April 28, 2022
Greetings students, staff, and faculty,
We write to share news that the spike in coronavirus cases that we have seen on campus is continuing. The cases we have seen so far have generally been mild or asymptomatic. This situation on campus likely mirrors the extent of viral spread off campus.
This phase of the virus asks more of us individually as public health regulations have receded. We are asking the community to respond to the virus in ways that support students' completion of their academic work, attempts to preserve celebrations where possible, and protects vulnerable community members.
CRAG will have a more comprehensive conversation tomorrow and provide additional updates at that time. For the moment, we will be making the following changes in campus operations:
1. Students who test positive
Students that have utilized surveillance testing, we ask that you monitor the ShareMy.Health app for your results. Additionally, the HCC will follow up with students who have tested positive. As is the case on other college campuses, isolation spaces are filled, so students will likely need to shelter in place, although each case will be evaluated individually.
For students isolating in Canyon, Farm or Garden House:
Place your order using the Reed College mobile dining application. In the special instructions box be sure to state “isolation meal” and indicate which dorm you are in (Farm/Canyon/Garden).
Please use the following ordering timeline:
- Breakfast (weekdays): place orders by 8:30am - delivery between 9am–10am
- Lunch (weekdays): place orders by 12 noon - delivery between 12:30–1:30pm
- Dinner (all days): place orders by 5:30pm - delivery between 6pm-7pm
- Brunch (weekends): place orders by 10:30am - delivery between 11am-12pm
For students not designated to isolation spaces, please follow these instructions:
In the special instructions box be sure to state “wellness meal”. Students using this method will need to pick up their meals at the designated staging area located on the lawn behind Kaul Auditorium, across from the main entrance of the sports center. Meals will be in warmers and categorized by last name.
Please use the following ordering timeline:
- Breakfast (weekdays): place orders by 8:30am - pick up at 9:30am
- Lunch (weekdays): place orders by 12 noon - pick up at 1pm
- Dinner (all days): place orders by 5:30pm - pick up at 6:30pm
- Brunch (weekends): place orders by 10:30am - pick up at 11:30am.
2. Academic Program
Dean of the Faculty Kathy Oleson will send a message today announcing adjustments to the academic program. We are not making fundamental changes in operations, although students should expect many thesis orals to occur online.
3. Events
We are in the process of removing food from indoor college sponsored events in most cases. Some events will be able to move outdoors, others can alter programming to avoid food, and some may not be able to occur at this time. Note this will impact some of the Renn Fayre events and those updates will be communicated by the Renn Fayre planners.
As prior messages have indicated, we can all play a role in reducing spread by following recommended individual health protocols even in a city where COVID is spreading rapidly after the lifting of public health restrictions.
We will send further updates tomorrow, April 29, around 2 p.m.
If you have questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to the COVID-19 Risk Assessment Group at coronavirusquestions@reed.edu.
COVID Risk Assessment Group
Gary Granger, Director of Community Safety
Karnell McConnell-Black, Vice President for Student Life
Kathy Oleson, Dean of the Faculty & Professor of Psychology
Tawana Parks, Dean of Students
Hugh Porter, Vice President for College Relations & Planning
Madison Riethman, COVID-19 Response Coordinator
Suzy Renn, Professor of Biology
Timmie Rochon, Medical Services Director
April Sams, Director of Risk Management & Environmental Health and Safety
Lynn Valenter, Vice President of Finance and Treasurer
PS: Our COVID-19 Dashboard includes current information on the total number of cases, vaccination rate, and other public health indicators. Additionally, all our COVID-19 communications are cataloged here.