Silver City, NM – Monday marked the 60th day without a positive case of COVID-19 in the Western New Mexico University Mustang Athletics program.

“Along with adhering to the university’s stringent protocols and operating in accordance with the NCAA’s guidelines, we in Mustang Athletics have developed a culture of care and diligence that has successfully prevented the virus from spreading among our student athletes and staff,” said WNMU Mustang Director of Athletics Scott Noble.

The WNMU Athletics Department is one of the few statewide that has in-house testing capabilities, which — combined with the campus’ partnership with Hidalgo Medical Services — provide student athletes with reliable access to testing. Regular surveillance testing is done on between 25% and 50% of Mustang student athletes and staff, and members of in-season teams are tested according to the NCAA’s schedule.

In addition, Mustang student-athletes self-monitor and complete daily screening questionnaires.

Over the course of the pandemic, WNMU leaders have continuously encouraged members of the Mustang community to protect themselves and each other through monitoring any symptoms, practicing hand hygiene, maintaining social distancing, wearing masks, and staying home when feeling ill.

This fall, Vice President for Student Affairs at WNMU Dr. Isaac Brundage challenged students and employees to pledge to take extraordinary steps to maintain a healthy campus environment, disseminating a virtual training on mitigating the spread.

The WNMU School of Nursing also took the initiative to partner with Walgreens in offering an on-campus flu shot clinic Saturday, when students and employees were given the opportunity to get the annual vaccine for free at a convenient location.

WNMU is also continuing with the plan laid out over the summer, as faculty will transition courses from hybrid to fully online modes of delivery on Monday, November 30. The university’s spring semester will also start fully online to allow returning students and employees a proper isolation period.  

“Although Mustang student athletes will largely remain on campus through the holidays, those who do travel have been instructed to self-quarantine and get tested upon their return,” Noble said.