To address further questions about WSU Vancouver’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, faculty, staff and students submitted their questions to the online campus conversation held on April 30. More information was covered such as plans for fall semester, student-run programs, care packages, talk of an ESports team, enrollment trends, new student orientation, prospective teaching methods and tuition refunds. Mel Netzhammer, chancellor of WSU Vancouver, hosted the virtual meeting along with other campus staff and students of Associated Students of WSU Vancouver.
Below are a few of the questions and topics discussed during the conversation.
Q: Are there updates about fall semester?
A: According to Chancellor Netzhammer, the stay-at-home order was eased on May 1, but the status of WSU Vancouver’s response to the pandemic will remain consistent. The university is keeping a close eye on state and government decisions, with much discussion on how classes will be taught during fall semester.
“We do anticipate that there will be some opportunities for face-to-face instruction, and we are moving forward, preparing for the potential of face-to-face instruction. But, we are pretty much aware that whatever that is, it will look different. We will need to be prepared for that difference. It is not going to be like fall of 2019, so keep that in mind,” Netzhammer said. “We will keep you updated.”
Q: How has the campus community been persistent in staying connected?
A: Obie Ford III, associate vice chancellor for equity, diversity and inclusion, explained there has been a “Gab and Grub” event occurring on Fridays for faculty, staff and students who identify as people of color. He also said they are planning to continue this event throughout the summer term. The Center for Intercultural Learning and Affirmation has also created a space for students to connect with each other, through “Wellness Wednesdays,” the last one being offered on May 6. Additionally, Ford III added the Building a Community of Equity Professional Development will continue through summer as well.
“The space is an opportunity to stay connected. To eat together, converse and to decompress,” Ford III said.
Q: What is happening with the Office of Student Involvement care packages?
A: Davina Cepeda, ASWSUV president, said OSI will hold one more drive on May 5, while ASWSUV will continue to provide care packages throughout the summer months. Updates will be provided by the 2020-2021 president and vice president, Esmerada Blanco and Armando Antonio.
“You can check our ASWSUV social media, Instagram or Facebook. Or, email one of our senators,” Cepeda said. “We just knew students would need that extra support during this difficult time.”
Q: How will WSU Vancouver support an ESports team?
A: Cepeda explained there was an increased desire for a student gaming center, with projected funding of $5500 from Student and Activities fees. Having gaming opportunities for students campus wide is still in the planning process, an ESports team is being considered due to a recent heightening of virtual activities.
“I know a handful of us, we were [starting] to know that an ESports team is going to be the next thing,” Cepeda said. “We were able to understand increased desire for such a space on campus, and then we were also able to receive some information about the resources and tools that would make this possible for students.”
Q: What does enrollment look like?
A: As outlined by Associate Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Laurel Rea, applications to WSU Vancouver were compared from last year’s numbers to current numbers in 2020. Freshman applications received from the last academic year have shown to be close in amount to this year’s submissions. Enrollment trends at Clark College and other feeder schools have been down, therefore impacting transfer applications as well. Overall, Rea said enrollment has remained a questionable factor due to the pandemic’s influence.
“We run the numbers a couple times a week and monitor them quite closely,” Rea said. “Against the background [of] a normal year, I would anticipate an even class size somewhere around 375. This year has been different and enrollment has proven unreliable to us.”
Q: Have any decisions about a new student orientation been established?
A: Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Enrollment Domanic Thomas, said new student orientation will be online, allowing incoming students to interact more closely with advisers.
“[We] are going to move all of our new student orientations online. That will include modules being completed by students, supplemented by live sessions where students will interact with their advisers and supplement some of the module learning that is taking place. Really weaving that in over the summer with continued contact and ending with our ‘Week of Welcome.’”
Q: How will teaching modes be different during fall semester?
A: Renny Christopher, vice chancellor for academic affairs, explained her lack of anticipation that classrooms will go back to full face-to-face instruction, causing alternative teaching methods to be considered. This includes a mixed-method of both online and in-person classes. However, she said it is also possible that things could go back to the way they were in terms of the current stay-at-home order, due to possible infection levels rising again, causing a second wave of COVID-19.
“There is the high-flex model, which is an existing model that is out there in the world of instructional design, and the double-flip classroom model,” Christopher said. “We will still need to maintain six-foot distancing, and so what we are doing is developing modalities where we can teach, have some face-to-face instruction, but still comply with whatever the restrictions imposed by the state of Washington at that point are.”
Q: Will students be refunded tuition?
A: Lynn Valenter, vice chancellor for finance and operations, said unlike WSU Pullman, students at WSU Vancouver will not be receiving any refunds attributed to housing or dining benefits due to the campus not having these elements. There will also be no tuition refunds.
“While we have dining services, we do not have a meal plan, so that would not apply to a student at WSU Vancouver,” Valenter said. “Contemplating large-scale tuition refunds, for example, then no. Other campuses will not be issuing tuition refunds [either].
At the end of the campus conversation, Netzhammer offered congratulations to the students graduating this spring semester, while issuing a reminder that a virtual commencement will be held on May 9.
For more information, please visit WSU Vancouver’s COVID-19 FAQ page here.
Olivia is a senior studying English at WSU Vancouver.