Chapman sets up outdoor areas for student access

To maximize safety while also providing students study spaces on campus, the university erected outdoor tents that house tables, chairs and WiFi. CLARISSE GUEVARRA, Staff Photographer

In correspondence with COVID-19 health guidelines, Chapman University has encouraged students to utilize designated outdoor spaces on campus to study and catch up with friends in small groups. The university installed multiple tents around campus that include tables, chairs, outdoor WiFi connection and hygiene stations open to students from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

The effort aims to bring a more communal feel to campus while still following social distancing regulations, said Dean of Students Jerry Price. The designated spaces can be viewed via a web map, which offers details such as an area’s maximum occupancy and necessary reservation requirements. The seating capacity is also viewable on paw print stickers attached to some campus benches and tables.

Students must submit a campus access request form to use on-campus facilities. Additionally, students are required to provide proof of health insurance and complete an online training module and an at-home COVID-19 test.

Vice President of Facilities Management Rick Turner told The Panther the expenditures towards the outdoor study arrangements totaled $473,000. Price hopes Chapman residents and students living nearby will take advantage of the gathering locations, as there is no longer access to indoor spaces such as Leatherby Libraries and Argyros Forum.

“We do have local students with spotty WiFi or multiple people living at home, and it can get hectic,” Price said. “(The university) primarily wanted to help students with online classes or (who want to catch) up with friends to benefit from the spaces.”

Information Systems and Technology (IS&T) and the Student Government Association (SGA) are also working together to provide loaner laptops and hotspots to students in need of equipment and internet access. These resources are accessible through the Dean of Students’ office, according to Helen Norris, the vice president and chief information officer. Concerns and requests regarding connection, devices or equipment will go directly to the service desk.

The initiative for outdoor gathering spaces took place during the summer, prior to transitioning courses online. Locations where students can study in the shade include the Attallah Piazza, the Argyros Forum deck, the Musco Center for the Arts patio, the Musco Performers Court, the Digital Media Arts Center patio, the Kennedy Hall patio, the on-campus basketball court and the Sandhu Conference Center parking lot. Price explained the initiative involved an evolving process based on student feedback.

“Our plan right now is to see if it’s sufficient and then modify it if need be,” Price said. “All of this is put together anticipating how students will use it.”

Assistant Vice President of Enterprise and Research Infrastructure Phillip Lyle and his team oversee the WiFi connectivity for the gathering areas. To ensure proper coverage, he recommends students reach out to the IS&T service desk if they notice any connection issues.

“We tried to ensure that wireless coverage has been prevalent around campus,” Lyle said. “Wireless connection is not always perfect and there’s a lot of factors that go into it, so we’re constantly making adjustments.”

The tents will remain as on-campus study spaces until further notice, as the university is anticipating a return of in-person graduate courses on Oct. 5 and undergraduate courses sometime between Oct. 19 and Oct. 26. 

“The university is under some budget cuts due to COVID-19 and revenue is down,” Lyle said. “So these are really strategic investments to make sure the quality of education remains as close to the same as possible.”