Update: March 12, 2020
Dear students,
As we plan for the next two weeks (March 16–27, 2020) at Westfield State University in response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, please review the information below for details about operations and services available.
Communication
Email is the official communication channel for the university. During this time, students are expected to check their university email daily.
University personnel are available during regular work hours. You can reach them via phone or email during regular business hours.
- Offices and Services Directory www.westfield.ma.edu/offices
- Faculty/Staff directory www.westfield.ma.edu/people
Advising and Registration
Advising and registration will take place as scheduled. Please check the Registrar’s website for your advising and registration dates www.westfield.ma.edu/offices/registrar/day-division-fall-2020-advising-registration. Students scheduled for advising and registration on dates between March 16 and March 27 should contact their academic advisor to arrange for a phone, email, or virtual advising session and access to your registration PIN.
Teaching and Learning
Coursework
Westfield State has cancelled on-ground academic courses/classes (online courses continue as scheduled) for the week of March 16–20 and will conduct all classes exclusively online for the week of March 23–27. Faculty may use a variety of technology strategies to conduct these remote classes. Westfield State is fortunate to have many online learning resources available to us. PLATO (also known as Blackboard) is just one of these options. Some options are simple and familiar—including using email to send students links, instructions, assignments, etc. Faculty will work in the next week on their remote lessons, and they will provide you with direction.
Specific instructions on how to complete work for your classes will be provided directly to you by the individual instructor for each course. As with any class, students are required to follow the instructions provided by the instructor. Please check-in regularly and stay up-to-date on your coursework. If you are experiencing trouble with online learning, please contact CIT https://cit.westfield.ma.edu/support/.
Academic Support
We will continue to support student academic work via phone, web services, and email. Staff in student support offices can be reached at:
- Academic Advising 413-572-8152
- Banacos Academic Center 413-572-8377
- Graduate and Continuing Education: 413-572-8020
- Reading and Writing Center 413-572-5569
- Registrar 413-572-5218, option 3
- TRiO Student Support Services 413-572-5462
- Urban Education 413-572-5391
- Veteran and Military Services 413-572-8370
All students have access to virtual tutoring through the university’s online learning management system (PLATO) http://www.westfield.ma.edu/plato/student-resources/free-online-tutoring-services-wsu/. If you’ve never logged onto PLATO, you can do that here www.westfield.ma.edu/plato/. Appointments for the Center for Reading and Writing are still being taken through their online scheduling system and currently scheduled appointments will be conducted remotely. In addition, STEM Tutoring will offer online appointments during the regular schedule www.westfield.ma.edu/stemtutoring. Please check your email for updates and the links to join the tutoring session.
If you are experiencing academic issues, or have questions about your academic work, please contact your instructor, academic department chair, academic or program advisor, or college dean. We will do our best to address your issues as soon as possible.
- College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, Dean Emily Todd, Ph.D.
- College of Education, Health, and Human Services, Dean Juline Mills, Ph.D.
- College of Graduate and Continuing Education, Dean Stefanie Sanchez, Ed.D.
- College of Mathematics and Sciences, Dean Jennifer Hanselman, Ph.D.
Campus Shuttle and PVTA Bus Transportation
Campus shuttles and the Owl shuttle will not be operating through March 27. PVTA Bus transportation (R10 route) will continue for those requiring access to local grocery stores, pharmacies, Walmart, etc. For a schedule, visit www.pvta.com.
Career Center
Career Center staff will be available Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and will work with students and alumni via phone conference regarding assistance with career development. Call 413-572-5206.
Counseling Center
In-person counseling sessions scheduled during the weeks of March 16–20 and March 23–27 have been postponed. Staff will be available Monday–Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. To speak with a counselor during this period, or reschedule your appointment, call 413-572-5790. For information about support offered during this time, visit www.westfield.ma.edu/student-life/counseling-center.
Fitness Center/Wellness Center
The Fitness Center and Wellness Center will not be available for student access during the weeks of March 16–20 and March 23–27.
College of Graduate and Continuing Education
CGCE staff will be available during our normal operating hours: Monday – Thursday, 8:30am-6pm and Friday 8:30am-4pm. There will be no in-person services or appointments through March 27, 2020, but we can support you remotely via phone and email. Summer session registration is scheduled to begin as planned on Monday, March 30, 2020. Additionally, students may continue to access resources available through our webpage, which includes our online chat feature, or through their myWestfield portal account. If you have any questions, please call 413-572-8020 or email wsucgce@westfield.ma.edu.
Health Services
Health Services staff will be available Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m. For guidance about health-related concerns, contact 413-572-5415. If students experience any symptoms of concern while home, please contact your primary care physicians.
Interfaith Services
At this time, services scheduled at the Albert and Amelia Ferst Interfaith Center from March 15–27 will not take place. Alternative services may be provided. To speak with a Chaplain regarding any religious services and updates please contact:
Father Warren Savage, Catholic chaplain
413-572-5567, wsavage@westfield.ma.edu
Catholic Deacon Roger Carrier
413-572-8528, rcarrier@westfield.ma.edu
Catholic Deacon James Conroy
413-572-8556, jconroy@westfield.ma.edu
Reverend Nancy Webb Stroud, Episcopal chaplain
rector@atonementwestfield.net
Reverend Barbara Hesse, Protestant chaplain
413-572-8568, Pastor@SecondChurchWestfield.org
Rabbi Cantor Colman Reaboi, Jewish chaplain
413-572-8570, creadboi@hotmail.com
Imam Rasul Seifullah, Muslim chaplain
413-572-8163, rseifullah@westfield.ma.edu
Reverend Bruce Arbour, Methodist chaplain
413-572-8163, afdchaplain@gmail.com
Ely Library
Students can continue to access library materials remotely via www.lib.westfield.ma.edu/home While library staff will be available via phone and email, students will not have access to the building for the weeks of March 16–20 and March 23–27. Library staff will be available Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.– 5 p.m. Contact 413-572-5231 or askus@westfield.ma.edu.
Residential Life
If you have questions following the information you received from Residential Life Thursday, March 12 please call 413-572-5402, or email housing@westfield.ma.edu.
Student Activities/Events/Clubs/Trips
All student activities, events, clubs, trips, and conferences, have been postponed and/or cancelled through Saturday, March 28. We will evaluate any future events as more information is made available.
Student Employees
Only student employees, for operational need only, will be permitted to report to work through Friday, March 27. The University expects that all other student employees will be able to report to work on Monday, March 30. Please contact your direct supervisor for additional information.
Varsity Athletics and Club Sports
From March 12–30, the MASCAC (Mass. State Collegiate Athletic Conference), which includes Westfield State, will suspend athletic activities, including all athletic events, team meetings, practices and contests, on or off campus, except for those teams currently competing out of state.
Thank you for your flexibility and patience.
Shannon Broderick
Director of Student Affairs