Dear Students,
Week 7 brought with it continued encouraging health trends here in our county, even as we learned with concern that some of our students learning remotely from in and around Texas endured historic weather and power problems. We are working with any affected students to ensure they receive a reprieve on academic obligations until the crisis passes. If you or your family is impacted by the weather and power supply issues in Texas, please contact the Office of Student Life (OSL@scu.edu) for assistance relating to your enrollment at SCU.
Next week we plan to provide a comprehensive email on our plans for moving students in for safe, reduced-capacity, on-campus housing for spring term. Until then, some updates of note:
Outdoor Recreation
Starting Monday, March 1 at 8 a.m. a new parking garage weight room is scheduled to become available, by reservation, to current SCU students. The weight room will be located on the first floor near the elevators in the parking garage near the entrance to campus. Details can be found on the campus recreation website, including how to make your first reservation, what equipment will be in the space, and usage policies. Please review before coming by.
New Health “Tier” for Many California Counties
COVID-19 trends in California, including most counties, are improving, with positivity rates, hospitalizations and intensive-care-unit bed capacity all easing. Barring reversals, we expect to be taken out of the most restrictive “purple tier” in the coming weeks, making possible a greater array of in-person learning. Please note, however, that social distancing, masks, and continuing safety precautions will continue to be necessary well into the next tiers. Because reversals can happen quickly, we will be moving cautiously to open up campus to new levels of in-person learning, and building access.
Spring Break and Travel Reminders
Given current conditions and restrictions, we encourage all students to refrain from travel for spring break and for the long holiday weekends in spring term. Staying at home or on campus and within your pod/bubble helps to reduce spread, which remains a significant risk for community safety. Remember that a negative test only means you are not measurably infected at the moment of the test. Once you engage in activities such as socializing with members outside your household, you are at full risk once again of contracting COVID-19 and passing it on to others, even when you have zero symptoms.
Housing
We continue to expect to be able to invite students who have applied for housing to move in for spring term on or after March 24. As we noted last week, we have opened up applications for students who do not currently have assignments. The deadline for cancellations (email housing@scu.edu) and new applications (via eCampus) is February 24. Please look for official confirmation of move-in dates, capacity, and other information in next Friday’s (Feb. 26) email.
Off-Campus Behavior
We are very grateful that so many students have taken the seriousness of COVID-19 prevention to heart and recommitted to social distancing, wearing masks outside of their households, and refraining from social gatherings. The disciplinary proceedings that were necessitated by improper gatherings in January have resulted in over 40 students being sanctioned.
Winter 2021 Classes
As you know, the public health designation of “purple tier” requires that SCU remain closed for indoor lectures and student gatherings. The majority of classes will remain online through the end of the winter quarter. Under the county’s exceptions, SCU will offer in-person instruction for a limited number of labs and performance-based courses. For international students who enrolled in in-person courses as required by the federal government, the University cannot hold in-person courses in the purple tier, but we will communicate again when conditions change and in-person classes are allowed.
Winter 2021 and Spring 2021
Changes to Withdraw deadline and Pass/No Pass options
In response to widespread student requests for increased academic flexibility during COVID-19, and in recognition of the steep challenges that students and faculty have faced since the winter quarter began on January 4, the University will reinstate the changes that were made to the undergraduate pass/no pass (P/NP) grading policy last spring, effective immediately. In addition, the deadline by which undergraduates may withdraw from a class with a “W” will be extended. The Feb. 18 message from the provost outlines the changes that will be implemented and important considerations for students seeking a “W” or “P/NP” option.
Spring 2021 and Summer 2021
Spring term registration and enrollment continues this week. If you have not yet registered for your spring term classes, please double check your enrollment time on ecampus using the instructions available on Drahmann’s website. It is important not to miss your enrollment appointment, so make sure to also address any holds that would prevent you from enrolling on time.
Advising
Advising support for registration
The Drahmann Center can assist you with planning your schedule. Visit Drahmann’s website to schedule an appointment with an advisor or email drahmanncenter@scu.edu with any questions. You can also reach out to your assigned faculty advisor on ecampus to discuss your enrollment plans.
Group advising sessions
The Drahmann Center continues to offer group advising sessions in preparation for spring and summer registration. Summer sessions staff will be available to answer questions on Monday, Feb. 22 (5 p.m. PST) and Wednesday, Feb. 24 (5 p.m. PST). Additional information about these group advising sessions, including the Zoom link, is available online.
Tutoring- only three weeks remaining this term!
As we approach the end of the term, tutoring appointments remain available for many subjects including chemistry, computer science, economics, and modern languages. You can schedule weekly appointments now for the final three weeks of the term. Book your times online before they fill up.
Academic Advising
The Drahmann Center meets with students from all colleges to discuss university-wide core and policy, working closely with undeclared students. Students are encouraged to regularly meet with their faculty advisors who are responsible for general advising and advising of declared majors.
All students should meet with their assigned faculty advisor for mandatory May advising to check on progress toward graduation and to determine students’ fall schedules. Faculty advisors are also responsible for working with students applying to study abroad, students seeking exceptions or explanations in their major, and graduation petitions.
Mission Church
In-person Sunday Masses for students only will be celebrated at 5 p.m. at the Mission Church. On Sunday, February 21, the Mass will also celebrate all who are observing Lunar New Year. Preregistration is required for these Masses. Reconciliation is also available at 4 p.m. on Sunday.
Please continue to stay safe and take care of yourselves.
Jeanne Rosenberger
Vice Provost for Student Life