August 23, 2021
Dear Students,
Move-in week has arrived, and we cannot wait to welcome each of you to campus! It has been wonderful to see and meet many of our students who arrived early, and the entire Student Affairs division is thrilled to have our campus full again with all of your energy and presence. I write with many reminders to protocols and practices as you make your way to campus. Please take the time to read this email mindfully and carefully.
Scripps College Student Community Compact
In the spirit of community care, all students are required to sign the Scripps College Student Community Compact before returning to campus and to gain access to campus and housing. The compact is available in the student housing portal. ALL students were required to sign the compact by Friday, August 20 at 5:00 pm PST. If you have not done so yet, the compact will be available for you to sign by Tuesday, August 24 at 12:00 noon PST. The compact includes expectations for all students from the day of arrival, to navigating both residential and academic spaces, dining, COVID-19 protocol and procedures, and visiting the other Claremont Colleges. If you have not yet reviewed the compact, please do so immediately.
COVID-19 Testing Protocol
On August 12 I announced new guidance from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LACDPH). Scripps now requires a negative COVID-19 test for all students moving into Scripps-operated housing as well as their maximum of two (2) support people. The test must be taken within 72 hours prior to arrival to the Scripps campus. Students and their support people will not be permitted to access their assigned room to move in or to be on the Scripps campus without providing proof of a negative test result.
Students are encouraged to upload proof of a negative test for themselves and their supporters, maximum two (2) people, prior to arrival to campus using this link. If you are unable to upload your results prior to your arrival, please be prepared to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test on your designated arrival day and time. Proof of a negative test result may be provided in printed or digital formats.
Scripps accepts all commonly available forms of COVID-19 tests, including rapid-result antigen tests. Testing is available through a range of sources, including health facilities, pharmacies, and many retail stores. You may visit the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services website to locate testing sites near you. If you have purchased an At-Home COVID-19 test kit, do not administer the test until you have arrived at campus. There will be staff on-site to help all students and support people administer the At-Home COVID-19 test. Students living off campus in non-Scripps operated housing must also provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test by Wednesday, August 25 at 11:59pm PST, via this link.
Once on campus, all unvaccinated students will be tested twice a week at the College’s COVID testing site, located at the 240 House on 11th Street. Unvaccinated students will receive a regular testing day and time. All vaccinated students will be tested randomly or on a limited periodic basis throughout the semester. Students should expect greater testing frequency at the beginning of the semester. Vaccinated students will receive a week’s notice for their testing date and time. All students are required to follow the College’s testing protocol as outlined in the Scripps College Student Community Compact. Any student, regardless of vaccination status, who is experiencing COVID-like symptoms will be expected to contact Student Health Services (SHS) immediately and schedule a test. SHS will be administering all symptomatic testing and Scripps College will only be administering asymptomatic testing. The College will update all testing protocols per LACDPH guidance.
COVID-19 Isolation & Quarantine
Scripps College has acquired isolation and quarantine spaces adjacent to the College. Any student, regardless of vaccination status, who has been in close contact to someone with COVID-19 will be required to quarantine pursuant to the College’s quarantine and isolation protocols. As noted in the in the compact, College protocols may change throughout the semester depending on (i) conditions on campus and in LA County and (ii) applicable public health guidance. A student will be considered a “close contact” if they have been exposed to someone who tested positive for COVID-19. Exposure is defined as: being within six (6) feet of someone with COVID-19 for a total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period; or being exposed to bodily fluids with someone with COVID-19. Exposure to bodily fluids includes coughs or sneezes and saliva from sharing a drink or utensils or kissing.
A student in quarantine will receive a COVID test between days 3-5 after exposure. If a test comes back positive for COVID-19, regardless of vaccination status, the student will be considered in isolation. For students who are vaccinated and receive a negative test, they will be released immediately from quarantine status. All unvaccinated students with a negative test will be required to stay in quarantine for the duration of the recommended quarantine time (10 – 12 days). Students who test positive for COVID-19 will immediately enter the contact tracing process to identify and notify close contacts. The College has detailed protocols for the management of contact tracing.
All students in isolation or quarantine will receive support from many departments across the campus. SHS will provide daily medical monitoring and check ins, Malott Commons will be delivering food daily, and the student’s Primary Contact Dean will work with each student to ensure they are connected to their faculty and other support and resources during their time in isolation and quarantine.
Mask Requirements
As many of you already know, LACDPH has instituted a mask mandate regardless of vaccination status. LACDPH reported that the transmission rate of COVID-19 has increased in Los Angeles County and the vast majority of the current cases are among unvaccinated persons. In Los Angeles County, individuals two years of age and older must wear a mask in all indoor places (including indoor classrooms), whether they have been vaccinated or not. Masks are not required inside a student’s individual residence hall room, suite, or apartment. Those areas are considered your “household.” Any 7C student visiting a Scripps College residential hall must wear a mask at all times.
Per the most recent LACDPH guidance, masks will be required for all large outdoor public gatherings. Currently, wearing a mask outdoors is optional in all other situations. I encourage students to do what they are most comfortable with when outside. In addition, masks are required for entry in the Malott Commons but not when you are actively eating. Students will be given two washable masks in your welcome back bag. Disposable masks will be available in Student Affairs’ offices. I also encourage you to bring your favorite masks from home!
Facilities Updates
Scripps Facilities Department has made several upgrades to the HVAC systems to improve the air quality of Scripps’ classrooms and common spaces. These upgrades include high-efficiency filtration media, increased outside air circulation, and UV lights and ionizers installed in air handling units. The Facilities Department is committed to maintaining a safe residential living environment. Facilities staff will be cleaning common spaces, restrooms, and all high-touch surfaces frequently throughout the day, in compliance with LACDPH guidelines. All residential hall bathrooms will be equipped with cleaning kits so students can do a quick wipe down of high-touch surfaces. As outlined in the Scripps College Student Community Compact, students are expected to maintain overall cleanliness of personal spaces and wipe down surfaces after use. Any students needing additional cleaning supplies may contact their Resident Coordinator (RC) or Community Coordinator (CC).
Daily Health Screening: Healthfully App
All students will be expected to utilize the Healthfully™, application as part of our community commitment to safety. This technology supports colleges and universities in administering testing, tracking results, and status along with delivering real-time COVID-19 education and community announcements in an easy-to-use app that can be installed on smart phones, tablets, and computers. Through the Healthfully App, the College will be able to facilitate:
- Compliance with screening, testing, and isolation
- Self-screening and attestation
- Alerts and notifications
- COVID-19 education
- Secure messaging
All unvaccinated students are required to do a daily symptom check via the Healthfully app. All vaccinated students will be prompted to monitor any symptoms. Further information about the app will be provided in the coming days.
Campus Life
As we are all excited to be together again, the five undergraduate colleges decided there will be no 5C parties or other large student-run social events until after the 5C Club and Org Fair, what was once known as Turf Dinner, on September 21. This allows a full three weeks for the campus to build community and establish its institutional policies with students before opening events up to the broader 5C community. We hope you take this time to get to settle into Scripps, the campus, and our vibrant community. Further information about Scripps clubs and organizations (CLORGS) is forthcoming.
As outlined in the Scripps College Student Community Compact, we have updated our guest policy for residential halls. Scripps students will have access to their assigned Scripps housing as well as other Scripps housing. Students may invite students from the other Claremont Colleges into their residential space, in accordance with the residential guest policy. All 7C guests must follow masking guidelines while in Scripps housing. Students may not invite/permit outside guests to campus or inside their residential space, including but not limited to families, non-7C friends, and food/grocery delivery services. The College will establish designated drop-off/pick-up locations on campus for deliveries and/or Rideshare services. Move-in days this week are the only exception to this policy.
Dining
The entire team at Malott Commons dining has been hard at work getting ready for your arrival. Daily, Malott Commons will offer a full lineup of delicious and nourishing food options that include vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, and allergen-free foods. Malott Commons will be open continuously everyday so you can always grab a bite to eat. Hours are Monday – Friday from 7:30 am to 8:00 pm and Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 am – 7:00 pm. During mealtimes, all stations will be open, and between operating hours there will be grab-n-go options, and the salad station and grill will be open. Students will be able to dine indoors at Malott Commons at a reduced density level and outdoors. Masks are required at all times inside Malott Commons, unless you are seated and actively drinking and eating.
New this year, students will be able to place a pickup order using the mobile ordering app, Transact. The app is available wherever you get your favorite apps. Mobile ordering pickup is available Monday–Friday at Malott Commons at the Northwest Exit Door Holden Court from 11:00am – 7:00pm and just outside Gabrielle Jungels-Winkler Hall (GJW) at the east/west allee from 11:00 am – 2:00 pm and 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm. Students will be able to choose from a full range of delicious food options and can identify a pickup time.
Malott Dining is pleased to offer a 19 weekly meal plan option in addition to the 5, 12, and 16-meal plans. All students living in Scripps operated housing will be required to purchase a meal plan. Students living in spaces with personal kitchens will be assigned the five-meal plan and may opt to purchase a larger plan. Students living in residential spaces without personal kitchens will be assigned the 16-meal plan with the option to choose either the 12 or 19-meal plan. Students have until September 10 to make changes to their meal plans. Questions regarding dining options should be referred to [email protected].
For the safety of all, Scripps faculty, students, and staff will be expected to dine at the Malott Commons (or take their meals to-go) and will not be able to dine at any of the other Colleges’ dining facilities. Scripps, in conjunction with the other Claremont Colleges, will continue to assess dining options as relevant guidelines and requirements continue to evolve.
Support Services
We understand the vital importance of providing support and resources as students return to campus for the first time after 18 months or arrive at Scripps for the first time. I encourage each student to review our Student Resources Guide which outlines a number of support services available at Scripps and the Claremont consortium.
There are a few resources I would like to draw your attention to in particular:
7C.Health
7C.Health will continue at The Claremont Colleges for the 2021-22 academic year. Students can receive free, 24/7 healthcare from licensed providers through the online platform. You may sign up at http://7c.health using your Scripps College email address. Services available at 7C.Health:
- Medical Support (includes prescription access)
- Mental Health Support (TalkNow)
- Unlimited on-demand counseling sessions
- Expanded this year to also include scheduled counseling with the same provider up to 12 sessions
Monsour Counseling and Psychological Services (MCAPS)
MCAPS has a new, more efficient intake model. The goal is to get students in within a few days of outreach for an initial assessment appointment. During this appointment, the MCAPS clinicians will determine whether the student should be seen at MCAPS or if they would benefit from a referral to a community provider. Students can begin making appointments for therapy and psychiatry on August 23. As always, after-hours crisis support is available by calling (909) 621-8202 (press 1).
Student Health Services (SHS)
Student Health Services will be open this fall to provide basic medical services to Claremont Colleges students. Students can schedule free appointments through My Health Portal (located on SHS website) or by calling (909) 621-8222. SHS will be administering all symptomatic COVID-19 testing.
Scripps College Case Management Support and Resources
With the number of challenges over the past 18 months, we know access to mental health support and care is a priority for our students. The Off-Campus Referral Program is here to connect students to support in the local Claremont Community. Please do not hesitate to reach out to Dean Simone Hicks to help you navigate seeking care.
We are also excited to announce our partnership with ARC Counseling and Wellness in offering a five-part series to support students on their return to or first time at college. The series will take place throughout the fall and support students in the transition to college, navigating social environment, self-care, and other topics as it relates to holistic student success. For more information and to register for the first workshop on September 9, visit this link.
Primary Contact Dean
Every student is assigned to a Primary Contact Dean (PCD) based on the student’s last name. Primary Contact Deans are an excellent source of information to answer questions, both big and small. I encourage every student to take the time to get to know your PCD, attend their office hours, and never think twice about reaching out for support or if you have a question. I am also here for support! Please be on the lookout for my office hours. If you would like to meet with me, contact Christina Rivera ([email protected]) to schedule a time.
I want to offer a heartfelt thanks to our faculty and staff who have been working tirelessly to make our return together safe. This has been 18 months in the making! I also want to thank each one of you. I have been in awe of our students’ grace, flexibility, and care for our community. Though this fall will be different from any other, what remains the same is our strong, vibrant community, the deep care and respect we have for each other, and our dedication to making Scripps a place where everyone can thrive. I am honored to welcome each and every one of you to campus this week. I’ll be the one in a mask (wink, wink).
In Community,
Dean di Bartolo-Beckman
Interim Vice President of Student Affairs and Dean of Students