EvCC to go online with some classes in response to COVID-19

Published 12:14 pm Friday, March 6, 2020

EVERETT — In response to the coronavirus outbreak, Everett Community College announced Friday that many of its classes will likely no longer meet in person for the rest of the quarter.

School President Daria Willis wrote that plans are underway for classes to resume on Monday, with most courses being offered online. Others will continue to meet in person, such as some lab sections, cosmetology and aviation maintenance.

Nearly 12,000 students are enrolled in winter quarter classes, said college spokesperson Katherine Schiffner.

EvCC joins other schools in the region that have announced a move toward online classes, including the University of Washington, Seattle University and Seattle Pacific University.

Willis initially announced a temporary closure at 12:15 p.m. Thursday, “out of an abundance of caution,” so custodial staff could deep-clean campus buildings. Some events also were canceled, including the community college’s Womxn in Leadership Conference and the Northwest Athletic Conference Men’s and Women’s Championship basketball tournament.

In a web post Thursday, Willis said a student had contacted the school to say they tested positive for the new coronavirus in King County.

Willis provided few new details on the case Friday, but after consulting Snohomish Health District officials, she said, there was likely little risk to students, faculty or staff. The student last attended class Feb. 27.

The college will continue to monitor other people who reported being exposed to COVID-19, Willis wrote. She encouraged people to follow “social distancing” measures that were recommended by the Snohomish Health District on Thursday, including avoiding large groups.