Chapman’s response to COVID-19: Everything you need to know

As of today, March 12, all Chapman classes have been moved from in-person to online in response to growing concerns about COVID-19, or coronavirus. 

Chapman is anticipating that online instruction will last for a minimum of eight weeks, according to a March 12 email sent from the office of President Daniele Struppa. 

Here is the information you need to know regarding different areas of campus: 

Student housing: 

Students who live in campus housing, who have the ability to go home, should do so, according to a March 11 Chapman Notification email. Dave Sundby, director of Residence Life, told The Panther in an email that his office has been “planning and working to prepare” and are taking every precaution. Staff members in the office for Residence Life and First Year Experience have been instructed not to conduct interviews with The Panther at this time due to workload increase. 

Students who live in campus housing who will be leaving Chapman and not using their meal plans will receive reimbursement for the amount of time they are away from campus. 

Tuition:

Because classes will be conducted online, tuition will not be reimbursed, according to Struppa’s email. 

A student petition, created by sophomore Jessia Zhang, calls for Chapman to “reimburse partial tuition and housing costs … for students because we are not paying $35,000 - 65,000 to take online courses that do not compare to the quality of in-person education that we are actually paying for.” As of publication, 3,036 students had signed it. It is unclear at this time if Chapman officials are aware of the petition. The Panther will be speaking to Zhang this afternoon. 

On campus jobs; 

It is up to the head of each department to send out an email to student workers, but most have been advised to stay home. Chapman is currently trying to figure out the best way to pay students while they are not on campus. Students can pick up compensation checks or have checks mailed to them.

Sports: 

All sporting events and practices for teams, clubs and intramural sports are canceled for “a minimum of eight weeks,” according to an email sent out by Steven Olveda, Chapman’s sports information director.

On campus events: 

All athletic and on campus events with more than 100 in attendance are canceled for at least the next eight weeks. Many other events, including conferences and cultural celebrations scheduled to take place at Chapman, have been canceled as well. The school is advising that events still taking place operate with extra precautions.  

Graduation: 

The Office of the Registrar is “proceeding with the planning and preparation regarding (their) responsibilities for the week-end of May 22-24, 2020,” and have not been notified of any decision about commencement and graduation plans, Jan McCuen told The Panther. Chapman will continue to monitor any health risks and will ultimately follow the advice of county experts. 

Study abroad: 

Some study abroad students are coming back to the United States. As of publication, 179 students were abroad, but the number is changing quickly. Eight students studying in Italy vacated the country, while one stayed and is moving to online classes. Five students left Spain and will most likely come back to the United States this week. Three domestic travel program students will be returning as well as a student who was studying in Japan. There are no Chapman students currently studying in China. 

The Panther will be working for the remainder of the week to gather as much information as possible for Chapman students and the Orange community. Follow us for updates.