COVID-19 Parent FAQ

Yes. CWU has made obtaining a vaccination an urgent priority because the administration believes a fully vaccinated community is the best way to protect our individual and collective health and safety. Additionally, it is only through widespread vaccinations that Central can begin to loosen or remove restrictions that have impacted social and mental well-being, and increase access to a more complete in-person campus living and learning experience for more students.

Read more about the Fall 2021 vaccination requirement here.

Proof of vaccination will be required of all CWU faculty, staff, and students by October 18, per Governor Inslee's August 20 proclamation. There will be exemptions for medical or religious reasons, which will also require documentation. Philosophical exemptions are no longer allowed.

Information about the specific documentation needed for vaccinations, exemptions, and processes will be available soon.

Yes. Proof of vaccination will be required for all members of the CWU community by October 18, per Governor Inslee's August 20 proclamation.

CWU will accept proof of any vaccine that was authorized for use in the United States at the time of administration. For vaccinations requiring two doses, students and employees must have received both doses of the vaccine to meet the requirement.

Read more about the Fall 2021 vaccination requirement here.

No, but proof of vaccination will be required for all members of the CWU community by October 18, per Governor Inslee's August 20 proclamation.

The vaccination requirement applies to all CWU students and employees, including online-only students and people at the university centers and instructional sites. Students will provide their proof of vaccination using the Med+Proctor system, which is currently used to verify their other vaccinations (such as measles, mumps, and rubella).

No. Per President Wohlpart’s August 24 communication, vaccinations will be required of all members of the Central Washington University community — employees and students, including those who learn and work at our University Centers and Instructional Sites and those who learn in virtual environments, even if totally online.

Only international students living outside the United States and high school students enrolled in CWU’s College in the High School program are exempt.

Yes. Per President Wohlpart’s August 24 communication, vaccinations will be required of all members of the Central Washington University community — employees and students, including those who learn and work at our University Centers and Instructional Sites and those who learn in virtual environments, even if totally online.

Only international students living outside the United States and high school students enrolled in CWU’s College in the High School program are exempt.

CWU will follow a typical academic calendar that begins September 22 and ends December 10.

The university plans to offer a normal, pre-pandemic mix of remote, hybrid, and face-to-face classes. In-person classrooms will return to normal spacing requirements, and more online learning opportunities will be available.

Yes. The university has updated its face-covering policy to require all members of the campus community to wear face coverings inside all campus buildings through October 18. The policy will be evaluated at that time, following the advice of public health officials.

Yes. CWU has made obtaining a vaccination an urgent priority because the administration believes a fully vaccinated community is the best way to protect our individual and collective health and safety. Additionally, it is only through widespread vaccinations that Central can begin to loosen or remove restrictions that have impacted social and mental well-being, and increase access to a more complete in-person campus living and learning experience for more students.

Read more about the Fall 2021 vaccination requirement here.

CWU continues to work with our eight university centers and sites — and our community college hosts — to support their planning for this fall. As has been the case throughout the past year, CWU will follow the guidelines outlined by our host institutions.

The residence halls are expected to open at normal capacity, and CWU is hoping to see them fully occupied for fall quarter.

For the latest about the Fall 2021 reopening plans, visit cwuwildcat.sharepoint.com/sites/commons/cwutogether.

The average number of students enrolled in in-person classes this fall was approximately 30-35. Some classes, such as science labs, may have smaller numbers. Six feet of physical distancing will apply inside classrooms that have been reconfigured.

Instruction at the eight university centers and sites is being offered entirely online. For more information about the sites and centers, visit the University Centers web page.

All three services are still being offered. The only difference from previous quarters is that all appointments with university faculty and staff — including academic advisors, career counselors, and tutors — must be conducted remotely, using an online meeting platform, such as Zoom.

Tutoring and academic coaching are available via Zoom, and students can self-schedule by visiting tutortrac.cwu.edu/. We have expanded hours across all tutoring offerings to meet needs, and academic coaches are ready to work with any student who wants to learn more about online study techniques. Students can easily connect with us by clicking on the "Tutoring" link on the left-hand menu of their Canvas course, or by visiting cwu.edu/academic-success/tutoring-services.

About 200 laptops will be made available for loan to students, as needed. We encourage students to bring laptops with them to campus whenever possible. However, if you need a laptop for fall quarter, please complete the Equipment Checkout form. Supplies are limited, and devices are checked out on a first-come, first-served basis.

Yes. The CWU Multimodal Learning Center and CWU Technology Services will be available to help students prepare for this new online-based curriculum. Individual departments may also offer training sessions, advising opportunities, and other resources to help students transition to a less-traditional learning platform.

The following measures have been put in place to ensure, whenever possible, continuity of care and the protection of student and staff health:

Student Counseling
• Services will now be offered via a teletherapy model, meaning that most services will be provided remotely, even if you live in Ellensburg.
• Appointments for existing clients have been converted to teletherapy appointments unless you have made specific other arrangements with your counselor.
• Students who were on the wait list for any service will be contacted by a staff member with specific instructions about how to seek additional services.
• If you have never requested Student Counseling services before, call the front office at 509-963-1391. The staff will help you set up a teletherapy or in-person appointment.
• If you are in crisis and need support, call 509-963-1391 and the staff will help you set up a teletherapy or in-person appointment.
• Students also can access crisis support at any time from any location by calling 1-800-273-8255 or texting “HOME” to 741741. A complete list of crisis resources is available on the website.
• The Student Counseling building is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. You are welcome to come in if you are unable to call us and need to request services.

Student Medical Services
• The Student Counseling and Medical Services building is open. You are welcome to come here if you are unable to call and need to request services. Hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• We will no longer offer web booking for appointments. Students must call and be screened prior to making an appointment. The Student Medical Services number is 509-963-1881.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continues to encourage physical distancing, frequent handwashing, wearing face coverings, and cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces. These preventive measures are expected to continue throughout the coming academic year, even if Kittitas County enters phase 4 of the state’s Safe Start plan before commencement 2021.

Yes. All members of the CWU community must monitor their own health. Students, faculty, and staff who are coming to campus will be required to log into their MyCWU account daily to participate in a Self-Health Check. The Health Check is a short questionnaire that asks if the student or employee is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, is under quarantine, or is awaiting COVID test results. Once the questionnaire is complete, the student/employee will be instructed to come to campus, stay home and await their test results, or stay home and contact their health care provider about their symptoms.

Classrooms and computer labs will be cleaned twice a day. In addition, hand-sanitizing stations will be located throughout campus for faculty, staff, students, and visitors.

Currently, the Kittitas County Public Health Department is handling CWU student and employee tracing. CWU has identified isolation/quarantine spaces for 50 individuals and has processes in place to provide medical attention and food for those in isolation.

Yes. CWU faculty, staff and students may request a medical or health risk accommodation regarding face coverings. Determination of the accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis through an interactive process. An option for someone unable to tolerate a face covering may include attending online classes or working remotely.

Students should contact Disability Services at ds@cwu.edu.

People who have difficulty communicating due to face coverings can inquire about the availability of clear masks. Accommodations that pose a threat to the health or safety of other people are not appropriate. An accommodation may not include allowing someone to not wear a face covering where it is required.

CWU has suspended all education abroad programs and university-related international travel by students through the end of calendar year 2021.

The majority of the world remains under a Level 3: High Risk or Level 4: Very High Risk CDC COVID-19 Travel Health Notice, as well as a Level 3: Reconsider Travel or Level 4: Do Not Travel US Department of State Travel Advisory citing COVID-19 risk. Moreover, the CDC has maintained its specific recommendation for Higher Education Institutions to defer international travel programs.

Additionally, there continues to exist a patchwork of entry restrictions, challenges in obtaining visas, quarantine requirements, restrictions on local mobility in host locations, dramatically reduced air traffic volume and the potential complications returning the US. Several countries have strict border closures that prevent students’ entry, and the timeline for reopening remains unknown.

The university's administration and Office of International Studies and Programs expect continue to monitor developments and will evaluate the viability of further terms at a later date. Students should not make any non-refundable payments at the moment; CWU will not reimburse students for such expenses in the event of cancelation.

Any member of the CWU community who chooses to disregard university recommendations for international travel must understand they will do so at their own risk and may face difficulties in return travel to the U.S. and/or possible restricted access to the CWU campus.

If your plans include traveling, particularly internationally, please understand you will do so at your own risk and may face difficulties in return travel to the U.S. and/or possible restricted access to the CWU campus.

Depending on your destination, you may have to make difficult decisions to change or even cancel plans to ensure your own well-being and timely return to campus.

In many countries, there may be new entry and exit control measures and even quarantines implemented with very little notice during the coming weeks. These actions could severely impact your plans and/or delay your return home or your ability to return to campus once you are back in the state.

Please carefully weigh the risks and benefits of any international travel and view U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention information on COVID-19 to learn more.