COVID-19 Response
Supporting the university's students, faculty & staff
Health & Wellness
The Fund for William & Mary — the university’s largest source of unrestricted and immediate support — has been critical in providing resources for unexpected expenses related to the pandemic. The Fund has supported the purchase of personal protective equipment and the establishment of quarantine spaces, as well as classroom and building modifications.
Last spring, the university focused its For the Bold fundraising efforts almost exclusively on ways to support students, faculty, staff and William & Mary as a whole in overcoming challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Recently when I have walked around campus, I have to say I’ve been so impressed by the way students, faculty and staff are wearing masks appropriately and maintaining physical space, because those primary preventions are going to be what prevent an outbreak.” —Medical Director at the Student Health Center Dr. David Dafashy
For example, emergency funds established by donors were tapped to help international students facing financial difficulties. Private resources also supported the newly established Studio for Teaching and Learning Innovation — enabling the university to go completely virtual. Between March 12 and May 31, donors from over 500 households contributed almost $290,000 to the Health, Emergencies, And Resources for the Tribe (HEART) Fund, the International Student Scholarship Fund and the Studio for Teaching & Learning Innovation. An additional $100,000 was given to the HEART endowment by three donors during that time.
As the university continues to navigate through uncertainty in the face of a pandemic, the mental health and wellness of the campus community will also continue to be areas of focus. The McLeod Tyler Wellness Center, created during the campaign, will be essential in providing services and programs to help students, faculty and staff during such a difficult time.
