Coronavirus Update

Dear members of the Whitman Community,

I know a lot of spring break travel plans have changed given recent developments on campus, across the country, and internationally.  I wanted to clarify how things will work here on campus should you choose to travel.

Please do not travel to a location designated as  a warning level 3 travel advisory.  It’s worth noting that right now that includes all of Europe. If you do travel to one of these countries, you will be required to self-isolate in North Hall or off-campus upon your return for 14 days. In either case, the expectation is that you will not be spending time in any location on campus. For more information on exactly what it means to self-isolate please check these  CDC guidelines.

It’s also important to know that sustained community spread of coronavirus is now happening globally.  That means any place you travel in the U.S. or abroad is considered  alert level 2.  Again, we encourage you not to travel unless travel is absolutely necessary.

It’s also important to reiterate that there is a real possibility that if you travel somewhere you might not be able to come back to campus because of constantly changing travel restrictions.

Students

So that we can get an idea of what our campus community will look like after spring break we ask that you fill out this  Post-spring break planning form. It will only be used for planning purposes and will only be accessible to a small group of staff in the coronavirus task force.

Faculty and Staff

If your travel plans have changed, please respond again to the  travel alert planning form.

We are currently processing the announcement by Governor Jay Inslee that all Washington public schools will close for six weeks. We will have a response to that announcement in the coming hours.

The coronavirus situation continues to change sometimes hourly. Please check your email and our website  www.whitman.edu/coronavirus for the latest updates.

Thank you,

Kazi Joshua
Vice President for Student Affairs/
Dean of Students