August 11, 2020
Dear students, faculty, staff, and parents,
President Bilger established the Reed COVID-19 Risk Assessment Group to inform college decision-making related to Reed’s COVID-19 Prevention and Response Plan. Like governmental organizations and businesses around the country, Reed formed this group to define the criteria for changing the college’s mode of operation to respond to the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19. We undertake this work with our care for the safety and health of the Reed community firmly in mind. Today we write to share with you indicators the COVID-19 Risk Assessment Group reviews weekly to assess current health risks to the on-campus community.
Indicators for Assessment
- Public Health: This indicator is measured by the spread of the virus as reported by the Oregon Health Authority dashboard and any governmental orders on state and county operations resulting from this information. Recommendations will be influenced particularly by an upward trajectory of documented cases for a number of weeks, especially when this strains the capacity of regional hospitals to treat all patients without crisis care. In addition, we will look for a degradation of the capacity for testing in Multnomah County combined with struggles to complete the contact tracing of symptomatic individuals or those who test positive for COVID-19.
- Campus Health: This indicator is measured by self-reported symptoms on the Daily Health Check and the results of the ongoing, on- and off-campus COVID-19 testing of students, faculty, and staff studying or working on campus.
- Community Compliance with Preventative Practices: This indicator is measured by the ongoing review of community feedback via surveys related to student, faculty, and staff compliance with federal, state, and local Reed COVID-19 public health guidance, including (1) wearing face coverings, (2) social distancing, (3) isolating when sick with COVID-19, and (4) quarantining upon exposure to COVID-19.
- Campus Capacity: This indicator is measured by the ongoing assessment of a combination of resources, staff capacity, and inventory, including adequate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) supplies, Health & Counseling Center staff, quarantine and isolation space, and supplies for screening and testing.
The ongoing assessment of these indicators inform the COVID-19 Risk Assessment Working Group recommendations to the president related to potential changes in operations at Reed. It is difficult to set specific thresholds for actions because it is the interactions and combinations of the four groups of indicators that will determine steps taken. The COVID-19 Risk Assessment Group continues to work with other offices to develop detailed plans for possible actions. As this work becomes further defined, updates will be shared with the community at large.
The group appreciates and learns from communications from community members. Emails and letters offer important perspective on areas of concern and action. The group plans to launch a survey to give faculty, staff, and students opportunities to provide information about compliance with health and safety protocols and other issues. Once we have information on public health on campus, the group will also share regular updates with the on-campus community.
More information about the indicators for risk assessment and potential actions can be found on the COVID-19 Prevention & Response Plan website.
If you have any questions, please feel welcome to send an email to the working group.
All our best,
COVID-19 Risk Assessment Group
COVID-19 Risk Assessment Group
Co-Chairs
Kathy Oleson, Dean of the Faculty & Professor of Psychology
Hugh Porter, Vice President for College Relations & Planning
Members
Cindy Anderson, Interim Dean of Students
Lorraine Arvin, Vice President and Treasurer
Gary Granger, Director of Community Safety
Mandy Heaton, Executive Director of Communications & Public Affairs
Karnell McConnell-Black, Vice President for Student Life
Suzy Renn, Professor of Biology
Timmie Rochon, Medical Services Director
April Sams, Director of Risk Management & Environmental Health and Safety