Welcome back, Greeners

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.

For the past few weeks, Evergreen faculty have been energetically retooling their programs and classes for remote teaching and learning. Experts in remote teaching are helping them gain knowledge, materials, and practice on how to provide really positive learning experiences for each of you.

Some of you are skilled at remote learning, through your military, job, or previous academic experience. Many of you took advantage of our workshops this week on how to get the most out of Canvas and Zoom platforms. Others are checking out Chromebooks to get geared up for their programs. And some of you are anxious about just how this will work.

Let’s be real. At times we may feel like we are flying an airplane as we are building it. Students and faculty at every college in the country are navigating similar challenges.

With your help, we can create strong academic experiences. We hope you will be patient as we work out any unanticipated bugs. And we need you to tell your faculty and college staff about the problems you are encountering.

If you are struggling to pay this month’s rent or other immediate necessities, you may be eligible for emergency gift aid (PDF form). These micro-grants, which are typically $500, are funded with money Evergreen raises from private donors to support you. Over the last few weeks we have raised additional money for the emergency fund, bringing the total available to more than $50,000 for spring quarter.

Other resources are also available for you. Bookmark our webpages on latest information for students including wellness support, student finances and resources, and tools for remote learning. Undergraduates can reach an academic advisor by phone at (360) 323-9201, email at advising@evergreen.edu or by text at (360) 323-9201 Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. if you have any questions or need help with anything related to spring quarter.

So, let’s do this together. Greeners are strong, resilient and innovative. You are problem-solvers, and many of you have overcome tremendous obstacles to get where you are today. We are here to support and help you reach your education goals.

Please continue to take the best care of yourselves, your families, and each other as we begin this spring quarter.

All best,

George

George S. Bridges
President
The Evergreen State College