[Factc] Fw: COVID-19 Update for May 5, 2020

[Bill Moore]

Bill Moore, Ph.D. (he/his)
Director, K-12 Partnerships & Bridge to College
State Board for Community & Technical Colleges
360-704-4346 (office)            360-528-1809 (cell)

COVID-19 REMOTE LEARNING RESOURCES – AVAILABLE HERE<https://www.sbctc.edu/colleges-staff/programs-services/student-success-center/remote-learning-resources.aspx>

From: John Boesenberg
Sent: Tuesday, May 5, 2020 4:28 PM

Subject: COVID-19 Update for May 5, 2020

These updates are now being sent on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  If you have questions, however, please feel free to call John Boesenberg or any other State Board staff member who could best respond.

The information listed below has come-up since Thursday’s message was sent.  It will be shared with the WACTC Commissions.  Additional information/details may be accessed through our Google Drive at https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1PnHhItWpvNhUhhxrCq5LSzxjenmVS5nw

·       General Information:

  *   During a press conference held on Friday, May 1st,   Governor Inslee announced the extension of his ‘Stay Home, Stay Healthy<https://www.governor.wa.gov/sites/default/files/proclamations/20-25%20Coronovirus%20Stay%20Safe-Stay%20Healthy%20%28tmp%29%20%28002%29.pdf>” order through May 31, 2020.  Here’s a Seattle Times article:   https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/inslee-announces-extended-stay-home-order-outlines-plan-to-reopen-washington-in-phases/.  You can see the Governor’s Phasing chart at: https://www.governor.wa.gov/news-media/chart-washingtons-phased-approachhttps://www.governor.wa.gov/news-media/chart-washingtons-phased-approach<https://www.governor.wa.gov/news-media/chart-washingtons-phased-approachhttps:/www.governor.wa.gov/news-media/chart-washingtons-phased-approach>

o   Governor Inslee signed a revised Stay Home, Stay Healthy proclamation on Monday, May 4th.  That new order lists the activities allowed under Phase 1 of the Governor’s reopening plan. While Stay Home, Stay Healthy is being extended to the end of May, the governor announced his Safe Start plan which amends some components of the original order and allow for the re-opening of the state.

§  Through the Washington “Safe Start” plan, more businesses and activities would re-open in phases with adequate social distancing measures and health standards in place. Each phase will be at least three weeks — data and metrics will determine when the state can move from one phase to another.

§  From this link, https://www.governor.wa.gov/news-media/inslee-signs-new-covid-19-order-phased-re-opening-washingtons-economy you can access the revised proclamation (20.25.3) and a copy of the Governor’s “Safe Start” plan for re-opening.

o   Governor Inslee held a press conference earlier today announcing 3 representative advisory groups to focus on COVID-19 impact areas and inform decision making.  These advisory groups will focus on public health, economic recovery and social support.  In addition to this announcement, the Governor responded to questions from the press:

§  In light of a possible $7 billion shortfall through FY2023 (See https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/unofficial-numbers-show-7-billion-hit-to-washington-state-revenue-through-2023-from-coronavirus-downturn/), it was asked if a special session was to be scheduled.  The Governor responded by indicting a special session was probable, but no decision on if and when has been made.

§  Has the “4-corners” agreed to the extension of the Stay Home order?  Governor Inslee indicated that there is agreement for the most part.  However, other parts are still being worked.

§  He commented on the lawsuits filed to overturn his Stay Home proclamation, focusing on citizen safety, data and the families whose loved ones have passed away.

§  Protocols for some of the businesses allowed to reopen in Phase 1 are still being worked and should be available within the next few days. It will be released through the Governor’s Office.

§  He commented on the possibility of a second wave of the virus.  Focus of this response was on the need for improved testing for the virus and antibodies.

§  Original purpose of Stay Home is to avoid overwhelming the health care system and to limit deaths.  The curve has flattened on positive tests but is not declining – maybe a result of increased testing.  The rate of hospitalizations is decreasing which is a positive.
·       Instruction/Student Services
o   The system’s proposal to reopen programs related to essential occupations was approved Friday evening with an effective date of May 5.  Safety protocols were also approved, including those for commercial driver licensing programs. Safety protocols must be in place prior to a class meeting on campus.
§  The approved list and safety protocols were sent to WACTC on Friday evening.
§  A conference call with instruction vice presidents and workforce deans was scheduled for Monday, May 4th to discuss and clarify issues.
§  Staff is working with the Emergency Operations Center to order the required PPE.  Clarification was provided this morning and notice sent to BAC members. Colleges were advised to place orders with their local EOC by noon on Friday of each week.  The local EOC will forward those request It is our preliminary understanding that our PPE needs will be a Tier 3 or 4 priority by the EOC and there’s currently a significant backlog of Tier 1 (medical) needs.  Based on this information, it is advisable that colleges continue to pursue PPE supplies through their regular vendors while participating in the EOC ordering process.


o   Monday’s edition of Inside Higher Ed includes an article on the Department of Education’s exclusion of DACA students from the CARES Act student emergency grants.  Some democrats in congress are questioning that interpretation.  See https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2020/05/04/devos-right-does-cares-act-exclude-daca-students-aid?utm_source=Inside+Higher+Ed&utm_campaign=52aa7ef09b-D


o   Information was shared with WACTC on Friday, May 1st regarding discussion on fall sports. NWAC is working on a survey for athletic departments regarding fall sports.  Ideas being discussed include reduced schedules for fall sports, moving fall sports to winter and spring quarters, reduction in sport schedules across the conference by 10-15% and streaming events as fan attendance may be down.  Each of these ideas have concerns.  A tentative date for decision on fall sports is the first week of June.


·      Issues being worked (These items were included in the April 16th  Update)
o   State Board staff are asking for updated direction on protocols that should be followed if a college is notified that a student is showing symptoms or received a positive COVID-19 test results.


·      Event Cancellations/Changes (Newly Added/Updated in RED)

     *   Dual Credit Summit, March 16-17 cancelled and being rescheduled for fall 2020 (Looking at October 5/6, 2020)
     *   ATL Retreat, March 26-27, cancelled.
     *   Dean Community of Practice, March session cancelled.
     *   Bridge to College meetings have been converted to virtual convenings.
     *   Guided Pathway Work Plan review, March 12-13, is converting to an online modality (details to follow).
     *   Annual Students of Color conference April 23-25 Yakima cancelled
     *   All Student Services conference April 29-May 1 Tacoma, Student Services Commission has been re-scheduled to May 3-6, 2021.
     *   Team Teacher training at Centralia College, March13, 2020, Cancelled
     *   COABE Conference has been Cancelled/Postponed (Originally scheduled for 4/5-4/8, postponed till summer)
     *   AACC has been cancelled.
     *   Council for Basic Skills April Meeting has been cancelled
     *   Intercollegiate Relations Committee (ICRC) is spring meeting cancelled (4/16-17)
     *   AEAC has been cancelled Spring qtr.
     *   Articulation and Transfer Council spring meeting (April 23-24) moved to Zoom.
     *   Spring ATL (May 6-8) has been cancelled.
     *   Faculty of Color Mentorship Program spring retreat (May 15) has been cancelled.
     *   Spring Math Conference (April 30 – May 2)  has been cancelled.
     *   College EBT Retailer Application Webinar scheduled for 4/8/2020 – postponed
     *   Workforce Education Council, April 30 – May 1 – cancelled.
     *   Early Childhood Teacher Preparation Council, April 30 – May 1 – cancelled.
     *   Workforce Connections Forum, scheduled for May 18-19th, has been rescheduled to August 25-26th.
     *   HRMC meeting scheduled for May has been cancelled.
     *   Spring CEDD Corrections Education Deans and Directors quarterly meeting is moved to a virtual meeting on Zoom  It starts at 9:00 AM  to 4:00 PM on May 19, 2020 and 9:00 AM – Noon on May 20, 2020.
     *   PIC has changed its meeting from May 14 and 15 at Lake Washington to May 14 via Zoom.
     *   Rendezvous 2020, July 27-29 – Cancelled
     *   Information Technology Commission has shifted from May 14-15 at Clark to May 14 via Zoom



John Boesenberg, Deputy Executive Director
Business Operations
360-704-4303; jboesenberg at sbctc.edu<mailto:jboesenberg at sbctc.edu>

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