Green River College operations March 23rd through April 5th
Dear Green River College Community -
Our winter term is coming to a close. We made it! This is day 21 of our coronavirus response - week 3 has ended. The past three weeks have brought countless actions and efforts to successfully complete our winter term and to stand up our spring term as quickly and as effectively as we can. There have been countless acts of kindness, brilliance, innovation, collaboration, persistence and faith. It is clear that we will get through this, however imperfect in our efforts.
Following Governor Inslee’s recent announcement to stay home unless it is necessary to go out, all GRC locations will be closed to the public for the next two weeks, until the start of the spring term on April 6. Limited services will be available on campus related to core functions. It is understood that it will be necessary for some staff to conduct their work on campus. During this time, buildings will to be cleaned following the recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
All GRC employees should continue to work remotely when possible. Please continue to work with your supervisor to account for your work assignments, hours and your work location. Access to offices and workstations will be available to faculty and staff as needed.
Students can access many services offered through Zoom virtual lobbies. Limited in-person meetings will be scheduled, Student Affairs and International Programs will adhere to social distancing and group size protocols to ensure the safety of students and employees. To connect to a staff member in a particular department, please visit our Virtual Assistance site.
On April 6, all GRC locations will reopen to the public, following social distancing protocols. Classes will resume with online delivery until at least April 27, unless otherwise directed.
2020 Green River College Rankings
There is great work underway here at Green River. I have never been prouder of a college I have had the privilege of being part of than I am now. Adversity can bring some of the finest work a group of people can do. In light of the circumstances we find ourselves in at the moment, I thought it might be nice to share some good news. It is a reminder of the excellence that Green River provides every day and illustrates our mission to its fullest. None of this could be achieved without the efforts of every staff and faculty member at this college. I hope you enjoy!
In closing, throughout the past three weeks there has been a never-ending series of changing conditions and challenges as we have come to accept what our “new normal” will be while the COVID-19 pandemic persists. I want to again express my deep gratitude for all of you for your dedication to this college and to the communities we serve. Winter term has concluded. There is much to celebrate about that and at some point, the whole college will look back on this and see all the good that occurred in the midst of profound fear and challenge.
Thank you all for approaching these difficulties with kindness and understanding as we work together to minimize the impact to our community. We would not be able to succeed without your hard work and dedication.
As a reminder, please follow the guidelines that have been provided by health officials to help prevent the spread of COVID-19:
- Stay home when sick.
- Stay away from people who are ill, especially if you are at higher risk for coronavirus.
- Even if you are not ill, avoid visiting hospitals, long term care facilities or nursing homes to the extent possible. If you do need to visit one of these facilities limit your time there and keep 6 feet away from patients.
- Do not go to the emergency room unless essential. Emergency rooms need to be able to serve those with the most critical needs. If you have symptoms like cough, fever, or other respiratory problems, contact your regular doctor first.
- Practice excellent personal hygiene habits, including washing your hands with soap and water frequently, coughing into a tissue or your elbow, and avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.
- Clean frequently touched surfaces and objects (like doorknobs and light switches). Regular household cleaners are effective.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth unless you've just washed your hands.
- Get plenty of rest, drink plenty of fluids, eat healthy foods, and manage your stress to keep your immunity strong.
- Stay informed. Information is changing frequently. Check and subscribe to Public Health's website (www.kingcounty.gov/COVID) or blog (www.publichealthinsider.com).
I leave you with a poem that was shared with me last week. There is much to reflect on in these words. I wish you all a quiet and healthy weekend…..Suzanne
Lockdown
Yes, there is fear.
Yes, there is isolation.
Yes, there is panic buying.
Yes, there is sickness.
Yes, there is even death.
But,
They say in Wuhan, after so
many years of noise
You can hear the birds again.
They say that after just a few weeks of quiet
The sky is no longer thick with fumes,
But blue and grey and clear.
They say that in the streets of Assisi
People are singing to each other
across empty squares,
keeping their windows open
so that those who are alone may hear the sound of family
around them.
They say that a hotel in the west of Ireland
is offering free meals and delivery to
the housebound.
Today a young woman I know
is busy spreading flyers with her
number through the neighborhood
So that the elders may have someone to call on.
Today, Churches, Synagogues,
Mosques and Temples
are preparing to welcome
and shelter the homeless, the sick
the weary.
All over the world people are
slowing down and reflecting
All over the world people are looking
at their neighbors in a new way
All over the world people are waking
up to a new reality
To how big we really are.
To how little control we really have.
To what really matters.
To love.
So, we pray and we remember that
Yes, there is fear.
But there does not have to be hate.
Yes, there is isolation.
But there does not have to be
loneliness.
Yes, there is panic buying.But there
does not have to be meanness.
Yes, there is sickness.
But there does not have to be
disease of the soul
Yes, there is even death.
But there can always be a rebirth of
love.
Wake to the choices you make as to
how to live now.
Today, breathe.
Listen, behind the factory noises of your panic
The birds are singing again
The sky is clearing,
Spring is coming,
And we are always encompassed by
Love.
Open the windows of your soul
And though you may not be able
to touch across the empty square,
Sing.
Fr. Richard Hendrick, OFM. 3/13/2020