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.

Guidance:

Update: Press Release: Governor Kate Brown Announces Steps to Lift COVID-19 Restrictions, Fully Reopen Oregon Economy, June 04, 2021
COVID-19 Vaccine Resources

OHA Fact Sheet: COVID-19 vaccination considerations for Oregon’s Colleges, Universities and other institutes of higher education (May 3, 2021)

Spanish version of OHA Fact Sheet , COVID-19 considerations

Find more information at covidvaccine@oregon.gov).

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.
HECC Clarifications on Public Health Guidelines, updated March 12, 2021

NOTE: Requirements for physical distancing in Oregon K-12 schools have been updated as detailed in the Ready Schools Safe Learning guidance here. For higher education institutions, the six-foot requirement continues to apply until further notice, as described in the HECC / OHA standards.

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.
NOTE: The Sector Risk Level Guidance Chart is available here.
HECC Updates on Guidance for Private Career Schools, April 15, 2021
The Oregon Health Authority on October 19, 2020 released 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. 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
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

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).

Click on State Guidance below for HECC Guidance to Private Career Schools and Oregon-based Degree-granting Colleges Authorized by the Office of Degree Authorization.

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.

COVID-19 Vaccine Resources

The Governor's sequencing guidance shows that frontline workers as defined by the CDC (Oregon Phase 1B, Group 7), became eligible for the vaccine in Oregon on April 5, 2021. The categories of “Frontline workers” include some employees of community colleges, colleges, universities, vocational rehabilitation, trade and professional schools (see the complete sequencing timeline and frontline worker definitions at covidvaccine@oregon.gov or directly here).

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.

HECC Clarifications on Public Health Guidelines, updated March 12, 2021

NOTE: Requirements for physical distancing in Oregon K-12 schools have been updated as detailed in the Ready Schools Safe Learning guidance here. For higher education institutions, the six-foot requirement continues to apply until further notice, as described in the HECC / OHA standards.

Executive Order 20-28 Operation of Higher Education Institutions during Coronavirus Pandemic

See all Governor Brown's Executive Orders related to COVID-19 here.

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. NOTE: The Sector Risk Level Guidance Chart is available here.

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.

Oregon Health Authority’s (OHA) COVID-19 Guidance (links to general and sector-specific guidance)

Oregon's COVID-19 Mask Requirements

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

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 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. The information below is not a comprehensive list of all federal guidance pertaining to higher education.