Dear Students, Staff and Faculty,

Welcome back! With winter quarter beginning, I write to share important information about the 2020-21 athletics season. 

Just prior to the holidays, I discussed the remaining athletics events and season with senior staff, COVID health and safety professionals, our coaches, the Cascade Collegiate Conference commissioner and other college presidents. 

Dear Current and Future Students, 

Dear Future and Current Students,  

For those who are planning to join us in the fall: welcome new Greeners! And returning students: we salute your hard work and academic success.  

Evergreen students are well-known for pursuing their own paths to their degrees and for their commitment to service. This spring quarter, many students are taking a complete load of credits while holding full-time jobs deemed essential during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Oscar Lira climbs cell towers for a living. A veteran who retired from the Army last year, Lira maintains critical infrastructure needed to operate radios, antennas and communications systems used by first responders and law enforcement.

Last week, The Evergreen State College distributed $1.1 million in federal funds to students. Eligible students automatically received between $500 to $750 to cover expenses such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, basic needs and child care.

These funds came from the $2-trillion, federally funded Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The aid went to approximately 1,675 graduate and undergraduate students at the college, and distributions will continue as more students are determined eligible.

Dear Students, Friends and Families,

The COVID-19 virus has disrupted our work, our lives and our community. 

Nevertheless, in the middle of much uncertainty, I am so grateful for the way our students have engaged, adapted, and continued exploring and learning. 

Dear Campus Community, 

As we begin to close out Week 4, I want to share some recent decisions and good news.

Dear Campus Community,

In light of the current situation, and after thoughtful conversation with representatives of the 2020 graduating class, it has become clear that hosting an in-person campus graduation ceremony in June won’t be possible. Instead, Evergreen will be creating a virtual commencement ceremony on Friday, June 12 to honor the class of 2020.

This news is not easy to deliver, and I know it’s especially disappointing for the graduates, their families, and the Evergreen community who supports them.

Dear Greeners,

Welcome back to Evergreen and the beginning of spring quarter 2020. We're glad you're back with us, in this new and quite different way.

With the outbreak of this terrible virus, your health and safety are our top priority while we have worked to build the best experience possible for you this spring.