Dear Warner Pacific University Community,
Greetings from the Mt. Tabor Campus on this last day of winter. It is a beautiful spring-like day on which the campus is very quiet due to the operational changes because of COVID-19. We miss students who are on an extended spring break, staff who have begun working from home and faculty who are diligently preparing for online delivery of classes.
As you are away, please follow all guidelines and make sure that you are connecting regularly with one another (students, faculty and staff). As a relational community, we all benefit from our connections and conversations, so let’s continue to relate virtually in the days ahead.
This update regarding further operational changes at Warner Pacific University results from Executive Order No. 20-09 titled Suspension of In-Person Instructional Activities at Higher Education Institutions in Response to Coronavirus (COVID-19) Outbreak issued by Governor Kate Brown on March 19, 2020. Attached you will find my letter and guidance and protocols for all Warner Pacific University students, faculty and staff given the order noted above. Warner Pacific University had already decided to move to online/remote instruction for the period of March 30 to April 10. Because this new order from Oregon’s Governor extends the requirement of online instruction through April 28, we have decided to continue online instruction throughout the rest of spring term (through May 8). Please carefully read through all materials provided in the attachment provided.
Additionally, on March 17, 2020 all faculty and staff received an email indicating that starting Thursday, March 19, only “key employees” may be asked to report to the Mt. Tabor campus to work. Key employees have been notified of their designation and have agreed to serve in this capacity.
All employees who are not identified as key employees were asked to transition to work from home. This decision was not taken lightly. While we were taking all recommended precautions to follow social distancing protocols and guidelines in order to ensure safety of students and employees, we believe this shift in operations to move most employees to working from home is necessary given the guidelines from city, county and state officials. Employees should reference the March 17 email and attachments that were sent by Molly Smith, Vice President for Enrollment and Marketing.
The Mt. Tabor campus remains open with limited staff. All other employees are available to students and colleagues by leaving voice messages on campus phones or through Warner Pacific email. Employees are expected to regularly check both phone and email messages. In the short term, Centre 205 will temporarily close and all operations will be based at the Mt. Tabor campus. At this time we are uncertain as to the length of time that the campus will operate with limited staff present. We will send additional updates as more information is available.
Please don’t hesitate to contact me and/or area vice presidents if your have questions or need clarification. Thank you for your patience and grace during this time of significant disruption in our country and world.
With prayers that you all will be safe and be well.
Andrea P. Cook
President