Category: Announcements

Campus Coronavirus Update as of March 9, 2020

Message from the President 

Current Status of Campus: Open with Remote Learning Beginning March 10 

• At this time, there are no known cases of COVID-19 on our campus. Public Health – Seattle & King County is not currently recommending that college campuses close unless there is a confirmed case.
• The campus remains open but will move most classes online on Tuesday, March 10, following guidelines to limit large group gatherings.

• Campus services will remain open.

Remote Instruction Begins March 10 

As announced on Friday, the majority of in-person classes will complete the quarter remotely starting Tuesday, March 10 through the end of winter quarter. All administrative offices and services will continue to operate on campus. Large campus events are canceled through March 25.

Laptops for Students and Employees 

• A limited number of laptops and webcams are available to students to check out in the Library: https://www.shoreline.edu/elearning-services/laptop_checkout.aspx.
• e-Learning Services has extended their hours to provide support for online learning tools such as Canvas: Mon-Thurs 8 a.m.-8 p.m., Fri 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Weekends 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Laptops are available for employees who will be working from home, or employees may choose to use their home computers. For priority support, please submit a ticket indicating you are already working from home.

Learning Support for Students 

Most learning support will remain available to students, including the Library and its open computer labs; however, a few services will not be available or will have modified operations:

• Tutoring Services – open, with online options with peer tutors. Free online tutoring is also available to all students.
• Math Learning Center – closed, but with online options.
• Biology and Chemistry Learning Center – closed, but with online options.
• Physics Learning Center – closed, but with online options.
• Computer Science & Engineering Learning Center – closed, but with online options.
• Writing & Learning Studio – open with limited space available, with online options.
• VCT and Music Tech Labs – open with limited space available.
• Public Speaking Center – to be determined.
• ESL/ABE Study Center – open with limited hours.

Additional Hand Sanitizer Dispensers & Public Health Signage 

Many new hand sanitizer stations and posters have been installed around high-traffic areas of the College to help remind everyone who is on campus to follow good personal health habits.

Free Breakfast for Students on Wednesdays in March 

Between March 11-25, the Rotary Club of Shoreline has generously offered to provide free breakfast each Wednesday in the PUB (Building 9000) for any students who may still need to come to campus or who live on campus. Hot, pre-wrapped grab-and-go items will be available, first come first served, on March 11, 18, and 25 between 7:00-8:30 a.m. We appreciate this show of support from our local community members! Avanti Market, the Bookstore, and the rotation of food trucks will continue to provide food options for purchase.

When to Come to Campus  

As a reminder, any students or employees who are feeling ill should stay home. Students or employees who are considered higher risk (60 years and older, have underlying health conditions or weakened immune systems, or are pregnant) may also choose to stay home, noting that non-instructional employees who wish to do so are being asked to contact their supervisors to make alternate arrangements and/or confirm the intent to take leave.

Coping with Stress 

When you hear about a disease outbreak like coronavirus, it is normal to feel anxious or experience stress. We want students and employees to know that resources are available to support you. Students are encouraged to reach out to the Counseling Center (206-546-4594) and employees are encouraged to reach out to the Washington State Employee Assistance Program.

I know these are unprecedented times and I want you to know our faculty and staff are working tirelessly to reduce our campus risk and continue student learning and support.

Respectfully,

Cheryl Roberts, Ed.D.

President

Posted in Announcements Tagged with: covid

Campus Coronavirus Update as of March 6, 2020

Message from President Roberts 

Current Status of Campus: Open (with Plan to Move Classes Online) 

• At this time, there are no known cases of COVID-19 on our campus. Public Health – Seattle & King County is not currently recommending that college campuses close unless there is a confirmed case. 
• The campus remains open but will move most classes online on Tuesday, March 10, following guidelines to limit large group gatherings. 
• All campus services will remain open.  

Remote Instruction Begins March 10 

Beginning Tuesday, March 10, the majority of classes will discontinue meeting in person and continue online for the remainder of the quarter (through March 25). Instructors have been asked to conduct classes and exams remotely, wherever possible, with some exceptions. Instructors will be contacting their students to make arrangements for online instruction or for continuing the course in person. 

Exceptions 

Some specialized and/or professional-technical classes may continue to meet in person, as they are either not feasible to deliver online or require the use of specialized equipment or facilities. Deans and faculty members are working together to determine which courses may still be in person.  

Additional public health precautions will be taken in these instructional spaces, including sanitizing surfaces frequently, implementing social distancing measures such as seating students farther apart where possible. 

On–Campus Technology Access Available 

The computer lab in 4102 will remain open, with additional precautions taken to sanitize the space frequently. A limited number of laptops will be made available to loan to students for on campus instructional use. More information about this will be shared by Monday afternoon. 

All Campus Services Available 

All administrative offices and services, including Enrollment & Financial Aid Services, Advising, Library, Counseling Center, International Education, Student Accessibility Services, Veteran & Military Services, Benefits Hub, will continue to operate normally on campus during this time.  

The 7000 Campus Living residence hall, Parent-Child Center, Parent-Education Cooperative Preschools, and Dental Hygiene Clinic will also continue to remain open. 

When to Come to Campus  

As a reminder, any students or employees who are feeling ill should stay home. Students or employees who are considered higher risk (60 years and older, have underlying health conditions or weakened immune systems, or are pregnant) may also choose to stay home, noting that non-instructional employees who wish to do so are being asked to contact their supervisors to make alternate arrangements and/or confirm the intent to take leave. 

Please remember to continue following good personal health habits such as washing your hands, covering coughs and sneezes, wiping down surfaces, and staying home if you are ill or at higher risk. These are important steps we can all take now to help reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus. 

Respectfully, 

Cheryl Roberts, Ed.D. 

President 

Posted in Announcements Tagged with: covid

Campus Coronavirus Update as of March 5, 2020

Here are a few updates for today regarding coronavirus (COVID-19) information. I hope you will continue to check the COVID-19 web page for additional information as it becomes available. 

Current Status of Campus: Open 

At this time, there are no known cases of COVID-19 on our campus. Following guidance from health authorities, the campus is open but with limited events.  

When to Come to Campus 

Students or employees who are feeling ill should stay home. Students or employees who are considered higher risk (60 years and older, have underlying health conditions or weakened immune systems, or are pregnant) may choose to stay home and, if so, should immediately contact their instructors or supervisors to make alternate arrangements.    

Large Events Canceled

To help limit the risk and spread of the virus, following new guidance issued by Public Health – Seattle & King County, the College is canceling all large events through the end of winter quarter (March 25).  

Residence Hall Entry Restricted 

Access to the 7000 Campus Living Lobby and Great Room are now restricted to building residents (and their escorted guests) until further notice. Non-residents who need access to the building should contact the Leasing Office at 206–542–3381. 

Preventing the Spread of Illness 

We know that the best line of defense is prevention. Remember to continue following personal habits such as washing your hands, covering coughs and sneezes, wiping down surfaces, and staying home if you are ill or at higher risk. 

Emergency Alert Signup 

Should the campus need to close at any time in the future, we would send messages through email, text, phone, the website, and social media. Visit www.shoreline.edu/connect now to make sure your cell phone and other communication preferences are correct, so you don’t miss any urgent Rave Alert messages in the future. 

I understand this is a challenging time for all of us, and I am grateful for your flexibility as we move through this public health issue together.   

Respectfully, 

Cheryl Roberts, Ed.D. 

President 

Posted in Announcements Tagged with: covid

Changes to campus shuttle service

Posted in Announcements

Campus Coronavirus Update as of March 4, 2020

Greetings,

In light of rapidly changing news about the coronavirus (COVID-19), the College will be providing daily updates via email and the website about the status of this public health concern on Shoreline’s campus. Please check www.shoreline.edu/covid19.aspx regularly for all of the latest updates. 

Current Status of the Campus 

At this time, there are no known cases of COVID-19 on our campus. Following guidance from health authorities, the campus is open as usual.  

Our custodial crew is doing additional daily cleaning of high-touch areas on campus, including tables, desks, door handles, handrails, etc. 

Our shuttle service will change effective March 5th: the interior of the vans will be wiped down with disinfectant after each round trip, each day that it is in service. The shuttles will stop at the Sears Lot and Aurora Avenue every 30-45 minutes, rather than every 15 minutes, to allow time for the cleaning. The vans will also be cleaned after each grocery shuttle run. To accommodate any additional parking needs, the Greenwood Parking Lot will be opened. Students who wish to park there will not need to purchase a parking pass through the end of the quarter.

Updated King County Guidance 

The College’s Communicable Disease Task Force is actively monitoring guidance from CDC, the Department of Health, and Public Health – Seattle & King County. We are reviewing the latest information released from King County this afternoon about large gatherings and working from home. We will follow up with more information tomorrow about how these recommendations may impact the College.  

When Would the Campus Close? 

The College would close the physical campus if a confirmed case of COVID-19 was documented on our campus (which has not yet happened).  

If someone on campus is found to have the virus, we would activate our coordinated emergency response plan. The campus would shut down for cleaning and we would consult with health officials about when it would be safe to reopen. Students and employees would be notified immediately via email, text, phone, website, and social media, and would receive information about how to continue their studies or work remotely. We are crafting protocols for how to shift nearly all face-to-face classes to online instruction should the campus need to close temporarily. 

If You Think You May Have Been Exposed to Coronavirus (COVID-19) 

If you think you have been exposed to COVID-19 or are experiencing symptoms, the College has created a new form where you can self-report your concerns. A Shoreline employee who is a health professional will follow up with you to provide resources on what to do next. Using this form will help the College track and follow-up with any potential exposure on our campus. 

Prevention Measures 

Remember, the best action we can all take right now is to maintain good personal health habits, such as hand washing, frequently disinfecting high-touch surfaces, and staying home if we feel ill. As a reminder, U.S. health officials do not currently recommend that the general population wear face masks, but we understand that some people may choose to wear them either for personal or cultural reasons. 

Respectfully, 

Cheryl Roberts, Ed.D. 

President

Posted in Announcements Tagged with: covid

Update on campus coronavirus (COVID-19) precautions

Dear Student, 

You have likely heard about a number of confirmed cases of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in King and Snohomish Counties, including the death of two individuals in King County. The health and well-being of our campus community is important. As this public health situation continues to develop, the College is providing as much updated information to you as possible to let you know what we are doing to monitor and respond. 

How the College is Responding 

The College’s Communicable Disease Task Force has been activated for several weeks and is closely monitoring developments and following guidance from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Washington Department of Health, and Public Health – Seattle & King County. Based on current recommendations, our focus is on providing education about good health habits, ensuring the campus is prepared with appropriate supplies and resources, and establishing response plans should the outbreak become more widespread in the local community. 

At this point, we are not aware of any known or suspected cases of COVID-19 on our campus, and campus remains open as usual. 

Preparing Our Campus 

We have ordered additional supplies, such as hand sanitizer and soap, to ensure all buildings are adequately supplied. Our custodial staff is paying additional attention to sanitation of high touchpoint areas on campus. We are in contact with any students or employees who are known to have recently returned from international travel and we are providing additional support to students living in the residence hall. 

Nursing Students and Clinical Rotations 

We are aware that nursing students at Lake Washington Tech have had cases of contact related to COVID-19 at one of their clinical sites. For Shoreline, all of our clinical sites have been contacted and we are maintaining vigilance to support our students and faculty in those sites to keep them safe, and ensure that if there were to be any inadvertent contacts, the students and faculty maintain themselves in a safe environment until healthy. 

What Will Happen if an Outbreak Continues 

The College is ready to activate various response protocols should additional measures need to be taken. Some of those scenarios could include: shifting classes and employee work to online or telecommuting options, canceling certain activities or events to minimize exposure risk, up to closing the campus for a period of time. We will continue to follow the advice of local and national health authorities and will immediately alert students and employees to any changes in College operations. 

In the meantime, if you have COVID-19-related questions at Shoreline, you may contact the following individuals: 

• For Student Concerns: Derek Levy, Acting Vice President of Students, Equity & Success (206-546-4544) or Yushin Wung, International Student Engagement Manager (206-546-6924). 
• For Employee Concerns: Veronica Zura, Executive Director of Human Resources (206-546-7858). 

Actions You Should Take Now 

The most important action you can take right now is to follow basic personal health prevention measures: 

• Stay home when you are sick, for your health and others. 
• Know the symptoms of COVID-19: fever, cough, and difficulty breathing. 
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.  
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.  
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.  
• Cover your mouth and nose with your elbow or a tissue when you cough or sneeze; immediately throw the tissue in the trash and then wash or disinfect your hands. 
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces (including laptops and cell phones).  

Preparations if You Need to Study from Home  

If students are concerned about their own personal health, we ask that you contact your instructor to update them about your health concerns. Please feel free to request options for remote access or support via online instruction if needed. 

Please remember, if you become ill, we ask that you take appropriate precautions to maintain your health and the health of others. 

Additional Considerations 

• Prepare your home in case you become ill or the campus needs to close: Have basic food and medical supplies stocked and make plans for alternate family care arrangements in the event of other school or childcare closures. 
• Be aware of stigma related to COVID-19 and stand against it. The risk of novel coronavirus is not at all connected with race, ethnicity or nationality; yet in some places the fear of the spread of the disease has resulted in incidents of bias and harassment against certain groups of people, including those of Asian heritage. As stated in Shoreline’s Community Standard, the College does not tolerate any hateful, violent, or discriminatory actions. 

I know this is a stressful time and it is natural to feel worried about your own and your loved ones’ health. Please know the College is being responsive to this evolving situation and taking precautions to reduce risks for our campus community. We will continue to provide regular updates and information. Your safety, health, and well-being are our primary concern. 

Thank you for your cooperation,

Cheryl Roberts, Ed.D. 

President 

Posted in Announcements Tagged with: covid

Earn a $10 Amazon gift card while making Shoreline’s website better

 

Posted in Announcements

How to stay healthy this cold, flu, and coronavirus season

Winter means we’re in the thick of cold and flu season. While it’s important to take care of your health year-round, the chilly weather and this year’s novel coronavirus (2019 n-CoV) outbreak means it’s even more crucial than ever to take steps to ensure health and wellness.

Luckily, the risk of contracting the coronavirus is low and you can work to prevent it with the same measures you use to avoid contracting influenza, the common cold, and other similar viruses common this time of year.

Help prevent the spread of infections and keep yourself and others healthy by:

• Washing your hands often with soap and hot water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoiding close contact with people who are sick.
• Staying home when you are sick.
• Covering your cough or sneeze with a tissue and throwing the tissue in the trash.
• Cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched objects and surfaces.

Combine the common sense germ prevention strategies listed above with steps to promote overall health by:

• Bundling up. Protect your body when you’re outdoors by wearing a coat, hat, boots, gloves, and scarf. Keeping your body warmer helps boost your immune system.
• Getting a flu shot. Getting vaccinated can greatly increase your body’s ability to fight off or recover from the flu.
• Staying active. Promote bone and muscle health, control weight, and improve sleep patterns for an overall healthier body better able to fight off illness.
• Sleeping enough. Lack of sleep can weaken your immune system so help your body protect itself by giving it a break.
• Eating healthy. A healthy diet strengthens the immune system by providing antioxidants and vitamins your body needs to resist viruses or infections.

The College is an international community with students living both on and off-campus. With so many people sharing common spaces, it’s up to us all to help prevent the spread of disease.

If you experience any of the following symptoms and have either traveled to/from Hubei Province, mainland China, or had contact with someone who is suspected to have coronavirus, stay home and contact a health–care provider.

Coronavirus Symptoms May Include:

• Fever
• Difficulty breathing
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Runny nose
• Headache
• A general feeling of being unwell

Student Resources
If you have questions about campus exposure risks (including in the residence hall), have recently returned from travel in China, have interacted with someone who has traveled to China, and/or are exhibiting signs of illness, please reach out to Derek Levy, Dean of Student Support & Success (206-546-4544), or Yushin Wung, International Student Engagement Manager (206-546-6924).

Some students may also benefit from the following resources:

• Counseling Center – Health care information, community resources, and confidential mental health support
• International Education – Support for international students, including health insurance and travel questions

Find additional resources and more information about the College’s emergency preparedness plan for infectious diseases on the Safety and Security webpage.

Posted in Announcements Tagged with: covid

Foundation Scholarships and Emergency Support update

Alysen Laasko, Foundation Manager of Scholarships and Emergency Support, has accepted a position at Lake Washington Tech Foundation. Her last day is February 5.

Until her position is filled, Foundation Scholarships and Emergency Support will continue to be conducted from the 5000 Building (FOSS), Room 5218 from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm Monday – Friday.

We are thankful that Karla Belmonte, Executive Assistant for Advancement and Foundation, will assist students on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and Pilar Corder, Executive Assistant for Employee Engagement, will assist students on Tuesday and Thursday.

Please direct any questions or concerns to Mary Brueggeman, VP of Advancement and Executive Director, Foundation.

Posted in Announcements, Scholarships

Updated Coronavirus Support Resources

Dear Student,

In light of rapid developments with the novel coronavirus (2019 n-CoV) outbreak, I wanted to provide some updated information.

While the infection risk to our campus remains low, we understand you may be feeling anxious, stressed, worried about loved ones in China, and/or have questions about how to navigate this public health concern on our campus.

How the College Is Managing this Health Risk
Shoreline Community College has a communicable disease task force and is following guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Public Health – Seattle & King County, and the College’s communicable disease policy and procedures. The College will contact any persons who may have an increased risk and monitor their well-being. If potentially at-risk students are not exhibiting symptoms of illness, they may continue attending classes.

Do You Have Questions?
If you have questions about your exposure risk, have recently returned from travel in China, have interacted with someone who has traveled to China, and/or are exhibiting signs of illness, here are some ways to get support: 

• General Questions or Concerns: Contact Derek Levy, Dean of Student Support & Success (206-546-4544), or Yushin Wung, International Student Engagement Manager (206-546-6924) 
• Health Care, Mental Health Support & Community Resources: Contact the Counseling Center 
• International Student Support (including health insurance questions): Contact the International Education office 

Coronavirus Symptoms May Include: 

• Fever 
• Difficulty breathing 
• Cough 
• Sore throat 
• Runny nose 
• Headache 
• A general feeling of being unwell 

Preventive Measures

• Stay home when you are sick. 
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. 
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands. 
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick. 
• Cover your mouth and nose with your elbow or a tissue when you cough or sneeze; and immediately throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces. 

Further updates will be shared with the campus community as needed. 

In health,
Cheryl Roberts, Ed.D.
President

Posted in Announcements Tagged with: covid