Update
College Excel facilities are open and we are working with students in-person with strict safety measures in place. We continue to offer remote coaching to students studying at colleges and universities across the country.
A special thanks to our amazing student body!
We want to commend our students for their support, compassion and on-going efforts to assure we all stay safe and healthy. Even in the best conditions, sticking with something so unfamiliar and restrictive puts us all to the test. We are proud of our students for embracing this challenge and for their commitment to practicing a high level of altruism and self-discipline. Great job!
This update addresses Oregon’s phased reopening, statistics on COVID-19 in the Bend area, how College Excel is adapting to offer our services in-person and information on the re-opening of Oregon State University Cascades and Central Oregon Community College.
Phase 1 of Oregon’s reopening has begun
On May 14th, 2020 Deschutes County, which is where Bend is located was approved for Phase 1 of our state’s reopening plan. This means our county has meet the following prerequisites:
- Showed a decline in COVID-19 or had fewer than 5 hospitalizations.
- Had sufficient COVID-19 testing and contact tracing capability.
- Established plans for the isolation and quarantine of new cases.
- Have the hospital capacity to handle any surge in COVID-19 cases.
- Have enough personal protective equipment for health care workers.
Counties approved for Phase 1 must remain in that phase for a minimum of 21 days before they’re eligible to begin Phase 2. If any counties, once they’ve entered Phase 1, begin to show significant increases in COVID-19 cases or community spread, they may have to move from Phase 1 back to a stay-home order. The details of Phase 2 have not fully been shared as they will rely on data gathered from Phase 1.
Read about COVID-19 statistics in Bend here
College Excel and Phase 1
Based on guidance from Deschutes County Environmental Health Agency we have instituted strict social distancing measures and require face masks to be worn in our facilities and vehicles.
We remain a closed campus, meaning no one outside of students and staff are allowed in our residences or facilities. We are limiting the number of individuals in rooms throughout our facilities to support social distancing. Each area has the recommended cleaning supplies and rooms are sanitized prior to and after being used. We have multiple sinks within our facility so hand washing continues to be an easily accessible and high priority task. In addition, our facilities continue to be professionally cleaned on a regular basis.
College Excel Services
Academic support services and behavioral change coaching are offered in person. In order to accommodate social distancing measures these services are being scheduled with students in advance. As the weather gets warmer, we will be able to schedule appointments outside which will give us more flexibility to meet with students. We do accommodate students who need attention outside of their scheduled times. We are always available during business hours by phone or through virtual platforms if students are unable to come to the Academic Center for Excellence.
Student Activities
Beyond academic support and coaching sessions we are offering a variety of in-person activities. From wellness classes to small community events our students now have the option to participate in these social activities. While we do travel for activities, we are lucky to operate in an area where travel times are short. We have limited the number of individuals that are allowed in a vehicle and have set up cleaning protocols before and after their use. This has allowed us to offer more activities throughout the week, which we are excited to continue over the summer.
Oregon State University Cascades and Central Oregon Community College
Summer
Summer courses at Oregon State University and COCC remain online, as with most schools across the country. We are steering students toward “remote” rather than “online” learning with the difference being “remote” learning requires students to attend at a specific time for a live lecture. We find these courses are beneficial in supporting a schedule and routine for our students.
Fall
For this Fall COCC has not made a public statement on how they will be offering courses.
Oregon State University Cascades has stated their plans to offer in-person courses. While we expect COCC to follow the lead of OSU Cascades and University of Oregon on reopening, we will be coaching students to look at taking a course or two at OSU-Cascades if COCC continues with remote instruction. Students will be able attend OSU-Cascades as non-degree seeking students which allows enrollment without applying and being accepted into the university. These courses are still added to a students transcript and in most cases the credits can be transferred.