April 11, 2020

Update from the President

April 11

Dear Wheeling University Community,

I write today to offer a message of thanks for all you are doing to adapt to our new reality of remotely delivered course instruction and social distancing. The Coronavirus outbreak has been a radical and abrupt change in all aspects of our lives. I am humbled by your commitment to our University and its people. 

We know the Coronavirus will continue to be felt throughout our lives for many months to come. As we navigate daily uncertainty and change, the Cardinal Family ceases to amaze me in the way it has come together to support Wheeling University students and employees. 

While there is no way yet to calculate the full impact of COVID-19 on the Wheeling University community, the pandemic has caused major disruption in the lives of all our students and employees. Many of our students and employees need emergency support to ensure they are housed, fed, insured, and able to participate in the online course format.

The President’s Fund for Excellence has been created to provide a way for alumni, parents, and friends to make philanthropic gifts to address the emerging needs of our students and employees.

Gifts to the President’s Fund for Excellence will help provide support such as:

• Laptop and internet access to those students who will not otherwise be able to complete their coursework.
• Immediate support for students facing housing challenges or food insecurity.
• Funds for students and employees who have lost wages or jobs they depend on to pay for education and support themselves or their families.
• Funds to cover travel expenses for graduating students who wish to return to Wheeling University for graduation in December 2020 who could not otherwise afford it.
• Resources for employees who need health insurance, emergency medical and mental health services.

Your gift, no matter the amount, will make an impact. Please click here to make your donation to the fund.

There is some encouraging news coming from the State Capitol. Governor Justice reported that the state’s COVID-19 numbers are trending positively. However, he asked us to continue to stay the course and follow the stay at home order through the end of the month. He also issued the following orders:

• Closed all school until April 20th
• Moved primary election to June 9th
• Named seven counties as designated areas where local Health Department officials have broader powers to tighten restrictions to prevent further spread of COVID-19. Yesterday the Governor’s Office expanding his executive order concerning COVID-19 to Ohio County. 

In short, the provisions of the expanded order include: 

• Limiting groups to a maximum of 5 people.
• Directing ALL businesses to require employees to work from home to the maximum extent possible. 
• Directing the Wheeling-Ohio County Health Department to establish the maximum occupancy of and proper social distance within essential businesses and taking action to enforce these health regulations. 
• Directing the West Virginia National Guard to provide logistical support and services to assist county agencies.
• Directing the West Virginia State Police to assist with enforcement of local county orders.
• Ordered out-of-state citizens to self-quarantine for 14 days upon arrival in the State and authorized the WV State Police to monitor the state roads and highways to enforce the order. 

Admittedly things have been very difficult for Wheeling University. This week we will host the HLC Site Visit Team Virtually for our official ten-year HLC Accreditation. Faculty, staff, and employees have worked tirelessly in preparation. Please keep all of our University family in your prayers as we navigate the unknown territory of a virtual HLC site visit. I am confident that with our efforts and the Lord’s grace that we will be successfully accredited. This will give us all something to look forward to celebrating. 

As we observe Holy Week, let us all take a moment to reflect on Pope Francis’s words that COVID-19 is not God’s Judgment, but a Call to Live Differently: “The worldwide coronavirus pandemic is not God’s judgment on humanity, but God’s call on people to judge what is most important to them and resolve to act accordingly from now on. It is not the time of God’s judgment, but of our judgment: a time to choose what matters and what passes away, a time to separate what is necessary from what is not. It is a time to get our lives back on track with regard to you, Lord, and to others.” ~Pope Francis

Please remember updates and additional information continue to be posted to our COVID-19 websiteand any questions you have can be directed to the covidquestions@wju.edu account.

Thank you again for your incredible work and understanding. Please enjoy your Easter holiday and most importantly, stay safe and healthy!

We Are Cardinal Family and Wheeling Strong!

Ginny R. Favede

April 11

Dear Wheeling University Community,

I write today to offer a message of thanks for all you are doing to adapt to our new reality of remotely delivered course instruction and social distancing. The Coronavirus outbreak has been a radical and abrupt change in all aspects of our lives. I am humbled by your commitment to our University and its people. 

We know the Coronavirus will continue to be felt throughout our lives for many months to come. As we navigate daily uncertainty and change, the Cardinal Family ceases to amaze me in the way it has come together to support Wheeling University students and employees. 

While there is no way yet to calculate the full impact of COVID-19 on the Wheeling University community, the pandemic has caused major disruption in the lives of all our students and employees. Many of our students and employees need emergency support to ensure they are housed, fed, insured, and able to participate in the online course format.

The President’s Fund for Excellence has been created to provide a way for alumni, parents, and friends to make philanthropic gifts to address the emerging needs of our students and employees.

Gifts to the President’s Fund for Excellence will help provide support such as:

• Laptop and internet access to those students who will not otherwise be able to complete their coursework.
• Immediate support for students facing housing challenges or food insecurity.
• Funds for students and employees who have lost wages or jobs they depend on to pay for education and support themselves or their families.
• Funds to cover travel expenses for graduating students who wish to return to Wheeling University for graduation in December 2020 who could not otherwise afford it.
• Resources for employees who need health insurance, emergency medical and mental health services.

Your gift, no matter the amount, will make an impact. Please click here to make your donation to the fund.

There is some encouraging news coming from the State Capitol. Governor Justice reported that the state’s COVID-19 numbers are trending positively. However, he asked us to continue to stay the course and follow the stay at home order through the end of the month. He also issued the following orders:

• Closed all school until April 20th
• Moved primary election to June 9th
• Named seven counties as designated areas where local Health Department officials have broader powers to tighten restrictions to prevent further spread of COVID-19. Yesterday the Governor’s Office expanding his executive order concerning COVID-19 to Ohio County. 

In short, the provisions of the expanded order include: 

• Limiting groups to a maximum of 5 people.
• Directing ALL businesses to require employees to work from home to the maximum extent possible. 
• Directing the Wheeling-Ohio County Health Department to establish the maximum occupancy of and proper social distance within essential businesses and taking action to enforce these health regulations. 
• Directing the West Virginia National Guard to provide logistical support and services to assist county agencies.
• Directing the West Virginia State Police to assist with enforcement of local county orders.
• Ordered out-of-state citizens to self-quarantine for 14 days upon arrival in the State and authorized the WV State Police to monitor the state roads and highways to enforce the order. 

Admittedly things have been very difficult for Wheeling University. This week we will host the HLC Site Visit Team Virtually for our official ten-year HLC Accreditation. Faculty, staff, and employees have worked tirelessly in preparation. Please keep all of our University family in your prayers as we navigate the unknown territory of a virtual HLC site visit. I am confident that with our efforts and the Lord’s grace that we will be successfully accredited. This will give us all something to look forward to celebrating. 

As we observe Holy Week, let us all take a moment to reflect on Pope Francis’s words that COVID-19 is not God’s Judgment, but a Call to Live Differently: “The worldwide coronavirus pandemic is not God’s judgment on humanity, but God’s call on people to judge what is most important to them and resolve to act accordingly from now on. It is not the time of God’s judgment, but of our judgment: a time to choose what matters and what passes away, a time to separate what is necessary from what is not. It is a time to get our lives back on track with regard to you, Lord, and to others.” ~Pope Francis

Please remember updates and additional information continue to be posted to our COVID-19 websiteand any questions you have can be directed to the covidquestions@wju.edu account.

Thank you again for your incredible work and understanding. Please enjoy your Easter holiday and most importantly, stay safe and healthy!

We Are Cardinal Family and Wheeling Strong!

Ginny R. Favede

President, Wheeling University

President, Wheeling University