West Virginia U. employees will have Friday off after Gov. Joe Manchin declared it a state day of remembrance.
Manchin announced Tuesday all state employees will be off to honor U.S. Sen. Robert C. Byrd following his death. The West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission recommended the institutions follow the Governor’s order in a memo sent Wednesday morning.
The memo stated, “institutions are encouraged to follow the terms of this order and provide our employees with the opportunity to remember and celebrate the life of the state’s senior senator.”
Becky Lofstead, WVU’s associate vice president of University Relations, said WVU is not required to follow the order but chose to at the urging of the HEPC.
“WVU officials are very touched by Governor Manchin’s special day of observance to honor such an important figure in our state,” she said. “We believe strongly this is the right thing to do.”
In more than 20 years at WVU, Lofstead said she could not remember another time the University closed to celebrate the life of a public official.
WVU and its divisional campuses will be closed, and classes will be canceled. Health clinics will continue operation and special academic and recreation campus, including 4-H and Extension, will remain open.
“On the eve of this Fourth of July weekend, West Virginia University will join fellow West Virginians – and the nation – in celebrating and honoring the life of our senior senator who has done so much for public and higher education in his lifetime,” said University President James P. Clements in a statement.
West Virginians are invited to honor and celebrate Byrd’s life with a public procession through Charleston, W.Va., starting Thursday evening. Byrd will lie in repose at the state Capitol’s Lower Rotunda, from Thursday at 9 p.m. to Friday at 9 a.m., where the public is invited to pay their respects.
Ashley Schumaker, a spokesperson for the West Virginia HEPC, said most of the state’s public four-year institutions would close Friday.
Manchin said he “truly hopes that this day off will allow state employees an opportunity to join him in honoring and celebrating the life of the state’s senior senator.”
A formal memorial service for the public will also take place 11:30 a.m., Friday at the state Capitol’s North Plaza.
“This will be a beautiful service for a wonderful public servant,” Manchin said in a released statement. “I invite all West Virginians to join us during this special day of remembrance and to celebrate the many accomplishments of this outstanding West Virginian.”