Alerts

This page is used to publish alerts regarding temporary changes to our facilities or hours due to construction, collegewide trainings, equipment malfunctions, etc. For emergency alerts that will direct to updates to this page, please sign up for RAVE Alerts (see button at bottom of page) to receive emergency notifications.   

View Clark College's Weather Delays and Cancellation Policy.  

Current alerts:

 

Air quality conditions and operations for Thursday, September 17

We are continuing to monitor air quality, and at this time programs and departments are now encouraged to make their own decisions on whether to remain completely remote or to resume on campus work within the existing COVID-19 established parameters as they were prior to the current wildfire smoke event. In other words, the COVID 19 remote work restrictions are still in effect but the additional smoke event restrictions are being lifted based on the following guidance.

Though levels are slowly improving, poor air quality may continue as long as wildfires are active in Washington and Oregon. These levels may be variable so it is important to remain aware of smoke conditions and to take appropriate health precautions. While wildfire smoke is present all faculty and staff are highly encouraged to work remotely as much as possible. Wildfire smoke can increase one’s risk for respiratory infections, including COVID-19, so it is more important than ever to stay home when possible, and follow all COVID-19 safety protocols when on campus. 

Normal protocols for access to campus will remain and are currently being managed by Damon Grady in Security. 

Additionally, it is important to restrict or limit any physically strenuous work, as well as any outside work when wildfire smoke is present, especially for individuals more sensitive to the health effects of wildfire smoke. 

Employees who normally perform physically strenuous work, or any outdoor work (for example, custodians, maintenance mechanics, and grounds specialists) should contact their manager about work modifications available to them including but not limited to limiting activities with more breaks or a slower pace of work. N95 masks may also be available to you (for voluntary use) if you must perform your work outside. If you have questions about any continued impact on your work, please ask your manager directly. 

Our indoor air quality is variable when outside air quality is poor due to limitations in filtration levels, as well as challenges in balancing circulation needed for COVID-19 with preventing the infiltration of wildfire smoke. The more individuals who continue to work remotely, the less we open our doors, then the cleaner we can keep the air inside for those individuals that must be on campus to conduct critical services. 

A message will be sent to employees if there are any further restrictions imposed once again due to increased levels of poor air quality. 

 

Air quality and remote operations on Wednesday, September 16

Due to continued poor air quality, all faculty and staff will again work remotely Wednesday, September 16. The only exception will be Security officers, who are on campus for emergency purposes even during inclement weather days. Child & Family Studies will NOT be open.
 
Employees who were otherwise assigned to perform physically strenuous work either indoors or outdoors (for example, custodians, maintenance mechanics, and grounds specialists) should contact their supervisor about remote work options.  If you have questions about your work assignment, please ask your supervisor directly. 
 
A message will be sent to employees on the afternoon of September 16 regarding plans for Thursday, September 17.
 

Entry last updated September 15, 2020

Clark College responds to region's wildfires

Clark College is closely monitoring the wildfire dangers throughout the region and within Clark College’s service district.  

Many in our extended community live in or have families in areas that are under evacuation orders or warnings. In addition, there are employees, students, and alumni who are on the front lines, fighting these fires.

Our thoughts are with all who are affected by the fires, the smoke, and the uncertainties during this already stressful time. 

While Clark College continues in remote operations, we understand that those affected—whether by the fires, air quality concerns, or by related electricity and internet interruptions—may need additional flexibility and support at this time.  

The college emergency operations team is closely monitoring the fire situation and will update the college as conditions change. Please make sure your correct contact information is entered into our RAVE Alert system so you receive emergency alerts from the college.

In the meantime, the following are some key web links for faculty, staff and students to use in case they are affected by the wildfires or have family who have been impacted: 

Clark College Resources 

  • If you are experiencing power or internet outages and need access to a computer, our Orange parking lot is set up as a wifi hotspot. Additionally, students can contact the TechHub to make appointments to use a computer lab in Scarpelli Hall. (Employees may use this resource as well.) 
  • We understand that events like this can cause trauma and anxiety. If you need to speak to someone, students have access to free mental health counseling through our Counseling and Health Center. Talk with someone during their open Zoom hours from noon to 2:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Employees can access their Employee Assistance Program for counseling services. 
  • If you’re concerned the wildfires may affect your ability to be successful in your classes, our CARE Team is set up to help students overcome challenges to their academic success and well-being. Don’t hesitate to reach out. 
  • If the wildfires have caused you to lose your home, your employment, or otherwise created financial hardship, students can apply for Emergency Grants to help them through hard times. 

Public Resources 

  • Public Alerts allows you to sign up to have evacuation warnings for your area sent directly to your phone and/or email. The Oregon Federal Executive Board provides a list of websites providing public alerts that  is broken down by county, including counties in Washington state. 
  • Clark Regional Emergency Services Agency (CRESA) is providing a map of Clark County wildfires, evacuation areas, and information on what to do if fire threatens your home. Oregon is providing a similar online resource that provides information on the fires in that state. 
  • Monitor your local air quality through airnow.gov, a free federal resource. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides guidance on how to protect yourself against wildfire smoke. 
  • The Disaster Distress Helpline is a federal service that provides 24/7, 365-day-a-year crisis counseling and support to people experiencing emotional distress related to natural or human-caused disasters. Call 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746 to connect with a trained crisis counselor. 
  • KOIN is providing a list of emergency shelters throughout the region. 
  • The American Red Cross provides an emergency preparedness website. 

We know this is a stressful way to begin the fall term. Sometimes it feels as if the world is piling one crisis on top of another until it overwhelms us. Please know that we are with you as you navigate this newest challenge, and that we believe that the resilience, resourcefulness, and kindness of our community will get us through it together.

This entry last updated September 11, 2020 
 

 

Software malfunction affecting fall financial aid - Friday, September 4

There has been a glitch in the new software system the state is using for handling financial aid records. Unfortunately, this has slowed down the enrollment process for many students, as well as the response times in the Office of Financial Aid. The college is aware of the issue and working hard to resolve it as quickly as possible. 

In some cases, students are getting messages about problems with their tuition and getting dropped for non-payment. Please be aware that the Office of Financial Aid has extended the tuition payment deadline for students who have completed their financial aid application. If you see a "hold" on your tuition record in ctcLink—that's a good thing. It means you will NOT be dropped from classes for non-payment. 

Due to the high volume of students trying to reach the Office of Financial Aid, as well as the work required to resolve the problem with the software, you may experience significant delays in trying to contact Financial Aid staff. Additionally, the office's Zoom room is often at capacity. Please know that staff are working as hard as they can to serve students in the order in which they contacted the office.

If, after today, you receive notifications about tuition and drop for non-payment, and you believe you should have a tuition payment hold due to having Financial Aid eligibility, please contact Kayla Escott at kescott@clark.edu. 

On behalf of the college, we are sorry this software glitch is causing additional stress at an already stressful time for so many. Again, we are working hard to resolve these issues as quickly as possible and will provide updates as they become available. 

Coronavirus (COVID-19) 

Information about COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus) has been moved to this web page. Moving forward, only emergency information will appear on this page. 

 

 

Water Station 1 construction project and impacts on the main campus

The City of Vancouver is beginning Phase 2 of its Water Station 1 construction project, located to the north of Clark College’s main campus. This construction, which is anticipated to continue through late 2021, will affect the main campus in several ways that we want you to be aware of:

Though the City and its contractors will work to reduce impacts where possible, some disruption—including noise, dust, tree removal, and heavy-equipment traffic—is inevitable. The college will work with the City to mitigate its effect on the college community as much as possible.

While this construction may create some inconvenience for our community here at the college, it is important to the future sustainability of the greater Vancouver community. Water Station 1 is the city’s largest source of drinking water. For more information about the project, visit www.cityofvancouver.us/water. Questions about the construction project can be directed to constructioninfo@cityofvancouver.us.

Last updated September 4, 2020 at 1:04 p.m.

 

RAVE Alert Information Today's Cancellations

View Clark College's Weather Delays and Cancellation Policy