Spring quarter fees announced
Austin Lane and Bailey Tomlinson
April 4, 2020
An email was sent to the student body from President James Gaudino detailing which fees the university would be waiving for the upcoming spring quarter. This information was sent out 11 days before the April 14 deadline for fees to be paid. “We’ve been talking about fees for a long time … with the ...
ASCWU calls for trustee apology, resignation
Bailey Tomlinson, News Editor
April 2, 2020
In response to statements made by Board of Trustees (BOT) member Gladys Gillis calling for the university to lay off employees as a cost saving measure, ASCWU members have signed a letter rejecting her statements. The letter also requests her immediate apology and resignation as a BOT member, and requests th...
Board of Trustees member calls for ‘firm action’ in the form of layoffs
Bailey Tomlinson, News Editor
April 1, 2020
“We need to set our concerns about employee welfare aside and maintain the priority of university welfare,” said Board of Trustees (BOT) member Gladys Gillis at the livestreamed March 31 meeting. The comment was made following discussion of CWU’s financial resources diminishing in the foreseeab...
County implemented no rules prohibiting CWU from postponing commencement
Mariah Valles, Orientation Editor
March 30, 2020
With growing numbers of COVID-19 cases in Washington state and the U.S., measures are being taken to flatten the curve of the disease’s spread. For CWU seniors, this included the cancellation of spring’s commencement ceremony. This decision was announced by CWU President James L. Gaudino duri...
COVID-19 restrictions mandated but not enforced
Abigail Duchow, Senior Reporter
March 29, 2020
The “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” order mandates that all people in Washington State must immediately cease leaving their home except to do essential activities like grocery shopping, getting medical services or for their job. The order, mandated by Gov. Inslee on March 23, also states that people can...
Stay at home orders announced at county and state level
Bailey Tomlinson, News Editor
March 23, 2020
Kittitas County residents have been ordered to remain in their homes by Kittitas County Public Health Department (KCPHD) Health Officer Dr. Mark Larson, by means of an official health order. Soon after the order was made in Kittitas County, Gov. Jay Inslee announced a stay at home order for the state of Was...
Fifth COVID-19 case in Kittitas County brings new measures
Bailey Tomlinson, News Editor
March 23, 2020
A fifth patient has tested positive for COVID-19 in Kittitas County, according to a press release from the Kittitas County Public Health Department (KCPHD) on March 23. The patient is a 59-year-old male who’s in stable condition. The press release states his family members are sick as well, but did not specify ...
CWU cancels spring commencement
The Observer Staff
March 21, 2020
Note: This story will be updated as information becomes available. March 20, 2 p.m. - CWU cancels spring commencement CWU will not host an in-person graduation ceremony in spring due to COVID-19. The CWU Board of Trustees held a special meeting today from 1-2 p.m. to discuss university impacts caused b...
ASCWU offers financial help to students in need
Bailey Tomlinson, News Editor
March 21, 2020
The Associated Students of Central Washington University (ASCWU) are liquidating all funding to go towards students who need financial assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic. Students can apply through a Google form posted to ASCWU social media accounts. ASCWU Vice President of Legislative Affairs Zackary Turner said applications will be reviewed on a case by case basis, and priority...
Kittitas County Public Health Department recommends shelter in place
Bailey Tomlinson, News Editor
March 19, 2020
A Kittitas County press release states the Kittitas County Public Health Department (KCPHD) is recommending that if possible, people shelter in place, or voluntarily isolate in their homes, to avoid exposing others or being exposed. KCPHD says to operate as if everyone has COVID-19, and is “urging ...
Kittitas County confirms fourth positive case in elementary school
Bailey Tomlinson, Staff Reporter
March 18, 2020
The fourth case of COVID-19 in Kittitas County is an employee of Lincoln Elementary School. This is according to a Kittitas County Public Health Department (KCPHD) press release sent out this morning. The patient was asymptomatic during her time at work and KCPHD is currently working with the school...
Breaking: North Hall resident’s laptop catches fire
Bailey Tomlinson, Staff Reporter
March 17, 2020
Around 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 17, there was an electrical fire in one of the dorm rooms at North Hall. There were no injuries. Riley Kizziar, a resident of North Hall, said she was doing homework when her laptop began to smoke and then caught on fire. Dean of Student Success Gregg Heinselman said...