Senior faculty member of WCUCOM here.
We are back after only a seven-day time lag! ALL programs will be up and running as of Monday 01/30. ALL programs have been re-located to the campus of Southern Mississippi University. The entire William Carey campus is now designated a 24-hour total construction zone, but full electronic communications etc have been restored. USM has provided simply superb aid to us - students faculty and staff of WCUCOM have full parking privileges, complete library access, full access to food facilities and all the amenities of a large public university campus.
YES, there are some aspects of things done in the past at WCU that will change and some adaption by everyone is necessary. NO factual material will be omitted, although some will certainly be slightly compressed. Laboratory situations in OPP and, particularly Anatomy, have been compromised to varying degree, BUT both of these courses restart Monday/Tuesday next. As I said, adaptation has to occur - as a shining example, the mandatory lecture attendance policy has been suspended! There is no guarantee that once we return to complete WCU occupancy (and we will do that sooner than many current students might guess or state here on-line) that the attendance policy might revert, I know. BUT, if our current two classes (3-4rd year classes not being really dramatically affected by the situation) prove that they can accomplish the needed academic success? I personally would find it difficult to back-track this policy at a later time. [Remember, though. I myself am NOT administration, please.]
Last thoughts for anyone reading this post. I am a founding father faculty member who helped recruit the very first ever class of WCUCOM students who began their studies on August 01, 2010. When they were being interviewed all we could show them was a single architectural drawing of one proposed building! Those students, pioneers actually, trusted us, and had faith in the value of experience, hard-work and perseverance. That first class is now out in the field as practicing osteopathic physicians. Compared to our situation as a very beginning med school in the spring of 2010? We are here a week after a truly devastating tornado light-years ahead of the curve in 2017. If you want to be a part of a special medical experience, working with a true family of dedicated students, administration faculty, and definitely staff across the board - check out WCUCOM.
