We understand that it's hard not to worry about your student when they're away at college. To help ease your worries, we created this guide with essential safety and wellness information that both you and your Mountaineer should know.
Emergency Communication
We encourage families to visit emergency.wvu.edu for up-to-date information if a crisis or emergency occurs on the Morgantown campus. In the event of an emergency:
- Mountaineer Parents Club members will receive Parent Electronic News messages via email.
- The University will communicate with employees and students via messages to official WVU email addresses.
- Information will be provided to print, broadcast, and web-based media outlets.
WVU Alert is a notification system for critical incidents that pose an imminent threat to the campus community's health or safety.
How can parents sign up to receive alert messages?
All WVU students are automatically enrolled in the WVU Alert system, either through cell phone number provided by the student or through their MIX email account if no phone number is on file. The alert system also allows students to add their parent's cell phone numbers and email addresses to their account to receive alert messages. It is up to the student to determine if they would like an alternative contact to receive WVU Alerts as part of their account. Students who wish to add a parent's cell phone or email address may do so by signing in at WVU Alert Student Login and following the instructions under the Services tab.
When should parents expect an alert message to be sent?
WVU Police and select WVU staff have the authority to decide whether an emergency message is warranted. These messages include notifications regarding critical incidents that pose an imminent threat to the greater campus community's health or safety. Examples include:
- Acts of criminal violence on or near campus.
- Hazardous materials incidents.
- Weather conditions that may cause delays or will close the University.
LiveSafe App
LiveSafe is a free mobile application for Apple and Android devices that allows students to identify and respond to actions in progress, safety concerns or potential threats. It’s an added layer of protection that ensures the safety of all members of the campus community.
LiveSafe enables direct and discreet two-way communication with WVU Police using text, picture, video, and audio. Here are additional e mergency services offered through LiveSafe:
- Report an anonymous tip (photo, video and text options) about a suspicious activity taking place.
- Call campus police or 911 in an emergency situation.
- Notify friends in real-time of your location and safety through a one-button electronic escort service.
A popular safety tool that the LiveSafe App offers is SafeWalk, which allows you to walk or drive with your friends and family home virtually.
- This peer-to-peer tool allows friends to watch out for each other through location monitoring and group chat features.
- By sharing their GPS location information through the app, friends can actively follow your progress toward a predefined destination on a map.
- A standby option allows you to notify your friends only if you fail to reach the target destination within the expected time.
For more information on how to access LiveSafe, please visit police.wvu.edu/LiveSafe.
Campus Wide Emergency Procedures
WVU's campus is too large to enforce a campus-wide lockdown during a campus emergency, unlike high schools with smaller footprints. Therefore, the University has developed a layered approach to notify the campus community of emergencies: LiveSafe, Information Stations, email, text alerts, and social media. These resources provide the most up-to-date information to the campus community to ensure their safety.
After the initial emergency alert message is sent, first responders will primarily focus on handling the situation to move toward a safe resolution. It is critical that everyone pays close attention to the initial safety guidance offered until an update is provided.
Parents may also find it beneficial to monitor the following University run websites and social media accounts in case of an emergency:
- Safety and Wellness website
- WVU Police website
- WVU Mountaineer Parents Club on Facebook
- WVU Safety and Wellness on Facebook
- @WVUsafety on Twitter
- @WVUalert on Twitter
Mental Health Services
Psychological Counseling Services
Confidential counseling services are available to enrolled WVU students at no charge.
The Carruth Center services provide short-term assistance to students with personal, educational, and social concerns that may interfere with their academic studies. Ongoing counseling is available through appointments only. Initial appointments can be scheduled by calling the Carruth Center at 304-293-4431.
Your student will be referred to ongoing individual counseling, group counseling, testing, or psychiatry in the Carruth Center or a community agency, depending on your student’s needs, in their initial appointment. Sometimes, the student finds that their concerns are addressed in the initial appointment, and they do not require further services at that time.
Psychiatry Services
If you are in need of medication, the Carruth Center clinicians can work with you in order to find you a primary care doctor or psychiatrist to meet these needs.
Long-Term Care Options
Each student’s care will vary depending on their individual needs and circumstances. Carruth Center staff will work directly with them to determine the best options of support and services. If a student presents more long-term needs, Carruth Center clinicians and Care Managers will work with them to find providers in the area that best fit their needs.
Emergency Mental Health Support
If your student needs immediate psychological help and their therapist
is not available, the following emergency services are available:
- Between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. (M-F): Please call the Carruth Center at (304) 293-4431 and inform the front desk staff you are experiencing a crisis.
- After hours: Call (304) 293-4431 and ask to speak with the therapist on call.
Your student can also utilize the Crisis Text Line , which is free, confidential, and available 24/7. They need to text WVU to 741741 to receive help. For additional information and FAQ's, visit the Crisis Text Line website.
Additional Emergency Service Numbers:
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
- Valley Health Care System Emergency Hotline: 1-800-232-0020
- Rape and Domestic Violence Information Center: 304-292-5100
Hazing Prevention
"Hazing" refers to any activities or tasks expected of someone joining a group that intends to humiliate, degrade, or harm them, regardless of a person’s willingness to participate. It often occurs to wrongfully make new members think they must endure these activities to gain official membership into a group. Hazing can happen in any group setting, such as sports teams, Greek organizations, bands, clubs, and societies. These activities may cause physical, mental, or emotional abuse – or even death.
An activity is probably hazing if:
- it is not educational;
- it does not represent the values of the group;
- only select members are participating;
- you do not feel like an equal member of the group;
- it puts members at risk for physical, mental, or emotional trauma;
- or you would not feel comfortable having others witness your activity.
How can your student report a hazing incident?
Step 1: Assess the situation. Is it an emergency?
Is your student or someone else in immediate danger? If so, they should dial 911 or call WVU Police at 304-293-3136 for emergency services.
Remember, the Medical Amnesty Policy states that anyone who seeks emergency assistance for a person who appears to be experiencing an overdose from alcohol or drugs may not get in trouble. They shouldn't wait – call for help!
Step 2: Report hazing using one of these methods:
- Complete the Public Incident Report form.
- Contact the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities by emailing wvustudentconduct@mail.wvu.edu or calling 304-293-8111.
- If the complaint relates to Greek organizations, call the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life at 304-293-8201.
Step 3: Seek counseling
If your student needs counseling to deal with the effects of hazing, the Carruth Center offers free counseling to WVU students.
Medical Amnesty
What is medical amnesty?
Under the University's Campus Student Code and the laws of West Virginia, bystanders and those affected by drug or alcohol overdose may be safe from prosecution and may not face charges under the Campus Student Code if they seek medical assistance in an emergency.
Medical amnesty means that if someone is overdosing on alcohol or drugs, a bystander can call for help and may not be prosecuted and/or face charges under a school or college’s student code of conduct (and/or state law). Medical a mnesty l aws are in place to reduce the hesitation caused by fear of legal action to seek medica l attention.
Medical amnesty applies even if the caller or the person overdosing has committed:
- An alcohol violation, such as underage drinking.
- A drug violation.
How does medical amnesty work?
If your student or someone they know is experiencing an overdose, they should:
- Call 911 immediately to report what’s happening.
- Identify themselves if requested by any medical personnel, University officials, or law enforcement officers.
- Remain where they are (with the individual) if it is safe.
- Cooperate with medical personnel, University officials, or law enforcement officers, and provide any information they request to help the person in distress.
- Complete any additional steps or conditions required by the Campus Student Code Administrator.
Alcohol & Other Drugs
As part of our alcohol and violence prevention program, West Virginia University expects new students to complete "Voices for Change" by Get Inclusive: an online, non-opinionated, science-based wellness course taken by thousands of students each year. Students expected to complete the course include the first-year class, as well as transfer students under the age of 24 (regardless if your student has taken a similar module at another institution).
This module also covers diversity and inclusion, substance use, and se xual violence. The information contained within the modules helps our st udents make responsible choices, and it is vital to their success.
Additional resources and educational tools can be found on WELLWVU's website.
Sexual Health and Education
While not all students make the choice to be sexually active in college, it's our duty to provide access to the necessary tools to help those who are to act responsibly. If students choose to be sexually active, it is important that they have access to safer sex methods to prevent the spread of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and to prevent unintended pregnancy.
WEL
LWVU seeks to provide these resources to students through the
Condom Caravan, which is a tabling event where students can
purchase safer sex supplies such as internal condoms, external
condoms, dental dams, and lubricant for .25 cents each or
5 for $1. The Condom Caravan typically sets up in residence
hall lobbies or common areas like the Mountainlair or HSC
lobby. Students can purchase various brands, sizes, products,
and styles, and can also ask questions about the products
or other sexual health topics. The tables are staffed by
WELLWVU student volunteers who are well equipped to answer
student inquiries respectfully.
WELLWVU also works to provide additional sexual health education through tabling, workshops, health communication campaigns, and larger campus events so that students can equip themselves to act responsibly, no matter if they choose to engage in sexual behavior or not. For more information, please visit WELLWVU’s website or send them an email at wellwvu@mail.wvu.edu.
Available Testing at Student Health Services:
Students can make an appointment with Student Health physicians to request and/or discuss Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) testing, consultations, contraception, vaccinations, health screenings, treatment options, and counseling. Student Health provides an affirming and welcoming environment to help students receive the most accurate, informed, and supportive care possible.
Important Phone Numbers
- WVU Police: (304) 293-3136, or (304) 293-COPS (2677)
- Off-Campus Emergencies: Call 911
- Environmental Health and Safety: (304) 293-3792
- Health Sciences Safety Office: (304) 293-4115
- Carruth Center for Counseling and Psychological Services: (304) 293-4431
- Faculty-Staff Assistance Program: (304) 293-5590
- Parents Club Helpline: (800) 988-0096
- Crisis Text Line 741741
- Student Advocate Helpline: (304) 293-5555