Chapman University President Daniele Struppa notified the Chapman community Dec. 16 that he tested positive for COVID-19 with symptoms of “a slight fever and cough.” Struppa believes he contracted the virus from his daughter who also tested positive Dec. 14.

“While my symptoms are mild and I have no reason to believe I will not recover quickly, you should know that early in the pandemic we designed a succession line in case any Senior Staff would become incapacitated,” Struppa wrote in a Chapman-wide email Dec. 16. “Thus, I want to reassure the community that the institution will continue to function smoothly during this period.”

The Chapman University contact tracing team, in connection with the Student Health Center, will be identifying possible risks to other community members – including deans whom the president met with Dec. 11 in the university’s Fish Interfaith Center. Struppa told The Panther Dec. 14 that the meeting was held to discuss the provost candidate selection and that all attendees were socially distanced.

Dean of Students Jerry Price emailed all students Dec. 7 stating the university plans on hosting spring classes in person. He added that Chapman also anticipates opening additional housing units for those interested in moving to Orange, California. However, he clarified that none of these proposals are set in stone.

“As has been the case for the past nine months, we cannot control the course of this pandemic or the state and county restrictions placed upon us; we can only prepare for the various contingencies we may face,” Price wrote in a Dec. 7 email to students. “Please trust that we are in regular communication with the appropriate public health officials so that we are prepared to make and communicate as soon as possible the decisions that affect your education.”

Struppa’s diagnosis announcement comes shortly after the university shared with seniors Dec. 16 that it does not anticipate an in-person graduation commencement ceremony in May. Instead of hosting the traditional event, fall 2020 and spring 2021 graduating seniors and parents were sent a survey to provide their input on alternative celebrations.