Messages from the President: COVID-19

Good morning -

Like all of you, I have been following news of the COVID-19 pandemic. On Tuesday, we announced the closure of campus after the Chelan-Doulgas Health District (CDHD) announced our service districts first positive cases.

Yesterday, following further advice from the CDHD to increase social isolation, we are extending that closure through March 29. A campus closure means that students and the public are not allowed on campus. WVC plans to reopen March 30.

We don’t make this decision lightly, but we do it out of a shared responsibility for the health of our community at large.

I’ve included some important information about the closure and spring quarter (beginning April 13).

Support for students during closure

WVC is making efforts to ensure there are minimal disruptions to services for students at this time. Services that will be continued remotely include:

• Tuition and registration. The tuition and registration deadlines for spring quarter have been moved from Monday, March 23 to Thursday, April 2. Students can still register for classes and pay tuition online during the closure and throughout spring break. They are also able to contact WVC employees via phone or email.
• Financial aid. Financial aid distribution for spring quarter is not expected to be affected. Students with questions about receiving financial aid should call 509-682-6810 or financialaid@wvc.edu.
• Books. Students can return and order textbooks remotely by visiting the bookstore website, wvc.bncollege.com. They may call the WVC bookstore manager with questions at 509-682-6535 or mwilliamson@wvc.edu.

• Library holds. Winter quarter library holds for outstanding materials checked out from WVC libraries are being removed at this time to ensure students can register for classes and receive transcripts.
• Educational and career planning. Educational planners and Career Center staff are available for remote appointments with students. Students can call the Educational Planning and Testing Center at 509-682-6830 to schedule a phone or Zoom videoconference appointment.
• Counseling. 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 can email counselors bsanchez@wvc.edu or rpoortinga@wvc.edu to see what assistance may be available.

 

Support for employees

We are strongly encouraging employees to work with their supervisors to determine what remote working options are available to them. We are working to ensure we have the technology and resources to support remote workers.  Employees are also asked to stay home if they feel sick.

We also recognize that our employees mental health is as important as their physical health. We encourage anyone seeking support to contact the counseling department (wvc.edu/Counseling) to schedule a remote appointment.

Spring quarter 2020

• April 6-10: Preparation week for students and instructors. Instructors will spend the week of April 6 preparing for instruction to be done remotely. Resources will also be made available in that week to students who would like training on using technology and online learning tools. Allied health students should look for communications from their programs as some clinical rotations will begin April 6.
• April 13: Spring quarter starts. Instruction for all other programs in spring quarter will not begin until April 13 – a week later than the original end of spring break on April 6.
• Moved online. Nearly all classes will be moved entirely online for spring quarter, with the exception of allied health, professional technical programs, or other programs with specialized needs. Social distancing in groups of 10 or less will be implemented, by CDC recommendations.

This is an uncertain and difficult time for people everywhere. Right now, we consider it our mission to protect the health and wellbeing of our community.

We have been working daily to determine the best ways to ensure our students and employees’ needs are met during this closure and beyond. We welcome your questions and concerns to help shape these conversations. Please message us at PublicHealth@wvc.edu. We will continue posting more information as it becomes available at wvc.edu/PublicHealth.

Stay well,

Jim

Everyone - 

We appreciate the governor’s desire to protect the health and safety of people here in Washington, and we share that goal. The recent information from state and local departments of health has led us to some difficult decisions concerning Wenatchee Valley College and the COVID-19 virus. Currently there have been no confirmed cases of COVID-19 from our three-county district, although there have been in Grant County. 

While WVC will not be closing at this time, we are suspending or canceling for the foreseeable all events involving more than 20 people, including all athletic events, community facility use, and other large group gatherings.

 We have made the decision to go online this week to create more social distancing and – at the same time – maintain instruction and service to help our students graduate on time.

To limit exposure and maximize social distancing, WVC instruction will be moved online through the remainder of the current academic year wherever possible including classes, advising, and student support to maintain instruction and service to help our students graduate on time. Computer labs, the library, labs, and other services will configure to maximize social distancing and gather fewer than 20 people at a time, based upon guidance of state and local departments of health. 

In our professional technical programs – like auto mechanics and welding – students will still be allowed to come to campus to access labs and equipment needed for their studies. We will take every precaution to limit how many students are in the room at a time, and use social distancing. We will also make hand sanitizer and cleaning supplies available for their personal use.

For spring quarter, faculty will spend the first week in professional development to migrate instruction online and alternate formats. Instruction will commence in week two (April 13). Clinicals will continue on a regular schedule in consultation with clinical providers. 

WVC will also work with employees and supervisors to allow for telecommuting when possible, while understanding that we need to continue operations. As per telecommuting procedures, exempt, part-time hourly, and classified employees are required to complete an agreement. Supervisors and their teams should discuss how best to provide operational coverage while allowing employees to telecommute during this time. Please work closely with human resources on telecommuting options.

Custodial crews have been doing exceptional work cleaning and disinfecting the campuses, but because of their attention to healthy spaces, there might be a slight drop in service seen across campuses when looking at things like flooring. I would like to ask that our collective campus continue to help where possible.

We will continue to work closely with health experts, government and educational partners to ensure that we are as prepared as possible for the impacts and implications that COVID-19 may have Wenatchee Valley College. The health and safety of our students, staff and community continues to be our top priority.

Currently, we have no known cases of COVID-19 among students or staff at WVC. We continue to monitor this rapidly evolving situation and are committed to keeping you updated on our response to this public health crisis.

These are challenging times.  I want to thank you all of you for your cooperation in working to mitigate the risks involved in COVID-19.  It is important that we remain vigilant and proactive as we navigate this public health situation.  In times like this, we need to be united, strong, and empathetic and we also need to remain optimistic.

Jim Richardson, PhD.
President
Wenatchee Valley College
1300 Fifth Street
Wenatchee, WA 98801

Campus Community,

On March 2, 2020, Chelan-Douglas Health District (CDHD) was notified that a patient at Cascade Medical Center in Leavenworth met criteria for COVID-19 testing. The patient has attended some classes recently at Wenatchee Valley College’s Wenatchee campus. CDHD and Cascade Medical Center worked together to submit the test to the State Public Health Laboratory. Test results will be available in a few days.

View the CDHD Joint news release

At present, no closures are planned. WVC students and employees can attend classes and work normally. The closure of the campus or of specific facilities is not recommended at this time, according to the Chelan-Douglas Health District, the Washington State Department of Health or the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The college will consult with these agencies when making decisions about college operations.

You are encouraged to sign up for emergency text alerts to be notified of any WVC delays or closures by texting "CAMPUSALERTS" to 67283.

Facilities and campus sanitization 

Our facilities department is responding proactively. They cleaned the Wenatchee campus overnight, following best practices for sanitization to prevent the spread of illness. Custodians focused their efforts on sanitizing areas with large numbers of students, including classrooms, computer equipment, labs and common areas. Campus was cleaned using anti-viral cleaners. They will continue to follow these practices to prevent the spread of illness, as recommended by the Washington State Department of Health.

Staying healthy

To ensure the health of everyone on our campuses, employees and students are advised to practice good hygiene, wash their hands thoroughly and frequently and stay at home if they’re feeling sick. 

Students should contact their instructors for information about class schedules, cancellations and options to complete coursework from home if they become ill. Employees should speak with their supervisors and WVC Human Resources about using leave. 

IT and remote technology 

If students or staff need to stay home due to illness, many options are available for them. 

The IT department is prepared to help faculty move class materials online using Canvas, Zoom, student email and other available technology. Individual classroom needs (access to a whiteboard, access to a webcam and microphone, etc.) can be arranged. 

Employees can access their phones and desktops from home using ShoreTel phone forwarding and Virtual Desktop if necessary.

Stay informed

WVC will provide more information as it becomes available and answer common questions at wvc.edu/PublicHealth. You can also visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Washington State Department of Health, Chelan-Douglas County Health District and Okanogan County Health District websites for more information.

As always, the health and safety of our college community are our foremost concern. Please take care of yourselves and be kind to those who may have family or friends affected by the spread of COVID-19.

Sincerely,

Jim Richardson, PhD.
President
Wenatchee Valley College
1300 Fifth Street
Wenatchee, WA 98801

Campus Community,

Over the weekend, there were multiple news stories about COVID-19 (novel coronavirus 2019) in Washington State. The first confirmed death from COVID-19 was reported in Snohomish County. In addition, Lake Washington Institute of Technology in Kirkland is closed today and tomorrow to disinfect the college after some of their nursing students visited a medical center with known cases of the virus.

To date, there are no reported cases of the virus at Wenatchee Valley College or in our service district.

While the United States is still not experiencing large numbers of people with the novel coronavirus at this time, WVC is working to provide information to our college community about the virus and to keep our students and employees abreast of any new information about if and how the virus will affect normal college operations.

Visit our webpage and attend the tabletop exercise

Webpage

We have created a WVC webpage to post information and updates concerning COVID-19. Visit wvc.edu/PublicHealth to learn about the transmission and prevention of the virus, as well as what WVC is doing to prepare for possible disruptions due to the virus.

Tabletop Exercise (March 4)

On March 4, from 2-3:30 p.m. in the Wells Theater, there will be a tabletop exercise to discuss WVC’s plan and prepare and take proactive steps to help our campus should our community be impacted by the Corona Virus. This meeting is open to all college employees. Please come and help us determine our next steps.

Does WVC have a campus closure plan?

Yes. Right now, WVC campuses are operating normally.

Will WVC close?

As of right now, we don’t expect closures. Should that change, we are making preparations to ensure we can continue to offer essential services. WVC IT is exploring options for communication and technical support in the event of a campus closure.

Will classes be affected?

WVC is encouraging instructors to prepare alternate instruction methods. In the event of a closure, classes will operate as they would during inclement weather. A majority of our classes use Canvas, an online learning management program, for online learning, resources and documents. There are also other options available for instructors and students to compete coursework remotely. Instructors can use available communication tools, including student email, to prepare assignments for their students. Faculty will be asked to prepare students for the possibility of closures.

How will a decision be made?

WVC will follow advice and direction from local health districts, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Washington State Department of Health and other state officials.

What should I do now?

At this time, students and employees should:

• Practice good hygiene to prevent the spread of illness. Wash your hands frequently. Learn more at wvc.edu/PublicHealth.
• Stay informed and up-to-date by monitoring the CDC website.
• Get vaccinated for influenza (the flu) and other respiratory diseases. Flu shots are still available at the Wenatchee on-campus health clinic. Schedule an appointment by calling 509-662-6000.
• Report incidents of bias or discrimination. In some areas, the fear of the spread of COVID-19 has resulted in incidents of bias and harassment against Chinese nationals, Chinese Americans, and people of Asian heritage. This is a good time to emphasize Wenatchee Valley College’s commitment to equity and inclusion. Name-calling, racist comments, or any type of harassment against individuals or groups is never welcome on our campus. If you experience or witness any bias or harassment please report it by visiting wvc.edu/Bias or emailing bias@wvc.edu.
• Sign up for RAVE emergency text alerts by texting "CAMPUSALERTS" to 67283. If we have closures, suspended operations or any other changes to normal operations, you will be notified through our emergency RAVE Alert system that sends out calls, emails and text messages. The text alert system is open to all students, employees AND members of the public. If you choose to sign up for text alerts, you may incur expenses through your carrier when alerts are issued. If you’ve already sign up, check your notification settings through your RAVE account. Learn how on our RAVE webpage.

Campus and community resources

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is the best source of information about how the virus spreads and how to protect yourself, in addition to the most current national and global assessments. Also check with local agencies for up-to-date information in your area.

On-campus health clinic
If you are feeling unwell, you can  visit the on-campus health clinic on the Wenatchee campus. The clinic is staffed by certified personnel of Columbia Valley Community Health and is open to all WVC students and employees. It is located in Van Tassell Center and is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Wednesday. Appointments or walk-ins are welcome and most insurances are accepted. Schedule an appointment by calling 509-662-6000.

Counseling services
Your mental and emotional health is also important. Students and employees may  use our on-campus counseling services. Learn more at wvc.edu/Counseling or contact a counselor directly at 509-682-6850. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, contact the local Wenatchee hotline at 509-662-7105 or 1-800-852-2923, or the Omak hotline at 509-826-6191 or 1-866-826-6191.

Chelan-Douglas Health District and Okanogan County Public Health
CDHD and OCPH offer resources and tips for staying healthy and preventing the spread of illness. You can learn more at cdhd.wa.gov and okanogancounty.org/ocph.

Okanogan Behavioral Healthcare
OBHC provides holistic behavioral health services that promote wellness and recovery in Okanogan County. Learn more at kbhc.org.

Washington State Department of Health
The Washington State Department of Health has information in 11 languages. Visit their site for more information in those languages.

As always, WVC’s top priority is the safety and wellbeing of its students and employees.

Sincerely,

Jim Richardson, PhD.
President
Wenatchee Valley College
1300 Fifth Street
Wenatchee, WA 98801

Campus Community - 

While there is no known risk of coronavirus at either of the WVC campuses, the college is sharing this information to keep our campus community healthy and informed. 

About the 2019 novel coronavirus

The 2019 novel coronavirus, or 2019-nCoV, is a new respiratory virus first identified in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, that is known to cause mild to severe respiratory illness with fever, cough and difficulty breathing.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there is much still to learn about the virus. They state that the immediate threat to the general American public is considered low. The CDC is closely monitoring the outbreak caused by the novel coronavirus. Multiple cases have been confirmed in the U.S., as well as in other countries.

According to the Snohomish Health District, a confirmed case of novel coronavirus in Snohomish County, Washington, was announced on Jan. 21. The Snohomish County man with the virus had recently traveled to Wuhan, China.

The Washington State Department of Health has established a call center to address questions from the public. If you have questions about what is happening in Washington state, how the virus is spread, and what to do if you have symptoms, please call 1-800-525-0127 and press #. 

Coronavirus symptoms may include: 

• Fever 
• Difficulty breathing 
• Cough 
• Sore throat 
• Runny nose 
• Headache 
• A general feeling of being unwell 

If you believe you have the 2019 novel coronavirus

If you have recently traveled to Wuhan, China or mainland China and have developed fever with cough or shortness of breath within 14 days of your travel, or have had contact with someone who is suspected to have 2019 novel coronavirus, stay home and contact your health care provider. If you think you have the 2019 novel coronavirus, it is important that before seeing your health care provider you tell them about your symptoms and/or close contact with someone who is confirmed to have, or being evaluated for, 2019-nCoV infection. This will help the health care provider’s office take steps to keep other people from getting infected. Ask your health care provider to call the local or state health department.

Preventive measures

The CDC always recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, including:

• Stay home when you are sick. 
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. 
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands. 
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick. 
• Cover your mouth and nose with your elbow or a tissue when you cough or sneeze; and immediately throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces. 

Campus and community resources

On-campus health clinic

If you are feeling unwell, you can always visit the on-campus health clinic on the Wenatchee campus. The clinic is staffed by certified personnel of Columbia Valley Community Health and is open to all WVC students and employees. It is located in Van Tassell Center and is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Wednesday. Appointments or walk-ins are welcome and most insurances are accepted. Schedule an appointment by calling 509-662-6000.

Counseling services

Your mental and emotional health is also important. Students and employees may also use our on-campus counseling services. Learn more at wvc.edu/Counseling or contact a counselor directly at 509) 682-6850. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, contact the local Wenatchee hotline at 509-662-7105 or 1-800-852-2923 or the Omak hotline at 509-826-6191 or 1-866-826-6191.

Chelan-Douglas Health District and Okanogan County Public Health

CDHD and OCPH offer resources and tips for staying healthy and preventing the spread of illness. You can learn more at cdhd.wa.gov and okanogancounty.org/ocph.

Okanogan Behavioral Healthcare

OBHC provides holistic behavioral health services that promote wellness and recovery in Okanogan County. Learn more at kbhc.org.