Many Washington colleges, universities will start winter term remotely

As COVID-19 cases rise rapidly across Washington — and across the United States — primarily driven by the omicron variant, many local colleges and universities have made the call to start the next quarter or term remotely as students and staff return from winter break.

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 UW says the decision was made as the university 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.”

On Jan. 7, the UW announced that “instructors will have additional flexibility to choose the modality of their classes through Jan. 28.” This means that classes can be held in-person if instructors can also provide an option that allows students to participate remotely, or classes can remain remote.

Seattle University similarly announced that most classes would be held virtually for the first week of January, “in light of the rapid spread of the omicron variant and uncertainty about its impacts.” Clinical placements, practicums and labs will remain in person, provided they are allowed at site locations. The campus, including residence halls, dining services, the library and other operations, will be open.

Seattle University told students, faculty, and staff on Jan. 4, 2022, that it will continue with remote learning through Jan. 30. The original plan was to return in-person on Jan. 10. The decision to extend, the university says, is due to the rapid spread of the omicron variant of COVID-19.

At Bellevue College, all winter quarter classes will start online, and most will continue remotely through Jan. 28. The college says it plans to return to in-person, hybrid, and online classes in February.

Seattle Pacific University has announced it will move classes that were scheduled to be in person the first week of winter quarter, Jan. 3-7, online “as a precautionary measure against the spread of the omicron variant of COVID-19.” Classes are expected to resume in person on Jan. 10. Campus offices, residence halls, and dining services will be open.

Seattle schools on track to return in person after break, but will go remote ‘if necessary’

Western Washington University in Bellingham will also start online for winter term. The first week of classes, from Jan. 4-7, will be taught remotely. A small number of lab, performance, and similar classes are exempt from this requirement.

“This will allow time for post-travel COVID testing and monitoring of symptoms, as well as additional time for employees and students to get booster shots,” reads a letter from the WWU president.

Western expected to resume in-person classes on Jan. 10, but instead announced that remote learning would be extended through Jan. 24.

Washington State University said in late December that it “continues to track conditions across the state with regards to the omicron variant of COVID-19.”

“Decision-making concerning campus operations will continue to be informed by data and guidance from state and county health agencies. WSU leaders remain confident that, based on current conditions, the Spring 2022 semester will be in‑person at all physical campuses,” reads an email from WSU.

On Jan. 10-11, classes ended up being cancelled at WSU Pullman, primarily due to mountain pass closures. The two-day delay was intended to “allow students ample time to return to Pullman following a week of severe winter weather in the state.” Other campuses began classes on time Monday, Jan. 10.

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