In response to the developing situation around the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19), Whittier College has decided to hold classes remotely for the remainder of the semester. For students living on campus, it is recommended that students who can do so, move out of the residence halls by March 31. Exceptions will be permitted, especially for international students and those individuals facing financial insecurity. The Office of Housing and Residential Life will send all residential students a follow up email with information on next steps. For students moving out of the residence halls, the College is working on a plan to credit residents for unused days in room and board. The College’s goal is to ensure students can meet their academic requirements remotely. Students who must remain living on campus will also receive instruction online. The campus itself will remain open. This includes student support services such as the library, CAAS, Center for Career and Professional Development, Student Disability Services, Student Counseling, and Health and Wellness Center, among others. Many of these offices will be able to offer services remotely. As stated previously, on-campus social activities and interactions will be limited as a precautionary measure to prevent the potential spread of the virus. Events that attract 100 or more attendees have been cancelled for the remainder of the academic year. End-of-the-year activities including honors convocation, URSCA, cultural graduations, and baccalaureate have also been canceled. Although we will continue to monitor the situation, it is expected that the traditional all-College commencement exercises will be canceled and/or modified. Whittier faculty and staff are working on plans to ensure that the College can honor the accomplishments of our graduating seniors.
These steps have not been taken lightly, but in the end, it was decided that the continued health of our campus community needed to take priority.
We understand that students, faculty, and staff will have many questions regarding this transition. Here are some answers to Frequently Asked Questions:
The campus will remain open. This includes administration offices, library, CAAS, Center for Career and Professional Development, Student Disability Services, Student Counseling, Health and Wellness Center, Office of Student Engagement, Office Equity and Inclusion, among others. Many of these offices will be able to offer services by phone and online. More information is forthcoming.
For students moving out of the residence halls, the College is working on a plan to credit residents for unused days in room and board.
The Campus Inn will continue to be open until further notice. It was announced yesterday that the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference's (SCIAC) has decided to indefinitely suspend all spring regular season conference competition and conference championships. The NCAA also announced the cancelation of all remaining winter and spring NCAA championships. See more on wcpoets.com.
Work study supervisors please be flexible with your student workers. Those that want to continue working in person or remotely can do so if it can be accommodated by your department. Students who cannot continue working will still be paid for their regularly scheduled hours, until further notice.
All work-study (federal and exception) students will continue to be paid for their regularly scheduled hours, until further notice. There is currently a plan in place to use Moodle as the primary platform for all online courses. Students will receive specific instructions from their professors via email before Monday, March 23.
Fall registration will continue as planned but will be done remotely. More information will be forthcoming.
Students needing medical services due to symptoms of respiratory illness including fever, cough, and shortness of breath should first call the Student Health & Wellness Center, 562.464.4548, or their primary physician for further instructions before coming in.
Staff and Faculty will be working on campus or remotely during this period. Please send any questions to abarraza@whittier.edu. These and updated FAQs will be posted online. We also want to take a moment to reiterate that Whittier College is a community committed to inclusion and belonging, as well as kindness and generosity. It is important to keep these values in mind when facing a stressful situation such as this one. It is also important to get the correct facts to avoid making assumptions that could lead to discrimination. Whittier College does not condone any form of discrimination or racism. Speak up if you hear, see, or read misinformation, or witness or experience harassment or discrimination. To report an incident please fill out this online form. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation during this time.
President and Professor of Business Administration
