September 17, 2020
Dear students, staff, and faculty:
At the time of this message, Portland's air quality index has dropped from the "hazardous" range to the lower range of "very unhealthy." The National Weather Service is predicting rain for much of the state tonight and Friday. Air quality is predicted to improve significantly tonight and could be in the normal range as soon as tomorrow evening. This map shows the smoke and how it is expected to dissipate.
N-95 and KN-95 masks remain available in community safety at 28 West for those who need to be outside for extended periods or those who have medical conditions that make them more susceptible to the effects of wildfire smoke. Bear in mind that N-95 and KN-95 masks have an exhalation valve and therefore do not prevent the spread of COVID-19. You cannot substitute one of these masks for a face covering.
Curtailed campus operations through Friday, September 18:
- All classes will be held online tomorrow, Friday, September 18. Starting on Monday, September 21, classes may resume as they had been previously planned, including in-person courses.
- COVID-19 surveillance testing will take place 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 room 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.
- The cashier's window will be open from 10 a.m. to noon.
Reed has many resources to help students cope:
- All students have access to 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 (ERT) meets regularly. We will communicate with you again tomorrow by 6 p.m.
Should weather forecasts hold, we will return to normal campus operations this weekend. I look forward to writing to you with that message.
All our 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.