Coronavirus Information
Latest COVID Updates
Faculty Guidelines Overview
A Faculty Guidelines Overview page has been added to the COVID site highlighting information provided to faculty.
Updated: 1/7/2021
Trustees Approve Reduction in Mandatory Student Fees for Winter Quarter
Western’s Board of Trustees on Monday, November 9th approved a 7.5 percent reduction of mandatory student fee rates for winter quarter 2021.
Updated: 1/6/2021
All Classes Remote to Start Winter Quarter; In-person Classes Delayed Until Jan. 19
Dear Campus Community,
WWU Incident Command continues to monitor the increasing numbers of COVID-19 cases locally, regionally and nationally. Our top priority is keeping students, staff and faculty at WWU safe in the face of the surge of COVID-19 activity.
The start of the winter quarter will require continued diligence, including the testing of any students who will have a regular on-campus presence. This includes students living in campus housing, participating in face-to-face classes or working on campus. Testing will be held at Fraser Hall.
With the likelihood of higher case rates than we observed fall quarter, and the need to ensure adequate testing capacity, the start of winter quarter in-person classes will be delayed at Western’s main campus in Bellingham. All classes will begin as scheduled for the first day of winter quarter on Jan. 5 but will be remote instruction. Classes with in-person meetings will start the quarter by remote delivery and will continue as such until Tuesday, Jan. 19, when in-person teaching will begin for the winter quarter. This will follow the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday on Monday, Jan. 18.
Western students in other locations including Everett, Bremerton and Poulsbo should follow local guidance.
Please stay safe, make healthy choices, and avoid the three Cs: crowded places, closed spaces and close contact.
Rich Van Den Hul
WWU Incident Manager and Vice President for Business & Financial Affairs
General Information
Western Washington University is closely monitoring the outbreak of respiratory illness caused by COVID-19 in coordination with state and local health departments. The number of individuals in Washington state diagnosed with COVID-19 remains high. There is currently risk to all community members of being exposed to COVID-19, and the risk is increased in a public setting or gathering.
Western remains open following Gov. Inslee's "Stay Home, Stay Healthy" order. Those employees critical to the ongoing operations of the university should continue to report to work. All other employees should be working from home, to the extent possible,
Important:
This is an evolving situation, and updates are available from the Washington State Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), including updated Travel Notices for countries with community transmission.
On-Campus Student COVID Testing
Cancellations and Closures
Most public buildings on campus are closed to the public, including:
- Carver Academic Facility, including the gyms and fitness center
- Lakewood Watersports Facility
- Viking Union, including the AS Bookstore and the Outdoor Center
- Wade King Student Recreation Center
- Western Libraries (Remote learning and teaching resources)
- The Performing Arts Center
- The Western Gallery
Whatcom County is in Phase 2 of Washington's phased reopening plan. As a result, there may be no public gatherings or events of any size on Western's campus. As the community progresses further in reopening, small essential gatherings may be allowed.
All on-campus visit programs, tours and information sessions are suspended.
Keep track of the latest developments
Western is sending out regular updates through its Western Alert system. Families may opt in to Western Alerts.
Regular updates are also posted here and on Western Today's news page.
If you aren't already signed up for Family Connection, click here to sign up for the monthly e-newsletter for WWU families.
Campus Tours and In-Person Admissions Visits Suspended
While the Undergraduate Office of Admissions is currently closed to visitors, Admissions staff is available via phone, email, and video appointments, and you are encouraged to explore campus virtually. For visitors with extenuating circumstances (e.g. non-refundable airline tickets), please reach out.
Admitted students: Please review COVID-19 Admissions FAQs for important updates.
If You Feel Sick
The Student Health Center is still here for you — but we have adapted our services for everyone’s safety. Most services are now offered virtually.
All in-person medical and mental health walk-in services are no longer available. Most services are now offered virtually (through phone or Zoom).
Please do not visit in-person. Call the Student Health Center at 360-650-3400 to make a virtual appointment, or to speak to a nurse for urgent medical needs.
For employees with specific health concerns, please contact your primary care provider. Additional information is also available on the Whatcom County Health Department website.
It is vital that we support each other and act as a community, avoiding acts of discrimination and bias, and showing compassion for those affected by this disease.
Sabah RandhawaPresident
Campus Communications
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Resources
Teaching and Learning
Information Lines
WWU Coronavirus Information Line
8:00 am - 5:00 pm Monday through Friday
In the Media
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National Resources
This page is intended to provide information about COVID-19, precautions that are being taken and prevention measures you can take, as well as being one source for information on the effects of measures various governments are taking to stem the outbreak, and to answer the most common questions about how coronavirus might impact campus operations.
This page is not intended to be all-encompassing and should not be considered to be providing medical or legal advice. In all instances, you should consult with a relevant expert for guidance specific to your circumstances.