The near-empty Pullman campus was an unusual sight for the opening of a new academic year.
But it doesn’t mean students, faculty and staff aren’t hard at work as the Fall 2020 semester transitioned from face-to-face instruction to a predominantly distance delivery model during the continuing COVID-19 pandemic.
The University system’s transition benefits from decades of experience in online instruction through its Global Campus, which has readily shared its expertise in distance education to help students and faculty throughout Coug Nation prepare. And it continues to serve an integral role in WSU’s overall success.
That preparation includes a robust array of resources for students, faculty and staff.
As pandemic response plans take shape, the university has actively shared important developments with members of the WSU community through its COVID-19 website, which includes a robust FAQ covering everything from housing and fees to employee attestation and work-from-home resources.
Student services, including academic advising, tutoring and career services, are available online for students. These and other resources can be found on the Academic Success and Career Center’s website.
A limited selection of services also are available for the small number of students who rely on their campus housing in Pullman as their primary homes, and for those taking the very limited number of in-person courses that couldn’t be transitioned to remote delivery. Aggressive health and safety measures are required for all students, faculty, staff and visitors entering WSU facilities systemwide.
Human Resource Services has also put together a COVID-19 Leave and Work Information website with resources for faculty and staff. It includes links to required training for those returning to a WSU work location, as well as information for employees on mandatory attestation.
Throughout the summer, the university has hosted online COVID-19 town halls, which can be viewed alongside other virtual events through the Experience WSU website. On Friday, WSU leaders kicked off the fall semester with a virtual convocation. Upcoming events happening this fall are listed online and viewable by campus.
WSU Tri-Cities, WSU Everett, WSU Vancouver, WSU Health Sciences Spokane and WSU Global Campus each have campus-specific information for their students, faculty and staff on the fall semester on their websites.
