An update on plans for the start of the semester and the safety measures that are currently in place, as well as the steps that the College is taking to meet the immediate needs of affected students, faculty, and staff.
Dear Campus Community:
As we prepare to begin the spring semester, many of you have questions about the timeline for returning to campus, the safety measures currently in place, and the community impact of the ongoing Southern California wildfires. I want to update you all on our plans for the coming weeks, as well as the steps that the College is taking to meet the immediate needs of our affected students, faculty, and staff.
First, I want to reassure you that our campus is not and has never been under an evacuation order and has not sustained significant damage, and that we are prioritizing the safety and well-being of our community as we return from winter break. Departments across the campus are prepared to respond to emergent situations and keep our community safe. After closing for a few days last week so that our Facilities staff could oversee debris clean-up, we are fully open today, Monday, Jan. 13. We continue to monitor the air quality in our region; real-time air quality data is available on . N95 masks are available at the Marketplace, Mary Norton Clapp Library, and Emmons Wellness Center, but our current air quality does not require them.
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. The following offices can help answer students’ questions:
- For student housing assignment questions, reach out to REHS at resed@oxy.edu
- Athletics-related questions should be directed to Director of Athletics Shanda Ness at sness@oxy.edu or (323) 259-2608
- The Dean of the College will be communicating shortly about accommodations for those who have been directly affected or impacted
- For questions related to broader campus issues, please connect with the Dean of Students Office at deanofstudents@oxy.edu or (323) 259-2661
We’re also moving swiftly to assess the impact of the wildfires on our local students and employees and to meet some of their most immediate needs. If you’ve been impacted by the wildfires, 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’ve established for our students, faculty, and staff.
I’ve heard heartbreaking stories from those in our community who’ve lost so much, but I’ve been heartened by your desire to support one another. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to the resources listed above, and I look forward to seeing you on campus next week.
Sincerely,
Tom