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Dear Wolves,
Throughout our communications about what WOU will look like this fall, we’ve promised to update you with changes. After holding out hope that the status around COVID-19 would improve to a level that would allow us to safely hold many in-person courses, we’ve decided to “embrace the now,” and move forward according to our current reality in order to reduce uncertainty.
This fall, courses will be mostly online -- about 95% -- with a few exceptions for lab sections of some science courses and some creative arts classes. The class schedule will be updated by Sept. 1 to reflect changes.
We know it is frustrating that we continue to be in this situation and continue to experience such a radical disruption to class delivery and campus life. However, we’ve seen in the news that universities that have opened with in-person classes have been forced to reverse course as a result of COVID-19 outbreaks. The safety of our students, employees and community is our priority. We’ve done a great deal of work and preparation since spring term, and we are eager to provide you with personalized support while helping you reach your educational goals in our environment as it stands.
We are certain you will have many questions about various aspects of student life. There will be an online information session at 2 p.m. Sept. 1, which will be livestreamed. For now, please read below for updates and links about online classes, tuition and fees, Housing and Dining, Student Engagement, Athletics, Hamersly Library, safety protocols, WOU:Salem and many other topics. We’ll continue sharing information about other services as they are finalized.
In the meantime, we can all play a role by doing our part to limit the spread by observing physical distancing, wearing face coverings, washing our hands for 20 seconds, avoiding crowds and staying home when ill.
Let’s Embrace the Now and meet the future together because Together We Succeed.
Sincerely,
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Online classes and academic excellence
 Although we will be delivering most of our courses online this fall, online learning will look different and improved from spring term:
- Many of our courses will be online synchronous, with scheduled meeting times, so students and professors can interact in real time.
- Faculty members have access to Zoom, including numerous tools that enhance the learning environment, such as breakout rooms, virtual whiteboards and more.
- Unlike the spring emergency situation, many WOU faculty have spent the summer participating in workshops and training in order to create high-quality online courses and educational activities.
The Keep-Learning website includes resources to help you maximize your own online learning skills.
Contact: Chelle Batchelor, batchelorc@wou.edu, 503-838-8886
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Tuition and Fees
 Tuition and fees are expected to be billed no later than Sept. 4. Online and in-person tuition will be filled at the same per-credit rate. As you may know, different fees are associated with each type of course.
- Course fees (e.g., fees for labs or art courses) may change for classes originally planned to be in person or hybrid, but we will only reduce those fees, not increase them.
- Mandatory fees (e.g., building fees, IFC, etc.) will be charged based on the actual course delivery modality of the class.
- Incidental fees and the health service fee will only be charged only to students taking in-person or hybrid courses.
- The fee for the Student Health and Counseling Center, which is offering online services, may be available on an opt-in basis for students taking online courses.
Contact: Gabe Dougherty, doughertyg@wou.edu, 503-838-9396
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Housing and Dining
 Our approach to housing has not changed. Students are invited to live on campus during fall term, particularly those who want a focused learning space and ready access to technology. Hundreds of students have already selected their residence hall rooms, and that process remains ongoing. Safety protocols, such as single-occupancy rooms, will be in place in all residence halls, and move-in will still happen on an appointment-based schedule starting Sept. 23. Valsetz Dining Hall will be open to serve students who are living on campus; the dining hall has been reconfigured to maximize safety for both students and employees. Students can also use online ordering for breakfast, lunch and dinner and pick up their food at Valsetz.
Contact: Jodi Reimer, housing@wou.edu, 503-838-8311
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Campus COVID-19 safety protocols
 We welcome students to campus in limited ways and settings with safety protocols in place. Masks are required, additional cleaning procedures are in place, physical distancing must be maintained, a daily health self-check must be completed before coming to campus (or moving around campus for residence hall students), directional flow signs will be observed and personal hygiene practices must be strenuous. Residence hall students and students with in-person classes will be provided a Welcome Kit with face coverings, hand sanitizer and other items. By working together for the good of the campus community, we can help reduce the risk of COVID transmission.
Contact: Allen Risen, risena@wou.edu, 503-838-8156
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Student Affairs and Student Engagement
 Student Engagement is planning a mix of in-person and online events. Fall Orientation is being delivered remotely, including more than a month of programming, which started Aug. 24. Based on the current number of students expected to be living on and around campus and depending on incidental fees, the Peter Courtney Health and Wellness Center is planning to be open limited hours. Student Affairs offices, including the Veterans Resource Center and Abby's House, will be open 9 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursdays for drop-in support, though most appointments will remain virtual.
Contact: Patrick Moser, moserp@wou.edu, 503-838-8063
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Student Health and Counseling Center (SHCC)
 The SHCC will remain open to students for COVID-19 testing and will offer in-person and telemedicine medical appointments. All in-person appointments will require a health screening before scheduling. Counseling sessions will continue to be offered remotely.
Contact: Beth Scroggins, scrogginsb@wou.edu, 503-838-8313
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Athletics
 Athletic competition within the NCAA DII Great Northwest Athletic Conference has been suspended until at least Nov. 30. The GNAC is currently exploring the possibility of shifting fall sports to the winter and spring (in addition to regular winter and spring sports), but that decision is still pending. The WOU Athletic COVID participation policy manual will be shared directly with student-athletes and available on the WOU Wolves athletic website in early September. 
Contact: Randi Lydum, lydumr@wou.edu, 503-838-8121
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Academic Innovation
 This year, WOU has two platforms for online courses: Moodle and Canvas. Over the year, WOU will gradually move more courses to Canvas each term until we are no longer using Moodle. However, this fall, your courses may be taught on either platform. More information on how to access your courses will be sent shortly before the first day of classes.
WOU is making every effort to ensure you can easily find and access your course materials and receive support as you use these systems. Students will have access to 24/7 user support for Canvas, and the Academic Innovation team continues to be available to help students with Moodle, Canvas and many other digital media and learning tools.
Contact: Seyed Shahrokni, innovation@wou.edu, 503-838-8483
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Student Success and Advising
 SSA has created a number of tools to help students be successful in an online learning environment. Services provided by SSA have also shifted to meet students wherever they are, including remote appointments with Academic Success Advisors via Zoom or phone and tutoring sessions via Zoom/WebEx. Remote appointments can be scheduled online via Wolf Connection System in the WOU Portal.
Contact: Niki Weight, weightn@wou.edu, 503-838-8428
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Hamersly Library and Computing Spaces
 The Hamersly Library will open to students in mid-September, and users should bring their WOU ID so staff can monitor library occupancy in real time. Print books, DVDs and other physical items from the local collection and from Summit libraries are already available through curbside pickup or mail delivery. Computers and printers will be available in the library, the WUC, the Valsetz Residential Lab and possibly others. The Audio and Video Production studios will be available. The 24-hour computer lab will be open with a limited number of physically distanced computers.
The library will continue to lend a range of computing technology to facilitate online learning, including loaner Wi-fi hotspots for students with financial need.
Contact: Chelle Batchelor, batchelorc@wou.edu, 503-838-8886
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Disability Services
Students interested in pursuing disability-related accommodations, which may be more substantial in the online learning format, should contact Disability Services. The office will be open for drop-in support 9 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and for remote appointments throughout the week.
Contact: Alexis Larson, ods@wou.edu, 503-838-8250 (voice) or 503-512-5258 (videophone)
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WOU:Salem
 Like most of our courses on our main campus in Monmouth, WOU:Salem classes will be primarily conducted online.
Contact: Hilary Holman-Kidd, holmankh@wou.edu, 503-838-8271
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Support for parents
 The Child Development Center’s preschool program will be available. A comprehensive safety plan has been developed to meet all OHA and CDC guidelines. The center is open to WOU students and employees first, then community members.
Contact: Tammy Gardner, gardnert@wou.edu, 503-838-8238
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General information and updates
Departments across campus are hard at work to create an academic and student environment that allows you to meet your educational goals. Whether you are just starting your journey with us or nearing the end, we know this term and this year can catapult you toward your future. We encourage you to keep working for your goals. As each department finalizes their plans, websites will be updated. The main central sources of information will be wou.edu/Fall-2020, wou.edu/coronavirus, Today.WOU.edu and, of course, social media.
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