Emma Innes Staff writer Goudy Commons will be reopening indoor dining now that Marion County has [moved] to the “high risk” category. “High risk” counties are [allowed] indoor dining with some capacity limits. Willamette’s Vice President of Student Affairs, Lisa Landreman, sent out an email at 5:35 p.m. on Feb. 25 announcing the comeback of indoor dining for Goudy and the new capacity limits. Only 25 students will be allowed in the serving area and 50 students will be allowed in the seating area at a time. Landreman said the furniture will be arranged for proper spacing and there will be signs indicating if the table has been sanitized. Grab and go food service will still be available. Landreman did not mention when indoor dining will start. The Feb. 25 dinner service, which started at 5 p.m., did not contain indoor seating. There was no word on the indoor dining tent from the Fall 2020 semester that was [taken down] at the start of the Spring 2021 Semester. The Reopening Committee had said it was unlikely the tent would be brought back even if restrictions were changed.

Jesse Buck Lifestyles editor In the wake of the [ice storm] that left Willamette community members without power for many days, the Collegian reached out to the Reopening Committee (ROC) to clarify the emergency decision making process, asking why the administration did not offer students access to food and housing earlier in the crisis, and how the response decisions were made. Their statement comes as a response to the [criticism] levied at the administration and the ROC for their management of the outage. For transparency purposes, the Collegian notes that the writer of this piece is also the writer of the linked opinions article. The response did not address concerns about the last minute nature of the emergency communication students received, with students unsure whether or not their classes would be cancelled until the evening before those classes for three days in a row. The ROC did not indicate any emergency preparedness measures or changes they would make in the event of another emergency. In an email statement, the ROC noted that the original decision to carry on with classes was made while they were under the impression that power would be restored by Monday Feb. 15 or Tuesday Feb. 16. When power was not restored by then, the ROC said: “staff reconvened to explore possible options. Student Affairs sent students a Google form to query the interest in being temporarily housed on-campus. Thirteen students responded and we were able to accommodate them. We were grateful that Bon Appetit agreed to allow these students to join at the end of dinner service to have a warm meal but they are not required to do so as they are a private contractor.” The aforementioned Google form was sent to students on Tuesday, Feb. 16. The ROC’s response emphasized the complexity of decision making while balancing the “competing priorities” of the power outage and COVID-19 preventative measures. They said: “The university must take seriously the decision to close the campus or cancel classes. We have a responsibility to provide students the learning opportunities that brought them to Willamette and must meet the standards established by accreditors, as well as federal financial aid regulations—both of which require a certain standard of days and hours of class time. There is a limit to how much we can cancel class without later cancelling holiday breaks or study days to compensate. “Emergency response teams make the best decisions they can with the resources and information they have at the time. As any situation evolves new information is gained, priorities shift and new solutions emerge.” The Collegian will continue following this story and will inform the community of any updates. Read the full text of the Reopening Committee’s response [here].

From the Reopening Committee: Deciding whether or not to close campus or cancel classes is a complex process involving weighing different options and understanding the benefits and challenges of each option. The initial decision to continue with classes on the Monday after the storm was made based on the fact that campus had power, heat and internet access when much of Salem did not. At the time of that decision, we understood that the power would return by Monday or Tuesday. We did email students on Saturday and Sunday to ask them to let us know if they were injured, if their home had damage that exposed them to the elements, or if they had a medical condition that required power to manage so that we could provide additional support. We had one student contact us as a result of that email and we were able to provide housing for this person. When it was apparent that the power would take longer than expected to restore, staff reconvened to explore possible options. Student Affairs sent students a Google form to query the interest in being temporarily housed on-campus. Thirteen students responded and we were able to accommodate them. We were grateful that Bon Appetit agreed to allow these students to join at the end of dinner service to have a warm meal but they are not required to do so as they are a private contractor. To give you an example of how complex emergency response can be, this decision to house off-campus students required that we weigh the risks of having off-campus students come into the residence halls, which have been restricted to on-campus students only as one of our COVID mitigation measures. Congregate living spaces have been shown to be a source of community transmission of the virus, so we needed to consider the impact to the health and safety of our residential students if we were to house off-campus students in the residence halls. In considering housing students in a more open space such as a classroom or gym, we needed to think about the potential risks to students of mingling with other students and the safety concerns involved in providing places for students to sleep that were unlocked and unsupervised. We also were mindful that for counties in Extreme Risk (as Marion County was last week), the maximum capacity for indoor non-instructional gatherings is 6, and we were required to close the locker rooms with shower access.The spaces with shower access we did have available were among identified isolation and quarantine spaces reserved for students with a positive COVID test or exposure. Maintaining a certain number of beds for this purpose is part of our COVID mitigation strategy and is required by the Oregon Health Authority. Taking those dedicated rooms off-line means we risk not being able to manage a COVID outbreak. A power outage during a pandemic had us managing competing priorities. The university must take seriously the decision to close the campus or cancel classes. We have a responsibility to provide students the learning opportunities that brought them to Willamette and must meet the standards established by accreditors, as well as federal financial aid regulations—both of which require a certain standard of days and hours of class time. There is a limit to how much we can cancel class without later cancelling holiday breaks or study days to compensate. Emergency response teams make the best decisions they can with the resources and information they have at the time. As any situation evolves new information is gained, priorities shift and new solutions emerge.

Campus Safety Report February 15-21, 2021 Provided by Ross Stout. Suspicious Activity/Persons February 17, 8:23 a.m (University Services Building): Campus Safety received a report of a woman and two children riding bikes on campus without masks on. An officer responded and searched the area, but the individuals had already left campus. February 17, 2:20 p.m. (University Services Building): While on patrol, an officer noticed an individual sitting on a bench smoking. The officer made contact with the individual informing them of the campus smoking and mask policies. The individual then left campus. February 5:40 p.m. (Hatfield Fountain): Campus Safety received a call reporting several teenage individuals on bikes without masks on. An officer responded and encountered the individuals riding away as they arrived. February 18, 7:51 p.m. (Goudy Commons): Campus Safety received a call from Bon Appetit staff reporting an individual loitering in front of the building with their mask underneath their chin. An officer responded and encountered the individual heading off campus. February 18, 8:57 p.m. (Atkinson GSM): While on patrol, an officer encountered an individual yelling erratically. Officers responded and made contact with the individual and escorted them off campus. February 19, 7:54 a.m. (Hatfield Library): Campus Safety received a call reporting an individual riding a bike with a trailer passing through campus. The individual refused to leave campus and was trespassed from the university. February 19, 8:02 a.m. (Hatfield Fountain): While on patrol, an officer encountered an individual attempting to take a bath in the fountain. The individual was informed the campus is closed to visitors and was escorted off campus. February 19, 2:15 p.m. (Waller Hall): While on patrol, an officer encountered two state employees passing through campus. The individuals were reminded that the campus is closed to visitors and were asked to leave. Theft February 17, 10:00 am (Atkinson GSM): Campus Safety was contacted by maintenance staff after they noticed a hot water dispenser in the kitchen area was missing. A report was filed.

Nat Felten Staff writer Double masking is recommended by Willamette, but not required. Art by Anushka Srivastav. With Marion County still in the Oregon Health Authority’s [extreme risk] category and in-person classes set to resume on campus after the ice storm, proper mask use remains a vital measure against COVID-19 in the community. In recent [updates], Willamette University has recommended that students double up on masks while on campus. The Reopening Operations Committee (ROC) clarified the campus policy through email, saying: “Willamette’s mask policy has not changed since the Fall… Willamette’s current mask policy requires individuals wear one mask (cloth or disposable).” Regarding the new masking [recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)], the ROC said that: “Doubling your mask is a good approach to protecting against COVID-19 and the new variants that continue to travel through the state and nation. Importantly however, these are recommendations, not requirements, as they are difficult to enforce. It is often not obvious if a person is wearing two masks, or one mask with a filter just by looking at them.” The ROC encouraged students to invest in several [rewashable cloth masks], which can also be doubled with a surgical mask or a 2.5 micron filter per WU recommendation. However, neck gaiters do not count as an acceptable mask on campus. The ROC said, “Willamette is not making specific mask recommendations, as fit and need vary significantly by person and circumstances.” Students, faculty and staff can obtain disposable masks at the Service Center in the University Services Building on Ferry St., in the Student Affairs offices on the second and third floors of the University Center or the circulation desk at Mark O. Hatfield Library.

Noah Dantes Editor-in-chief Emma Innes Staff writer Update Feb. 16: CAS classes have been cancelled through Wednesday, Feb. 17, CAS Dean Ruth Feingold announced over email 7:06 p.m. Tuesday, due to continuing power outages brought on by the ice storm and fallen tree branches. VP of Student Affairs Lisa Landreman announced earlier Tuesday evening that Willamette will be providing on-campus sleeping options for off-campus students starting Wednesday. Feb. 17, if power remains out. Those seeking temporary accommodation should fill out [ this form ] by 10 a.m. Wednesday. ... Update Feb. 15: CAS classes have been cancelled through Tuesday, Feb. 16, CAS Dean Ruth Feingold announced over email 6:48 p.m. Monday, due to continuing power outages brought on by the ice storm and fallen tree branches. Feingold did say that the campus will be open with electricity, heat and wifi but those coming to campus should keep in mind COVID-19 precautions. ... College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) classes have been cancelled for Monday, Feb. 15, CAS Dean Ruth Feingold announced over email at 8:52 p.m. Sunday. This decision does not impact Law and Atkinson classes. Feingold said, however, the university will be open, “There is power, heat, and internet, so many who are currently lacking these in their homes may wish to come in to campus.” Vice President of Student Affairs Lisa Landreman [ had previously announced that classes would proceed as planned at 3:03 p.m. Sunday ]. ASWU President Claire Mathews-Lingen, on behalf of a majority of ASWU senators, sent out an email to the student body Sunday evening expressing disagreement with the university’s initial decision to continue with classes Monday.

Chrissy Ewald Staff writer Photo of WEMS staff on Feb. 10 by Montana Hunter ('21). Photo retrieved by Anushka Srivastav. Willamette Emergency Medical Services (WEMS) is a student service organization that responds to on-campus medical emergencies. In mid-March 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, WEMS ceased taking calls and its members stopped going on shifts because of health and safety concerns associated with continuing to operate in that capacity. In late January 2021, WEMS announced that the weekly meetings of its members, which moved online because of the pandemic, are now open to all members of the Willamette community. Meetings are on Tuesdays from 7 to 9 p.m., and can be accessed by emailing to be added to the WEMS site on WISE. Meetings were previously restricted to licensed emergency services providers. Nathan Brown, president and drill instructor of WEMS, explained that the decision was made “in an effort to make our club more accessible,” to increase awareness within the student body of what WEMS does, and to “increase the number of people who want to join WEMS.” Brown also quoted the WEMS medical director, Dr. Brian Clothier, MD, saying that they anticipate that WEMS will be able to go back on call later this semester, provided the timeline of WEMS members receiving COVID vaccinations enabled safe operation. As licensed first responders, WEMS members are in [ phase 1A ] of Oregon’s vaccine distribution plan. Their tentative prediction would be to resume responding to student calls in March of this year. WEMS hopes to resume offering their EMR certification class in fall of 2021 when they can secure approval from the state government for safe operation.

Benjamin Burton Photo editor Rebecca May Photographer Grace Shiffrin Anushka Srivastav Photographer Tree branches collapsed in front of Waller Hall. Photo by Rebecca May. Photo by Benjamin Burton. Bamboo frozen over in the courtyard between the Renjen Center and York Hall. Photo by Grace Shiffrin. Fallen branches lay in the distance behind the icy Town and Gown statue. Photo by Rebecca May. Photo by Anushka Srivastav. A "Campus Closed" sign frozen over next to the sidewalk by Winter Street. Photo by Grace Shiffrin. Photo by Anushka Srivastav. Icy trees and fallen branches frame the view of the Mill Stream. Photo by Rebecca May. A large branch blocks the pathway to Doney Hall. Photo by Rebecca May. Downed branches crushed tents near the Lee & York Houses. Photo by Grace Shiffrin. A bench facing the Capitol sits covered in broken branches. Photo by Rebecca May. Downed branches between the Renjen Center and Winter Street. Photo by Grace Shiffrin. Photo by Benjamin Burton.

Campus Safety Report February 8 - 14, 2021 Provided by Ross Stout. Burglary February 8, 9:14 am (Goudy Commons): Campus Safety was contacted by Bon Appetit staff after noticing items and food missing in the office area. Camera footage was reviewed and a suspect was seen entering the building earlier in the morning. A report was filed. The Salem Police Department were also contacted and provided with documentation and camera footage of the suspect for their investigation. Suspicious Activity/Persons February 9, 12:14 p.m. (Mill Street): Campus Safety received a call reporting an individual not wearing a mask on campus. An officer responded and informed the individual that masks are required on campus. The individual left afterward. February 10, 12:02 p.m. (University Center): Campus Safety received a call from a staff member reporting an individual carrying a stick attempting to get into rooms. An officer responded and searched the area, but the individual could not be located. February 12, 8:57 a.m (York House): Campus Safety received a call from a student after an individual without a mask had approached them. An officer responded and searched the area to see if the individual was still on campus, but they had already left. Trespass February 14, 10:55 p.m. (Baxter Hall): Campus Safety received a call reporting a suspicious individual near Matthews. An officer responded and located the individual, inside the vestibule in front of Bishop Wellness Center. The individual was told to leave, but they refused. The Salem Police Department was then contacted and the individual was trespassed, arrested, and removed from campus.

Emma Innes Staff writer A screenshot of ASWU President Claire Mathews-Lingen's email to the student body. Many students have been left without power due to the [ ice storm ] over the weekend, which downed branches on campus and around Salem. Associated Students of Willamette University (ASWU) President Claire Mathews-Lingen (‘21) sent out an email to all College of Arts and Science students the evening of Feb. 14 criticizing the decision of the Reopening Committee (ROC) to continue classes as scheduled: “The decision to continue to hold in-person classes tomorrow demonstrates a lack of care for both students and faculty as we deal with a crisis. I believe the decision to hold classes as normal tomorrow is the wrong decision. We are not all experiencing this crisis equally. ” Mathews-Lingen noted that many students are still without power and that Salem has advised residents to not drive, and called it unacceptable to expect off-campus students to commute during these conditions. She urged for classes to be canceled tomorrow, Monday, Feb. 15, and Tuesday, Feb. 16 as well. Students were notified of the ROC’s decision to continue with classes in an email on behalf of the ROC from Vice President of Student Affairs Lisa Landreman at 3:03 p.m. on Feb. 14. The ROC said: “Classes will go on as scheduled unless you are otherwise notified. If you are unsure whether it is prudent to travel to campus, you should use your personal judgment and make the right decision for yourself regarding coming to work or attending classes.” The email also contained updates on Willaemtte’s policies surrounding the ice storm, saying that the ROC recognizes that many are still without power or Wi-Fi, but due to COVID-19, Willamette could not help and house students unless they are injured, live in a damaged home or have medical circumstances that endanger them. While housing cannot be provided, the Putnam University Center and academic buildings are open for studying. The decision to continue classes comes despite the fact that Salem has [ declared ] a state of emergency due to the power outages and dangerous driving conditions with residents [ advised ] to not to leave their homes. Oregon Governor Kate Brown [ declared ] a separate state of emergency that includes Marion County due to the weather. This decision to not cancel classes is similar to last semester when the ROC decided to continue classes [ online ] despite hazardous air from wildfire smoke. This move was also [ criticized ] by ASWU, as there were concerns surrounding health issues and stress from the smoke.

Jake Procino News editor Goudy Commons at night. Photo by Jake Procino Bon Appétit, Willamette’s dining service provider, is temporarily changing dining hours and services over the weekend for the safety of staff and students, according Director of Operations Darin Wachs over email. Dinner hours will be served at Goudy Commons from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 13 and Sunday, Feb. 14. Brunch on Sunday, Feb. 14 will be served from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., with no continental breakfast. Blitz Market will be closed for the entirety of the weekend. Normal dining hours will resume Monday, Feb. 15. Wachs said the reason for these changes is “to improve the safety for students and staff” going to and from Goudy. He said, “We would like to avoid the cold hazards/conditions as much as possible that get worse after dark as the evening gets colder and possibly more dangerous.” Wachs said that the changes are for this weekend only, though they may be adjusted again if the weather gets worse.

Jake Procino News editor Update added Feb. 13: Paragraph added due to an email update from Willamette. Trees and branches have collapsed on campus under the added weight from ice. Photo by Rebecca May. Tree branches litter Willamette's campus as a result of an ice storm that has passed through Salem. Downed branches and trees block walkways around campus and crushed tents meant to cover the waiting line for Goudy. Collapsing branches and trees have also knocked out power across the city, leaving many students living off-campus without heating or internet. Lisa Landreman, vice president of student affairs and dean of students, sent an email to students saying to [ contact ] Campus Safety if they have been injured because of the storm or if they are exposed to the elements because the storm damaged their house. She also said that Ford Hall, the University Center and academic buildings are available for studying, and that Goudy Commons is open to all students for dinner and brunch. Portland General Electric (PGE) spokesperson Elizabeth Lattanner said that power outages will potentially last through the weekend and even a few days after that. A power outage map can be [ viewed ] on PGE’s website, and power outages can be reported to: Portland General Electric: 1-800-544-1795 or 503-464-7777 Salem Electric: 503-362-3601 Pacific Power: 1-877-508-5088. The City of Salem [ reported ] that “hundreds of trees are down,” blocking roadways and knocking down power lines across the city. Salem advises residents to “stay home and safe as City crews work to remove these hazards” and to “not approach or touch power lines.” A map of road closures can be [ viewed ] on the City of Salem’s website and roadway concerns can be reported to [ service@cityofsalem.net ] or 503-588-6311. Branches fell and crushed tents covering the waiting area for Goudy Commons. Photos by Rebecca May.