Move-in Day, Masked: Winter 2021

A Touchless Welcome to Campus

I want to send a sincere and heartfelt “thank you” to everyone in HDAE who made our Winter Move-In a success! On Martin Luther King Day Weekend, around 1000 undergraduate students travelled from near and far to the UCSB apartments. The Sierra Madre, San Joaquín, Santa Ynez, El Dorado, and Westgate communities saw a return to livelier times as masked residents chatted with one another (at a safe distance) while checking in and picking up their keys. 

Although Winter 2021 Move-In was run on a much smaller scale than what we are used to, the sights were all too familiar and nostalgic. For the 619 new freshmen and the 62 new transfer students, move-in symbolized new beginnings and the opportunity to pursue personal and academic growth in an environment that inspires and cultivates enriching experiences. For our 326 continuing students, Winter Move-In was a return to some semblance of normalcy, even in the midst of a global pandemic.

Take a look below for some interesting facts about our student population:

• The most highly represented ethnicities are: White/Caucasian (~40%), Chicano/Mexican American (~16%), Chinese/Chinese American (~9%), Black/African American (~6%)

• Aside from the United States, the countries with the highest number of student representation are: China (13 students), India (5 students), Mexico (5 students)

• The most popular majors are: Pre-Biology (174 students), Pre-Psychological & Brain Sciences (62 students), Pre-Economics (42 students), Pre-Political Science (38 students). 52 students have not yet declared a major. 

Preparing for student arrival was no simple task, but what we learned through the process is that HDAE thrives under pressure and is a catalyst for innovation and creativity. Each department had to attempt new and unprecedented approaches to their everyday job duties.  Whether it was installing additional COVID-safety signage, updating our facilities to be as touchless as possible, or training Resident Assistants for a more distanced approach to a traditionally very in-person role — each department went above and beyond their typical duties to create a safe and welcoming environment.

Some examples of this creativity and collaboration include:

• Since all new residents have a meal plan, Access Desk got innovative and encouraged students to submit photos online so that Access Cards could be printed and distributed at Check-In stations. On Monday, January 18th, residents tested out their Access Cards for the first time as Portola Dining Commons welcomed them with open arms for take-out lunch.

• University & Community Housing Services developed a new check-in process utilizing a QR code. While waiting in line, students were prompted to scan the QR code and enter their UCSB NetID and Password to check into Mercury. This new process worked so well! We hope this new system is especially helpful to ARIT, who (fingers crossed) will not need to set up laptops all across campus in the early morning hours of future campus-wide move-ins.

• The COVID-19 Task Force worked hand-in-hand with Residential & Community Living to ensure the safest return to campus possible. Residents were required to either test at one of the campus COVID testing centers within 24 hours of arriving on campus, or present previous test results to the testing centers within that same time frame. Residents then showed verification at the Check-In stations in order to receive the keys to their new home. Once moved in, residents were required to sequester. This meant they could only leave their apartment for essential reasons (picking up food, doctor’s appointments, etc.) The guidance from the COVID-19 Task Force was pivotal for welcoming students back to campus.

• Transportation & Parking Services had excellent signage directing students to check-in locations and unloading areas. Their leadership and support was critical at San Joaquin Villages where as many as 20 to 30 vehicles were unloading at a given hour. 

• And finally, a huge shout-out to Residential Operations for getting apartments ready for residents, relocating mattresses, addressing garbage/trash concerns over move-in weekend, and managing call-outs for various facility concerns or key issues.

There is so much more that could be said about every single person’s role in making Winter 2021 Move-In a success. If I did not list you by name or department, please know that I do recognize all your hard work and dedication to our students and fellow staff. I am very grateful to you for all that you do for HDAE, and I look forward to safely bringing more students back to campus in the future.

PC: Robin Hamilton and Terrie Tran