August 23, 2019
Dear West Virginia University Family:
As we head into our first weekend of the fall semester, I want to share my wish for you this academic year. It is really quite simple: I want you to be well and look out for your fellow Mountaineers.
Every day, I challenge you to dedicate some time to your well-being — and also to the well-being of others. Take a walk. Meditate. Go to the Rec Center. Volunteer. And above all, look up from your screen so you do not miss an opportunity to lend a hand or meet someone new.
We are truly fortunate to live, work and study on such a safe campus. But that does not mean that we can be complacent. As we have seen far too often, a crisis can happen anywhere, without warning. Each of us needs to prepare for the unexpected.
That is why the University has renewed its focus on safety with a new website — safety.wvu.edu — to serve as your resource for on-campus safety and wellness information. I encourage you to explore the training programs offered by the University, as well as the tips for taking care of yourself and steps for requesting assistance.
As more of us learn how to respond in emergency situations — and how to tend to our personal well-being — West Virginia University will grow even safer and more welcoming.
So this weekend, remember our mantra, “Work smart. Play smart.” Stop by WVUp All Night and Mountaineertopia. Be safe. Have fun. And always take care of your fellow Mountaineers.
E. Gordon Gee
President, West Virginia University