March 26, 2021
This needs to stop. Now.
Student gatherings and parties, which ignored basic safety and health protocols, have
directly resulted in an increase of COVID‑19 cases.
What you do this weekend, and for the next two weeks, will determine what
happens from here.
No group gatherings. Wear masks. Stay home and call for medical care if ANY symptoms
are present. Washington State health guidelines are still in effect, regardless of
what is occurring in other states.
We will continue to respond to incidents where health guidelines are not being
followed. Students who violate COVID‑19 restrictions will be subject to action under
our student code of conduct.
In addition, our fraternity and sorority leaders are initiating a freeze on
social gatherings and heightening their efforts in self-monitoring and reporting.
Opportunities and services will close again.
Poor decisions, including those made by students, may cause Whitman County
(and its 50,000 residents) to go back to Phase 2, or even Phase 1.
Opportunities and access to our facilities, including UREC and the CUB, as well
as local restaurants and bars in our community may be taken away because of these
actions.
This is real. This is serious.
Our numbers are alarmingly high. This is unacceptable. We are potentially
putting our community and vulnerable populations at an increased risk.
As Cougs, we need to do better.
Kirk Schulz
President
Elizabeth Chilton
Provost and Executive Vice President
Mary Jo Gonzales
Vice President of Student Affairs
