The College’s risk management and emergency preparedness team continues to monitor the latest updates from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LA DPH) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), meets frequently to coordinate emergency response efforts, and has been developing proactive plans to minimize disruption in the event of further spread of the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19). State and county officials have declared a public health emergency to elevate their planning and to receive support from state and federal agencies. In response to recent news about the growing number of confirmed cases of the virus in Los Angeles County, Scripps College is enacting precautionary measures to mitigate the effects of the spreading COVID-19.
In addition to the guidance provided in the March 2 spring break travel letter, the College is implementing the following measures to help maintain a safe and healthy working environment:
- Hand sanitizing supplies will be provided at various locations throughout campus.
- We encourage all students, faculty, and staff to stay home if you are feeling sick, and we ask supervisors to support employees who request time off due to illness.
- Students should stay away from classes if they are not feeling well, and we ask that faculty support those decisions.
- Student Health Services is requesting that students who are ill call prior to going to their facility. This will allow for an intake process that will limit others’ exposure. This practice should also be used by all members of the community who are ill and seeking medical care from healthcare providers.
- At this time, public events will proceed as scheduled. Pre-event messaging will include a request that audience members refrain from attending if they are experiencing any cold or flu symptoms. Hand sanitizer will be available at public events and we encourage attendees to make use of it.
The College is also introducing stricter travel restrictions, effective immediately:
- Scripps is prohibiting College-sponsored travel to regions or countries withLevel 3 or 4 travel advisories and discourages all international travel until more is known about the spread of COVID-19. Should you engage in personal travel to impacted areas or countries you must self-isolate for 14 days before returning to campus and only return if you are symptom free.
- We recommend against non-essential domestic airline travel. All staff business travel must be approved in advance by the vice president of your division. If you do need to travel, then please follow the World Health Organization advice on how to protect yourself from the new coronavirus.
- All school-sponsored spring break trips for students have been cancelled, including the Laspa Center and CP&R professional treks. Please consult with the trip sponsor for additional information and support in altering your spring break plans.
- Students who want to remain on campus for spring break are welcome to do so, and should contact Dean Brenda Ice. There will be limited, complimentary meal service in Malott Commons for Scripps students only. In addition, Frary Dining Hall at Pomona College will be open during spring break. Frary will accept flex dollars, Claremont cash, or credit. Harvey Mudd College dining services will also be open. Information regarding cost and operating hours will be shared once known.
In the event of new developments that cause a disruption to our academic program, the Information Technology department, in consultation with the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of Faculty Amy Marcus-Newhall, has upgraded our license to the online video-conferencing service, Zoom, in order to support remote classes, office hours, and meetings. Zoom and Sakai will allow instruction to continue and provide support for telework options should greater measures toward reducing social contact be necessary. Additional information on the use of this platform is forthcoming.
We encourage all community members to practice preventive hygiene measures, such as washing hands often and using hand sanitizer, and avoiding touching your eyes, nose, or face. Please continue to monitor The Claremont Colleges’ Student Health Services website for the latest information from the most authoritative, reliable sources.
Sincerely,
Charlotte Johnson
Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students
Amy Marcus-Newhall
Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of Faculty
Jennifer Berklas
Assistant Vice President, Human Capital & Risk Management