As students and faculty grapple with remote learning, President Daniele Struppa announced Sept. 11 that students can anticipate some in-person classes to resume by early October.

However, Orange County remains in a “substantial” COVID-19 category within California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s blueprint of opening the state.

The blueprint is updated every Tuesday and lists counties in four different tiers for managing the spread of the coronavirus – minimal, moderate, substantial and widespread. As of last week, Orange County was moved from the widespread tier into the substantial tier, said Dean of Students Jerry Price, which allows universities to hold indoor lectures at 25% capacity. The tier list is assigned according to positive COVID-19 tests and adjustments in case rates, and counties must stay within a tier for a minimum of three weeks to move onwards. 

“(Chapman) can reopen once we’re in the red for two weeks, which I believe is next Tuesday,” Jerry Price said. “But we made the decision that we don’t want to move that fast. We wanted to make sure there was no spike (in cases) following Labor Day and will just hold off until early October.”

The CU Safely Back website shared more information on Chapman’s plan to gradually reopen in-person classes. Graduate classes will pave the way and will be slowly introduced before phasing in undergraduate classes.

“I want to make sure everybody understands that nobody will be forced to come to campus,” Struppa said. “Faculty who do not feel comfortable will be allowed to continue remote instruction. Similarly, students who have classes that switched to on-campus, but prefer to stay remote, will also be allowed to do so.” 

The Orange County Health Care Agency (OCHCA) recommended universities adhere to California state guidance in order to proceed as safely as possible.

“On any college campus, the number of cases is dependent on the behavior of everyone involved,” said Marc Meulman, the chief of operations of OCHCA’s Public Health Services. “If Chapman effectively implements the state guidance, that will reduce risk. It’s also important students follow behaviors that prevent disease spread, including avoiding crowds, social distancing, face coverings and washing hands frequently.”

Jacqueline Deats, Chapman’s director of the Student Health Center, expanded on the testing process prior to reopening. The coronavirus tests on campus follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s guidelines and students with symptoms can call the Chapman health center for additional assistance.

“If we found someone was positive, we have internal tracers and investigators on campus who reach out to them and make sure they have what they need and to test others who were also exposed,” Deats said. “We have lots of COVID-specific resources, and we’re collaborating with the county on tracing to prevent spread.”

In order to return to on-campus learning, individuals must proceed with an approval process that includes an at-home COVID-19 test kit, enrollment in a daily COVID-19 symptom questionnaire and a COVID-19 module training. This process is also required for students who want to live in Chapman housing.

Many students voiced their hopes to resume in-person classes. Jillena Acala, a junior economics and philosophy double major, expressed her excitement to sit in a physical classroom and no longer deal with Zoom lag.

“Nothing really replicates an in-person (environment),” Acala said. “What I miss most is actually retaining information that’s thrown at me in a classroom setting. I’m not learning the best over Zoom, and I have to put in more effort to understand information.”

Tyler Lum, a sophomore health sciences major, felt comfortable with Chapman’s plan to open safely.

“I will follow all those protocols to remain safe, like wearing a mask and social distancing,” he said. “I miss going outside and seeing our beautiful campus, like the (Attallah) Piazza’s fountain. The campus’ atmosphere helped me study, like being in the library or (the Argyros Forum).” 

Though these operations are unprecedented, Price has grown optimistic that there will be more on-campus activity in the upcoming months.

“A month ago, I was discouraged because numbers were high, but they’ve come down dramatically,” Price said. “Now it’s been a week and a half and numbers have stayed steady and even gone down further. It’s good to take it slow.”

Chapman’s confirmed and regularly updated cases of COVID-19 can be accessed here.