What is Whittier College doing to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19)?
Whittier College is continuing to monitor the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and its implications. Senior administrators are communicating daily to review updates from the CDC, World Health Organization, and county and state public health agencies.
Whittier College has been following the CDC’s guidelines for institutions of higher education and the College’s emergency response team has met to discuss needed plans to respond to the situation.
Is the College closing?
The State of California and Los Angeles County have issued a "Safer at Home" order, asking everyone to remain at home except for essential activities as a precautionary measure to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
During this time, all Whittier College buildings are closed to the public. However, the College continues to operate with essential personnel onsite and all other staff working remotely. The directory online provides operating hours and the best way to contact each office during this time.
How will students access their courses?
There is currently a plan in place to use Moodle as the primary platform for all online courses. Students will receive specific instructions from their professors via email before Monday, March 23.
Are students required to still pay tuition?
While we are moving to remote education, classes will still be Whittier College courses taught by Whittier College professors. Our intention is to focus on providing a high-quality student experience and ensure students can continue learning in an engaging manner, in keeping with the Whittier ethos. Students will also have access to their professors, online and, in some cases, in person. Our goal is also to make sure all of our students can continue making progress toward their academic goals.
What will happen to students who receive work study?
All work-study, including exception funding, students will continue to be paid for their regularly scheduled hours, until further notice. Students should communicate with their supervisors to get additional direction and remote work assignments.
I’m a veteran. Will I still receive my Post-9/11 GI Bill?
At this time, no changes will be made to your certification, and therefore your benefits will continue as is for the time being.
What do I do if I think I have COVID-19?
Individuals needing medical services due to symptoms of respiratory illness including fever, cough, and shortness of breath should FIRST call the Student Health & Wellness Center (562-464-4548) or their doctor for further instructions BEFORE visiting the medical facility. A physician or nurse will determine the level of medical care an individual may need and either schedule an appointment with them or refer them accordingly.
For students: If you have any non-life-threatening health concerns after clinic hours when the Student Health & Wellness Center is closed, please call the RN Telephone After Hours Advice line at 562-464-4548 and press 1 or 855-456-9455.
Any suspected or confirmed cases of the COVID-19 need to be reported to the College. For faculty and staff, this should be Human Resources and for students, this is the Student Health & Wellness Center in conjunction with the Dean of Student Life. Currently, there are no known cases (confirmed or suspected) of COVID-19 on the Whittier campus.
What do I do if I have a cold or other illness (not related to COVID-19)?
Students, faculty, and staff who are ill are being asked to stay home and seek medical care, especially if they have a cough or high fever. Individuals may communicate via email with supervisors, coworkers, and professors to let them know they are sick.
What if I have to miss work?
Students, staff, and faculty will not be penalized for staying home if they are sick. Employees and students should confirm COVID-19 with their regular physician and get clearance from their doctor before returning to campus. Moreover, the College will work with employees and students to make needed accommodations in the case that individuals are impacted due to childcare or other family obligations related to COVID-19. Supervisors are encouraged to make their best efforts to support employees who may be impacted by COVID-19 so that they can meet work requirements.
Are all events being canceled?
In response to the "Safer at Home" order, all Whittier College buildings are closed to the public and most events have been cancelled or moved online. End-of-the-year activities including honors convocation, URSCA, cultural graduations, and baccalaureate have also been canceled. Although we will continue to monitor the situation, it is expected that the traditional all-College commencement exercises will be canceled and/or modified. Whittier faculty and staff are working on plans to ensure that the College can honor the accomplishments of our graduating seniors.
The Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference's (SCIAC) has decided to indefinitely suspend all spring regular season conference competition and conference championships. The NCAA also announced the cancelation of all remaining winter and spring NCAA championships.
How will students register for fall classes
Fall registration will continue as planned but will be done remotely. More information will be forthcoming.
How can I stay informed?
Make sure to check your email daily for the Poet Update newsletter. All of our updates will also be posted online. In addition, if you are not receiving emergency text messages from Whittier College please update your contact information on your myWhittier account.
How is the campus being cleaned to prevent the spread of COVID-19?
To reduce the likelihood of any transmission and to ensure that high-traffic contact surfaces are regularly cleaned, the facilities department is adding new steps to disinfect certain areas more often. This includes working with our custodial provider to bring additional staff to increase the frequency of cleaning.
The College is also adding hand sanitizing stations in buildings throughout campus.
Bon Appetit has also increased its cleaning frequency in the Campus Inn and is cognizant of keeping tables clean.
Are there any students, faculty, or staff traveling in affected countries?
Currently, there are no Whittier students studying abroad in the affected countries (China, Japan, Iran, Italy, and South Korea.)
Faculty, staff, students, or visitors arriving from any particular area affected by the 2019 COVID-19 on or after February 15, 2020, should not return to campus until 14 days after their arrival in the U.S. This is an expectation of the College for those arriving to the U.S. between February 15 and March 2. It is an expectation of the College and a requirement of the United States for those arriving on or after March 2, 2020.
What resources will be available for students with disabilities who depend on the ability to have live interaction via lectures/classroom discussions as well as the ability to meet with their professors when needed for office hours?
Please rest assured that as we shift to remote instruction, previously activated accommodations will still be in place. In some cases, in-person accommodations will no longer be necessary, and in other cases, new accommodations may need to be made. In all cases, Student Disability Services is still available to students.
Visit the website for accommodations that are typically available for students with disabilities, as well as an update on how accommodations will be provided for the remainder of the semester. .
What can I do to stay healthy?
- Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds, especially after you cough or sneeze, or clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains 60 to 95% alcohol, covering all surfaces of your hands and rubbing them together until they feel dry. Soap and water should be used preferentially if hands are visibly dirty. Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, then throw the tissue away.
- Avoid contact with sick people.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces with disinfectant products. See EPA recommended list.
- Maintain your immune system by getting plenty of rest, sleep, and a nutritious balanced diet.
- Symptoms to be wary of include fever and respiratory symptoms, including coughing. If you experience these symptoms, stay home from work or school and limit contact with others immediately, and seek medical attention.
Anti-discrimination Policy
Whittier College does not condone any form of discrimination or racism. Speak up if you hear, see, or read misinformation, or witness or experience harassment or discrimination.
A bias incident report can be filed online.
