Class of 2024 Courtesy of Mira Karthik. My name is Mira Karthik, and I am running to be your freshman class senator this year at WU. Above all, I am running because I want to represent YOU, and I strongly believe that I have the skills needed to do just that! If I am elected, I will prioritize inclusivity & representation, not just for our remote students but for all communities on campus. As a class, we have already faced many unusual circumstances around our first year of college, and I want to be the person who takes on these challenges to make our educational environment the best that it can be. With experience in leadership through high school in the form of campaigns, clubs & as a representative, I understand that it takes hard work to successfully represent your classmates and I am only running because this is work I am not only willing to take on, but excited for. I promise to engage, reach out, and unite our class through not just listening to your concerns, but actively doing something to fix it. I am excited to watch our campus flourish, together! Courtesy of AJ Ammons. My name is AJ Ammons. I have had extensive leadership experience throughout my life. My experience with leadership started almost exactly a decade ago, when I joined what is now officially called Scouts BSA. I started as a Scout with an Arrow of Light Award, and climbed to the rank before Eagle, Life Scout, by 2015. I had earned my Eagle Scout rank in 2019, after completing 4 years of teaching leadership skills at National Youth Leadership Training, 41 merit badges, and an Eagle Scout Project. While in Scouting, I had also used my leadership skills in school. I first got involved in student government when I was voted ASB President of my middle school. Each year after that, I served as a Class Officer every year until high school graduation. During my years in ASB Senate and Class Office, I was also a Section Leader for our high school marching band, pep band, tour band, and wind ensemble for 3 years. I was also involved in our Model United Nations representing Solomon Islands, Japan, and the United States. Thank you for reading my profile. Please vote for AJ as Administrator. Courtesy of Zeke Druker. Greetings, bearcats. I seek your vote in this unique time not on the basis of false promises, but rather on the basis of two of my capabilities: speaking loudly, and listening carefully. In the wake of the present uprisings and the demand for a more progressive and just campus, country, and world, I have the capacity to listen carefully to the concerns of my new comrades (and hopeful constituents) here at Willamette. As well as listening, I’ll speak loudly and ask forcefully of those in power: where are the answers to the hard questions? Why are students of color underrepresented in the student body compared to national averages (and what’s being done about it)? While it’s great to hear a land acknowledgement at convocation, what is the university doing to restore native sovereignty? How can the university take an active role in preventing sexual violence toward queer people, who are four times as likely as their straight cisgendered counterparts to experience sexual violence at college? These and more are the questions that need to be asked to hold the university accountable to its mission and its statements. If elected, I’ll ask. Thank you. Courtesy of Inéz Nieves. This introductory time to life at Willamette for the Class of 2024 is one that will define us not as individual scholars, but a generation of preserving citizens. Each and every one of us here today- whether living in Baxter or attending class from another state- has the potential to bring this community out of the darkness of the looming challenge that the global pandemic and systemic government inequality presents. I, as administrator to the ASWU Senate, want to dedicate my skills and time to ensuring this potential comes to fruition. I deeply understand, as both a respiratory compromised individual and civil rights activist from Jacksonville, how anxious my fellow peers must be at this time. My goal for the Senate is to ensure that the source of this anxiety is significantly alleviated by listening actively to both our in-person and online community while energetically instituting policies that have a visible impact on student’s quality of life. As administrator, I would draw on my four years of varsity Congressional debate and experience as a lauded teen attorney to provide Willamette students with clear, effective legislation and cultivate a culture of transparency and accountability to the people. Please join me in ensuring the goals and dreams of our class are realized, and cast your vote for Inéz Nieves. Class of 2022 Courtesy of Col Lockard. Hello! Wow, this year has been a rough one, hasn't it? I hope you're doing alright despite the circumstances and taking the time and space you need for yourself. About me: I use he/him pronouns. I'm white, able-bodied, transgender, and queer. I've served in various leadership capacities (as facilitator, vice president, co-president, and president) of LGBTQ+ clubs in my high school, city, and now at Willamette for six years in total. These roles have taught me that effective leadership requires proactive communication, attentive listening, and definitive action. As an ASWU senator, I'll ensure your concerns are heard. I'll work to uplift voices calling for racial equity and accessibility on campus and be a part of the work to see this happen. While COVID-19 has disrupted normal campus operations, it has also provided an opportunity for us to re-envision Willamette, much as it has offered an opportunity for us to reconsider the effectiveness of the U.S.'s current government system or the trajectory of our own lives. Now is a time of change, and I hope I can help you capitalize on this change and bring about the advancements at WU you'd like to see.

Ryleigh Norgrove Staff writer Student arrives during Opening Days. Photo by Benjamin Burton. On Tuesday, August 18, campus was abuzz with incoming students ushering in the new year, smiling through masks and an uncertain transition to campus life. A majority of the incoming first-years graduated highschool last June, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. “This pandemic has affected a lot of things for me, I missed out on my prom and my graduation, but I'm honestly just glad I can be starting college and getting to live on campus,” said Max Kass, an incoming first-year. Kass was confident that Willamette University (WU) was the right college for him, even though the pandemic prevented him from visiting in-person. “Because of the virus, I had to get an idea of what Willamette was like through zoom meetings and online, and so it was tough to make my college choice without getting to be here,” said Kass. “I haven’t been too impacted by the pandemic. Yes, my prom and my graduation were canceled, but I was fortunate enough not to deal with too many other problems.” This year’s Opening Days calendar was strikingly different from previous years, in accordance with WU’s Coronavirus policies. A new “drop and go” system was implemented for all students in on-campus residence halls, giving each resident a fifteen minute period to unload their belongings and move into their residence halls. Any parents or guardians who tagged along were asked to leave campus immediately afterwards. “It was definitely hard to say goodbye to my parents so quickly, the move-in process was weird, but it was definitely a safe way to do it,” said Kass. Another first-year, Taden Bowden, added: “My mother is a little bit upset, the drop off was understandably hard because it was so short, and so she feels like she missed out on this moment with me. But Willamette is being careful, keeping distance, keeping masks on, and so I think it's overall a good thing.” Throughout the week, through the flood of nerves and excitement, one thing was clear— the new students were anticipating an unconventional first year of college. “Everything with the pandemic has been chaotic and stressful, but I’ve made the best out of it and that’s what I’m going to keep on doing,” said Bowden.

Noah Dantes Editor-in-chief Photo by Kegan Rascoe. At 2:47pm, President Thorsett sent out an email announcing that due to diminished air quality caused by fires 20 miles east of Salem, classes will be remote through the end of tomorrow. One air quality reader is above 500, and the other is above 220, as of 2:55pm. Normal air quality is under 50, according to the weekly monitor of Salem by Purple Air (first link below). Monitor air quality yourself here and here . Sign up for Salem city alerts here . Thorsett said the following in his email: “Supervisors are encouraged to be flexible in allowing employees to work remotely and to reach out to Human Resources with any questions.” “Among the recommendations are: avoid strenuous outdoor activity, keep windows and doors closed to reduce the smoke that enters your room or home, if you have an HVAC system with a fresh air intake, set the system to recirculate mode, or close the outdoor intake damper.”

Noah Dantes Editor-in-chief A student living on-campus became Willamette’s fifth COVID-19 case on September 10. According to an email notification sent out by the University, the “student has been moved to a private location and is self-isolating.” Anyone that was in close contact with the student has already been told to quarantine, and Marion County will be conducting contact tracing. Additional details about the student have been withheld due to Higher Education Coordinating Commission and Oregon Health Authority privacy laws. Faculty and staff who test positive are still being asked to contact Danita Chapin in Human Resources, and students who tested positive are to contact Tori Ruiz in Student Affairs.

Jake Procino News editor Provost Carol Long announced over email that all classes at Willamette University will be held remotely the rest of the week on September 9, due to the poor air quality largely caused by the Santiam Fire, formerly known as the Beachie Creek Fire, burning east of Salem. This is an extension of the suspension of in-person classes which President Steve Thorsett [ announced ] over email Tuesday afternoon, September 8. Air quality has improved from Tuesday’s hazardous value of over 500, the highest level of health concern on the Environmental Protection Agency’s Air Quality Index (AQI), to around a value slightly less than 100 as of 7 p.m. Sept. 9, which represents a “moderate” level of health concern. Though, according to Tracy Loew of the Statesman Journal , “Willamette Valley residents should expect smokey conditions to persist through the weekend and into next week.” Monitor air quality yourself [ here ] and [ here ]. Sign up for Salem city alerts [ here ].

Noah Dantes Editor-in-chief Sparks Fitness Center reopened on September 7 after six months of closure. Several policies have been implemented to reduce the risk of COVID-19: Masks are required inside the building and must fully cover both the mouth and nose. Neck gaiters and bandanas do not qualify as masks. Mask removal is only allowed when drinking water, and this must be done away from others. Social distancing is required, and ten feet of distancing is recommended. Cubbies and lockers will be closed for this fall. No personal items larger than a backpack are allowed inside the building. The usage of personal gym equipment is prohibited. All equipment must be sprayed down before and after use. Upon entering the building, all users will receive a spray bottle to return upon leaving. No users should spot each other due to distancing rules. Lift safely. All users must sign a “mandatory user acknowledgement” before using Sparks facilities. This acknowledgement can be signed online or at the door.

Noah Dantes Editor-in-chief Willamette University announced over email on September 4 that another employee has tested positive for COVID-19. The employee has not been on campus since September 2 and was not in close contact with anyone at Willamette, as “defined by the CDC.” The employee is now in self-isolation at home. Faculty and staff who test positive for COVID-19 are being asked to notify Danita Chapin in Human Resources. Students who test positive are instructed to notify Tori Ruiz in Student Affairs. Willamette announced [ two cases of COVID-19 on August 29 ], and [ one case on August 24 ]. A student who tested positive for COVID-19 detailed support given by the university [ here ].

Ryleigh Norgrove Staff writer On August 29, the Willamette University Reopening Operations Committee (ROC) announced over email that two employees had tested positive for COVID-19 on August 28. One employee has not been on campus since August 21, while the other was last on campus on August 27. Neither employee was in close contact with anyone at the university. This comes less than a week into the first school year, and Willamette University has reported three total cases since the school’s reopening on August 24th. On August 24, the first day of in-person classes, the ROC sent a mass email to students stating, "an individual working on campus tested positive for the Coronavirus." The email reported that the individual lives off campus, and has been in isolation since August 22. Marion County Public Health is "coordinating contact tracing." This first case is an on-campus employee, but also a student in their third year. The student made the decision to be tested for Covid-19 after traveling to Salem to begin the school year. At the time of testing, they did not exhibit symptoms. Willamette’s first case, whose identity is withheld to ensure medical privacy, spoke very highly of the University's response. “They were very supportive….I got a call this morning [August 24th] first thing at 8 [am] from Lisa Landreman making sure of where I’m at, if I’m able to quarantine or if they need to provide a room, or if I needed help getting food.” “Overall I was expecting to be told to go to remote classes and figure out the rest on my own but instead they were very invested in making sure I could deal with a 14 day isolation,” said the student. Nearly all communication between students and administrators has come in the form of emails on behalf of the ROC. “As we've acknowledged repeatedly, the coronavirus is present throughout the state including in the Salem community. With nearly three thousand students and employees, it is nearly inevitable that asymptomatic carriers of the coronavirus will from time to time be present on our campus,” said Tim Cobb, Vice President for Marketing and Communications, and spokesperson for the WURC. “Our goal is to limit, and hopefully prevent, transmission of the coronavirus between members of our community. It is for that reason that we have established rules on social distancing and the wearing of masks both indoors and out, introduced enhanced cleaning protocols and air handling systems, and promoted habits like handwashing and self-monitoring for symptoms.” As of now, Willamette is operating at the direction of the public health guidelines set by the Higher Education Coordinating Commission, the Oregon Health Authority, local county health departments and the CDC. “We would not be opening if we weren’t able to do it in line with the requirements and recommendations of the CDC, OHA, and HECC for how to reopen for in-person instruction in ways that support our mission while mitigating the spread of the virus in our community,” said Cobb. Many students, both current and alumnis have been intensely debating WU’s reopening online. As for the student’s opinion of WU's reopening, “I’ve seen a lot of responses to the campus’s reopening plan, and I agree with the criticisms about opening dorms... but generally I think the campus was going to have to open somewhat and it seems they are trying. I can’t think of much to improve, especially after the student forum’s help in rethinking it [the reopening of WU]."

Noah Dantes Editor-in-chief On August 29, WU announced over email that two employees had tested positive for COVID-19 on August 28. One employee has not been on campus since August 21, while the other was last on campus on August 27. Neither employee was in close contact with anyone at the university. “Marion County Public Health will confirm if contact tracing is needed,” the email reads. “Faculty or staff who test positive for COVID-19 are asked to notify Danita Chapin in Human Resources at dkchapin@willamette.edu. Students who test positive are asked to notify Tori Ruiz in Student Affairs at truiz@williamette.edu.” WU [ reported its first case of COVID-19 on August 24].

Jake Procino News editor On September 2, Provost Carol Long announced over email that Jade Aguilar, Vice President for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI), is leaving Willamette effective September 17. According to Long, Aguilar accepted a position with ECONorthwest in Portland. ECONorthwest is a consulting firm that provides analysis that strengthens policy and investment decisions for a wide variety of businesses, with an emphasis in economics, finance and planning, according to the company’s website. Aguilar has worked as an assistant and associate professor of sociology for Willamette since 2008, before being hired to also work as Willamette’s first VP for EDI in 2017. As an associate professor, she earned Faculty Achievement Awards 2016-2017 (Teaching and Service). As VP for EDI, she most recently led Willamette through its first university-wide climate study in 2019 and started the 21-Day Racial Equity Challenge this fall. Long said that Karen Wood, Willamette University’s chaplain will “lead our EDI work for the academic year” in addition to her chaplain duties. Long continued, saying that the Office for EDI will report to Lisa Landreman, Vice President for Student Affairs, in the meantime. The future of the Office for EDI is in question, however. Long said that the results of an external review of the Office for EDI, completed over the summer, along with the recommendations of Wood and other stakeholders will determine the future of the Office for EDI. Regarding new hires, Long said Willamette will soon announce interim plans for Title IX Coordinator, initiate a search for a permanent Title IX Coordinator and hire a part-time assistant chaplain to assist Wood with her chaplain duties.

Jake Procino News editor Many students came into this semester questioning why Willamette was opening at all, considering the disastrous reopenings of other colleges, such as the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the University of Notre Dame. The questions have only increased after the Willamette University Reopening Committee informed the Willamette Community via mass email that an individual working on campus tested positive for the Coronavirus . President Steven Thorsett offered an explanation in his August 20 “Words from Waller” address: “So much of the magic that takes place at Willamette is through the connections made outside the classroom boundaries – whether with faculty, staff, or peers. There is lots of research that shows the importance of personal connection for retention and ultimate graduation.” Willamette University’s reopening plan requires great responsibility from everybody involved in the on-campus experience, but this responsibility falls most heavily on the Reopening Operations Committee (ROC). According to Willamette’s COVID-19 response organization chart , the ROC is responsible for operational and budget decisions, and developing policies and procedures for managing the spread of COVID-19. Director of Bishop Wellness Center and ROC member Don Thomson reiterated Thorsett’s remarks regarding the decision to reopen over email, saying: “There is a great deal of research that shows the importance of personal connection for achieving these outcomes, retention, and ultimately graduation. Secondly, we have to recognize the differential impact that COVID and remote learning has had for many of our community members. Those without adequate technology, or whose learning style is better suited for in-person instruction, those who did not come from schools that prepared them for seminar instruction are all often disadvantaged by remote learning. Thirdly, although not least important, are the personal growth opportunities and identity exploration and formation that come from students going to school away from home.” He said that the University has provided education options for students to choose from, including online-only, hybrid and in-person learning. Thomson also highlighted the advantages of Willamette’s small size brings: “Our size also allows us to adapt our instruction, support and services in ways that are more difficult for larger institutions.” In attempting to make in-person classes safe for the Willamette community, Thomson said that Williamette is “following CDC (Center for Disease Control), OHA (Oregon Health Authority) and HECC (Higher Education Coordinating Commission) guidance for how to reopen for in-person instruction,” and that the ROC is contact with peer institutions sharing best practices. The manifestation of these guidelines can be seen in the Willamette policies of reducing density in classrooms, enhancing cleaning stations and requiring that face masks be worn in public campus space. Although campus is closed to visitors and there are signs denoting such, members of the general public have been seen on campus grounds. While there is not an official policy listed on Willamette’s website, “We are encouraging the community to enact the motto ‘if you see something, say something,’” Thomson said, “Our suggestion is to be kind and direct: Assume [ sic ] best intentions, do not shame, we are all learning to navigate this new environment.” He also suggested calling campus safety or filling out an incident report on the student affairs website if a Willamette community member does not feel comfortable confronting an outside visitor. Willamette asked students to quarantine for 14 days before coming back onto campus, though the ROC decided not to strictly enforce this. Thomson pointed to the CDC and OHA not universally recommending or requiring quarantining. Thomson said, “a number of students have jobs on which they depend for income or are otherwise unable to comply with this request. To mandate this would potentially mean a loss of income for some students.” Students are required to check their own symptoms every day, which can be done by using the Campus Clear app. However, the ROC has also decided against strictly enforcing students to self-monitor symptoms. Regarding this decision, Thomson said: “We’ve heard the call for the university ‘mandating’ compliance with a number of things. Things are very different on campus this year, and our returning students especially are experiencing that as somewhat jarring. If we are to successfully remain in residence this year, we must garner the collective support of our community to enact the dozens of mitigation strategies put in place. Certainly if there are policy violations, we want to know and will follow up appropriately.” Although the ROC recently allowed students living on campus to attend some or all classes remotely, some students have reported faculty putting pressure on them to attend class in-person. “Faculty have been instructed that they must make allowances for remote attendance in all but a small number of classes,” Thomson responded, “advisors may be making recommendations about which classes would provide a better learning experience in person…In all cases, though, this remains the student’s choice. If a student believes they will receive some kind of negative consequence for attending remotely they should share this concern with their respective Dean.” COVID-19 disproportionally affects Black and Indigenous people and people of color, and the Willamette protocols for returning to campus states that this fact will “guide us in our reopening efforts.” Thomson said: “The decision not just to reopen but to offer a hybrid learning option for students is the ‘procedure that was selected’ that tangibly supports our most vulnerable populations.” He points to access to housing, food, internet, health care, a kind and caring community and the ability for people to be their authentic selves as “components of the Willamette experience that many take for granted when the reopening question is only considered from the perspective of the academic experience we provide.” Concern was brought up by Willamette alumni in an open letter writing, “[T]he firing of custodial staff at the end of May casts doubt not only on the university’s ability to keep campus safe, but also their willingness to do so.” Regarding the current status of custodial workers, Thomson writes, “We are working with ACS (American Cleaning Solutions) to clean our facilities. They are focused on sanitizing and disinfecting surfaces and are prioritizing cleaning for health.” Regarding protections for the custodial staff Thomson says, “ACS provides the appropriate protective equipment for their staff.” Another concern for many members of the community is the impact reopening Willamette will have on the greater Salem community. According to Shawn Hubler of the New York Times , towns surrounding college campuses have all seen COVID cases surge- “places including Boone County, Mo., home to the University of Missouri-Columbia; Story County, Iowa, home to Iowa State; and Harvey County, Kan., home to Bethel College.” Regarding mitigating risks to the broader Salem community, Thomson said that one of the most important ways to stop the spread of COVID-19 is to stay home when you are ill. “Willamette has been in regular contact with Salem Health as a part of their Community Task Force since March,” Thomson continued, “Salem Hospital continues to have ample capacity in their hospital to manage any surge in cases.” If someone tests positive for COVID-19, Thomson said that CDC guidance requires that person to isolate from others. “In the case that a student has a roommate or is otherwise unable to isolate in their current space, Willamette will prioritize the health of the student and the community by moving the affected person to a designated isolation space on campus set up to support them while ill,” Thomson said, “There are several isolation spaces identified on campus, each with the capacity to hold between 10 and 20 students.” Though privacy laws require Willamette not to share any identifying information about a person who has tested positive for COVID-19, moving a student from a dorm area may result in the student’s privacy being compromised. Thomson said: “We ask that all community members be mindful of the privacy of anyone needing to isolate or quarantine throughout this process.”

Nat Felten Staff writer Note: On August 23, an individual who worked on campus tested positive for COVID-19. It is not a question if there will be an outbreak of COVID-19 at Willamette, but when, according to Willamette alum Rebecca Alexander. “There will be an outbreak, 100 percent,” Alexander said in an interview. She is one of many alumni who are criticizing the university’s reopening—484 people, composed of mostly Willamette alumni and a handful of current students, have signed an open letter to President Thorsett and the Board of Trustees demanding all classes go virtual. These critics voice their concerns out of love for Willamette and its principles of community and responsibility, which they believe the administration is betraying, according to the open letter. Alexander, class of ‘10 and winner of the Young Alumni Leadership Award, signed the open letter and wrote an article published on Medium.com asking President Thorsett to delay reopening, an article that has been republished on the Collegian’s website. Alexander admitted that she is not an expert on the transmission of COVID-19, but she pointed out that neither is anyone in the administration, “We know relatively little about this disease.” She believes that due to the slow-moving processes that experts gather accurate information, experts will not be able to say anything definitive about safe college reopening strategies until colleges have already been open for weeks. Alexander also raised concerns about issues not included in her article or in the letter. She believes that safety measures give students a false sense of security. “Social distancing is really important to do in conjunction with wearing a mask, and in a college environment that’s unrealistic,” she said. “Not only are you living with other students already—which I believe will be even more of a ground-zero than classrooms—but you’re talking about students who have been deprived of socialization for six months, and complacency is normal.” Alexander pointed to two widespread outbreaks on the college campuses of Notre Dame and University of North Carolina . Both these universities had safety protocols and methods of testing for the virus, but outbreaks occurred because a small subset of the students acted in what many people consider to be typical college student fashion: by making mistakes with their friends.“We do not look at a situation that looks like fun and say, ‘In two weeks I might pay for that.’ That is not human nature,” Alexander said. “People who broke the community guidelines will not be devoid of responsibility,” she clarified, but added that putting the responsibility of preventing an outbreak on each individual student is unfair when “recklessness is inevitable.” Willamette has protocols to sanitize campus and keep students distanced, and the Coronavirus Taskforce has weekly meetings to determine the best way to keep the university functioning and the people safe . To Alexander, these rules are primarily a way to comfort students and parents when the real danger lies in having people on campus at all. “Willamette is not a closed campus,” Alexander said. “It is closed to visitors, but it is in no way closed. Faculty and students and staff, significant portions of them live off campus. They go to grocery stores and restaurants and doctor’s offices, and then come back to campus!” The situation frustrates Alexander and many others, who see Willamette’s reopening as focusing on giving students a meagre taste of the Willamette social experience that existed in the past, rather than safely delivering the Willamette academic experience. To her, students should only have to worry about their grades, not their health. Alexander said: “It’s a numbers game, and the numbers are not on our side.”