Colleagues,

Today Governor Brown issued an Executive Order (attached) that prohibits colleges from administering in-person instruction from March 21- April 28. During this time, MHCC will continue to meet the needs of our students and community, but will be providing services exclusively through virtual means, and our campuses will be restricted to faculty, staff and students covered under exemptions.

Specifically, from April 6 -April 28:

• Spring Term courses will be administered fully online
  • There will be exemptions for some degree and certificate programs.
    • We are working to determine which programs will be exempt and will communicate with you if this applies to your program(s).
    • Strict social distancing measures (6 feet of distance between individuals and adhering to hygiene and sterilization measures) must still be followed by everyone in programs identified as exempt.

Beginning March 21:

• Per the Governor’s Order, “...colleges and universities shall limit on-campus operations only to critical functions and shall employ social distancing measures, consistent with guidance from the Oregon Health Authority, for all on-campus employees and residents.”
  • We are working to determine exactly what this means for our college
  • Your supervisor will be in contact with you with more details and direction

Our COVID-19 response team has been anticipating that this type of order may become a reality. This expectation drove our decision to fully close next week and to also extend Spring Break. Our goal is to use these weeks to help faculty transition their curriculum to online platforms, and for managers to determine how their groups can most efficiently work remotely.

But we need your help in order for this to work:

First, and most importantly, continue to take care of yourselves and your families. Your health and well-being take precedence above all else.

Secondly, we recognize that this presents some uncertainty regarding how we will logistically be able to continue some of our programs that require hands-on and in-person instruction. We ask you remain patient as we determine the path forward for these programs and that you work closely with your deans and supervisors to help us comply with this order.

And finally, despite our closure next week, we ask you please continue to check your mhcc.edu email regularly as this is how we will provide updates and next steps for the weeks ahead.

We understand this is going to be a challenge, but it is of the utmost importance that we do everything we can to keep ourselves and the members of our community healthy and safe.

With your health in mind,

Lisa Skari
President
Mt. Hood Community College