Washington Outlines How Colleges, Universities Can Return In Fall

SEATTLE, WA — Gov. Inslee has issued a proclamation giving guidance to colleges and universities that want to return to class for the fall semester.

"Depending on the spread of the virus in the next few months, I believe today's proclamation is going to allow our institutions to put in place the protocols and tools that are necessary to allow for safe in-person instruction, we're very happy about that," said Inslee.

Under Inslee's proclamation, there are a number of safety measures schools will need to consider when reopening, including:

• Requiring students and staff to wear facial coverings or masks.
• Limits on class sizes and large gatherings.
• Limiting the number of visitors on campus.
• Physical distancing in classrooms and on campus.
• Contact tracing to isolate and quarantine patients and students who may have been exposed to the virus.

Schools will be required to meet all previous state and local health regulations, including labor and industry standards to adequately protect staff from the virus. Students and staff will also be told to stay home if they feel sick, and will need to certify that they do not have COVID-19 symptoms before they can return to class.

But beyond these broader guidelines, how each university or college needs to adapt will largely be decided on a school-by-school basis. At the University of Washington, that may mean limiting capacity at restaurants and cafeterias on campus. Other schools may cut down on time spent in the classroom with exceptions for classes that must be done in person, like science labs.

"Every one of our institutions is unique and each of our plans for returning to campus are going to vary based on the need of our own institution, but we'll all be basing our decisions on the same principles," said UW President Ana Mari Cauce.

That said, university leaders say they will work to expand in-classroom learning as much as is safely possible.

"We recognize that in-person learning matters a lot to students who choose our colleges to pursue their education," said Cauce.

Not only do students strongly prefer in-person education, but school leaders say that it is likely the most equitable way for students to learn because it can include all students, including those who may not have the means to telecommute to their classes.

"Now, perhaps, more than ever, it is critical that institutions ensure equitable access and outcomes and that we do everything that we can to mitigate any disproportionate impacts that this pandemic may have on student populations," said Allan Belton, President of Pacific Lutheran University.

Though many colleges will be able to reopen their campuses this fall under the new guidelines, the governor and school presidents speaking Wednesday stressed that safety comes first, and that schools that cannot safely open will not.

"While we're all eager to return to our campuses and classrooms, I'm sure I can speak for my fellow college presidents across the state, when I assure you that the well-being and safety of our students, faculty and staff, will absolutely not be compromised," said Belton.