March 31, 2020

Dear Alumni,

I write with the sad news that Reed has decided to cancel this summer’s Reunions celebration, including Alumni College, to promote social distancing during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. This decision comes at a time of increased restrictions on gatherings of any kind within the state of Oregon, actions designed to limit the spread of the virus, which many of you are experiencing in your own home states. While we can hope that these restrictions will be lifted by June, we have no information on when this might happen, making planning for this joyous but complex event impossible. We know you and many of your friends will be disappointed.

Refunds

All Reunions and Alumni College registrations will be refunded in the next 30 days. If you wish to donate your refund to the Student Emergency Fund, please let us know at alumni@reed.edu. The Student Emergency Fund supports students experiencing a wide range of unanticipated needs, including medical expenses, food and supplies, emergency travel costs, and housing insecurity.

FAQ

We have put together an FAQ, which should answer most of your questions about Reunions and Alumni College. If there is something we haven’t addressed, please reach out to us at alumni@reed.edu.

Staying Connected

While not nearly the same as our in-person summer gathering, virtual events are being considered for Reunions weekend (June 12–13, 2020). As well, this year's class celebrations may be rescheduled for Reunions 2021. We would love to hear your ideas and learn what type of events you might be interested in attending.

There are two ways to submit ideas for Reunions.

• Fill out our survey.
• RSVP for an alumni video chat (via Zoom) to share and build on each others’ ideas:
  • Thursday, April 16: 5 p.m. PDT
  • Saturday, April 18: 10 a.m. PDT

Our deepest thanks go out to our myriad alumni Reunions volunteers who have brainstormed, planned, and reached out to classmates. This would have been a fantastic Reunions weekend, and we are immensely grateful for your commitment to Reed, to each other, and to a fabulous party.

Please stay safe and healthy!

Mary Askelson and the Alumni Programs team