operations Plan, Post COVID-19 Stay-at-Home Executive Order.

Update (6/2/2020)

CARES ACT and Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund Information

As part of the CARES Act passed by Congress, colleges and universities across the country received nearly $14 billion in emergency funding, in which $6 billion was set aside for cash grants to assist students. Eastern was a recipient of the emergency funds.

In keeping with the guidance provided by the U.S. Department of Education, Eastern is prioritizing the grants to students with the greatest financial need. Some, but not all, of our enrolled students will receive cash grant funding; for instance, students who enrolled in 100% online programs are not eligible to receive this funding.

For complete information on the CARES Act, click here.

To submit an application, complete this form, and email it to monica.wilson@easternwv.edu.

Update (4/8/2020)

West Virginia small businesses are facing an unprecedented economic disruption due to COVID-19. There are resources and programs available in West Virginia, please contact the organizations below for the most up-to-date information and assistance.

West Virginia Small Business Development Center
https://www.wvsbdc.com/
Ask Me! Line: 888-WVA-SBDC or
email at askme@wv.gov

SBA - www.sba.gov

On Friday, March 27, 2020, the President signed into law the CARES Act, which contains $376 billion in relief for American workers and small businesses. Funding Options: In addition to traditional SBA funding programs, the CARES Act established several new temporary programs to address the COVID-19 outbreak.

West Virginia District Office
wvinfo@sba.gov www.sba.gov/wv
sba.gov/updates SBA
Customer Service (24/7): 800 – 659 -2955

Update (3/31/2020)

For Faculty and Staff

Families First Coronavirus Response Act Employee Notice

Update (3/19/2020)

Message to Students

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Message to Employees

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Information is available from the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources at https://dhhr.wv.gov/Coronavirus%20Disease-COVID-19/Pages/default.aspx and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/index.html.

West Virginia has set up a free 24/7 information hotline to address COVID-19 concerns: 800-887-4304
WVDHHR website: coronavirus.wv.gov
CDC website: www.cdc.gov/COVID19
- Higher education-specific CDC resources

College Facilities

Effective March 23, 2020, due to COVID-19:

College facilities are closed to the public and to students who have not received prior permission to be in college facilities from their faculty.

All College operations are being managed remotely by employees working from home until further notice.

If you need assistance, call (304) 434-8000 and follow the prompts to leave a message. Your call will be returned.

The Eastern Community thanks you for your patience and understanding.

Update (3/13/2020)

We are experiencing a moment of uncertainty and anxiety with the spread of COVID-19. Eastern does not have a guidebook to provide a plan of action of how to move forward, but the best strategy is to take one day at a time, communicate accurate information, support each other and recognize this is a learning experience for all of us.

The safety of our students and college community is a priority. Therefore, effective Monday, March 16 all face-to-face classes will transition to an online format. Eastern realizes this effort is not accomplished by flipping a switch. Beginning next week, faculty and students will receive additional information, training, support services and information to make a transition from face-to-face classes to an online format. Online Class assignments and testing will resume the week of March 23.

I know you will have questions, concerns and anxiety regarding this change; that is why we will take next week to breathe, learn and prepare to resume online course work on March 23. I am asking for understanding and patience. We will work through this new experience together.

Eastern will communicate through a variety of media options to keep you informed. We will let you know when live classes will resume on campus.

Eastern West Virginia Community and Technical College is closely monitoring news and information related to COVID-19, the worldwide illness caused by a coronavirus. Our region currently has no known cases of COVID-19, but the college administration is in regular contact with local and state health officials to take precautions to protect our students, faculty, and staff.

While the concerns about a coronavirus outbreak have arrived in the United States, it is too soon to predict the impact the virus may have on our region. Please help us to keep you well by following the standard hygiene practices described below.

What you can do to stay healthy:
As always, it is recommended that you follow such standard hygiene practices as:

Washing hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds. The U.S. Surgeon General suggests this method to prevent the spread of COVID-19: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XnJ1wvlIcbs&t=4s+
Using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not readily available.
Staying home when you are sick. If you become sick, call your medical provider for guidance before you go to a medical office.
Covering the nose and mouth with elbow or a tissue when coughing or sneezing.
Avoiding touching eyes, nose, and mouth.
Following CDC’s recommendations for using a facemask:
- CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19.
- Facemasks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others.

What if you have traveled to an area with COVID-19 illness or been around someone who is sick?

Self-quarantine is recommended for people who have come in close contact with individuals confirmed to have COVID-19 illness or who have traveled from areas where transmission of the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 is widespread or ongoing. EWVCTC strongly recommends that students and employees who are in this category self-quarantine for 14 days from the date they left the area or came in contact with individuals who were diagnosed with at least a presumptive case of COVID-19.

In addition, students and employees who are showing signs of COVID-19 illness (e.g., fever and lower respiratory symptoms such as cough or shortness of breath) are required to stay away from campus.