Reed College
Reed College

Community Safety

Division of Student Life

September 18, 2020

Dear students, staff, and faculty: 

The Emergency Response Team (ERT) writes to you today with good news. Starting last night, rain began to fall across the state, including here in Portland and over many of the wildfire-affected areas. As predicted, Portland’s air quality index has improved significantly and is now below the levels that are considered unhealthy.

Because wildfires continue, we will monitor the situation through the weekend and campus operations will remain limited, but we expect to return to normal campus operations as of 6 p.m. on Sunday. Should local air quality remain constant or improve, in-person classes may resume indoors and outdoors starting on Monday morning.

Curtailed campus operations through 6 p.m. on Sunday, September 20:

No COVID-19 surveillance testing will take place this weekend. Surveillance testing will resume on Monday, September 21, from 8 a.m. to noon, in Gym 2 of the sports center. Enter at Botsford Drive, near the weight room, rather than the cage entrance. Should you need the elevator, enter the front door that faces Kaul auditorium.
  • The library will open for limited hours on Saturday, from noon to 6 p.m. The library will open for regular hours starting on Sunday at 10 a.m.
  • Commons will remain fully open for food service.
  • Throughout the weekend, facilities will be airing out buildings to ensure that smoke is removed and air quality inside is improved. Residence halls will be attended to first.
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 no later than 6 p.m. on Sunday, September 20, to confirm that the college will resume operations or to announce alternate plans.

Please enjoy the return of Oregon rain.

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.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.