Over the last few months, the COVID-19 response team has worked tirelessly to put processes in place to protect the health and safety of our enrolled and prospective students and their families, as well as our faculty and staff. These measures will continue into the summer and fall months. With the roll-out of the vaccine, we are optimistic that progress will be made in controlling the spread of COVID-19. With the guidance that we have received from public health officials, we have made informed plans that we are sharing with current and prospective students and families to allow them time to plan for the fall 2021 semester. Whittier College intends to return to primarily in-person classes, with the flexibility of hybrid instruction, starting in fall 2021. The fall semester will also mark the time when most staff will likely be back working on campus. Residential halls will be open at a reduced capacity. Opening plans will comply with public health guidance issued by the Centers for Disease Control, the State of California, and Los Angeles County. These agencies will ultimately determine when it is safe for the College to reopen. We will continue to inform the campus community as details regarding vaccination for the education sector become available. Most importantly, we will remain attentive and informed regarding all efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and will continue to put the health and wellbeing of every member of the Whittier community as a top priority. As public health guidance continues to evolve, we will adjust accordingly. We will continue to provide regular updates on our plans via email, the College website, and social media to ensure that every member of our community is able to make informed decisions. Detailed plans regarding classes, registration, residence halls, safety measures, work policies, and related matters will be shared as they become available. Spring and summer semesters will proceed as planned with remote learning and most faculty and staff working off-site. I urge you to continue to wear a mask and maintain social distancing to protect yourself and the health of those around you.
Best,
Linda Oubre, MBA, Ed.D. President and Professor of Business Administration
