November 16, 2020
Dear Reed students, faculty, and staff,
Last week, as COVID-19 cases across the state continued to climb at an unprecedented pace, Governor Brown announced a statewide “freeze” on many activities that impact Reed operations and the Reed community. The freeze takes effect on Wednesday, November 18. In Multnomah County, the state’s most populous county and the county in which Reed resides, the new regulations are expected to be in place until at least December 16.
The state’s new order impacts campus operations as outlined below. These changes take effect on Wednesday, November 18, and will remain in place until the order ends.
ACADEMIC PROGRAM: The college has confirmed with the Oregon Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC) that activities directly related to academic instruction or research are not subject to the latest restrictions. Therefore, in-person classes will be permitted to continue as planned. Thesis work is also permitted to continue. Notwithstanding, faculty may make modifications to their programs and are encouraged to prepare and discuss adjustments for students who need to attend classes online. We encourage students to consult with their professors.
BON APPÉTIT: The governor’s order limits restaurants to delivery and take-out service only, with no in-person dining. Consequently, Bon Appétit will be open for take-out orders only. In-person facilities will not be open for dining, neither indoors nor outdoors. You can enter Commons to order and pick up food, or you can order via the Transact Mobile Ordering app.
SPORTS CENTER: Because the governor’s order closes gyms, the Reed Sports Center will be closed for workouts until the order ends. In-person PE classes will continue through November 20, with current COVID-19 precautions in place.
EVENTS, GATHERINGS, AND MEETINGS: The new order limits social gatherings—both indoors and outdoors—to no more than six people total from no more than two households. These restrictions apply to all campus common spaces. Additionally, all events, meetings, performances, and other gatherings not directly related to classroom instruction or research must be modified to a virtual format or canceled.
BOOKSTORE AND COMPUTER STORE: The new order requires retail stores to limit capacity 75 percent. The Reed bookstore and computer store will continue to limit capacity to numbers that are in accordance with the governor's order.
EMPLOYEE WORK: The new order requires closing offices to the public and working from home to the greatest extent possible. Reed is already closed to the public, and many employees are already working from home to allow for the de-densification of office spaces. Following Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) rules, managers are now working through a detailed process to determine which roles must be performed on campus so Reed can offer its educational and residential programs and staff them appropriately in accordance with the governor’s order. Each employee at Reed will hear from their manager about their work location. Each employee is encouraged to discuss their work with their supervisor, as well as any further modifications that are necessary to their work arrangements and spaces.
TRAVEL: As part of the new restrictions, Oregon, Washington, and California have issued travel advisories. All three states are asking people to stay local and avoid nonessential out-of-state travel. They are also urging people who visit another state or country to self-quarantine for 14 days after returning home. These travel advisories exclude travel for essential purposes, including work, study, and medical care.
Sincerely,
Audrey Bilger
President
Lorraine Arvin
Vice President and Treasurer
Karnell McConnell-Black
Vice President for Student Life
Mary James
Dean for Institutional Diversity and A.A. Knowlton Professor of Physics
Kathy Oleson
Dean of the Faculty and Professor of Psychology
Hugh Porter
Vice President for College Relations and Planning
Milyon Trulove
Vice President and Dean of Admission and Financial Aid