An update on safety measures and plans for returning to campus as the most recent Santa Ana winds subside.
Dear Campus Community:
The most recent Santa Ana winds subsided this afternoon, and I鈥檓 glad to report that the Occidental campus remains safe and ready for our return from winter break. The residence halls will open for all returning students on Saturday, Jan. 18, at 10 a.m. and classes will begin as scheduled on Tuesday, Jan. 21.
Although there are no future extreme winds in the current forecast, I want to reassure you that departments across the campus are prepared to respond to future emergent situations and keep our community safe. Those preparations include, but are not limited to: regular meetings of our Emergency Response Team, routine review and updates of the College鈥檚 emergency action plans, partnerships with mutual response organizations, and a monthly newsletter that shares safety tips, best practices, and emergency training opportunities with the campus community.
While our campus was not affected by the wildfires, many in our community have lost much, and we are all grateful for the outpouring of support we鈥檝e received in the aftermath of this tragic event. If you鈥檝e been impacted, I encourage you to reach out to our available resources, which are listed on our Emergency Updates page.
These resources include a College that we鈥檝e established for our students, faculty, and staff. For those interested in helping regional recovery efforts, our SLICE team will partner with L.A. Works for the 2025 MLK Day of Service, which will focus on directly supporting individuals and families affected by the Los Angeles fires; .
As we continue to help our community recover, I want to thank all of you who have assisted in keeping us safe and informed, as well as those of you who鈥檝e offered assistance, even in your own time of crisis. If you have questions or concerns, please don鈥檛 hesitate to reach out to our resources here at 色界吧, and I look forward to seeing you on campus next week.
Sincerely,
Tom