CORONAVIRUS PREPAREDNESS

Sent to all student and employee emails May 6, 2021

Dear Campus Community,

Throughout this pandemic, Eastern Washington University has prioritized health and safety, and has often been a leader among universities in adopting public health guidelines and recommendations. In the spirit of transparency, we know that the decision to get vaccinated is not one that we can make for you. There are good reasons, religious, medical, and philosophical, why someone may choose not to be vaccinated. And we have been clear that public health and safety is a responsibility that we all share and choosing to be vaccinated is how Eagles take care of one another and our broader community.

Each step we’ve navigated over the last year – from moving to virtual classes and cancelling in-person events to implementing mask requirements and social distancing measures on campus – has come with healthy debate that involves personal feelings and beliefs, strong emotions and a desire to do what we each feel is right. And at every step, the university has trusted the campus community to unite and work together to follow our guidelines as we work to a return to normal. The recent drop in COVID infections around campus certainly reflects how powerful we can be working together.

This is why EWU is once again asking all of you to take personal responsibility and choose to be vaccinated before coming back to campus. Returning to campus in the fall requires that students, faculty and staff do their part to keep campus open. Guidance from local, state and national health officials is clear that a high level of vaccination within our community is, by far, the best way to assure more normal operations can be maintained. Your decision in this regard will impact the university’s ability to safely return to campus and to remain open through the fall. The University will continue to do its part to ensure we are operating in a manner that is as safe as possible. Working together as a community will promote a safe in-person environment for everyone, and help us all get to where we want: a return to normal.

The university is continually evaluating the latest health information available as we determine the best steps forward. Future state and public health mandates may require us to set new expectations for vaccinations. Eastern’s leadership team is considering easing some restrictions for students who are vaccinated and there may be areas of campus and some activities where a vaccination requirement is implemented. But the university feels at this time it is up to each of us to take the necessary steps for a healthy and safe return.

I encourage you to visit www.vaccines.gov for a list of vaccine clinics in your area and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s webpages, include information about the benefits of getting vaccinated, key things to know, and frequently asked questions about the vaccine.

David May
Interim President

Sent to all student emails March 18, 2021

Dear Students,

I know many of you are having an enjoyable spring break–and for those of you who are having finals this week, I wish you all the best as you prepare for your spring break! Your persistence and dedication during this historic time are to be commended. As you wrap up the winter term, I want to update you on the university’s plans to reopen for in-person learning this fall.

There are many positive signs as we emerge from this pandemic. We have just one more quarter to go to put this remarkable and challenging academic year in the books. But we can’t let up! As you know, spring and summer quarters will also be online, and as we communicated last week, we have made the difficult decision to once again hold virtual commencement ceremonies this spring. A cross-campus team is working hard to make this the best celebratory experience possible, given the circumstances.

We need to do this right. So proceeding with caution, while following the guidance of public health experts, is the most responsible thing we can do to ensure a safe, in-person learning experience come the fall.

The first step is for us all to have a safe and healthy spring break. When classes resume, please remember we are offering free COVID testing and ask that everyone visiting campus follow safety protocols. Also, by the time spring quarter starts we will have moved into Phase 3 of the state’s Healthy Washington Roadmap to Recovery plan so please visit our Coronavirus Preparedness page for the latest updates on what this means for campus operations. Information on the vaccines is rolling out faster as well, so we will provide campus updates as we learn new details.

Eastern will continue to plan and adjust as each new development surfaces, all with an eye on seeing you back on campus for in-person classes this fall!

David May
Interim President

Sent to all faculty and staff emails March 18, 2021

Dear Faculty and Staff,

Spring is here and as we wrap up the current terms, I want to thank you for your continued dedication to our students this year. I also want to update you on the university’s plans to reopen for in-person learning this fall.

There are many positive signs as we emerge from this pandemic. We have just one more quarter to go to put this remarkable and challenging academic year in the books. But we can’t let up! As you know, spring and summer quarters will also be online, and as we communicated last week, we have made the difficult decision to once again hold virtual commencement ceremonies this spring.

We need to do this right. So proceeding with caution, while following the guidance of public health experts, is the most responsible thing we can do to ensure a safe, in-person learning experience come September.

The first step is for us all to stay vigilant in following public health guidelines as we venture outside and do more activities. Please remember we are offering free COVID testing on campus and ask that everyone visiting campus follow safety protocols. Also, by the time spring quarter starts the state will have moved into Phase 3 of Gov. Inslee’s Healthy Washington Roadmap to Recovery plan so please visit our Coronavirus Preparedness page for the latest updates on what this means for campus operations. Information on the vaccines is rolling out faster as well, so we will provide campus updates as we learn new details, including this recent update.

We are working with department and office managers to prepare plans by April 15 for returning employees to work. A form developed by Risk Management will help guide them through the planning process. Annika Scharosch or Trent Lutey will be available to answer any questions and concerns that come up during this process. We are working to have campus buildings and departments open on July 1 with employees returning to their on campus locations in the weeks prior to July 1.

Eastern will continue to plan and adjust as each new development surfaces, all with an eye on seeing you back on campus for in-person classes this fall!

David May
Interim President

Sent to all student emails Feb. 18, 2021

Dear Students,

The downward trend in positive COVID cases, the introduction of vaccines among some of our most vulnerable citizens, and the East Region’s move to Phase 2 in the state’s reopening plan have given us hope that there might be a way for us to deliver some in-person ceremonies for both our semester and quarter spring programs.

I do not want to give out false hope. Concerns about the pandemic are still top of mind, as state parameters and our need to act responsibly in the community are of paramount importance. We cannot make a firm statement on commencement today but want to inform you that we are considering several possibilities and will update the campus in the next few weeks. When we announce the decision, the commencement web page will be updated with the latest information.

As mentioned, our collective efforts to flatten the curve have resulted in the East Region moving to Phase 2 of Governor Inslee’s “Healthy Washington Roadmap to Recovery” plan. For updates on how this impacts campus services, such as the PUB, URC, and student activities, and athletics events, please visit InsideEWU.

We will continue to update the EWU Covid-19 website at www.ewu.edu/coronavirus with all the latest information.

I thank you for your time, commitment, and your incredible patience as we work our way through this together and I know that we will remain Eagle Strong!

David May
Interim President

Sent to all faculty and staff emails Feb. 18, 2021

Dear Faculty and Staff,

With COVID numbers declining and the vaccine slowly taking hold, I have called on all university staff to prepare a plan for a return to work on or about July 1. We know that predicting the exact health environment at any given time is a best guess proposition, but we must start building a plan to return to our regular work stations so we are prepared to do it right.

We would like managers to begin coordinating the return of staff so that it is a safe, phased transition with all departments being open to serve students in-person on July 1.

Over the next couple of weeks, departments will receive information about how to plan for this transition in a safe, phased manner. Just like we did a year ago when we suddenly moved online, we will all need to work together to identify and overcome the challenges ahead as we transition back to campus.

As the East Region moves into Phase 2 of Gov. Inslee’s “Healthy Washington Roadmap to Recovery” plan, we are modifying access to campus services, such as the PUB, URC, catering, athletics events, and more. Please visit Inside EWU for more details.

Lastly, we are continuing to evaluate our options for the possibility of some in-person Commencement ceremonies for both semester and quarter programs. I do not want to give out false hope. Concerns about the pandemic are still top of mind, as state parameters and our need to act responsibly in the community are of paramount importance. We cannot make a firm statement on commencement today but want to inform you that we are considering several possibilities and will update the campus in the next few weeks. When we announce the decision, the commencement web page will be updated with the latest information.

We will continue to update the EWU Covid-19 website at www.ewu.edu/coronavirus with all the latest information.

I thank you for your time, commitment, and your incredible patience as we work our way through this together and I know that we will remain Eagle Strong!

David May
Interim President

Sent to all faculty and student emails Jan. 19, 2021

Dear Campus Community,

I know that the past year has been difficult and that all of us have been disrupted in our daily lives and in our educational mission and goals. I am mindful too that the pandemic has had differential impacts on some communities and has brought pre-existing inequalities into sharper focus. We must continue to work together to hold ourselves accountable as we work toward a more diverse and equitable community.

I’m excited to announce the university is planning for the possibility of returning to mostly in-person instruction this fall. Using our Max-Flex approach, we are developing a comprehensive plan to prepare us for the goal of normal or near-normal operations. This plan will include checkpoints along the way and ongoing assessments of state guidelines and public health measures.

To be clear: While that is our goal right now, getting to that goal will depend on how things progress with the pandemic and the rollout of vaccines in the coming months. I pledge to everyone we are not going to be fully back on campus until it is safe to do so. The health and safety of our students, staff, and faculty will continue to be the primary driver for all of the decisions that we have to make. Last year has taught us there are no absolutes, and we know that we have to continue to navigate the challenges of living, working, and learning during a pandemic.

It will take the collective actions of all of us to achieve our goal. This includes being vaccinated if and when you are able to do so, and continuing to wear masks, wash hands, clean and sanitize regularly, practice social distancing, limit non-essential travel, and follow other precautionary measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19. We are currently working with the Spokane Regional Health District to develop vaccine eligibility criteria and distribution plans for EWU employees and students.

Remote instruction will continue through winter and spring terms. We expect most summer courses to remain online and are currently evaluating the possibility of offering summer camps.

As we continue the planning and exploration of returning to mostly in-person classes in the fall, the university will provide monthly progress updates outlining where we are in the process and what obstacles lie ahead. Join us this Thursday, Jan. 21 at noon for a Covid-19 Town Hall for a more in-depth discussion about the state of the pandemic, vaccinations, and preparing for a safe return to campus.

I thank you for your time, commitment, and your incredible patience as we work our way through this together and I know that we will remain Eagle Strong!

David May
Interim President

Sent to all faculty emails Dec. 8, 2020

Dear Colleagues,

With COVID-19 cases on the rise, below are reminders, resources and recommendations for helping students who may be impacted and in need of support:

• If a student reaches out to you with a confirmed or suspected case of COVID-19 please encourage them to report it: EWU COVID REPORT FORM. You may also report using the form and our EWU Contact Tracers will reach out to the student. Reporting may also occur by calling EWU’s Health and Wellness Team (509-359-6900) or emailing the University Risk Manager at riskmanager@ewu.edu. The online form was developed to give the EWU campus community a method for reporting a confirmed or suspected case of COVID-19, or for reporting close contact.
• Please view this PDF flowchart for guidance our Health & Wellness team provides with respect to quarantining and resources.
• If a student reaches out to you with a concern that COVID-19 has impacted their ability to complete assignments, or fulfill attendance requirements please work directly with your students and use your discretion to outline a plan. It is also recommended that students reach out to the Financial Aid Office to discuss how various grade options might impact their financial aid. The XC grade option is available for the fall term for students who have been impacted by COVID-19 and may need a little more time to complete their coursework. You can also reassure students that this grading option has also been extended for winter quarter/spring semester. We advise not requesting a doctor’s note. If a student expresses experiencing long-term side-effects or needing additional accommodations, please encourage them to work directly with Disability Support Services.
• The Student Care Team is committed to serving the campus community and working with students in crisis. If you are concerned for the well-being of a student or a student shares that they are in need of additional support, please complete an online ICARE referral form. All forms submitted are reviewed and triaged by a member of the Student Care Team. Students in need of support or resources may also submit a Student Intake Form.
• EWU’s Stepped Care Guide offers a number of resources to support students physical and mental wellbeing. We recognize that COVID-19 has had both a mental and physical impact on students. Please review and, where you see fit, share with students.
• EWU Housing will offer housing over the Winter Break for students who need it. If you hear of a student in need of a place to stay over Winter Break and/or in need of funding support to stay in EWU Housing over Winter Break, please have them contact the Housing Office to inquire about funding support, rates and availability.
• For students who may be in need of a laptop or financial resources to support a hotspot, please encourage them to complete a Student Emergency Fund Request Form. We do have laptops on-hand to support students in need and, for students with specific (high-end) tech-needs, the Student Care team will connect them with options.
• All students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to regularly visit the University’s Coronavirus Preparedness website for the latest information and updates as it relates to COVID-19 and the University.

Thank you for all you do to educate, support, and make a difference in the lives of students.

Robert R. Sauders, PhD
Vice President for Student Affairs

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