May 4, 2020

Media Contact:
Libby Siebens, community relations executive director, 509-682-6436 (Mon.-Thurs.)

Following the governor’s extension of the “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” order, Wenatchee Valley College has extended the closure of both campuses to students and the public through Sunday, May 31.

The process of reopening campus is expected to be gradual, and will happen in accordance with the governor’s plan to open businesses in phases. Those who are on campus or are visiting campus are being asked to practice good hygiene, social distancing and to stay home if sick.

The residence hall remains open to residents, but social distancing is being implemented.

It was announced last week that the commencement ceremonies for both campuses will take place online. The associate degree nursing pinning ceremonies for both campuses will also take place virtually – no in-person gatherings will be held.

College leadership has not yet made a decision to move summer or fall quarters online. If action is taken to move classes online after spring quarter, students and the community will be notified.

Support for students during closure

WVC is making efforts to ensure students can be successful in and out of the classroom. Some resources include:

• Online resources for online learning. WVC has information and resources to support students as they transition to online learning at edu/Online.
• Virtual Student Services. Students can speak with staff through Zoom videoconferencing or through a live chatting feature. Educational planners, career center staff, registration staff, financial aid staff and others will be available for remote appointments with students through Zoom videoconferencing. Visit edu/VA to schedule a phone or Zoom videoconference appointment. Students can also interact with staff through live chat, a live text conversation option on the WVC home page.
• Counselors will be available to students, staff and faculty via phone, emails and Zoom appointments only. Students can schedule these appointments by calling 509-682-6850, email or through our WVC counseling webpage, wvc.edu/Counseling.
• Financial Crisis. Students with food insecurities or experiencing financial crisis may qualify for a CARES Act grant. Learn more and apply at edu/CARESAct. Students can also email counselors bsanchez@wvc.eduor rpoortinga@wvc.edu to access the WVC food bank and other emergency resources on campus.

More information will be posted as it becomes available at wvc.edu/PublicHealth. Please send any questions about WVC’s response to COVID-19 to PublicHealth@wvc.edu.

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Wenatchee Valley College enriches North Central Washington by serving educational and cultural needs of communities and residents throughout the service area. The college provides high-quality transfer, liberal arts, professional/technical, basic skills and continuing education for students of diverse ethnic and economic backgrounds. Visit our website, wvc.edu.

Wenatchee Valley College is committed to a policy of equal opportunity in employment and student enrollment. All programs are free from discrimination and harassment against any person because of race, creed, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or the use of a service animal by a person with a disability, age, parental status or families with children, marital status, religion, genetic information, honorably discharged veteran or military status or any other prohibited basis per RCW 49.60.030, 040 and other federal and state laws and regulations, or participation in the complaint process. The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies and Title IX compliance for both the Wenatchee and Omak campuses:

• To report discrimination or harassment: Title IX Coordinator, Wenatchi Hall 2322M, (509) 682-6445, title9@wvc.edu.
• To request disability accommodations: Director of Student Access, Wenatchi Hall 2133, (509) 682-6854, TTY/TTD: dial 711, sas@wvc.edu.