WVU Today
West Virginia University President Gordon Gee told Board of Governors members that during the COVID-19 crisis he is “proud that we have retained our laser-like focus on the pillars of our land-grant mission — education, health care and prosperity in West Virginia.”
The Board was briefed Friday, during its regular meeting on a number of projects being undertaken at the university as it continues to navigate the evolving challenges of the pandemic.
Gee echoed Sarah Biller, executive director for Vantage Ventures, when discussing the possibilities presented by Virgin Hyperloop’s recent announcement that it will locate the Hyperloop Certification Center in the state.
“In the end, this is a remarkable achievement and we can’t underscore that enough,” Gee said.
Board members approved plans to negotiate a memorandum of understanding with Virgin Hyperloop to solidify various aspects of the project, including research, service and other opportunities, including the formation of WVU-led West Virginia Hyperloop Consortium.
Another initiative — this time centered on outdoor recreation and the changing landscape of employment in the U.S. — will develop a new remote worker program, in partnership with the state and supported by one of the largest gifts in WVU history, to help individuals and young families prosper especially amid the pandemic.
“The program will target fully employed individuals from outside the state who can work anywhere and want to be part of a contemporary, experience-driven lifestyle,” Gee said.
WVU’s program, part of the newly named Brad and Alys Smith Outdoor Economic Collaborative, will launch in early 2021.
Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Meshea L. Poore outlined efforts in recent months of the action-oriented working groups established to address critical and long-standing issues related to racism and inequality at the university.
“While this is a part of the work we need to do as Mountaineers, I will say to you that it is not all the work we have to do,” Poore said. “We have to move beyond our fear; we have to move beyond the things that are uncomfortable or unknown to us; continue to have communications and a channel of understanding and listening; and willingness to do the work, even when it’s hard.”
WVU has created a hub to house detailed information about the groups’ ongoing work and provide important updates on initial recommendations and subsequent initiatives.
WVU ended the 2020 fiscal year with financial stability, according to Paula Congelio, vice president of finance and chief financial officer. She told the Board’s Joint Finance and Facilities and Revitalization/Strategic Plans and Initiatives Committees that despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, “with help from the CARES ACT, we continued to manage expenses and make progress from a financial perspective.”
As the university enters the final stretch of the fall semester, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Maryanne Reed detailed efforts to assist faculty, staff and students through the pandemic.
Looking forward, Reed talked about plans for the spring semester, “Our goal is to again preserve as much as possible the on-campus experience for freshmen and graduate students and, whenever possible, to offer capstone, experiential courses to graduating seniors.”
The first day of classes is planned for Jan. 19. All students and employees will be required to be tested before the start of the semester. Extensive testing will continue throughout the spring.
The next regularly scheduled board meeting is set for Dec. 18.
