December 21, 2021
This message has been sent to all students, staff, faculty and other academic personnel at the University of Washington.
Dear UW community,
As we track the spread of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus, let’s remember the short time between holiday gatherings and travel and the start of UW’s winter quarter on January 3rd. This requires each of us to work together to address the disruptions this new variant can cause.
To encourage a successful start to the winter quarter, most courses will be held online during the first week of the quarter – January 3rd – 9th. Clinical classes and internships will continue to take place in person. Facilities at all three campuses will remain operational during this time—including housing, libraries, counseling, and student services—and research activities can continue in person. The buildings remain largely open during working hours. We are committed to a return to personal education and look forward to seeing that happen on Monday 10th January.
A limited number of lab courses may have an in-person option in the first week, and instructors will communicate with students in sections that have that option. Additional information is being sent to all teachers who should provide guidance to students whose classes will be in person during the first week of the quarter and continue to offer students flexibility to accommodate any disruption related to coronavirus.
A week of mostly online classes will help minimize the disruption caused by the Omicron variant and allow more people to get a booster shot before in-person classes. An extra week will also be provided for people to monitor for symptoms and take post-gathering and post-trip COVID tests. To ensure we have the best information possible, Husky Coronavirus Testing, a voluntary research study, has begun sending out regular test invitations to participants. The program remains open to new registrations and many other free trial opportunities are available in our region. If you are traveling or gathering during the break, please get tested upon your return and monitor your symptoms closely.
We are aware that the news of the last few days – and even this announcement – can cause both apprehension and déjà vu. The rapid spread of Omicron reminds us of the spread of the original coronavirus and comes at a time when we are all feeling the loss and physical, mental and emotional impact of a nearly two-year pandemic.
But a lot has changed since the beginning of 2020. We know more, are better prepared, and are a community using all the tools at our disposal to reduce the risk of infection and disease, starting with extremely high vaccination rates. FDA-approved vaccines provide protection against serious disease, and this protection can be enhanced with booster shots, which are strongly recommended.
We also know how the virus spreads and have tools in place to protect ourselves and each other, including testing and high quality masks, reducing the potential for transmission in the classroom or workplace. Our entire community – and we want to give special recognition to our students – have demonstrated a commitment to health and well-being that has enabled us to host a successful, personal Fall Quarter with no known instances of classroom transmission. We will continue to use these tools this winter. We thank instructors for continuing to offer flexibility to students and ask managers to do the same for staff, particularly those facing disruptions in schools or care services.
As throughout the pandemic, we are monitoring the situation with our public health experts and will make adjustments as necessary. In particular, we are monitoring hospital capacity, disruptions to community support such as K-12 schools and childcare facilities, and possible changes in local, state, or federal policy. We continue to benefit from the work of UW scientists and their colleagues around the world studying the Omicron variant and providing important information on topics such as vaccine effectiveness and other public health interventions. Finally, we’ll be adjusting our vaccination requirements to reflect any changes the state might make regarding booster shots – but to protect yourself now and avoid a possible rush later, please get one as soon as you’re eligible.
Although Omicron poses a new risk, our community has consistently demonstrated our ability to meet the many challenges presented by the novel coronavirus. Thank you for all you have done and are doing to keep yourself, your friends and loved ones and our community safe and healthy and best wishes for a happy winter break.
sincerely,
Ana Maria Cauce
president
Professor of Psychology
Mark A Richards
Provost and Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs
Professor of Earth and Space Sciences