Omicron spread complicating return to class for Pierce County colleges, universities
The surge of COVID-19 Omicron cases across the country has led some universities to hold back on returning to school in person after the first of the year.
The University of Washington announced earlier this month that for the first week of winter quarter for all three campuses, including Tacoma, classes would be held online.
“At this time, it is only that first week of classes, from Jan. 3 – Jan. 7, that will be online, and we will revert to a mostly in-person schedule starting with the second week and through the rest of the quarter,” UW Tacoma spokesperson John Burkhardt said in an email to The News Tribune this week. “In terms of the possibility of adjustments to that plan, we will be monitoring the course of the pandemic and following any guidance that comes from state and county health officials.”
In Pierce County, most colleges aren’t going the remote-only route and are planning to return to classes in person for winter terms.
Pacific Lutheran University, located in Parkland, is unique in that it runs “J-Term,” a one-month term in January between fall and spring semesters. Starting Jan. 3, J-Term classes will be held in person.
During this term, the number of students on campus dips from about 3,000 students to 1,800, making it less crowded than other universities during this time of the year.
“PLU’s J-Term is unique in that our class sizes are small and our students are taking just one lecture/lab course,” PLU communications director Zach Powers said in an email. “Also, our smaller J-Term population — 1,800 students — means we can implement risk mitigation efforts immediately.”
PLU requires its students to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 and to wear masks on campus. Powers said there were zero cases linked to classroom transmission at PLU during the fall semester.
“We are monitoring the Omicron variant situation closely and guidance from the CDC and Washington State — along with on-campus metrics — continue to inform campus operations,” Powers said.
The University of Puget Sound in Tacoma is planning to return to in-person classes at the start of spring semester on Jan. 18. UPS is requiring students to get booster shots and gave all students, faculty and staff rapid tests to take home over break to use prior to returning.
“We will also test everyone after they return,” said Gayle McIntosh, vice president of communications for UPS. “Of course, we will continue to adjust and adapt as needed.”
Community colleges in Pierce County are taking different approaches as winter quarter begins.
Tacoma Community College will hold most classes online for the first two weeks of winter quarter starting Jan. 3, with intent to return to in-person classes on Jan. 18.
“Keeping students and employees safe is our top priority, and our goal is to help prevent further outbreaks in our community,” Marissa Schlesinger, Provost, Academic Affairs said in a post on the college’s website. “Two weeks will give us the time to assess the situation after the holidays and monitor for symptoms or get vaccinated or boosted.”
Pierce College is requiring students who plan to take hybrid or in-person classes, or use on-campus resources like the library, tutoring services, or additional support services, to have verified their vaccination status or have an approved exemption when returning this winter.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now estimates that Omicron is the dominant variant in the state, according to the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department.
“Omicron is spreading quickly and we expect these numbers to grow,” TPCHD said in a statement on Tuesday.
