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FAIRMONT, W.Va. — Fairmont State University is officially back in session and several welcoming changes have been implemented according to Fairmont State University President Dr. Mirta Martin. Among those, will be the addition of several new programs to expand their curriculum offerings, as well as slow return to normal campus life after several adjustments made during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The campus is bustling with excitement and enthusiasm of rebirth of the spring, and the promise of a wonderful semester,” said Martin.
While some aspects of the campus life are expected to return this semester, Fairmont State University, will still be under advanced COVID-19 protocols for the spring. Under the advanced protocols, a mask policy is in place for all individuals on campus with limited capcity in-person classes, with available virtual learning options. While staying on the side of caution, Martin stated that one goal for Fairmont State has been to provide in-person classes in as much of a capcity as possible, so that students ability to have a quality education could continue during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We made a commitment to our students and to our communities that we would offer a face to face curriculum,” said Martin on WAJR’s Talk of the Town. “Because it is that type of hands-on classes that our students have come to expect and that they need,” she said.
Fairmont State University has also added several new programs the they expect to continue this spring semester. Included in the Spring 2022 class catalog, will be additional classes for their bachelor’s programs in strategic leadership, surveying and geolomatic engineering, as well as master’s programs in healthcare management, cyber security, engineering and management. Two other programs Martin pointed out as showing great success with guaranteed entry into the workforce has been their criminal justice program and Fairmont State’s flight school program.
“The U.S. Air Force, has tapped Fairmont State, as one of only twenty-three colleges and universites throughout the United States, and the only university in West Virginia, to educate it’s next generation of Top Guns,” she said.
Dr. Martin also stated that several more developments are expected to be seen at Fairmont State University in the near future. As a result of a four year turnaround which started with university facing a $2.89 million deficit and four years later, having a $20 million surplus, expanded technology in the classroom has already been seen, with the pandemic fast tracking those inmprovements. The positive financials, have also allowed for planning to build rennovations to the university’s athletic’s facilities. While the COVID-19 pandemic has still held several institutions across the country into confusion, it appears that Fairmont State remains in a position to continue to move foward.
“We need to continue to be a destination of choice for students,” said Martin. “Who believe, that they know, that Fairmont State is proficient to provide them with the skill sets that they need to be able to become responsible citizens,” she said.