August 24, 2021

Media Contact:
Libby Siebens, community relations executive director, 509-682-6436 (Mon.-Thurs.)
Holly Thorpe, writer/editor, hthorpe@wvc.edu

Governor Jay Inslee announced on Aug. 18 that all higher education staff, faculty and contractors (such as coaches and volunteers) are required to be fully vaccinated by October 18. Vaccines are required even for those working remotely.

“There are limited exceptions under law which employees may apply for, including legitimate medical reasons and sincerely held religious beliefs,” the governor’s office wrote in an announcement Wednesday. “Individuals who refuse to get vaccinated will be subject to dismissal.”

You can view the governor’s full announcement on his Medium page.

WVC President Jim Richardson notified campus employees of the updated requirements in an email on Aug. 23. View his announcement at wvc.edu/News. WVC originally announced the decision to require vaccines for employees on Aug. 12. Employees are required to be fully vaccinated prior to the first day of class on Monday, Sept. 27 (Update 9/1/2021: employee deadline to be fully vaccinated is now October 18). They must document their vaccination status by that date by using a free online documentation tool, which is available now.

Exemptions are available for medical and religious reasons, but philosophical exemptions will no longer be available, in accordance with state law.

Both WVC campuses will be reopening fully this September before the start of fall quarter, with all on-campus services and programs resuming normal business hours. Online resources will be available at wvc.edu/Online. Masks are currently required for everyone on WVC campuses, in accordance with the statewide mask mandate announced Aug. 18.

Learn more about student and employee vaccine requirements, COVID-19 safety protocols and more at wvc.edu/PublicHealth.

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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 is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion for all students and employees and 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.