Local News

WVC announces fall 2021 reopening plans and vaccine expectations

May 17, 2021

Wenatchee Valley College has announced instruction plans for fall quarter 2021. Though most classes will remain online and remote this fall, there are plans to offer more classes in-person.

Classes will be offered in a variety of formats, including in-person, hybrid, online, and optional (in-person and/or online). Any classes with in-person components will follow any health and safety guidelines set forth by national, state and local health agencies.

As of now, unless required to do so by the state, WVC will not require vaccinations for students or employees in fall. However, the college is awaiting further guidance from state and public health agencies.

WVC president Dr. Jim Richardson released a statement this week announcing the opportunities for more in-person classes, and encouraging students and employees to consider getting vaccinated.

“Looking forward, we must consider how to provide the most opportunities to our students while still ensuring the safety of everyone on our campuses,” he wrote. “While the decision to get vaccinated is a personal one, making the choice to get vaccinated protects not only our campus communities, but our friends, families and the communities we live in. Vaccinations help prevent the spread of COVID-19, which in turn allows us to open up our campus further and provide more in-person opportunities. Health and safety on our campuses is something we are all responsible for.”

The college offered a vaccine information session to students and employees on Tuesday, May 11, and hosted a Chelan-Douglas Health District vaccination clinic on Thursday, May 13.

WVC has been operating mostly remotely since winter quarter 2020. Those who are on campus or are visiting campus are being asked to practice good hygiene, social distancing and to stay home if sick. A symptom form is required for anyone visiting campus. To learn more about WVC’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, visit wvc.edu/PublicHealth.