Central Oregon Community College has closed down the campus due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the health risks it has posed to those in Oregon and all over the world.  For students that live in the on-campus dorms in Wickiup Hall, they have multiple options presented by the COCC Housing and Residence Life Team.

An email was sent to all Wickiup residents on March 26, giving an overview of what is recommended and how the dorms will run this spring term.  The recommendation is for all residents to vacate the dorm and return home until courses resume in-person on April 28.  Additionally, the Housing and Residence Life Team listed 3 options for those who planned to reside in Wickiup Hall during spring term.

The first option is is cancel the housing contract with no cancellation fee, arranging a specific time to move out their personal belongings as to avoid too much foot traffic and use social distancing guidelines.  The second option is to place the housing contract on hold for a pending return on April 28 when in-person classes resume.

However, if the Governor of Oregon extends the remote learning directive beyond April 28, then full cancellation as stated in option one will be recommended.  The third and final option states that if the resident would otherwise be homeless, the academic program is still being taught in person (some medical courses and others), or that the city the resident would be returning to would present a greater health risk than remaining in the hall.

While guests are usually allowed in Wickiup Hall, only immediate family is now allowed in and out of the building while practicing social distancing, and no one is allowed to stay overnight.

“We are continuing to encourage all social distancing guidelines.  The state’s guidelines are to stay in your place of residence for the time being and that is what we expect of those continuing to live in the dorms,” said Andrew Davis, student campus life director.

Until April 28, the Wickiup Hall is following the orders of the Governor and the campus life coordinators and directors in practicing social distancing and sticking to the confines of the building.  If there is a campus dorm to be confined to during this pandemic, the students of Wickiup Hall are lucky to have the beautiful view Bend, Oregon, provides.

Emma Evenhus/The Broadside