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Dear WSUÌýTri-CitiesÌýCougs,

For our newÌýCougs, orÌýCougsÌýnew to the Tri-Cities campus, welcome to the awesome ÍøÆسԹÏÌýcommunity!ÌýFor our returningÌýCougs, congratulations on finishing the spring semester!

We know you want to be here on campus, and we want you here, too.ÌýIf you are like me, this was not the summerÌýwe wereÌýplanning. But I hope you all have the opportunity or make space to relax,Ìýrejuvenate, and enjoy the beauty of Washington state or wherever you call home.ÌýYesterday, I took the afternoon off from Zoom to enjoy a hike at White Pass, just two hours from the Tri-Cities.ÌýIt is one of my happyÌýplaces,Ìýand the fresh air did some good.

While we are planning for a slightly alteredÌýkind of Tri-CitiesÌýCoug experience this fall, it will still be an experience filled withÌýsupport and resources to promote your academic and personal success.ÌýWe are here for you every step of the way.ÌýI know you and your families have a lot of questions, and we have resources to help you get prepared for the fall semester and connected with the most up-to-date information.

°Õ³ó±ðÌý°ä´Ç²Ô²Ô±ð³¦³Ù±ð»åÌý°ä´Ç³Ü²µsÌýstudent newsletter, which features updates about the ÍøÆØ³Ô¹Ï campus, resources for a successful school year and where you will find pertinentÌýinformation about the return to learning in the fall,Ìýis sentÌýtoÌýyour WSU email every Monday. ItÌýis alsoÌýposted on ÍøÆØ³Ô¹Ï social media channels (@wsutricities).

My office is hosting virtual office hours at 4 p.m.ÌýeveryÌýTuesday and at noon every Wednesday toÌýconnect with you, parents, and family members.ÌýYou and your family and friends are welcome to attend any time to get your questions answered, talk about resources,Ìýor to just say “Hi.”Ìý.

We areÌýcontinuingÌýto work with local health authorities to adoptÌýproceduresÌýfor a safe experience on campus this fall. Social distancing requirements, sanitation practices and more will all be in place for a safe start to the semester. Additionally, as Cougs, we all have a responsibilityÌýto fully commit to protecting our collective health and well-being by following best practice health guidelines and requirements. As such, we areÌýasking everyone to follow all localÌýand state ordinances and theÌý,Ìýincluding the statewide requirement to wear facial coverings inÌýpublic – both indoors and outdoors.ÌýTo access the most up-to-date health guidelines and related information, visit websites for theÌý,Ìý³Ù³ó±ðÌý,ÌýÌýandÌýyour other local public health agencies.

ÍøÆØ³Ô¹Ï Chancellor Sandra Haynes recently sent out anÌý. If you haven’t, yet, I encourage a read ofÌýthat letter. It outlines a range of ways we are preparing for a safe return and what to expect for fall.

I look forward to seeing all our ÍøÆØ³Ô¹Ï CougsÌýthis fall!ÌýAs always, feel free to reach out to me directly if you have any questions, or if there is a way I can assist or help.

Go Tri-CitiesÌýCougs!Ìý

Sincerely,

Chris Meiers, Ph.D.Ìý
Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs/Deputy Title IX Officer
chris.meiers@wsu.eduÌý|Ìý509-372-7381Ìý|Ìý