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April 30, 2020

Media Contact:
Libby Siebens, community relations executive director, 509-682-6436 (Mon.-Thurs.)
Erin Tofte, associate dean of campus life, equity and inclusion, 509-682-6868

Wenatchee Valley College commencement ceremonies for both campuses will take place online. College leadership, in partnership with the student senate, has decided that an in-person 2020 graduation will not be held, due to safety concerns surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This decision wasn’t easy, but it comes from a place of concern for the safety of our students, their families and the community at large,” Erin Tofte, associate dean of campus life, equity and inclusion, wrote in an email to students this week. “We are so proud of all of your hard work and perseverance, and we intend to celebrate it.”

Virtual graduation ceremonies will be held for both campuses using Zoom, featuring students, speakers from around the college and photos and videos celebrating the accomplishments of WVC students. Each student must submit their application for graduation to the registration office by May 1 to ensure that their diploma is created and that their name appears in the graduation program. Students who are graduating in 2020 are also invited to walk in the in-person ceremony in 2021.

The associate degree nursing pinning ceremonies for both campuses will also take place virtually – no in-person gatherings will be held.

WVC classes will remain online until the end of spring quarter, regardless of when the Washington governor’s “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” order is lifted or when businesses reopen.

College leadership has not yet made a decision to move summer or fall quarters online. If action is taken to move classes online after spring quarter, students and the community will be notified.

Until the college receives further guidance from the governor’s office both WVC campuses will remain closed to students and the public and employees currently working from home will continue to do so. The process of reopening campus is expected to be gradual, and will happen in accordance with the governor’s directives.

Those who are on campus or are visiting campus are being asked to practice good hygiene, social distancing and to stay home if sick. The residence hall will remain open to residents, but social distancing is being implemented.

Learn more about how the college is responding the COVID-19 pandemic at wvc.edu/PublicHealth.

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Wenatchee Valley College enriches North Central Washington by serving educational and cultural needs of communities and residents throughout the service area. The college provides high-quality transfer, liberal arts, professional/technical, basic skills and continuing education for students of diverse ethnic and economic backgrounds. Visit our website, wvc.edu.

Wenatchee Valley College is committed to a policy of equal opportunity in employment and student enrollment. All programs are free from discrimination and harassment against any person because of race, creed, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or the use of a service animal by a person with a disability, age, parental status or families with children, marital status, religion, genetic information, honorably discharged veteran or military status or any other prohibited basis per RCW 49.60.030, 040 and other federal and state laws and regulations, or participation in the complaint process. The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies and Title IX compliance for both the Wenatchee and Omak campuses:

• To report discrimination or harassment: Title IX Coordinator, Wenatchi Hall 2322M, (509) 682-6445, title9@wvc.edu.
• To request disability accommodations: Director of Student Access, Wenatchi Hall 2133, (509) 682-6854, TTY/TTD: dial 711, sas@wvc.edu.