TO:  University of Idaho Moscow-Based Faculty, Staff and Students
FROM:  Scott Green, President
DATE:  Sept. 13, 2020
SUBJECT:  U of I Moscow Campus Closed Sept. 14 Due to Poor Air Quality 

The Moscow campus of the University of Idaho will be closed to business and all classes and events canceled on Monday, Sept. 14. Students, faculty and staff here are encouraged to stay home and avoid outdoor activities. The safety and wellbeing of our community members are core values in the Vandal community.

The HUB, Papa John’s, Joe’s Cheesy Grill and the Grid will be open for food service.

Wildfire smoke continues to pose an air quality problem in much of the Northwest. Air quality conditions deteriorated significantly over the past 48 hours and are currently unhealthy. Air quality will vary in the coming days in the Moscow area between good, unhealthy and hazardous depending on wind and time of day. When air quality is in the very unhealthy or hazardous range, all groups should avoid physical activity outdoors.

All Moscow-based employees, including exempt employees, should report time as Emergency Closure in VandalWeb.

Air quality information can be found on the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality website, but please note that air conditions can change quickly. The university will continue to monitor air quality conditions and will notify the university community if conditions worsen. Other University of Idaho locations (Coeur d’Alene, Boise, Idaho Falls, and research and Extension sites) will make their own closure decisions based on the air quality conditions of their area.

Anyone with symptoms of lung or heart disease that may be related to excess smoke exposure, including repeated coughing, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, wheezing, chest tightness or pain, heart palpitations, nausea, unusual fatigue or lightheadedness, should contact health care provider or the Vandal Health Clinic at 208-885-6693.

The Moscow campus will re-open Tuesday, Sept. 15 and all classes held as usual unless further communication is received. Please watch for Vandal Alert text messages for urgent updates. If you did not receive the text alert about Monday’s closure, please update your settings in VandalWeb.

Scott Green
President

president@uidaho.edu
uidaho.edu/president