Dear Students,
While we have been extremely happy to have students back on campus, Week 2 brought a sobering reminder that we must still remain vigilant against outbreaks at this precarious stage in the pandemic. A COVID-19 health update was sent out earlier today notifying the community that indoor activities are further paused till Wednesday April 14th while outdoor activities done safely with face coverings and social distancing (to support our students’ physical and mental well-being) are resuming immediately.
Here are some other updates of note:
Academic Update: Pass / No Pass (P/NP) Option and Class Withdrawal Extension
As we allowed for spring 2020 and this past winter 2021, for spring 2021 all undergraduates, regardless of class standing, may select the pass/no pass (P/NP) option for any undergraduate course. The deadline for withdrawing from a class (with a "W") has also been extended from the end of Week 6 to the end of Week 10: Friday, June 4. Withdrawals from courses can be completed via eCampus.
ACCESS Card Office
The ACCESS Card Office, located in the Benson Memorial Center #106, is open by appointment only, Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. For questions about setting up your credential, or to schedule an appointment, please call 408 551-1647 during business hours, or email access@scu.edu.
Benson Memorial Center
The Benson Memorial Center is open Monday to Friday: 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. for Grab and Go food and beverage service. Indoor study space availability has been temporarily discontinued through at least April 14, due to the recent uptick in COVID-19 positive cases.
The Cellar Market, located in the basement of the Benson Memorial Center, will reopen on Friday, April 9. The Cellar Market will be open 7 days a week from 10 a.m. - 8:30 p.m. and is a great place for students to use their dining plan points for grocery items, snacks, beverages, produce, and more.
Campus Recreation
Following the brief pause in activity earlier this week, the hours for the outdoor Parking Garage Weight Room have been expanded for spring:
- Monday to Thursday 8 a.m. - 10 p.m.
- Friday 8 a.m. - 7 p.m.
- Saturday & Sunday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Please note that social distancing and face coverings are required throughout the garage and all outdoor exercise areas. Students who are having issues with IMleagues to sign up for a reservation should contact campusrec@scu.edu and provide a detailed description of the issue.
Commencement Update: Class of 2021
On April 1, we announced plans for a virtual commencement on June 12 with an optional in-person celebration on June 11 for students only. While we understand the restricted attendance is intensely disappointing for parents and family members, the continued risks from COVID variants and surges mean we have to prioritize public health and the safety of our community. More information and details on ways we will honor the Class of 2021 will be at scu.edu/commencement.
Communications from Campus
This week’s positive COVID-19 news was a reminder that situations change frequently during a pandemic, so we ask students to be on the lookout for important updates from the University. The University communicates with undergraduate students through their Santa Clara email address (name@scu.edu). Students are asked to use their Santa Clara email address as their primary account, and to check it on a daily basis. Students who do not currently check their Santa Clara email address regularly should forward their email to their preferred email account.
COVID-19 Testing Center Hours
- Benson Memorial Center, Williman Room - Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
- Lucas Hall, Room 126 - Monday to Friday, noon - 4 p.m.*
*Note the change in hours - Lucas is closing earlier, but the Benson testing center will continue to be open until 6 p.m.
Learning Commons & Library
Due to the recent uptick in positive COVID-19 cases on campus, reservable study space, pick-up service, and residential delivery has been suspended through at least April 14. The start date and hours for these services will be available on the Library Services Guide when they resume.
Mission Church
An in-person, outdoor, Sunday Mass for students only will be celebrated at 5 p.m. at the Mission Church this coming Sunday, April 11, and on Sundays throughout the quarter. Preregistration is required each week for these Masses. Reconciliation will be available this coming Sunday from 4 to 4:45 p.m. near the bell tower of the Mission. For weekday night Masses and other programs sponsored by Campus Ministry, please see scu.edu/cm or the Get Connected website.
Vaccination Pointers
Thank you to all the students, faculty, and staff (more than 400) who have brought their CDC vaccine cards to an on-campus COVID testing center to register that they have received their full number of vaccine doses. Three weeks after your second dose, you are considered “fully vaccinated” and no longer need to be tested weekly to come to campus.
Some vaccination pointers from SCU’s health and testing experts:
- Remember that you can still be infected with COVID-19 in between your two-dose vaccine regimen. Make sure you continue mask-wearing, social distancing, and other safety protocols.
- If you do contract COVID-19 between vaccine doses, you should isolate for the required 10 days and then, provided you are asymptomatic, reschedule your second vaccine.
- In California, those age 16 and older are eligible for vaccination starting April 15, but it is widely expected that supplies will be low at first, so expect delays in appointment scheduling.
- In California, vaccines are available to those who work or reside in the state, so students should be able to show their student ID and some proof of campus or California address, in order to get a vaccine.
- The county website for booking a vaccination appointment is http://sccfreevax.org/, and the state website is myturn.ca.gov. If you have questions about getting vaccinated or would like help booking an appointment, stop by the Bronco Health Ambassador table on the Alameda Mall Monday to Friday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (or ask health ambassadors who are walking around campus in their red tie-dye t-shirts).
We are all anxious and excited for campus life to continue opening up, and for our community to be together safely again. But as we learned this week, moving too quickly can cause setbacks. Thank you for taking the precautions needed now to ensure our collective safety and progress.
Jeanne Rosenberger
Vice Provost for Student Life