Dear Campus Community,
Thank you all for your cooperation over the past two years in keeping students, employees, and visitors safe as we continue to deal with the effects of COVID-19. Transmission rates have greatly subsided over the last week and we have reviewed guidance from the Washington State Department of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and our local health officials.
Winter Quarter Mask Policy
Masks will be required across campus through the end of winter quarter. We will maintain this requirement for all indoor settings through March 22, 2022. However, in accordance with the state’s revised guidelines, PC will end the face-covering policy for outdoor settings, immediately. While face coverings are no longer required outdoors, those who wish to wear a mask may continue to do so. This will apply to our Forks and Port Townsend campuses as well.
Spring Quarter Mask Policy
Mask-wearing will be optional spring quarter, with masks strongly recommended. Daily health screenings will be required for anyone who visits our campuses – including faculty, staff, and visitors- for the foreseeable future.
Please note that all policies are subject to change depending on official guidance from the local public health department and the state. Any changes will continue to be discussed with our shared governance groups.
Vaccinations
Although the Governor is lifting the statewide mask mandate, the higher education proclamation remains in effect until the Governor rescinds or modifies it. That means campuses now requiring students to be vaccinated will need to keep requiring vaccinations. While the proclamation remains in effect, PC is a vaccinated campus, and vaccination is still a condition of employment at Peninsula College.
We continue to urge all students and employees who are able to get a vaccination booster in order to mitigate the effects of COVID-19. Please note that all policies are subject to change depending on official guidance from the local public health department and the state, and updates to the governor’s Higher Education Proclamation.
Because many people will be returning to campus from travel over spring break, we strongly recommend wearing masks indoors during the first two weeks of spring quarter. Please monitor yourself daily for symptoms and stay home if you are sick. It’s also strongly recommended to get tested after travel.
Thank you for doing your part to help keep transmission rates low on campus and in the community.
Sincerely,
Luke Robins
President