As you may know, the U.S.—and California in particular—is experiencing a summer uptick in COVID cases because of new viral variants and lower booster shot participation, among other factors. I write to you today to explain what we know and how we plan to help mitigate our COVID impacts this fall.
For background, we routinely and proactively monitor public health trends that could impact our community. Harold Hewitt, executive vice president and chief operating officer, reconvened our COVID Task Force in July to discuss current and projected trends, review the latest public health guidance and best practices, and develop a set of campus recommendations for the fall semester and trimester that will best serve our Chapman community.
The task force agreed that our public health philosophy and practices should remain consistent: We follow the science and the guidelines of federal and state public health agencies, primarily the CDC’s Guidelines for preventing respiratory viruses. Prevention and mitigation are the best ways to help ensure we keep our community as safe and healthy as possible, including taking the following steps endorsed by the task force.
Get an Updated 2024-2025 COVID-19 Vaccine
Vaccinations remain the most powerful way to reduce the risk of contracting and spreading COVID. We encourage our community members to stay up to date with their vaccines, and we plan to offer free COVID vaccine clinics in the fall for our faculty, staff and students.
- Tuesday, October 1, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Orange Campus, 145 Sycamore Avenue (building behind Student Health Center)
- Tuesday, October 1, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Rinker Campus, 9401 Jeronimo Road, Campus Center at Rinker
- Wednesday, October 9, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Orange Campus, 145 Sycamore Avenue (building behind Student Health Center)
- Wednesday, October 9, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.: 9401 Rinker Campus, Jeronimo Road, Campus Center at Rinker
Get Tested and Mask Accordingly
If you are sick (coughing, runny nose, fever) or if you have a known COVID exposure, take a home COVID test or seek out one at Chapman Student Health Center. The Student Health Center on the Orange Campus and the Public Safety office on both campuses have free COVID test kits available for students, faculty and staff.
- If you are sick, you should stay home and work with your professor or supervisor to make alternative plans for learning or working, if possible. Individuals may return to campus when symptoms are improving overall, and they have been fever-free without the use of fever-reducing medication for at least 24 hours. Still wear your mask indoors once you resume normal activities for 5 days (or sooner if you test negative twice).
- If you are COVID-positive but not sick, you can come to campus if you are feeling up to it, but you must wear a mask indoors. Masks are required for 5 days from the date of the first positive test result.
- Free masks are available on our campuses at the following locations: Student Health Center on the Orange campus, Campus Center at Rinker, the Student Union, and all Chapman residence halls and apartments.
The CDC provides advice on mask wearing during the respiratory virus season to reduce the spread.
Follow Good Public Health Practices
Other ways to reduce your risk include being extra vigilant and masking when you travel, especially during peak periods; practicing physical distancing in large, crowded, poorly ventilated public spaces; and engaging in proper hand washing.
As always, we need everyone’s help in keeping our Chapman Family healthy this fall and beyond. We will continue to keep you updated and monitor COVID trends in the region and on campus.
