WCU dealing with ‘surge’ of COVID-19 cases

The rise in COVID cases since the classes started is cause for much concern on campus. According to the WCU tracking dashboard on Jan. 21 were reported 123 positive cases for the week and positivity rate of almost 24%. Pam Buchanan, director of WCU Health services, says the Omicron variant is the cause of this recent surge in COVID […]

Students isolating in Madison upset; WCU health and dining services look to improve

“It felt like I was in a prison,” said Karey Peeler.  Peeler, a senior emergency and disaster management major, was admitted to Madison on Oct. 27, 2021, along with her roommate Holly Dowell. Both were experiencing COVID-like symptoms and chose to report to the Bird Building to get tested.   Although Peeler and Dowell are roommates, they had […]

Refusal to wear a mask comes with consequences

Article originally published Oct. 7, 2021 in The Western Carolinian. It is no surprise that face masks have become mandatory at Western Carolina University, but did you know that students can get fined for not wearing their face masks?  In the WCU Code of Student Conduct, it has been added to the list of items […]

Less then 50% of WCU students are vaccinated; WCU wants to see that change

Campus vaccination rates are being pooled in left and right from voluntary vaccine status surveys given to students, faculty and staff. The largest population who has been fully vaccinated on campus is full time faculty at 88% with permeant and fulltime faculty falling close behind at 76%. However, only 44% of students who live on […]

Back to school or COVID-19?

Western Carolina University is preparing for an in-person fall semester. Events, concerts and more await students for the coming semester. “We are hopeful for the oncoming semester and ready to see students return,” said Sam Miller, vice chancellor for Student Affairs. The 2021 fall semester will be the third semester for WCU with COVID-19 restrictions. […]

Emergency funds available to students with many inconsistencies in distribution

First published on The Western Carolinian. With COVID-19, college students are facing financial hardships more than ever before. On a national level, according to the data from The National Student Clearinghouse, enrollment in four-year colleges is down by almost 6% and in community colleges for whopping 11%. WCU as well is seeing less student enrolment […]