March 5, 2021 – Threshold Action Level Update

Dear Whitman Community,

As I write this week’s update on our Threshold Action Level, we are coming to the end of a second consecutive week in which our pooled surveillance testing showed zero cases of COVID-19. Thank you for continuing to show up for testing, wear masks and follow all our activity guidelines. We know it requires all of us – individually and collectively – to take these proactive (though sometimes uncomfortable or inconvenient) steps to keep COVID out of our Whitman community.

However, we have seen a number of cases of a non-COVID virus with similar symptoms spreading on campus, highlighting that transmission of illnesses continues in our community. We must remain consistent in wearing our face masks and practicing social distancing in all indoor and outdoor public settings to prevent COVID and other viruses from infecting our campus.

After careful consideration, the cabinet, elected faculty leadership and our consulting epidemiologist determined that Whitman will remain in Threshold Action Level 2: Medium with the following activity changes going into effect tomorrow, Saturday, March 6:

The outdoor tennis courts will be open to Whitman staff and faculty for recreational use. The courts were opened to students last week.

All employees and students should follow these guidelines for recreational use of the outdoor tennis courts:

Priority is given to the Whitman Men’s and Women’s Tennis Teams for practice and competition and to SSRA classes. Note: There is a tennis tournament this weekend (March 6 and 7).
Recreational use is available on a first-come, first-serve basis if courts are open.
Masks must be worn at all times on the tennis courts.
Social distancing of 6 feet must be maintained at all times, even when playing doubles.
Please review the U.S. Tennis Association COVID-19 guidelines to follow when playing tennis, which are also posted at the outdoor courts for reference.

Additionally, we are assessing student usage of BFFC and the Climbing Wall as it relates to occupancy capacity, and are hopeful that we will be able to open these activities to employees in the not-too-distant future.

As a reminder, here’s a brief synopsis of what re-opened last week; please refer to the full update online for detailed guidelines on masking, social distancing and scheduling requirements for these activities:

Inter-campus visitors are allowed in residence halls following social distancing guidelines.
Students may gather outdoors on campus in groups of up to 15 people.
Student clubs and organizations may submit proposals to hold outdoor activities and gatherings of up to 15 people.
Off-campus residents may gather for indoor visits of up to a total of five people from two households and outdoor visits of up to 15 people from two households.
Socially-distanced in-person dining for students at Cleveland Commons and Jewett Cafe.
Cleveland Commons and Jewett Cafe to grab-and-go meals for employees.
BFFC, the Climbing Wall and the outdoor tennis courts for recreational student use.

In addition to our current count of zero COVID cases on campus, cases in Walla Walla County are the lowest they have been in many months. However, the history of this pandemic has taught us that we cannot take the currently improving situation for granted. We all must continue to do our part to keep COVID at bay by diligently and responsibly following our campus and state guidelines, especially wearing our face masks and maintaining appropriate physical distancing. Thank you to everyone in our community for working together to keep us healthy and safe.

Best,

Peter Harvey
Chair, Coronavirus Task Force