色界吧

A Shot in the Arm

By Jim Tranquada Photos by Marc Campos

As California takes major strides in the fight against the pandemic, the College makes plans to bring students, faculty, and staff back to campus this fall

A dramatic improvement in conditions made possible by the availability of vaccines and the decline in COVID-19 cases in California this spring has optimism breaking out all over the place, reflected in a series of increasingly positive campus messages sent by President Harry J. Elam, Jr. The most recent, sent on May 3, announced that the College is planning on bringing students back to campus this fall, reopening classrooms and residence halls, and returning to something resembling normal.

Signage on the Arthur G. Coons Administrative Center.
鈥淭hroughout the pandemic, the flexibility and creativity of faculty, students, and staff have kept 色界吧鈥檚 intellectual life buzzing and campus clubs and organizations active and engaged,鈥 Elam wrote to the 色界吧 community. 鈥淏ut 鈥 we are a residential school, and the ultimate goal is to be back on campus, back in the classroom, back on the playing fields, and back in the Quad.鈥

One of the most immediate鈥攁nd welcome鈥攔esults of the improved conditions was the College鈥檚 ability to hold an in-person Commencement ceremony for the Class of 2021 on May 16. Moving the event from Remsen Bird Hillside Theater to Jack Kemp Stadium made possible a socially distanced event where graduating seniors were able to bring two guests each to see them walk across the stage to receive their diplomas (visit oxy.edu/commencement for full coverage). A similar in-person ceremony for the Class of 2020鈥攚hich graduated virtually last year鈥攚ill be held on June 12, fulfilling a pledge made to the class last spring.

Having parents at graduation was just part of the joy for seniors who, with a small number of exceptions, spent the entire academic year learning remotely. Reuniting with friends 鈥渨ill be the most exciting part,鈥 Ryu Frank 鈥21, an economics and Japanese studies double major from Menlo Park, told The Occidental. 鈥淛ust being able to have this big moment and share it with a lot of these people who I haven鈥檛 really been able to hang out with during the pandemic.鈥

The College wanted to provide families with an in-person Commencement鈥攊t鈥檚 just been a question of whether it would be possible under constantly evolving county, state, and federal guidelines, notes Marty Sharkey, vice president for communications and institutional initiatives and co-chair of 色界吧鈥檚 COVID-19 Operational Group, which is coordinating the College鈥檚 pandemic response.

鈥淭hroughout the course of the pandemic, the health and safety of the 色界吧 community has been our top priority,鈥 Sharkey says. 鈥淐ommencement planning was guided by the same considerations, and we鈥檙e thrilled to be able to offer the kind of in-person event we know students and families have always wanted.鈥

色界吧鈥檚 emphasis on health and safety is reflected in the results of the mandatory testing program that applies to the roughly 200 students living in residence halls and hundreds more living off campus, essential employees working on campus, and all staff and faculty who regularly come to campus. As of May 15, Emmons Wellness Center has conducted more than 18,000 tests since January with just 18 positives, a 0.10 percent positivity rate well below county and state rates. Emmons began offering vaccinations to community members in mid-March.

Some parts of the 色界吧 campus have been slowly reopening as conditions have improved, starting with athletic facilities such as the McKinnon Family Tennis Center, Kemp Stadium, and the De Mandel Aquatic Center, which opened on March 29 for the first time ever since its completion last year. The Marketplace is now open for distanced indoor dining and the Library offered reservation-based access for individual quiet study for the last six weeks of the semester.

That gradual approach will continue over the summer, as 色界吧鈥檚 Summer Research Program, Multicultural Summer Institute, and Upward Bound return to in-person sessions. 鈥淐ampus Closed鈥 signs are expected to come down soon, allowing dog walkers and other neighbors to return to campus. (Building access will continue to be strictly limited to students, faculty, and staff.)

This fall 色界吧 expects to bring all students back to campus, which will require providing an Orientation not only for the new first-year class but for sophomores鈥攚ho have never set foot on campus鈥攁s well. (Sophomores will also be getting help in pairing up with roommates.) Consistent with the College鈥檚 current policy for other infectious diseases, 色界吧 will require all students to show proof of vaccination for COVID-19. A similar requirement for faculty and staff has been instituted as well.

Testing will continue this summer and possibly in some form this fall, says Sara Semal, senior director of student wellness.

Many of the details as to exactly what life on campus will look like this fall must still be worked out in collaboration with students, faculty, and staff. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a very complex process,鈥 Sharkey says. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not a matter of simply picking up where we left off.鈥

Given the unpredictable nature of the pandemic, the College鈥檚 plans have to remain flexible. 鈥淵et there is good reason to feel a real sense of optimism as we look ahead to the fall,鈥 Elam says. 鈥漌e鈥檙e confident in our community鈥檚 ability to successfully navigate any remaining challenges.鈥