Most UW classes return to remote learning for first week of winter quarter

For the first week of winter quarter at the University of Washington, which starts Jan. 3, most classes will return to a remote learning format.

The university announced this change Tuesday in a letter to UW students, staff, faculty, and other academic personnel. The move to remote learning is made, the letter says, as the UW community tracks the spread of the omicron variant, being mindful of the “short time between holiday gatherings and travel and the start of UW’s winter quarter on Jan. 3.”

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While most classes resume remotely for the first week of the quarter, clinical instruction and practicums will still meet in person. Some lab courses may also have an in-person option for that first week. Facilities at all three campuses will remain operational, including housing, libraries, advising and student services. Buildings will largely remain open as well.

“We are committed to a return to in-person education and look forward to that happening on Monday, Jan. 10,” the letter states.

The university required students on campus to be vaccinated against COVID-19 before autumn quarter. The UW’s letter recommends that students get boosted prior to in-person classes, and suggests that those who travel or gather over the break get tested upon their return and monitor their symptoms.

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“We recognize the news in recent days — and even this announcement — may spark both concern and a sense of déjà vu. The rapid spread of Omicron does remind us of the spread of the original coronavirus and comes at a time when we are all feeling the losses and the physical, mental and emotional effects of a nearly two-year pandemic,” the letter reads.

“But much has changed since early 2020. We know more, are better prepared and are a community that is using all the tools available to us to mitigate the risk of infection and illness, starting with extremely high vaccination rates. FDA-authorized vaccines provide protection against severe illness and this protection can be enhanced through booster shots, which are strongly recommended.”

Read the full letter from the UW online here, signed by President Ana Mari Cauce and Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Mark Richards.

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