WNMU is bringing back in-person learning for spring 2022. Some classes may remain in online, distance and hybrid learning formats.

In a letter to the campus community in early January, University President Dr. Joseph Shepard wrote, “I have been asked by a number of individuals about allowing the first two weeks of classes to move to online. All classes will begin January 10 including in-person classes, and there will be no moving in-person classes to online at this time.”

Registration for summer and fall classes will open on Monday, March 21, 2022.

Please contact your advisor to begin your registration.

You may request to be added to the laptop rental waiting list through Media Technologies Services by calling 575-538-6360.

There are also 40 desktop computers available at the technology lab in Miller Library and a limited number of laptops for use in the Center for Student Success.

WNMU has worked to ensure robust Wi-Fi coverage throughout campus, and students with laptops are encouraged to take advantage of other common spaces, including outdoor areas such as grassy and patio spaces.

Face-to-face tutoring is available at the Center for Student Success by appointment.

Math tutoring will continue via Zoom through a link on the department’s homepage at mathcs.wnmu.edu.

Alternatively, access to 24/7 online tutoring through Smarthinking can be found through Mustang Express and Canvas.

Students can contact the Help Desk at by calling 575-574-4357 or clicking on the IT Service link located in Mustang Express for any required tech support service.

The Student Accessibility Services Office can provide assistance in communicating accessibility concerns to your instructor. Contact 575-538-6014 or check out css.wnmu.edu/accessibility/students/ for more information.

WNMU will continue to provide the campus community emergency counseling and mental health services through Hidalgo Medical Services by calling 575-538-1511.

To assist with keeping cases to a minimum, campus residents must act considerately and comply with the following WNMU Housing Office policies.

• Housing residents must show proof of vaccination or submit to a COVID-19 test at check in and get tested weekly.
• Students will be required to follow all state orders and WNMU health and safety guidelines.

RAs, GAs, and housing staff are on-call 24/7 and will conduct housing rounds once during the day and twice at night.

• Housing violations will reported through an incident report, and Campus Police will be called only if needed.
  • Housing violations can result in sanctions up to removal from housing with no refund.

The Mustang Dining Hall reopened, and Einstein Bros. Bagels is also operating now.

Yes, the Department of Student Life will be conducting programs and opportunities to keep students engaged, whether they’re taking classes online or in person and whether they reside on or off campus. The community created and maintained by the WNMU student body is critical to both navigating our way through this and in ensuring that Mustangs have the ability to offer much-needed support to one another.

New offerings will be listed on the WNMU Student Life website and the WNMU programming app.

For additional questions or concerns, residents of Mustang Village and Muir Heights can reach the on-call WNMU Housing staff at 575-654-2756, and residents of Centennial Hall should call 575-654-2867.

WNMU Campus Recreation facilities and group fitness classes are open at full capacity. To safely deliver fitness programs to the Mustang community, the WNMU recreation facility policies will align as closely as possible with current guidelines issued by the New Mexico Department of Health.

C-Rec Operations and Policies

• The general public will be allowed to use the WNMU Fitness Center, given they’ve purchased a membership. Priority of usage will be given to students.

• Patrons will be asked o wash their hands prior to utilization.

• WNMU Fitness Center hours are 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday through Friday; 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on weekends.

• While the WNMU Fitness Center is open, staff will be carefully sanitizing equipment as scheduled and supervised by the C-Rec Coordinator.

Yes, the One Stop is operating with normal business hours. You can find additional information about the One Stop here.

Yes, WNMU will keep the testing center open. To schedule CLEP testing, email testing@wnmu.edu.

The Testing Center is offering students the ability to take ACCUPLACER exams on-campus or apply for remote testing. WNMU is committed to ensuring delays and closures caused by COVID-19 precautions do not have a negative impact on students’ ability to register for classes.

Students can apply for remote testing here.

Or to schedule a time and day for on-campus testing, please email testing@wnmu.edu.

It’s every Mustang’s responsibility to play a positive role and follow COVID-Safe Practices. For both vaccinated and unvaccinated people on campus, mark-wearing is now optional indoors. Masks are not required outdoors.

WNMU also encourages everyone who enters campus to frequently wash hands or use hand sanitizer, cover coughs and sneezes, regularly clean and disinfect touched objects and surfaces, and stay home if feeling sick.

When a WNMU campus resident receives a positive COVID-19 test, current CDC quarantine and isolation guidelines (outlined below) will apply.

Quarantine close contact: 

• If unvaccinated: Quarantine if you have been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19. Get tested five days after close contact. 
• If fully vaccinated: Do NOT need to quarantine after contact with someone who had COVID-19 unless you have symptoms. However, fully vaccinated people should get tested 5 days after their exposure, even if they don’t have symptoms. (Vaccinated is defined as having received both doses of either Moderna or Pfizer or the one dose of Johnson and Johnson.) 

Quarantine infected or close contact and are unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated: People with COVID-19 or unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated as defined should isolate for 5 days and if they are asymptomatic or their symptoms are resolving (without fever for 24 hours). 

Confirmed student cases should be reported to Lucy-Mae Denton at 575-538-6611 or dentonl@wnmu.edu and await her clearance for students to return to campus, work study positions, and/or the classroom.

Student athletes who test positive also need to report to the WNMU Athletic Department and await clearing to return to participation in Mustang Athletics events.

All positive cases must be reported immediately. As a university, we are required to report positive cases to the New Mexico Department of Health within four hours of being notified.

Current CDC quarantine and isolation guidelines (outlined below) will likewise by adhered to for students who are not WNMU housing residents but visiting campus for classes or other university activities.

Quarantine close contact:

• If unvaccinated: Quarantine if you have been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19. Get tested five days after close contact. 
• If fully vaccinated: Do NOT need to quarantine after contact with someone who had COVID-19 unless you have symptoms. However, fully vaccinated people should get tested 5 days after their exposure, even if they don’t have symptoms.  (Vaccinated is defined as having received both doses of either Moderna or Pfizer or the one dose of Johnson and Johnson.) 

Quarantine infected or close contact and are unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated: People with COVID-19 or unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated as defined should isolate for 5 days and if they are asymptomatic or their symptoms are resolving (without fever for 24 hours). 

Faculty, staff and students who are sick, whether with COVID-19 symptoms or another illness, should stay home.

Colleagues who had been in close contact with the person who is sick should follow current CDC quarantine and isolation guidelines.

If comfortable, the concerned faculty/staff should have a conversation with the violator. If not comfortable, the concerned faculty/staff should talk to their supervisor.

• If the violator’s supervisor is the same as the concerned employee’s, then the supervisor should talk to the violator.
• If the violator’s supervisor is not the same as concerned employee, then the supervisor of the concerned employee should have a conversation with the supervisor of the violator, who should in turn talk to the violator.
• If the situation is not resolved with the violator, then the appropriate vice president and/or a human resources representative should get involved.

When community members are in violation of campus protocols:

• The concerned student or employee should have a conversation with the community member.
• If they are not comfortable doing this, then they should contact WNMU Police.
• If the situation warrants, the community member can be asked to leave campus.

According to the United States Centers for Disease Control, COVID-19 is a disease caused by a virus called SARS-CoV-2. Most people with COVID-19 have mild symptoms, but some people–especially older people and those with certain underlying medical conditions –can become severely ill. Although most people with COVID-19 get better within weeks of illness, some people experience post-COVID conditions. Vaccines against COVID-19 are safe and effective.

According to the CDC, COVID-19 spreads when an infected person breathes out droplets and very small particles that contain the virus. These droplets and particles can be breathed in by other people or land on their eyes, noses, or mouth.

COVID-19 is spread in three main ways:

• Breathing in air when close to an infected person who is exhaling small droplets and particles that contain the virus.
• Having these small droplets and particles that contain virus land on the eyes, nose, or mouth, especially through splashes and sprays like a cough or sneeze.
• Touching eyes, nose, or mouth with hands that have the virus on them.

If you begin to exhibit common symptoms, you should follow current CDC quarantine and isolation guidelines and seek medical attention through your local healthcare provider. If you are in the Silver City area, you can schedule a rapid PCR test or walk in to the testing site at WNMU Watts Hall on the corner of Swan Street and Silver Heights Boulevard.

It is expected that employees self-monitor and take appropriate actions if they think they might be sick or have come in contact with someone who is sick.

Notify those you’ve been in contact with on campus should you test positive or be made aware of exposure to a positive case.

A message from WNMU President Dr. Joseph Shepard outlines the vaccination and testing protocols for employees:

• Faculty and staff had until Monday, August 16, 2021, to either get vaccinated and provide proof to our Human Resources department or submit a negative COVID-19 PCR test every week. Employees will be exempt from the testing protocol provided they show proof of their vaccination status.
• The protocols include student workers and campus housing residents.
• HR will be the office responsible for collecting proof of vaccination and tracking the testing of unvaccinated employees.

In addition to establishing these protocols, WNMU is providing as many opportunities as possible for those who wish to get vaccinated on campus. Check our homepage for details about on-campus vaccination clinics that will be open to any member of the WNMU faculty and staff. You can register to get your shot at any one of these on-campus vaccination clinics though the New Mexico Department of Health here.

The WNMU Human Resources department will work to ensure compliance with the university’s  protocols. Here is what employees need to do, according to WNMU Human Resources Director Michelle Halt, Esq., SPHR.

1. Provide proof of at least one shot of an available vaccine by scanning your card and emailing it to employment@wnmu.edu or faxing it to 575-538-6338. You also can provide a copy by visiting the HR office. Please remember masks are required when visiting the HR office.
2. If you are unable to show proof as stated above, you will be required to test every week:
   • You can continue to work while you wait for your test results as this is considered monitoring testing. HR will need to receive confirmation of the results.
   • The choice of location for testing will remain yours, but proof of testing will be required.
   • You will receive reminders, as needed, for the deadline to submit your test results.

The Human Resources Department will maintain a list of those vaccinated and those who will be testing regularly. Please remember these requirements are being set for the wellbeing of all in our community, including those that for different reasons are unable to be vaccinated and continue to be at risk for COVID. For that reason, unvaccinated faculty, staff and student workers will be placed on administrative leave without pay until such time that proof of vaccine or testing is provided.

WNMU is maintaining normal business operating hours.

Unless specifically approved by the area vice president for separate reasons or a person’s permanent work place is the home or the person must quarantine, then working from home is not an option for university employees at this time. 

The health and safety of the WNMU community is top priority, and the university has taken proactive steps aimed at mitigating the danger caused by this virus. including,

• Keeping the campus community up to date on the latest World Health Organization, CDC and New Mexico Health Department’s precautions that include:
  •  Washing hands with soap and warm water often.
  • Avoid touching eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Avoiding close contact with people who are sick.
  • Covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue.

• Implementing testing and vaccination protocols.
• Hosting testing and vaccination clinics on campus.
• Encouraging sick employees to stay home or providing department supervisors the authorization to allow employees to work remotely.
• Increasing the rate/frequency of cleaning throughout campus.
• Adding additional hand sanitizer dispensers to buildings and facilities throughout campus.

Mail receipt will continue as normal.

The WNMU Child Development Center and Growing Tree is open with strict protocols in place to ensure the health and safety of the community.

With specific questions or to enroll a child, call 575-538-6344 or email ecp@wnmu.edu.

All positive cases must be reported immediately. As a university, we are required to report positive cases to the New Mexico Department of Health within four hours of being notified.

• Confirmed positive and/or quarantined staff, faculty, and student worker cases should be reported to the HR Director, Michelle Halt at 575-538-6327 or mhalt@wnmu.edu.
• HR will provide clearance for staff, faculty, or student workers to return to their workplace.

The staff or faculty member and their colleagues should follow current CDC quarantine and isolation guidelines, which are outlined below.

Quarantine close contact: 

• If unvaccinated: Quarantine if you have been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19. Get tested five days after close contact. 
• If fully vaccinated: Do NOT need to quarantine after contact with someone who had COVID-19 unless you have symptoms. However, fully vaccinated people should get tested 5 days after their exposure, even if they don’t have symptoms. (Vaccinated is defined as having received both doses of either Moderna or Pfizer or the one dose of Johnson and Johnson.) 

Quarantine infected or close contact and are unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated: People with COVID-19 or unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated as defined should isolate for 5 days and if they are asymptomatic or their symptoms are resolving (without fever for 24 hours). 

WNMU Mustang Athletics is operating in accordance with NCAA, Lone Star Conference and New Mexico Department of Health guidelines. For details, including the current schedule, visit wnmumustangs.com.

WNMU Cultural Affairs is continuing its 2021-2022 season with in-person events and is working closely with state and local agencies to offer rich experiences while ensuring the continued health of the community. The current schedule is available here.