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Articles by Hannah Hebel
WVU receives $150,000 grant for drinking water testing program
The WVU Institute for Water Security and Science has received a grant to help West Virginians better understand their water through testing and community engagement. “It’s important that we have effective drinking water in West Virginia for many reasons”, said Jason Hubbart, director of the Institute for Water Security and Science.
SGA high pass/pass/fail resolution denied by University
WVU has decided it will be unable to implement a high pass/pass/fail grading system for fall 2020 or spring 2021 semester following a resolution from the WVU SGA. “This HighPass/Pass/Fail grading system really means everything to students who are dealt a hand that is sort of a disadvantage,” said SGA Senator Amaya Jernigan, one of the resolution’s authors.
Undergraduate instruction moves online early to ease COVID spread before break
All undergraduate instruction will be moved online Nov. 23-24 due to an increased number of COVID-19 cases on campus and in the state. Students in health science programs or graduate and professional-level courses should check with their instructors to see if they will be operating in-person Monday and Tuesday as some programs may be excluded. Dining and residential halls will remain open until the beginning of break and will operate on a normal schedule.
WVU faculty reflect on unusual semester
While one WVU professor believes that the semester has been more effective than expected, there are still hurdles to jump through to connect with students and keep them engaged. Irene Alby, a teaching assistant professor in the School of Theatre and Dance, teaches directing in both hybrid and online courses. For her hybrid class, she has created pods where she divided students into four groups of six people.
Local authorities pleased with community conduct over Halloween weekend
Halloween weekend and the past month in Morgantown have been relatively uneventful in terms of gatherings, according to both the University Police Department and the Morgantown Police Department. “I think as a whole, everybody did a pretty good job,” said UPD Chief W.P. Chedester.
Local police pleased with community conduct over Halloween weekend
Halloween weekend and the past month in Morgantown have been relatively uneventful in terms of gatherings, according to both the University Police Department and the Morgantown Police Department. “I think as a whole, everybody did a pretty good job,” said UPD Chief W.P. Chedester.
WVU announces move-in process and safety precautions for start of spring semester
WVU announced it will be having scheduled slots for students moving into residence halls and free COVID-19 tests for all students, faculty and staff in the spring 2021 semester. Students who will be living in residence halls will be allotted a 60-minute time slot to move-in, with cleaning breaks scheduled in between time frames. Move-in will begin Jan. 11-16. Students who do not schedule a time slot will not be permitted in their building.
Sec. of State Warner holds off Tennant, wins reelection
For the second election in a row, incumbent Republican Mac Warner has defeated Democratic opponent Natalie Tennant in the Secretary of State race. WV MetroNews called the election in favor of Warner at 9:20 p.m. Prior to serving as Secretary of State, Warner, who is from Morgantown, spent 23 years in the U.S. Army and received a law degree from the West Virginia University College of Law. Tennant had previously served as West Virginia’s Secretary of State from 2009-17.
Dating, sex and everything in between; WellWVU talks safely dating during COVID-19
Despite remote learning and numerous socially distanced measures in place, there are many ways students can still pursue dating safely. “I think that to assume that we can tell students, ‘It's not safe to have sex’ and they're just going to listen, would be a bit ridiculous,” said Chantelle Friend, a graduate assistant at WellWVU who is in charge of sexual health education. Friend runs the Condom Caravan and does sexual health programming on campus, which can be requested by anyone on its website.
'Say it Loud': TEDxWVU hosting series of speakers virtually
The University’s “Say it Loud” virtual WVUxTED event will feature four speakers who will discuss identity, social change, mental health and honesty at 9 a.m. on Oct. 17 via Zoom. The speakers will include Raimah Hossain, Nicole Russell, Kassie Colón and Christina Fattore, and will be hosted by the Reed College of Media's Director of Student Careers and Opportunities, Eric Minor, and Executive Director of Communications for University Relations at WVU, April Kaull.
RAs voice frustrations over role during pandemic
The names of the resident assistants in this story have been changed as they requested to remain anonymous to comfortably voice their concerns. With student housing being the epicenter for coronavirus cases on campus, resident assistants have been left with extra responsibilities to ensure their living environments are safe. “We are more of the COVID police than we are anything else, and that is incredibly frustrating because we are here to be a resource and not to police these guys,” said L.
Students isolating on campus to be counted as a single positive
Students isolating in Arnold Hall and Apartments will now be counted as a single positive to manage Mon. County’s high rate of positive COVID-19 cases. On Wednesday, Sept. 16, Gov. Justice announced that the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission and West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources created this proposal to ensure that counties with large institutions do not have skewed numbers.
Powell making most of opportunity as city’s interim police chief
When Eric Powell began the role of Interim Police Chief a couple months ago, he already had 23 years at the Morgantown Police Department under his belt. With positions ranging from patrol officer, detective, first line supervisor, rank of first sergeant, to working as member of staff administration and deputy chief, he was prepared for the challenges the position would bring.
Morgantown further restricts social gatherings in designated areas
Social gatherings at residential units in certain areas of the city will be prohibited to prevent spread of infection beginning at midnight Friday morning and will remain until repealed or modified. Activities that are prohibited under this new order include parties and social gatherings at residential units, including their yards or parking lots, in the areas labeled on attached map.
Carruth Center eyeing increased staff diversity following SGA resolution
The Carruth Center is working to diversify its staff after an SGA assembly resolution emphasized the need for more counselors of color to improve mental health on campus. “Any student who walks into the room should be able to relate to a person who they feel comfortable talking to or they feel understands where they come from,” said SGA Senator Amaya Jernigan, the resolution’s author. Jernigan said it is not fair for students to be at the University and not receive adequate care or representation.
WVU shares additional info for weeks of temporary online instruction
Safety protocols will remain the same across the Morgantown campus as West Virginia University continues to stay open during upcoming weeks of temporary online class. Residential halls, dining locations and campus libraries will remain open, according to a University email. Students will be required to show their daily Wellness Survey green pass in order to enter the library. Due to campus facilities continuing to function and instruction being continued virtually, there will be no refunds.
WVU updates COVID-19 dashboard to include additional case information
WVU is adding additional data to its public dashboard, including self-reported cases outside of its testing system, isolation and quarantine information. According to a University email, the dashboard will now include the number of individuals who are on-campus, off campus or have gone home that are in isolation or quarantine. Isolation numbers include those avoiding contact with others for at least 10 days, likely due to positive test results.
Students face long turnaround times for COVID-19 testing results
After being tested for COVID-19, Curtis Ward waited 21 days to receive his results. “It’s a good thing that we are being tested, but even asking people to come back is in and of itself bad,” said Ward, a senior management information systems student. “I think the University is putting its students at risk and Mon. County at risk by introducing out-of-state students.” Ward said he communicated with Shared Services for more than a week before finding out that he had tested negative.
Gov. candidate Erika Kolenich visits The DA, talks COVID-19, guns on campus, Libertarian Party
Erika Kolenich is the candidate for governor of the Libertarian Party in West Virginia. Kolenich stopped in and talked about the importance of having a third-party option, opportunity for the state and campus carry with the Daily Athenaeum newsroom on Aug. 21. Daily Athenaeum: With this being your first time running for public office, what made you decide to run for Governor rather than the U.S. Senate or in the state legislature?
Daily wellness survey being implemented by WVU to help reduce virus spread
WVU students and faculty will be asked a series of daily questions throughout the fall semester to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19 on campus. Beginning on Wednesday, the survey will be sent out daily by 5:30 a.m. and students will receive a reminder at 9 a.m, according to a University email.
President Gee to give back 10% of salary to WVU
E. Gordon Gee. Photo via WVU WVU President E. Gordon Gee will be giving back 10% of his salary to the University amid the COVID-19 response. “There are very real and sobering financial implications for institutions of higher learning due to the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic,” Gee said in a University MIX email.
WVU students to serve community virtually for Greek Week
WVU fraternities and sororities will continue their tradition of service virtually as a part of the Greek Week of Engagement. “Every year, we had a program called the Big Greek Day of Service where the Greeks would go out into the community and do various acts of service, which obviously we can’t do that given the response to COVID-19,” said Matthew Richardson, director at the Center for Fraternal Values and Leadership at WVU.
WVU Center for Service and Learning encourages democratic participation while in quarantine
Illustration by Caroline Murphy With election season around the corner, the WVU Center for Service and Learning is working to find ways for students to be civically engaged despite being off-campus.
Animal shelters pause adoptions due to COVID-19
Illustration by Caroline Murphy Some local shelters have had to halt adoption services due to Gov. Jim Justice’s stay at home order and the closure of all non-essential businesses. “As of right now, we are not doing any adoptions,” said Kelly Wilken, a kennel attendant at the Monongalia County Dog Pound. “We obviously are here, and we have to be here because we serve the community.
20 testing positive for coronavirus, Morgantown nursing home awaits pending results
Sundale Nursing Home By Douglas Soule Sixteen residents in a Morgantown nursing home have tested positive for COVID-19, while 50 tests are still pending. “Three of those residents are at Ruby Memorial Hospital, two are at Mon General Hospital and the other 11 are in isolation here at Sundale," said Michael Hicks, CEO of Sundale Rehabilitation and Long-Term Care. Hicks said four staff members have also tested positive for coronavirus and are currently isolating.
Higher education institutions in WV reduce GPA requirements for scholarships
Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, WVU will be lowering the requirements for all merit-based scholarships to a 2.75 minimum grade point average. The goal of the modified requirements is to allow students an easier transition to online-based learning, according to a statement from the University. Students will still need to complete 30 credit hours within the academic year in order to satisfy the new qualifications.
West Virginia ranked among lowest in nation for energy efficiency
Over the span of the last decade, many programs that were put in place to improve energy efficiency in West Virginia have been scaled back. Currently, West Virginia is ranked 48th among states for energy efficiency, tying with Louisiana, according to the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE) annual State Energy Efficiency Scorecard report. “Energy efficient programs actually haven't been growing unfortunately,” said Emmett Pepper, executive director for Energy Efficient WV.
Campus-wide 'Don't Box Me In' event teaches importance of First Amendment
The Martin Hall Agency held a daylong “Don’t Box Me In” event to inform students about the importance of the First Amendment. The event featured a reading of the Amendment, library exhibits, a panel discussion and trivia night. Douglas Soule, editor-in-chief of the Daily Athenaeum, recited the First Amendment to a crowd of 15 people at Woodburn Circle to kick off the day. He later discussed how the First Amendment impacts journalists.
Campus-wide 'Don't Box Me In' event teaches importance of First Amendment
The Martin Hall Agency held a daylong “Don’t Box Me In” event to inform students about the importance of the First Amendment. The event featured a reading of the Amendment, library exhibits, a panel discussion and trivia night. Douglas Soule, editor-in-chief of the Daily Athenaeum, recited the First Amendment to a crowd of 15 people at Woodburn Circle to kick off the day. He later discussed how the First Amendment impacts journalists.
WVU Day of Giving raises millions to support and grow the University
WVU raised more than $11 million to help fund programs, provide opportunities for students and improve the University during its third annual Day of Giving. Donations this year were made up of more than 4,040 gifts and significantly increased from the $6 million raised in last year’s Day of Giving. “I am excited and pleased with how our third annual WVU Day of Giving went,” said Mary Esposito, director of Annual Giving, in a statement.
WVU recovery program fights substance abuse on campus
With substance abuse continuing to plague West Virginia, WVU provides a number of resources to support student recovery and well-being. In 2017, providers in the state of West Virginia wrote 81.3 opioid prescriptions for every 100 patients, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. “Today, narcotics is what really worries me,” said Catherine Yura, director of the WVU Collegiate Recovery Program. “We are in a state that is No. 1 with opioid use, and we have been for quite a while.
WV suicide rising, resources available on campus
Photo via Wikipedia With suicide rates on the rise nationally, rural West Virginia youth are more at risk than their urban peers. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as of 2017, suicide is the second-leading cause of death for college-aged teens and young adults ranging from 10-34.
Bus shelter remains idle a year after third drunk-driving related incident
Drunk driving accidents in Morgantown have caused thousands of dollars in damages to one bus shelter in particular. The Mountain Line bus shelter, located outside of the WVU College of Law, has been the sight of three different drunk driving accidents, said David Bruffy, Mountain Line CEO. “The shelters are somewhere in the neighborhood of $10,000 and are insured,” Bruffy said.
New crisis text line available for WVU students
WVU students will now have access to a new crisis text line, which will allow them to speak with a counselor in minutes by texting “WVU” to 741741. “It’s a free 24/7 text line that supports students and more broadly anyone who is in crisis,” said T. Anne Hawkins, clinical director at the Carruth Center.
WVU continues partnership with NASA
Katherine Johnson sits at her desk at NASA in 1966. Photo courtesy of NASA WVU is extending its contract with NASA, and through the partnership, students will continue to have internship and career opportunities. “Basically, what this contract is about is leasing the facility that we have in Fairmont where NASA can use for the Katherine Johnson Independent Verification Validation Center,” said Fred King, vice president for research at WVU.
The 100-year-old history of the WVU dairy herd
With the sale of the WVU Morgantown dairy cow herd, its rich history of genetics that span over 100 years will leave alongside them. Animal and nutritional sciences senior Bailey Mckemey and a calf. Photo via Bailey Mckemey “In class, one of the first things they told us was that WVU has the oldest dairy herd of any college in the nation, which are our Ayrshires,” said Bailey McKemy, a senior animal and nutritional sciences student at WVU.
Dairy farm leaves, but impact on students remains
Despite students’ expressing support for keeping the milking cows in the Morgantown dairy farm, WVU has decided to sell its herd to distribute finances to other programs. Dairy cows File Photo The dairy cows cost WVU around $250,000 per year, while the generated revenue is about $100,000. Therefore, the University was losing around $100,000, according to Ken Blemings, interim dean of the Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design.
WVU celebrates 27th annual Peace Tree Ceremony
Peace, tradition and the importance of both within a community was paramount at the 27th annual Peace Tree Ceremony on Thursday. More than 80 people attended the ceremony in the Gluck Theatre and ribbon tying that took place at the Peace Tree between Martin and E. Moore Hall after the traditional tobacco blessing.
Adobe Creative Cloud student price goes up
After a 72% markup for Adobe Creative Cloud, students will now pay $240 per year to download the software. Up until Aug. 11, this software cost students only $68 through OnTheHub. “Under its previous contract with Adobe, West Virginia University purchased 1,750 licenses that were available for resale to students at a discount,” said Brent Bunner, senior marketing strategist with University Relations, in a statement.
WVU geography professor discusses how climate change reports can guide policymakers
A WVU geography professor discussed her role at the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, as well as the rigorous special report process at the University’s planetarium on Friday. Martina Angela Caretta is one of the scientists that is working for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, otherwise referred to as the IPCC. It was founded in 1988 by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
WVU geography professor member discusses how climate change reports can guide policymakers
A WVU geography professor discussed her role at the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, as well as the rigorous special report process at the University’s planetarium on Friday. Martina Angela Caretta is one of the scientists that is working for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, otherwise referred to as the IPCC. It was founded in 1988 by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
‘Power players’ in sports and media discuss equality on the playing field
Four panelists discussed the turning point for women’s equality in sports and media, along with the progression that still needs to be made. As a part of Diversity Week, the “Play Like a Girl: A Discussion of Women in Sports and Media,” was moderated by Emily Corio, a WVU journalism professor, on Sept. 17 to a crowd of more than 70 people. Tomika L. Ferguson, assistant professor in the Department of Educational Leadership at Virginia Commonwealth University.
Pawpaw party kicks off fruitfully at Core Arboretum
More than 30 people attended the Pawpaw Party on Thursday, hosted by the Core Arboretum to eat and celebrate the beloved Appalachian fruit. “They are not at all rare,” said Zach Fowler, the WVU Core Arboretum director. “They are all throughout Appalachia, so as far south as northern Georgia and as north as New York, so they have a fairly large range.” Every year, the Core Arboretum shares the wild grown fruit from the property at its parties. This will mark the fourth year it has held the event.
Feline-focused practice puts cats in the forefront
Feline Veterinary Care of Morgantown is the first and only feline-focused practice in West Virginia and offers a range of specialized techniques to eliminate anxiety for cats in the clinic. A room at Feline Veterinary Care of Morgantown Photo by Hannah Hebel “In general, most small animal clinics practice on both cats and dogs, and a lot of veterinary medicine is dog-focused first and cat second,” said Dr. Bryce Gilson, a veterinarian at the clinic.
WVU professors plant the seeds of history
A pair of WVU professors has fostered a connection to the past through Turkish and Appalachian seeds. Mehmet Öztan, WVU assistant geology professor, and Amy Thompson, department chair and professor of applied linguistics, founded Two Seeds in a Pod, a heirloom seed company, in 2013 in Florida. Last spring, they relocated to Reedsville, West Virginia, after accepting positions at the University.
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