Reminders about Thanksgiving Break and Post-Thanksgiving plans

To: PLU Community
From: Office of Student Life

Dear PLU Community,

Reminders about Thanksgiving Break and post-Thanksgiving plans

In addition to starting the fall term remotely for most classes, this is a reminder that, with a few exceptions, we will also be ending the term remotely for most classes. Here are some important things to remember about November and beyond:

• Thanksgiving Break begins Wednesday, November 25, at 1:35 p.m. and extends through Sunday, November 29. PLU offices will be closed Thursday and Friday, November 26 and 27. The residence halls will remain open; OMM, the Commons and 208 Garfield will be open throughout the weekend with limited hours and menus. The Commons will be open for a festive Thanksgiving dinner.
• With the exception of a small number of Nursing courses, all classes held after Thanksgiving Break will be held online. Final exams will also be held remotely.
• After Thanksgiving Break, campus will remain open, with COVID-19 mitigation measures in place. Lutes will have continued access to campus facilities and services, including campus restaurants, some campus recreation options, and the library.

Post-arrival and proactive community testing

View QTQ Decision Chart

For students who remain on campus—or visit campus for any reason—after Thanksgiving, we are requiring testing or a combination of quarantine-test-quarantine (QTQ), depending on their behavior and travel over the break.

We will require QTQ for Lutes:

• Who choose to leave campus over the break and who travel to a COVID-19 “hot spot” (i.e., a location where infection rates have been increasing for the last 14 days, or where infections are widespread)
• Who have gathered in groups larger than five (including for a Thanksgiving dinner) where physical distancing was not observed and/or people were not wearing face masks

The groups above will be required to quarantine for three days if returning, and then will be expected to participate in the proactive community testing event on campus on Wednesday, December 2, and quarantine until they receive their results.

Testing will still be required for Lutes who do not fit in any of the groups described above (i.e., those who have remained in Western Washington or on campus and have not been in groups, or exposed to somebody with COVID-19, or suspected of having COVID-19). However, these Lutes will not be expected to quarantine, either before or after the test.

NOTE: If you feel ill and have any of the symptoms consistent with COVID-19

Additional reminders:

• On-campus residents who depart for Thanksgiving Break and who do not return for the remainder of the semester will receive a prorated refund of their room and meal charges. Residential Life will communicate full details in an email sent to residential students on Monday, October 19.
• Students with on-campus employment are encouraged to talk with their supervisors proactively and early to confirm November and December work plans.

In community,

Joanna Royce-Davis
Vice President for Student Life

Elizabeth Hopper
Director of the Health Center