CORVALLIS, Ore. – Oregon State University is closing Wednesday afternoon many of its facilities statewide until further notice due to prolonged smoke and ash conditions from numerous wildfires in the Pacific Northwest.

The closure began at 2 p.m. today, Sept. 9, 2020. The following facilities are impacted:

  • All non-essential Corvallis campus educational, research, administrative, OSU Extension programs and campus operations.
  • All non-essential Hatfield Marine Science Center operations in Newport.
  • All non-essential county Extension offices and programs in western Oregon and all non-essential Agricultural Experiment Station operations in western Oregon.
  • The OSU Portland Center.

Essential operations at these university facilities will continue and include ongoing critical research, University Housing and Dining Services, public safety and facility services operations. Programs and centers serving children, including camps and child care centers on OSU’s Corvallis campus, will remain open today until designated parents or family members are able to pick up their children.

Air quality in university buildings continues to meet federal and state standards. However, OSU is closing these facilities to enable university personnel to shut down air circulation systems in buildings, expect in University Housing and Dining Services facilities that serve students and others that support critical research activities. This will limit anticipated extensive damage to air circulation systems from infiltration of heavy ash and smoke residue.

As a result and until further notice, all other non-essential OSU employees are being asked to work from home if their work can be performed remotely.

“During this air quality crisis, we encourage employees to be mindful of their health, as well as the health of their family and friends, by adhering to public health advisories,” said Steve Clark, vice president of university relations and marketing.

General OSU

About Oregon State University: As one of only three land, sea, space and sun grant universities in the nation, Oregon State serves Oregon and the world by working on today’s most pressing issues. Our more than 36,000 students come from across the globe, and our programs operate in every Oregon county. Oregon State receives more research funding than all of the state’s comprehensive public universities combined. At our campuses in Corvallis and Bend, marine research center in Newport, OSU Portland Center and award-winning Ecampus, we excel at shaping today’s students into tomorrow’s leaders.

Story By: 

By Sean Nealon, 541-737-0787, [email protected]

Source: 

Steve Clark, 541-737-3808, [email protected]

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