February 25, 2022
Dear students, faculty, and staff,
Below, we report to you five things you need to know today.
Mask Requirements
This week, the Oregon Health Authority announced that Oregon's state indoor mask mandate will be lifted on March 19, 2022. This decision comes as cases, hospitalizations, and deaths related to COVID-19 have dropped dramatically in recent weeks. As we navigate the impact of this major policy change, Reed College will continue to maintain a face covering requirement for indoor campus spaces, at minimum through the end of the spring 2022 semester. CRAG will continue to discuss the details and duration of this Reed-specific policy, which will be shared before it goes into effect on March 19.
New Surveillance Testing Sites
To improve access to surveillance testing resources, two satellite testing sites will be established on campus starting next week, in the Student Union and on the first floor of the Biology building. Individuals may stop by these sites anytime the buildings are open to pick up a new test kit or drop off a completed saliva sample. Completed tests will be picked up and sent to the lab at 1PM each Tuesday and Thursday.
Please note: These test sites will not include detailed instructions or a device to use for activating test kits; individuals who would like these services should continue to attend testing in Greenwood during the regularly scheduled hours.
Student Testing Raffle
Beginning next week, all students who participate in surveillance testing on campus will be entered in a weekly raffle for prizes! To be entered to win, simply complete a COVID-19 surveillance test at one of the three locations around campus. The five weekly winners will be contacted via email the following week with instructions on how to claim their prize.
Surveillance Testing Next Week
Next week, COVID-19 surveillance testing will be available on Tuesday and Thursday, March 1 and 3, from 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM in Greenwood. All community members are highly encouraged to test each week. Those who are not fully vaccinated (including boosters, if eligible) are required to test on campus once weekly.
New COVID-19 Cases
Since our last report, we have been notified of five new COVID-19 cases in Reed community members who were on campus in the previous 14 days. 4 of these 5 cases were identified through on campus surveillance testing. The positive individuals were contacted promptly and given instructions and support to isolate. Any Reed community members identified as potentially exposed were notified and provided with guidance on testing and quarantine, as appropriate for their individual situations.
If you have questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to the COVID-19 Risk Assessment Group at coronavirusquestions@reed.edu.
In health,
Madison Riethman, MPH, CPH
COVID-19 Response Coordinator & Health Project Manager
Reporting on behalf of the COVID-19 Risk Assessment Group
Gary Granger, Director of Community Safety
Mandy Heaton, Executive Director of Communications & Public Affairs
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 & Health Project Manager
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.