State of Oregon: About - COVID-19 Resources for Oregon Higher Education Partners

COVID-19 Resources for Oregon Postsecondary Education Partners

This page contains information and guidance related to the 2019 novel coronavirus and COVID-19 for postsecondary institutions and stakeholders in Oregon. Since this is an evolving situation, we are updating this page as frequently as possible. For the current Oregon public health status on COVID-19, see the Oregon Health Authority.

Recent Guidance Issued:

Governor Brown on November 13 Announced Statewide Two-Week Freeze to Stop Rapid Spread of COVID-19. New measures take effect Wednesday, November 18. Learn more on the Governor's coronavirus website here. Executive Order 20-65 released November 17, 2020 contains the policy details.

See page 7 of the Executive Order 20-65 regarding exemptions for higher education.
NOTE: Executive Order 20-28 combined with the OHA/HECC standards require that all higher education activities not involving research or instruction related to a certificate/degree must adhere to any requirements that apply to their corresponding business sector. Therefore many of these activities (i.e. retail, dining, fitness/recreation, museums, etc.) are subject to new restrictions described under the freeze. In addition, new social gatherings restrictions are applicable to students and other members of the college/university community, whether they live on or off-campus, and new guidance on class sizes effective December 2, 2020 is in the OHA/HECC Standards.

UPDATED! HECC OHA Public Health Guidelines for the Conduct of In-person Instructional, Residential, and Research Activities at Oregon Colleges and Universities, first issued June 12, 2020, updated December 14, 2020. To see tracked changes in the December 14 update, view this version.
UPDATED! HECC Clarifications on Public Health Guidelines, updated December 10, 2020
The Oregon Health Authority on October 19, 2020 released updated Statewide Mask, Face Covering, and Face Shield Guidance . This guidance applies to Oregon's public and private colleges and universities, and supersedes prior OHA/HECC standards/guidance on the matter. The HECC/OHA Guidance below has been updated to reflect these changes. For more information on these or other OHA guidelines see:
Oregon Health Authority’s (OHA) COVID-19 Guidance (links to general and sector-specific guidance)
Oregon's COVID-19 Mask Requirements (public friendly web page describing the guidelines)
Guidance to Private Career Schools on Face Mask Requirements, October 22, 2020.
Executive Order 20-28 Operation of Higher Education Institutions during Coronavirus Pandemic
UPDATED! HECC Clarifications on Public Health Guidelines, updated December 10, 2020
Governor's Equity Framework in COVID-19 Response and Recovery

Below you will find state and federal guidance related to postsecondary education and key links. All information on this page and more is detailed in the following FAQ web page which is updated and expanded regularly.

Key COVID-19 Information by Topic (FAQ) for Oregon College and University Partners

HECC and partners have offered a few interim guiding principles which have emerged from the development of a statewide strategic roadmap for the future of higher education in Oregon. We are asking all stakeholders to keep these guiding principles in mind as they take steps towards navigating the current crisis.

Postsecondary education and training are central to Oregon’s return to strength and prosperity
Affordability and access to postsecondary education and training require investments of the state funding
Equity must be central to all we do
To achieve our shared goals, we must all commit to collaborate and work together in new ways

See the Governor's Office COVID-19 web page here for recent statewide guidance on Building a Safe & Strong Oregon: A Science-Driven Framework for Reopening Oregon.

Also see Oregon College and University Update Webpages for links to Oregon postsecondary institution-hosted webpages on COVID-19. See Resources for Individuals and Businesses Experiencing Layoffs for workforce-related information.

Statewide Messages to Current and Future Students

Joint Message of Assurance to Current and Future Students, from Oregon's Colleges and Universities, , April 27, 2020.

Students can also find updates on Financial Aid, Admissions, and more under Key COVID-19 Information by Topic (FAQ).

State Guidance and Orders Related to Postsecondary Education

See Governor's Office COVID-19 website including the Governor's Executive Orders here. See the Governor's Equity Framework in COVID-19 Response and Recovery here. See the most recent Oregon Health Authority guidance here. Find guidance by topic under Key COVID-19 Information by Topic (FAQ).

State Guidance and Announcements Related to Postsecondary Education

State Guidance Related to Postsecondary Education

Please pay attention to the date last updated and to the dates effective with each resource posted here.

In addition to the guidance below, see the Governor's Office COVID-19 web page for recent statewide information on Building a Safe & Strong Oregon: A Science-Driven Framework for Reopening Oregon. See the Oregon Health Authority for recent public guidelines related to Oregon public health and prevention.

Governor Brown on November 13, 2020 Announced Statewide Two-Week Freeze to Stop Rapid Spread of COVID-19. New measures take effect Wednesday, November 18. Learn more on the Governor's coronavirus website here. The Executive Order 20-65, released November 17 contains the policy details.

• See page 7 of the Executive Order regarding exemptions for higher education.

• NOTE: Executive Order 20-28 combined with the OHA/HECC standards require that all higher education activities not involving research or instruction related to a certificate/degree must adhere to any requirements that apply to their corresponding business sector. Therefore many of these activities (i.e. retail, dining, fitness/recreation, museums, etc.) are subject to new restrictions described under the freeze. In addition, new social gatherings restrictions are applicable to students and other members of the college/university community, whether they live on or off-campus.

The Oregon Health Authority on October 19, 2020 released updated statewide guidance for face masks, face coverings, and face shields. This guidance applies to Oregon's public and private colleges and universities, and supersedes prior OHA/HECC standards/guidance on this matter. The OHA/HECC Guidelines document below has been updated to reflect this guidance.

Executive Order 20-28 Operation of Higher Education Institutions during Coronavirus Pandemic, June 12, 2020

HECC OHA Public Health Guidelines for the Conduct of In-person Instructional, Residential, and Research Activities at Oregon Colleges and Universities, first issued June 12, 2020, last updated October 22, 2020.

HECC Clarifications on Public Health Guidelines

State of Oregon Equity Framework in COVID-19 Response and Recovery, Office of Governor Kate Brown, June, 2020.

See all Governor Brown's Executive Orders related to COVID-19 here, including:

Executive Order 20-65: Temporary Freeze to Address Surve in COVID-19 Cases in Oregon, November 17, 2020
Executive Order 20-28: Operation of Higher Education Institutions during Coronavirus Pandemic, June 12, 2020
Executive Order 20-27: A Safe and Strong Oregon (Phase II), June 15, 2020
Executive Order 20-17: Extending Governor's Order 20-09, April 17, 2020
Executive Order 20-12: Stay Home, Save Lives, March 23, 2020
Executive Order 20-09: Suspension of In-person instructional Activities at Higher Education Institutions in Response to Coronavirus (COVID-19) Outbreak
Executive Order 20-05: Prohibiting Large Gatherings Due to Coronavirus Outbreak in Oregon

HECC and ODE Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Oregon High School Based College Courses during COVID-19, September 30, 2020.

HECC Guidance on In-person Program Offerings at Colleges and Universities during COVID-19 Outbreak, April 30, 2020, first issued March 20, 2020

HECC Guidance to Private Career Schools and Oregon-based Degree-granting Colleges Authorized by the Office of Degree Authorization

HECC Guidance for Private Career Schools on Face Mask Requirements, October 22, 2020
HECC Guidance for Private Career Schools Located in Counties Approved for Phase I Reopening, May 21, 2020
COVID-19 Unemployment and other Economic Relief Sources for Private Career Schools and Private Colleges and Universities, April 6, 2020
HECC Guidance to Private Career Schools, March 20, 2020
HECC Guidance to Private Oregon-based Degree-granting Colleges Authorized by ODA, March 20, 2020
HECC COVID-19 Guidance to Private Oregon-based Degree-granting Colleges Authorized by HECC, March 16, 2020
HECC COVID-19 Guidance to Private Career Schools, March 13, 2020

HECC and ODE Guidance Regarding Oregon High School Based College Courses during COVID-19, April 23 2020

HECC and ODE Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Oregon High School Based College Courses during COVID-19, September 30, 2020.

Federal Guidance Related to Postsecondary Education

Please pay attention to the date last updated with each resource posted here.

In addition to the information below, see the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for recent federal public health guidance about COVID-19 in the U.S.