Moving forward: Fall and Spring campus updates

Now that students are at the halfway mark of the fall semester, here’s how things will look for the rest of the semester, as well as the start of the spring semester.

The final day of face-to-face instruction for students is Friday, Nov. 20, but the exam schedule does not end until the last exam on Saturday, Dec. 5. For those looking to stay after the last official day of face-to-face instruction, the residence halls will remain open, with room assignments active through Saturday, Dec. 5. Please be advised of the following:

  • For those looking to dine on campus at the end of the semester, Catamount Dining and the dining halls will remain open, with meal plans active until Saturday, Dec. 5.
  • Rental textbooks are due by Friday, Dec. 11, and the Bookstore will remain open until that date. Other amenities like the Campus Recreation Center will end weekend hours on Friday, Dec. 4, and the University Center will no longer operate on the weekends starting Saturday, Dec. 5.
  • Anyone needing weekend COVID-19 testing at Health Services will need to do so before Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 14-15.
  • Madison Hall Fall 2020 quarantine and isolation operations will phase out starting Saturday, Dec. 5.

For any questions on the end of semester closures, please visit the corresponding department for more information. More updates will be provided as the end of the semester approaches.

As for the spring 2021 residence hall return and move-in, Residential Living is currently planning for the modified Spring semester, with spring classes scheduled to start on Monday, Jan. 25.

The spring opening of the residence halls has been redesigned to correspond with COVID-19 precautions for continuing students and newly enrolled students. The residence halls will allow students to move in beginning on Saturday, Jan. 16. Students are required to sign up for the date and time requested to move into dorms. A limited number of spots are available per building per session to allow for proper social distancing.

Each student will be allowed to have up to two individuals assist with moving their items into their rooms. Students will receive the link to sign up for the spring arrival time slot on Tuesday, Dec. 15. Residential Living strongly encourages students to bring minimal items when moving in for spring.

The possibility remains that students may need to return home quickly and should be able to move their belongings out in a short amount of time.

Some policies put into effect in the fall will remain throughout the spring term as well:

  • Residents will be expected to continue to maintain the recommended six feet distance between themselves and others at all times.
  • Where possible, all community kitchens, lounges, studies and lobby spaces will remain locked and not accessible to residents.
  • Visitation in WCU residence halls will remain suspended for the 2020-2021 academic year.
  • Students living in the same residence hall will be able to visit one another, but each room may only have one guest at a time.

These changes remain in effect to lessen the chances of the spread of COVID-19. Any changes occurring during the end of the fall semester or beginning of the spring semester will be sent to students through their Catamount email, so continue to check for upcoming emails.