Coronavirus
Highline will be hosting COVID-19 vaccine clinics every Monday through October, and you have the opportunity to win a $500 scholarship by participating.
The effort to vaccinate as many students as possible comes after Highline announced vaccinations are required for anyone who comes on campus as of Sept. 27. The clinic is being conducted in cooperation with King County Public Health and 6M Geriatrics, a Seattle-based health provider.
As the country rapidly approaches one year of fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, students are questioning if they wish to continue remote learning. For those who continue with school, the experience is taking a toll on their mental health.
Highline’s campus has been closed to most students since last March when shutdowns began, with classes moving online.Remote learning will continue at least through June; the learning format for Summer and Fall Quarters has not yet been decided for certain.
Despite COVID-19 shutdowns, decreased tax revenues, and an overall sense of unease, the city of Federal Way is thriving financially, Mayor Jim Ferrell said.
Federal Way is the 10th largest city in Washington, and as of 2019, had a population of about 96,000 people.
The city of Kent is staying afloat amid the COVID-19 pandemic and taking things one day at a time, Mayor Dana Ralph said.
Kent is the sixth largest city in Washington and as of 2019, had a population of about 131,000 people. Last year, it was named one of the top 10 most ethnically diverse cities in America.
Local cities are having to tighten their budgets as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect economic activity across the region, city officials say.
Statewide, gross business income fell by 17 percent because of the pandemic.
For some, working from home has been an easy shift that’s improved both work and home life.
Others though, have had a harder time.
Since COVID-19, working remotely has become a new norm. According to Stanford Economist Nicholas Bloom, 42 percent of jobs in the United States are completely remote.
COVID-19 has made helping black and brown students at Highline more challenging.
Umoja is one of several Highline programs aimed at helping diverse groups of students. Whether it be financial support, access to Wi-Fi, or even tutoring, Umoja offers all this and more to better serve black and brown students.
Free COVID-19 testing is now being provided on campus in the South Parking Lot.
The testing site is open Monday through Friday, from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Testing is free to everyone, with or without medical insurance and regardless of immigration status.
Students have mixed feelings about the reinforced restrictions that Washington Gov. Jay Inslee made in response to rising COVID-19 cases.
Indoor social gatherings have been greatly affected, with some activities reducing gathering sizes to 25 percent of its indoor occupancy limits, with some activities barred altogether.
Students say that despite COVID-19 concerns and restrictions, Thanksgiving is still on.
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee announced new COVID-19 restrictions on Monday, limiting the size of public and private gatherings, as well as closing gyms, bowling alleys and movie theaters.
Highline’s Counseling Center is virtually supporting students who need counseling during COVID- 19.
The Counseling Center doesn’t just provide for people who are sad, depressed, or anxious, said Dr. Gloria Koepping, one of the counselors. Available counselors also assist with career decision making, learning disabilities, academic probation and more.
The Public Speaking Center is available to support students for their communications needs, despite changes to how students receive that support, the center’s director said.
COVID-19 has altered how students typically get assistance from tutors at the Public Speaking Center. What used to be live, in-person sessions, have transitioned to the virtual setting students have experienced since Spring Quarter.
The Highline men’s soccer season will get to play an NWAC season in spring 2021.
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, all NWAC sports have been delayed until Feburary 2021, except for golf, which played a handful of matches in September.
Highline’s Personal Fitness Trainer program is managing to go the distance.
Despite the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown of campus, the program is continuing to offer classes for students hoping to become fitness trainers. Program Manager Tim Vagen said they are offering classes online and virtually to help students complete their degrees.
Maxwell Williams said he misses a number of things about a live college experience.
“I miss getting to pick my professors’ brains in discussions,” he said. “I miss walking around campus and grabbing a bite to eat in the Student Union.
Students can get help with navigating the end of the quarter by attending the second Spring into Wellness mental health workshops created by the Counseling Center.
This was supposed to be my year. I was graduating high school, going to prom, getting my AA ,turning 18 and going to university all in this year.
The Kent farmers market season, which typically runs from June to September, may not happen as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The tentative opening date has changed due to the pandemic. Instead of opening in June, the market will open July 11.