This month we will welcome to campus new and returning students for the 2020-21 academic year. Among the first residential students to return are employees in the Jane P. Batten Student Center and some of the first members of Virginia Wesleyan's new Work and Learn Program (WLP).
The WLP was launched in response to the challenging times we are living through and the growing needs of our students. The program
is
dedicated to providing students with meaningful work opportunities that allow them to better engage with the Virginia Wesleyan University community. Students will develop the necessary skills and experiences to be competitive in today's job market while actively contributing toward the cost of their education.
WLP consists of four components:
Campus Cooperative
,
Federal Work-Study
,
Opus
, and
Residential Leadership
. Participating students are able to align their academic pursuits and passions with their on-campus employment.
Move-in days, like most other processes and events, will look a bit different this year. Among the unique procedures, thorough training and education on health and safety processes and procedures will be conducted. A reminder to please continue to reference
VWU's COVID-19 website for updates, and to carefully and frequently review the
"Returning to Campus Fall 2020 COVID-19 Guide" previously shared with our campus community.
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Please join me in welcoming David Peterson to the Marlin family as the new Director of Facilities Management. As a seasoned maintenance management professional with extensive formal training, certifications, and almost 30 years
of experience--including employment with Aramark, our campus partner for facilities--David will make an excellent addition to our community. David holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Aeronautics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and resides in Virginia Beach.
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We are one of 104 institutions and the only institution from Virginia with classification and membership in the Coalition of Urban and Metropolitan Universities (CUMU). During these challenging times, CUMU has been an amazing resource and network of like-minded institutions sharing valuable information and feedback as we all plan for the unexpected. Learn more about CUMU
here.
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Construction on Coastal 61 at Oxford Village is expected to have two buildings ready in September with completion of the entire complex by early 2021. Kudos to Marlyn Development Corporation for their leadership on this project. It continues to progress significantly and is looking fantastic. We are excited for the completion this fall and for new residents to move in. Take a look at the complex in
this video. Coastal 61 is a public-private partnership with The Franklin Johnston Group and we are grateful for our collaboration with alumnus Taylor Franklin '04, COO of TFJG.
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Highlights from the past month include:
Special Meeting of the Board of Trustees
The Virginia Wesleyan University Board of Trustees convened virtually in July for a special meeting in preparation for the new academic year. The meeting began with an update on the state of the world as we navigate this unprecedented event, and the state of higher education in America and how we are adapting as an institution. This included discussion and reaffirmation of our test-optional policy adopted for the 2021 recruitment cycle and plans for this fall. The Trustees heard lengthy presentations regarding our plans for reopening campus, led by Dr. Maynard Schaus (Vice President for Academic Affairs), Dr. Keith Moore (Vice President for Campus Life and Operational Management), and Joanne Renn (Interim Executive Director of Intercollegiate Athletics). The Board accepted the final budget for the 2019-20 fiscal year, and approved the budget for the 2020-21 fiscal year. My gratitude goes to each one of our Trustees for their stewardship and strong support during this especially challenging time.
Founders Day and Alumni Awards
Founders Day is a Virginia Wesleyan tradition that gives students, faculty, staff and special guests an opportunity to honor the University's history. Founders Day Convocation, which includes the Alumni Awards, is normally attended by all students, faculty and staff of the University. This year, given the special circumstances we face, we will be streaming our virtual Founders Day event on Thursday, September 10, at 11:00 a.m.
As I previously shared, our Founders Day Keynote Speaker will be Anthony Walters, President and CEO for the YMCA of South Hampton Roads and a valued member of our VWU Board of Trustees. Our 2020 Alumni Awards recipients include VWU Trustee Lee T. Stevenson '85 (Distinguished Alumnus Award), Dr. James Embrey '72 (Alumni Service Award), and Dominique Fowler '12 (Graduate of the Last Decade Award). Watch live on the VWU Digital Broadcasting Network.
VWU Global Campus
Following the announcement this spring of our exclusive agreement to jointly operate a campus in Tokyo (Lakeland University Japan and Virginia W
esleyan University Global) and recent approval from the appropriate regulatory authorities, we are pleased to welcome our first graduate from that campus to Virginia Beach this fall. Many others have expressed interest and are expected to join us in Coastal Virginia after the COVID-19 crisis. The joint marketing team from LU/VWU has developed a temporary website to provide pertinent information to current and prospective students. The team is working on a fully co-branded website. This donor-funded venture will create a variety of opportunities for the institution and is a part of Virginia Wesleyan University Global Campus.
VWU Finalizes Affiliation Agreement with VIMS
Virginia Wesleyan has finalized a new affiliation agreement with William & Mary's School of Marine Science at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS). This unique partnership promotes enrollment of graduating Batten Honors College students in VIMS' Master of Arts in Marine Science program. Interested students should contact the Dean of the Batten Honors College Dr. Joyce Easter.
Virginia Wesleyan Welcomes Marie Porter as New University Chaplain
On August 1, we welcomed Marie Porter to the Marlin Family as our new University Chaplain. Marie has served as the Director of Youth Ministry at the neighboring Haygood United Methodist Church since 2009 and will join us at VWU in a part-time capacity while continuing her service at the church. Marie is Lay Person Certified by the Virginia Conference of the UMC, Elizabeth River District. This partnership developed due to the reduced funding we receive from the Church, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Marie's energy, enthusiasm, and interest in serving our campus community is inspiring and we are glad she's here.
Virtual Virginia Private College Week
Each summer, the Council for Independent Colleges in Virginia (CICV) hosts Virginia Private College Week, and VWU has always been a proud participant. This year rising high school juniors and seniors interested in attending Virginia Wesleyan were invited to participate in the virtual VPCW along with 22 other member institutions. VWU offered virtual information sessions about admission, financial aid, athletics and academic programs. Enrollment counselors also addressed common myths about the cost of a private college education. Read more here.
VWU Offers Test-Optional Admission Policy for Fall 2021
COVID-19 mandates against mass gatherings unfortunately resulted in the cancellation of SAT and ACT administrations this spring, and there is no certainty that either organization will be able offer testing this fall. Our competition is already acting. FairTest: the National Center for Fair and Open Testing has identified over 1,250 accredited four-year colleges and universities with optional testing policies for fall 2021. More than 20 Virginia institutions are on this list. For this reason, we have chosen to adopt a test-optional policy at Virginia Wesleyan for the 2021 recruitment cycle. If we had not chosen this path, we would in effect be "freezing" the admission process, as without test scores we could not make admission decisions on Fall 2021 applications at a time when the schools we recruit against are admitting students.
VWU Fall Athletics
With the ultimate health and safety of our student-athletes, coaches, support staff and our community at the forefront, Virginia Wesleyan University athletics has announced it will follow the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) Presidents Council and Athletic Board of Directors decision to postpone conference competition and championships for fall and winter sports through the end of the 2020 calendar year (December 31). It is our hope and intention, that if conditions safely permit it, we will compete in all sports after the new year. Evaluation of the ever-changing health and safety climate will be ongoing and communication related to changes will be forthcoming, when appropriate.
For more information about the ODAC's decision, click on the following links: Release | FAQ
Joanne Renn to Remain Athletic Director for 2020-21 Academic Year
Joanne Renn, who came out of retirement this spring to serve as Interim Executive Director of Intercollegiate Athletics, will remain in that capacity for the 2020-21 academic year. In our response to the global pandemic, it is important for us to maintain a level of consistency in our Office of Intercollegiate Athletics. Acclimating a new athletics director under the current circumstances would not be ideal for anyone. Therefore, we have suspended the search for a permanent athletic director. I thank Joanne for providing valuable leadership at this critical time.
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In closing, I'd like to remind our campus community and friends that this is history in the making. We are experiencing unprecedented times that will impact the future for all of us. This year will be unlike any other that came before it, and the landscape of higher education will be forever changed.
While many programs are postponed, several special events that traditionally launch the academic year will take place in a modified format. In addition to Founders Day and the Alumni Awards mentioned above, we will also stream the 2020 State of the University (August 21 at 1 p.m.), the Batten Honors College Matriculation Ceremony (August 20 at 4 p.m.) and the Batten Honors College Convocation Ceremony (September 10 at 4 p.m.) on our
VWU Digital Broadcasting Network and our
VWU Facebook page.
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