Waynesburg University President Douglas Lee said this past semester has been unlike any other in the memory of the institution. 

The 2020 Fall Semester was a semester of change as the University continued to implement its “Keep Waynesburg Well” plan in order to keep students safe and on campus. 

According to the University’s website, since Aug. 9 Waynesburg University has recorded 44 confirmed COVID-19 cases among students, faculty and staff. This number was last updated Nov. 20.

Waynesburg University students have since been sent home for winter break, but numbers will continue to be tracked as the University continues to mitigate the risk of the spread of COVID-19 and plans for the upcoming Spring Semester.

“We have left our fingerprints behind as a legacy to the future generations about what a collective group of individuals committed to a mission, each other and God can accomplish in the face of uncertainty and fear,” President Lee said. “Let us continue to have that same spirit as we look toward the spring and work together to complete this academic year.”

COVID-19 cases are reaching record heights all across the country. 

According to the CDC, Pennsylvania cases have reached over 320,000 to date, and Greene County has reported 162 confirmed cases. 

If students test positive for COVID-19 over break, they are urged to notify the University by emailing Jennifer Dean, nurse director of Student Health Services, at jdean@waynesburgedu. 

“It is important that we continue to monitor spread during break to properly prepare for the spring return to campus,” a campus-wide message from President Lee said.

Spring Semester will begin remotely Thursday, Jan. 14 and residence halls will open Friday, Jan. 15.