From the Desk of Willie Brown
Transitioning to our “Next Normal”
As we prepare for students to return to campus while continuing to navigate the pandemic, I want to update you on the latest, as well as applaud the work everyone has accomplished while facing immense challenges that continue to evolve. You have all shown that you can operate with creativity, flexibility and persistence during an extremely challenging time.
As we approach fall Move In, our contracts office is managing an extensive housing waiting list. Due to the challenges of the pandemic and a tight local housing market, a higher than normal number of students are reporting difficulty in finding available off-campus housing. This has created a tremendous amount of stress for students who are planning their return to campus to resume in-person learning. After reviewing our options, we have created additional capacity in our housing system and sent out an additional 257 contracts. We are still exploring other options for students who remain on our waiting list, balancing our time and resources. As referenced in the Chancellor's message to the campus community on August 27, 2021, the university has been negotiating with local hotels to make rooms available to some students who have not been able to find suitable housing elsewhere for fall quarter.
As many of you know, we have been coordinating quarantine and isolation housing (Q/I) for students who have tested positive for COVID-19. Although the campus has put many safety measures in place, it is likely that some students will become ill or test positive for COVID-19 during the 2021-22 academic year. To ensure the health and safety of our community members, we will continue to coordinate Q/I housing at The Club & Guest House and West Cottages. We are also considering options in local hotels.
This fall we will be welcoming back our residents at more than our pre-COVID occupancy levels, which will bring the vibrancy of university life back to our communities. We’ve had a few very successful test runs of smaller self-serve move-ins this past winter, summer, and most recently on September 1 for San Clemente Villages. If these smaller move-ins are any indication of how the fall move-in will go, I’m hopeful that students and their families will have a smooth, safe and welcoming experience.
We are also excited about the successful reopening of the UCSB Campus Store and Starbucks, the upcoming reopening of the University Center on September 13, and several other markets and eateries reopening their doors as students return to campus.
As we move forward together, we must all must remain cautious and not let down our guard. Please continue to mitigate your risk of exposure to COVID-19 through wearing a mask, avoiding crowds, and cleaning your hands often. As I mentioned in a HomeBase post on August 11, the University of California implemented a mandatory vaccination policy effective July 15, 2021 requiring COVID-19 vaccinations for all members of our campus with few exceptions. HDAE staff members must be in compliance with the policy by September 9, 2021. Getting a COVID-19 vaccine is a key step all of us can do to bring the pandemic to an end. Thank you for everything you are doing to protect yourselves, your friends and family, and our campus community. I look forward to seeing you soon!