West Virginia University Welcome Week, PRT Information Released
By Connect-Bridgeport Staff on August 10, 2018 via Connect-Bridgeport.com
Editor's Note: FallFest entertainment to be released soon. Stay tuned to Connect-Bridgeport.
The journey toward life-long passion and purpose begins this week as West Virginia University welcomes 6,650 new students to its campuses in Morgantown, Beckley and Keyser for the 2018-19 academic year.
"I cannot wait for our students to return,” President Gordon Gee said. "After all, helping them prepare for their purpose in life is our polar star. With their arrival comes great energy and excitement that only a new academic year can bring. We are ready to get started – and I will bring my best selfie smile."
Along with getting a selfie with President Gee, students are encouraged to download the new WVU PASS app for all things Welcome Week. Through the app, students can access the schedule of events and information on how to acquire their wristbands for Mountaineer MovieFest, FoodFest, FallFest and Monday Night Lights. Students can find the app for both iOS and Android devices in the app stores.
Welcome Week activities on the Morgantown campus begin Friday (Aug. 10) with move-in for the largest Honors College class yet.
“We are proud to have an incredibly diverse and talented freshman class arriving in Morgantown this week. They come to us from across the U.S. and from 37 countries worldwide. They are pursuing courses of study in hundreds of different majors. More than 1000 of them are Honors students. All of them are eager to engage with campus life,” said Provost Joyce McConnell. “We are excited to welcome them all to campus and demonstrate to them that they are truly members of the Mountaineer family now.”
The majority of first-year students will move in Saturday (Aug. 11).
New University Police Chief W. P. Chedester said extra officers and University staff will be on hand to keep traffic moving and officers will be highly visible in congested areas.
“We would like to ask everyone to be safe, exercise caution and understanding,” Chedester said. “I would like to also encourage everyone to be patient, stay alert and avoid distractions when driving due to the increase in pedestrian and vehicular traffic.
On either Sunday (Aug. 12) or Monday (Aug 13), first-year students will participate in Adventure WV or community service in the Morgantown area and beyond.
The freshman class will continue a staple of Welcome Week at Milan Puskar Stadium, Monday Night Lights, which provides an opportunity for first-year students to learn more about what it means to be a Mountaineer. The event, Monday (Aug. 13) at 8 p.m., will feature a special performance by the Pride of West Virginia Mountaineer Marching Band and much more.
“Our new students are joining a special family and making bonds that can last a lifetime,” said Dean of Students Corey Farris.
Academic sessions will be held Tuesday (Aug. 14) when first-year students will meet with faculty and administrators from their academic units. Classes begin Wednesday (Aug. 15).
Other signature events include:
Mountaineer MovieFest and Student Organization Fair at the WVU Coliseum from 6 to 9 p.m. Sunday (Aug. 12). This new event will feature a student organization fair, corn hole games and a movie for all students.
FoodFest at Evansdale, Short Term Lot 4 near the Student Rec Center and Evansdale crossing Tuesday (Aug 14) at 4 p.m.
FallFest at the fields behind the Student Rec Center will be held Tuesday (Aug. 14) from 5 to 9:30 p.m. WVU Arts and Entertainment will announce the lineup Friday (Aug. 10).
“FoodFest and FallFest are traditions that bring all students together for a chance for the University to say, ‘thank you’ for being a part of this awesome institution,” Farris said.
PRT SYSTEM INFORMATION
The West Virginia University Personal Rapid Transit system resumed operations Aug. 9 in time for Welcome Week activities.
The PRT came back online for passengers as part of the second phase of a multi-year modernization plan which is designed to upgrade and replace all electronics and train control systems - in essence, everything except the tracks and cars.
Full-scale testing took place during the summer, but without passengers, according to WVU Director of Transportation and Parking Clement Solomon. “Once passengers are introduced to the system, we anticipate scenarios that we could not test for,” Solomon cautioned. “A project like this is bound to have some bugs which we will work to address as quickly as we can.”
Passengers will also notice changes at the PRT station platforms such as new digital signs and entry gates. Additional safety signs have also been installed.
“The most common problems we see are related to passenger interaction,” Solomon said. He reminded passengers to avoid attempts to overload a car, hold doors open, or kick the doors or windows. Also, they should be sure all items are clear of the doorway after entering a PRT car.
Solomon noted cameras are located throughout the PRT system in order to monitor any issues or problems that arise.
The PRT will operate on a modified schedule during Welcome Week and will resume a normal schedule Wednesday, Aug. 15, the first day of classes. Hours will be 6:30 a.m. to 10:15 p.m., Monday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and closed on Sunday.
Buses and campus shuttles are also available.
Additionally, the University has partnered again with Mountain Line Transit Authority to provide service to the campus community. For more details on routes and schedules, visit http://www.busride.org/.
