We look forward to welcoming you this fall!

Dear WSU Tri-Cities Cougs,

For our new Cougs, or Cougs new to the Tri-Cities campus, welcome to the awesome WSU Tri-Cities community! For our returning Cougs, congratulations on finishing the spring semester!

We know you want to be here on campus, and we want you here, too. If you are like me, this was not the summer we were planning. But I hope you all have the opportunity or make space to relax, rejuvenate, and enjoy the beauty of Washington state or wherever you call home. Yesterday, I took the afternoon off from Zoom to enjoy a hike at White Pass, just two hours from the Tri-Cities. It is one of my happy places, and the fresh air did some good.

While we are planning for a slightly altered kind of Tri-Cities Coug experience this fall, it will still be an experience filled with support and resources to promote your academic and personal success. We are here for you every step of the way. I 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.

The Connected Cougs student newsletter, which features updates about the WSU Tri-Cities campus, resources for a successful school year and where you will find pertinent information about the return to learning in the fall, is sent to your WSU email every Monday. It is also posted on WSU Tri-Cities social media channels (@wsutricities).

My office is hosting virtual office hours at 4 p.m. every Tuesday and at noon every Wednesday to connect with you, parents, and family members. You and your family and friends are welcome to attend any time to get your questions answered, talk about resources, or to just say “Hi.” Join me via Zoom.

We are continuing to work with local health authorities to adopt procedures for 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 responsibility to fully commit to protecting our collective health and well-being by following best practice health guidelines and requirements. As such, we are asking everyone to follow all local and state ordinances and the CDC guidelines, including the statewide requirement to wear facial coverings in public – both indoors and outdoors. To access the most up-to-date health guidelines and related information, visit websites for the Washington State Department of Health, the Benton Franklin Health District, Yakima County Health District, and your other local public health agencies.

WSU Tri-Cities Chancellor Sandra Haynes recently sent out an all-campus message regarding WSU Tri-Cities’ plans for fall. If you haven’t, yet, I encourage a read of that 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 WSU Tri-Cities Cougs this fall! As 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-Cities Cougs! 

Sincerely,

Chris Meiers, Ph.D. 
Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs/Deputy Title IX Officer
chris.meiers@wsu.edu | 509-372-7381 | @chrismeiers