September 15, 2020
Dear students, faculty, and staff:
We write to you on this Tuesday evening of what has already been a memorable and challenging week. Together, we are living through an extraordinary chapter in Oregon’s history. At the time of this message, air quality in Portland hovers in the “very unhealthy” range, which is an improvement over the past few days.
Changes to campus operations from Wednesday, September 16 through Friday, September 18:
- All classes will be held online for the remainder of the week. An email will be sent to faculty by Dean of the Faculty Kathy Olsen.
- COVID-19 surveillance testing on campus will resume on Thursday and Friday in Gym 2. Please enter the Sports Center at the Botsford entrance, on the north side of the building near the weight room (not through the cage entrance as per usual), unless you need access to the elevator.
- To the extent possible, staff and faculty will work from home and not travel to campus. Should air quality improve significantly, some departments may resume important on-campus operations.
- To the extent possible, student work shifts will be canceled, postponed, or carried out remotely.
- Commons will remain fully open for food service.
- The library is closed, but the lobby is open for holdshelf pickups, and online services are available.
- The mailroom pick-up window will be open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Reed has many resources to help students cope:
- All students have access to the Health & Counseling Center services, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Students who have medical concerns after hours should call the FoneMed Nurse Advice Line at 800-214-4469.
- Students with mental health concerns after hours should call the Reed counseling hotline at 866-432-1224.
- The Student Hub is an excellent place to start when you’re looking for help and information. Students can also reach out to Reed’s Care Team for personal guidance and support connecting to resources. Anyone can refer a student to the Care Team, or students can reach out themselves.
When will you hear from us next?
Reed’s Emergency Response Team meets regularly. Until the college resumes full campus operations, we will continue to communicate with you each day by 6 p.m.
I’ve seen so many examples over the past few days of the Reed community taking care of each other during a stressful time. Thank you for looking out for each other.
All my best,
Gary Granger
Director of Community Safety
Emergency Response Team (ERT)
P. S. We are keeping track of all ERT communications to the community here. A link to this page is also posted on the Reed homepage.