Campus Safety report November 16 - 22, 2020 Provided by Ross Stout. Suspicious Activity/Persons November 16, 9:06 a.m. (Waller Hall): Campus Safety received a call reporting a maskless individual going through the dumpsters. An officer responded and met with the individual and informed that the campus is closed to visitors and masks are required on campus. The individual then left. November 18, 3:16 p.m. (University Services): While on patrol, a Campus Safety officer encountered an individual carrying various trash bags passing through campus. The officer made contact with the individual and informed them that the campus is closed to visitors and the individual promptly left. Welfare Check November 22, 7:00 a.m. (In a Campus Residence / Matthews Hall): Campus safety received a call from a concerned parent requesting a welfare check. An officer responded and checked in with the student at their residence and requested the student contact them.

Matthew Mahoney Staff writer Bistro leadership, left to right: Maia Ito ('21), Kitchen Manager, Maria del Rocio Ortiz Chavarria ('21), General Manager, Bella Medina ('21), Financial Manager, . Photo by Ally Fisher. The Bistro’s once-vibrant community has gone quiet, due in large part to its reduced hours and its empty space, which in turn was caused by the reduced physical presence of students in reaction to COVID-19. Maria del Rocio Ortiz Chavarria (‘21), the general manager of the Bistro, said that with less customers and stricter COVID-19 related protocols, the Bistro is in real financial trouble with its semester expenses increasing and income decreasing. Ortiz Chavarria said that sales have gone down 70 percent compared to regular, pre-COVID semesters. Ortiz Chavarria cited many reasons for bad sales. The Bistro was not expecting a quieter campus atmosphere and therefore, they were not prepared for a smaller customer base. Because of this, they had to reduce their hours. They are now open Mondays to Fridays from 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m and Sundays from 2-6 p.m. They also have experienced the loss of typical income from the lack of space reservations, in-person events and catering orders. In September, they had to pay sick time for staff and throw away a lot of inventory because they were shut down for two weeks due to the wildfires. Additionally, they haven’t accepted cash or Bistro Bucks this semester in order to limit contact. Bistro Bucks are usually bought by clubs, organizations and departments as prizes and incentives for students or staff. Because they are not accepted this semester, Bistro management has been trying to let organizations know there are similar, available options, such as physical or virtual gift cards, which are [ available to the public ]. Starting in November, the Bistro created deals to try to increase sales. They offered free stickers for any $5 purchase. They also partnered with the Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, the Office of the Chaplains and the WU Votes committee to host a free cookie day on Election Day. They are planning on continuing efforts like these in spring since they have seen sales improve. They are also looking more critically at every aspect of the Bistro’s business model. They are looking at when customers are in the shop making orders to decide hours. They are considering how to make the kitchen more efficient to move around in. While the food menu received little change this semester, they are looking to decrease waste and create food that the whole community can enjoy in the spring. They also want to expand their online order menu. Also, on Nov. 12, [ the Associated Students of Willamette University (ASWU) passed an $18,000 grant to help the Bistro]. The Bistro will remain open until Nov. 20, despite the quiet period. Ortiz Chavarria said that because they have been physically distancing, they are not planning on closing. During the last week of classes, the Bistro is offering 20 percent off [ online orders ]. They will reopen on January 20, the first day of classes. The Bistro invites clubs, organizations and departments to collaborate with them. Ortiz Chavarria said: “We’re asking for the whole community to try and support us as much as they can... This is probably the lowest the Bistro has been in a while or in my experience being here for four years. We want to make sure we still have the resources and the experience for future Bistro managers [and staff] and for them to feel prepared for when COVID is not here and transition back to [the] regular Bistro.” The COVID-19-related changes made in the Bistro were implemented to alleviate staff concerns. The Bistro currently has about 20 staff members who prepare all of the food. They were originally going to reopen with seating under state guidelines, but management decided not to due to safety concerns. They extended the original counter to make it more convenient for staff to be six feet distanced at all times. Aside from changes due to staff concerns, Bistro staff have more tasks related to the serving and preparing of food added to their job duties, since customers are no longer allowed to self-serve. There have also been slight changes to their food menu. They have created some sweet bagel options such as their new cinnamon raisin bagels in an attempt to increase sales. Some COVID-19 related changes have also affected expenses. The Bistro has switched to a grab-and-go model, and as a result, their expenses have soared from ordering more paper cups and plastic utensils. The Bistro has had to do more to meet new cleaning standards by regularly sanitizing their workstation and always wearing rubber gloves while preparing orders. The increased purchase of cleaning supplies such as gloves and towels have contributed to increased expenses. Ortiz Chavarria shared how she misses the strong sense of community with staff and customers, a feeling often referred to as “Bistro love.” Ortiz Chavarria said “When we were fully open, our seating area [was open]. We had regular groups of students who would come in to have club meetings, to do homework. We would know we were part of this Bistro community.” “I feel that [community] is something we have been lacking this semester.” She cited how the Bistro space has been used to host musical performances, open mic events, and department events: “I think that’s what we’re trying to focus on next semester. How can we build community even if we’re not all in the same space.”

Emma Innes Staff writer The Willamette Reopening Operations Committee (ROC) sent out an email on Nov. 20 at 2:53 p.m. notifying of the sixteenth known case of COVID-19 at WU this semester. The person, described as not regularly working on campus, tested positive on Wednesday, Nov. 18, and was last on campus Friday, Nov. 6. ROC reported the individual was present in the Shepard House but was not in [ close contact ] as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This comes as cases in Oregon and the United States are on the rise. The ROC reminded that new rules from the Occupational Safety and Health Association (OSHA) require them to identify what buildings individuals who test positive were in, but clarified these new rules will not change the existing testing policy. ROC also reminded that they must maintain confidentiality for those who test positive, which limits the information they can provide to the community. ROC asked the Willamette community to continue adhering to social distancing practices and wearing masks. Faculty and staff who test positive are still being asked to contact Danita Chapin in Human Resources, and students who test positive are to contact Tori Ruiz in Student Affairs. Willamette reported its [fifteenth case on Nov. 17 ].

Sanja Zelen Staff writer Outside the M. Lee Pelton Theatre, where The Memo was recorded and rehearsed. Photo by Rebecca May. Willamette University’s fall play, The Memo , ran from Oct. 29 through Nov. 15, with a pre-recorded broadcast coming out soon. The Theatre Department provided students with the option to see the play in-person with social distancing and mask-wearing in place before the quiet period began on Nov. 11, as a live broadcast with a Youtube link or as a pre-recorded broadcast, which will be available from Nov. 20 through Nov. 30. The Willamette Theatre Department described the play’s plot as: “Office life turns upside-down when it is forced to adopt a new language called Ptydepe, a “Newspeak” that is one part efficiency, one part goobledygook! This absurdist farce, set in a socially-distanced landscape, looks directly at how we control words – and how they control us” ( Theater department ). Willamette students Spike Iverson (‘22) and John Campi (‘24) reflected on their experiences seeing the play, commenting on the play’s use of a made-up language, masks and cinematography, all while following COVID-19 protocols. Iverson watched the play in person and as a livestream, while Campi saw the play in person. An in-person performance required adequate distancing between audience members. “The chairs were staggered so that everybody was at least six feet apart in the audience,” Iverson said, with Campi adding that “we were seated six feet apart, obviously, but [there were] chairs spread out in different areas.” Iverson said that all of the seats were filled on opening night, but that they were the only person in the audience during the performance on Nov. 5. “It was really cool just because I did props for The Memorandum and I was already friends with everybody, so after the curtain call, they were all like, “thanks Spike” and waved at me,” Iverson reflected. “I'm sure there were people who were live streaming but it was kind of a cool experience being the only person and then seeing the live stream.” Campi detailed his experience, “I was at the very front which I felt a little awkward just sitting right up there, but it was cool, especially with the whole part where there were three different parts of the stage where each thing was going on,” referring to the various ways The Memo utilized the stage space. Iverson watched the livestream of the play, sent out as a private Youtube link. They said that there were occasionally issues with the sound: “My partner's the lead. They said that their parents had live streamed the opening night show and had difficulty hearing things, like there are some actors who never actually face out toward the camera and who are never downstage and they're not as close to the cameras and microphones and because they're wearing masks, you can't really lip read.” Campi said he had the same concern watching the in-person production: “I thought the biggest issue going into it would be [that] sometimes I wouldn't really be able to hear what they would be saying because I won't be able to read their lips. But actually it wasn’t that bad.” Iverson found the mask requirement and livestream option to work in the play’s favor, unintentionally enhancing its plot: “They would show different camera angles depending on where the action on stage was taking place and I actually ended up noticing some things that I hadn't noticed before when I saw it live. The masks in the play were very interesting. I think that in a way they kind of added to it because the main message of the play is about the evils of bureaucracy and the homogenization of humanity basically into one corporate sterile environment. The masks, because they were all uniform, they all look the same and they were worn in tandem with business suits, like 16 business suits—that really kind of contributed to the atmosphere of the clinical business setting.” Iverson gave their thoughts on the pre-recorded version of the play coming out: “[the] pre-recorded versions are taking so long to come out because they are doing subtitles for them, so that I think will probably enhance the viewer experience a lot when you're able to actually see what is being said.” Iverson and Campi recommended the play to students, reporting that the digital version of The Memo didn’t take away from the in-person experience of seeing a play that most Willamette students have previously been used to. Tickets for the pre-recorded version available at the end of the month can be found on the Theatre department’s online store or by contacting the Box Office .

Emma Innes Staff writer The Willamette Reopening Committee sent out an email on Nov. 17 at 3:11 pm notifying the community of a student living on campus testing positive for COVID-19, who is now isolating at home. This is the fifteenth reported case of COVID-19 this semester at WU. The email reported the student was last on campus on Nov. 13. Due to new rules from the Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the committee was required to report the buildings the student who tested positive was in. The email stated the student was in Belknap Hall and Goudy Commons. Everyone considered in close contact had already been notified to quarantine at the time the email was sent. The Reopening Committee once again mentioned that the Higher Education Coordinating Commission and Oregon Health Authority require confidentiality for students and staff who test positive, limiting the information they can release. They also asked the community to continue adhering to physical distancing practices and wearing masks. Faculty and staff who test positive are still being asked to contact Danita Chapin in Human Resources, and students who test positive are to contact Tori Ruiz in Student Affairs. WU announced its fourteenth case of COVID-19 on Nov. 10.

Campus Safety report November 9 - 15, 2020 Provided by Ross Stout. Emergency Medical Aid November 9, 6:52 p.m. (Hatfield Library): Campus Safety received a call reporting a student had fallen and injured their hand. An officer responded and evaluated the student and transported the student to the ER. The on-call area coordinator was also notified. Suspicious Activity/Persons November 9, 8:11 a.m. (Haseldorf Apartments): While on patrol, an officer encountered an unsecured door. The officer requested backup and officers searched the building to ensure there was no one inside. Officers found an individual inside the building who was then removed from campus. Maintenance was contacted to assist in securing the building. November 9, 12:47 p.m. (Kaneko Commons): Campus Safety received a call from a student reporting that they were followed into the parking lot by an individual on a bike. An officer responded and searched the area and the main campus, but could not locate the individual. November 10, 9:53 p.m. (Law School): While on patrol, a Campus Safety officer encountered an individual going through the dumpsters. The officer made contact with the individual and informed them that the campus is closed to visitors and they were escorted off campus. November 11, 2:05 a.m. (Sparks Parking Lot): While on patrol, a Campus Safety officer encountered an individual passing through campus. The officer made contact with the individual and informed them that the campus is closed to visitors and they left campus. November 13, 3:45 a.m. (Winter Street): While on patrol, a Campus Safety officer encountered an individual passing through campus. The officer made contact with the individual and informed them that the campus is closed to visitors. The individual then left campus. November 13, 1:36 p.m. (Atkinson GSM): Campus Safety received a call reporting two individuals not wearing a mask. An officer responded and reminded the individuals of the campus mask policy. November 14, 7:41 a.m. (Star Trees): While on patrol, a Campus Safety officer encountered two individuals sitting in the area. The officer made contact with the individuals and informed them that the campus is closed to visitors. The individual then left campus. November 15, 10:30 a.m. (Lee House): Campus Safety received a call from a student reporting an individual huddled near the building. An officer responded and checked on the individual. The officer contacted the Salem Police Department to perform a welfare check on the individual as they left campus. November 15, 4:38 p.m. (Law School): Campus Safety received a call reporting an individual sitting on the steps. An officer responded and met with the individual and informed them that the campus is closed to visitors. The individual then left campus. Theft November 12, 4:25 p.m. (Zena Forest): Campus Safety was contacted by an employee to report a theft of various items and landscaping tools on the property. A report was filed and the employee also contacted the Salem Police Department to report the theft.

Noah Dantes Editor-in-chief Sparks Fitness Center closed on Nov. 14 for the rest of the semester, Campus Recreation Director Tony Stafford confirmed over email. Additionally, on Nov. 16, the outdoor dining tent across from Goudy closed and Goudy halted in-person dining, and now offers only grab-and-go meals. While individuals will no longer be able to use Sparks independently, the facility will remain open for “credit-bearing class instruction,” Willamette’s website states. “Fitness centers and gyms are one of six places that have 80 percent of the COVID transmissions currently, [and that] is one of the reasons we have decided to close down,” Stafford said. He added that the plan is to reopen Sparks in the spring, but “ most of that decision is out of my control at this point in time.” On Nov. 13, Governor Kate Brown announced new restrictions due to a drastic spike in COVID cases across the state. The new restrictions will last from Nov. 18 to Dec. 2, but Willamette states on its website that its procedural changes were made independently from the new restrictions: “ The freeze does not apply to or change protocols for K-12 schools and higher education, which allows us to operate under previous guidance issued by the Oregon Health Authority.” These procedural changes include the closing of Sparks for individual usage and Goudy for in-person dining, as well as the closing of the Hallie Ford Museum .

Piper Lehr Staff writer The winter season is almost upon us, and students may be wondering if there are ways to keep warm besides layering up. Warm comfort foods are a great way to accomplish this. Here are five easy-to-prepare food items that one may want to consider this holiday season. 1. Speciality Coffees and Teas. Coffee and tea are go-tos for many when they want to keep warm. But there are many ways to spice things up a bit using some extra ingredients from around the house, if one is in the mood for a cheap Starbucks type specialty drink. Common methods include this Food Network coffee recipe, which combines cinnamon, brown sugar and vanilla extract, and this mocha coffee recipe from All Recipes , which utilizes cocoa and white sugar. 2. Hot Chocolate. Hot chocolate is another great way to keep warm. It can be made instant or stove-top, with or without spices. For two simple stove-top recipes, check out this one from Bon Appetit , and this one from Hershey’s . 3. Instant Oatmeal. Instant oatmeal is a great way to keep warm in the morning, whether it is prepared with hot water or steamed milk. The great thing about oatmeal is its versatility—it can be made vegan or gluten free, and anything can be added on top of it. Some online recipes kick it up a notch, like this holiday-themed one from Minimalist Baker , which includes pumpkin pie oats topped with whipped cream and maple-cinnamon pecans. 4. Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup. Soup is a comforting food for many during the holiday season. Much like oatmeal, it can be made in many different ways. One frequently overlooked preparation is the southern classic grilled cheese and tomato soup. Canned soup can do, though some online recipes will give you options with a little more flavor, like this one from Bon Appetit . 5. Mug Cakes. Microwavable mug cakes are another easy dessert recipe. It’s exactly what it sounds like: take a typical cake recipe, like this one from All Recipes , mix it together in a mug, and throw it in the microwave to cook. The heat from the microwave-prepared cake is sure to keep one warm.

Kathleen Forrest Managing Editor Update: According to a new email from the Hallie Ford Museum of Art, the closure has been moved up to start today, Nov. 13. According to a press release sent out Nov. 13, the Hallie Ford Museum of Art will be closed starting Nov. 18 and is expected to reopen on Dec. 2 at the earliest, in response to the latest state mandates regarding COVID-19. Until then the museum will be open Saturday and Tuesday from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., and closed on Sunday and Monday. However, regarding this Saturday, the museum notes in the release that, “ visitors should be aware that a rally is planned to take place at the Oregon State Capitol and may impact the museum's hours of operation.”  The exhibition “Northwest Public Art of the 1930s” was supposed to run at the Hallie Ford from Nov. 28-March 27, but has now been postponed. Regarding this exhibit and others being closed, the release cites Museum Director John Olbrantz as saying, “As we move forward through these difficult times, my staff and I look forward to sharing our permanent collection and other special exhibitions with you in a safe, inclusive, and welcoming environment and I remain hopeful that these new measures will give us the much needed opportunity to control the number of cases and ensure the safety of all."

Nat Felten Staff writer Art by Maizy Goerlitz. The changes to Title IX by the Trump administration have been a cause for concern for students and staff on college campuses. Title IX is a law that protects students from discrimination in education based on sex. The Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos has been criticized for making it harder for sexual assault survivors to come forward with allegations. Andrea Hugmeyer, director of the Gender Resource & Advocacy Center at Willamette and confidential advocate, gave her thoughts about the state of Title IX in an interview with the Collegian . Interim Title IX Coordinator Darci Heroy could not be reached for an interview. The Trump administration’s changes began in 2018 with the repeal of the 2011 Dear Colleague Letter on Sexual Violence that was released by the Obama administration. This letter, which included definitions for sexual misconduct, provided guidance on how universities should change their policies to better aid sexual assault survivors. The Trump administration’s changes narrowed the definition of sexual misconduct and has put greater emphasis on due process for those accused. “The difference between the Dear Colleague letter and the new regulations is the Dear Colleague letter was guidance,” said Hugmeyer. “The new regulations actually are attached to the Title IX [law].” Hugmeyer described the Obama administration’s efforts as the result of years of advocacy and protest for “survivor centered and trauma informed practices.” According to her, the Trump administration’s changes are “swinging the pendulum back towards what some people say align more with the structures and ideas of the criminal justice system.” DeVos has said that the changes to Title IX are to protect the rights of all students, both the survivors and the accused. Hugmeyer said that “some of the good to come from the new regulations would be more resources and attention allocated to supporting that respondent [person accused of misconduct] too”. She says this is not to minimize the experiences of survivors, but as a way to support the community as a whole. “There’s an emotional impact to anyone going through something like this, and maybe the positive perspective is that those committing harm will also have more explicit access to care as needed, too… If there’s any positives to come out of the new regulations, it is just thinking about the additional support for our students who have been in the role of respondent, that is part of the equity too.” Regardless of any changes to federal law, Hugmeyer said that the goals of her office remain unchanged, “We’re here to support people with any emotional needs that they have, questions about reporting, whether it's law enforcement or through the school’s sexual misconduct process… and really just support the healing and empowerment of students who have been impacted.” Hugmeyer talked about how Willamette’s size has its advantages. "I think at a small school we have relationships already because we work closely together,” says Hugmeyer. “If someone I’m working with has a need, and let’s say they need to relocate to a different residence hall, but they’re not interested in pursuing a misconduct report. And so they will come and they will work with me and I will make arrangements with [Director of Housing] Scott [Etherton] and because we have this ongoing relationship and rapport, I can just call him up and be like ‘Hey… I need to know what the availability is in Baxter, I need to get a student in there. Help.’ That type of thing, and we make it happen.” After former Title IX Coordinator Jade Aguilar left , Willamette University hired Darci Heroy as its Interim Coordinator, and is searching for a permanent Coordinator. For Hugmeyer, an ideal coordinator would focus on prevention. “I believe we have a lot of solid processes and mechanisms for response,” said Hugmeyer, “We are good at the response and the process, but not so much on the prevention, which ties into the role of a Title IX coordinator, having to be responsible for campus climate and what that culture of respect and inclusivity and equality looks like.”

Chrissy Ewald Staff writer In response to growing COVID-19 case numbers across Oregon, Governor Kate Brown announced new two-week coronavirus guidelines for select counties. These guidelines apply to Multnomah, Marion, Jackson, Malheur and Umatilla counties, and may be extended if other counties see similar increases in case numbers. The [ new guidelines ] include: Encouraging businesses to mandate working at home when possible. Pausing indoor visits to long-term care facilities. Limiting indoor dining to fifty people (including both customers and staff) within a building, with a maximum group size of six. Limiting other non-religious indoor activities like gyms and museums to fifty people. Requesting that households limit contact with those outside the household to a maximum of the same six people, at infrequent intervals. In the unaffected counties, the same [ restrictions ] remain in place. Ongoing restrictions include mandatory face masks for all people over five years of age in public indoor spaces and outside where social distancing is not possible, a cap of 10 people for indoor social gatherings, a 100-person total capacity limit for indoor facilities like gyms and restaurants, a cap of 25 people for civic, cultural and religious gatherings, and a recommendation that people remain at home as much as is reasonably possible. The number of new daily COVID-19 cases in Oregon has been increasing since Oct. 22. From Oct. 25 to Nov. 8, the 14-day average of new daily cases has gone up 96 percent, according to a [ report ] from The New York Times . Willamette’s Reopening Committee (ROC) sent an email to students and staff Nov. 9 outlining how Willamette will be responding to the governor’s mandate. For the two weeks remaining during the fall term, Willamette residents are being asked to observe a “quiet period,” starting on Wednesday, Nov. 11. During this quiet period, students who live on campus or attend classes in person are expected to: Attend classes remotely when possible. Avoid gatherings of more than six people. Avoid non-emergency travel before leaving campus for break. Reduce in-person contact when possible. Limit traffic in campus buildings. The ROC also advised students on [ the best ways to avoid catching or spreading the coronavirus ] while traveling for break, and encouraged students to get a flu shot.

Noah Dantes Editor-in-chief An employee “not regularly working on campus” tested positive for COVID-19 on Nov. 10, Willamette’s reopening committee announced over email Nov. 10. The employee was last on campus Oct. 27, and was not in close contact with anyone at Willamette. Additional details about the individual have been withheld due to privacy laws. Faculty and staff who test positive are still being asked to contact Danita Chapin in Human Resources, and students who test positive are to contact Tori Ruiz in Student Affairs. Willamette announced its 12th and 13th COVID-19 case of the semester on Nov. 6.