USD en route to normalcy for Fall 2021

What housing, dining, classes, and more will look like next semester 

Taylor DeGuzman / Arts & Culture Editor / The USD Vista

Tyler Pugmire / News Editor / The USD Vista

Last spring, individuals lived in a world of uncertainty, of not knowing what came next. After the summer, USD students in particular were expectant of a more “normal” Fall 2020 semester. But, amidst rising cases and per state guidelines, classes and campus life did not resume in person as many were hoping. 

This spring, however, is different and one thing is certain: plans for an in-person Fall 2021 semester at USD are underway. 

“We are right now planning for a full on-site, on the ground opening for the fall; which basically means we will try to bring campus life and student activities to a full experience for our students,” Carmen Vazquez, vice president for student affairs shared. 

Though the university must closely follow both CDC and state guidance, this news comes like a breath of fresh air for many students, especially for new Toreros. Vazquez explained what the beginning of next year could look like for first-year students. 

“It is our hope that we will have most of the activities that we had pre-COVID in place,” Vazquez said. “Like the president’s welcome, our students moving in over the course of a weekend, having all the programs that are part of onboarding and orientation like the neon night, and some of the workshops and sessions.” 

Vazquez explained that hopefully after June 15, the date that the state plans to fully open its economy, the state might remove the tier system. This summer is a “very instructive period for us,” Vazquez said. The first summer session will be held remote, and communication about the second summer session’s format will be released soon. 

“I really see the summer as allowing us a smooth transition to a full opening in the fall,” Vazquez said. “And as we move toward July and August, hopefully we’ll see less of the restrictions and more of an opening.”

Part of the planning for next year puts a great emphasis on the attention and care that rising sophomores need. These sophomores had a unique first-year experience dissimilar to   others because they lack experience with on-campus and student life. Vazquez believes that creating specific events and experiences for rising sophomores will be conducive to their time at USD. 

According to Vazquez, classes are expected to be on-site in the fall. 

“The idea is to really have as many classes on campus and to have a full, robust, vibrant campus life, given the guidance,” Vazquez said. “We’re always going to follow either CDC or state guidance, because that’s what we’ve done, throughout this year-plus of the pandemic.” 

Fraternity and Sorority Life (FSL) and student organizations on campus are what bring USD and its student body to life. From philanthropy talent show events to the Alcala Bazaar and club meetings, students experience USD’s community through events. 

However, this past year, with restrictions in place, no large-scale in-person FSL or student organization events were held. Vazquez added that as of right now, larger scale in-person events are contingent upon state restrictions.  

“Let’s just assume that there are no capacity restrictions. If there are no capacity restrictions, we will work with student organizations to schedule their events and activities, the way that they have in the past. If there are any capacity restrictions, then we’ll work within them.” 

USD will remain diligent in prioritizing student health and wellness concerning anyone who may be symptomatic. The student health center on campus will continue to test those who feel as though they have symptoms of COVID-19. The university has plans to remove the temperature screening stations on campus in the fall, however Vazquez added that no concrete decision is in place yet. 

In planning for the fall, Vazquez speaks on behalf of not only herself, but her community of student affairs and the staff that she works with, that everyone is looking forward to what is to come for USD. 

“What I miss so much is just being with our students. I mean, that’s where I get energy from. That’s where I get inspiration from and that’s where I feel joy,” Vazquez said. 

One concrete difference from last Fall to this year is that teachers no longer have to feel worried about being in a classroom with 20 college students, who typically have been less worried about the pandemic than others. Julia Cantzler, Ph.D., has said, “The requirement for students to be vaccinated is going to change everything in terms of comfortability for staff on campus.”

According to an email from President James T. Harris III D.Ed, 67% of all faculty, staff, and administration have been fully vaccinated. Any students who come on to campus after Aug. 1 will be required to be either fully vaccinated, or follow the guidelines if they choose to be exempt from the vaccine. 

The expectation is that all enrolled students will be in San Diego, as they would in the past, for classes. What may change is the use of technology that was provided in order to help facilitate the transition to hybrid learning. 

James Bolender, Ph.D., who is on the faculty advisory committee, stated that “If you’re feeling sick, whether that’s COVID or the flu, you shouldn’t be coming to class …  if I get an email from a student saying that they’re not feeling well and want to stay home, I can turn the cameras on and they can watch from home.”

Recently, the CDC stated that if you are vaccinated, a mask is no longer required for outdoor activity unless there is a large gathering. As more people become fully vaccinated, mask mandates around the country will be lifted, as they have in Florida and Texas. Regardless, some classes may still require the use of masks while in the classroom, and it is at the discretion of the professor to dictate such, according to Bolender.

One thing that USD’s campus isn’t the same without is the togetherness and community that campus recreation fosters. It’s one thing to attend virtual spin or virtual yoga classes in order to stay active, but to utilize USD’s range of fitness facilities or join an intramural team with one’s best friends is something that many are missing. Serena Gandara, director of Campus Recreation, shared her hopes and plans for what indoor and outdoor campus recreation could look like in the fall. 

“We do hope to open our facilities, both indoor and outdoor: the Bosley fitness facility, the sports center facility, the beautiful outdoor pool, outdoor tennis courts, outdoor functional training, as well as our indoor facility, and the Bosley fitness center — all should be open pending guidelines,” Gandara said. 

The future of intramurals, club sports, recreation classes and outdoor adventures looks bright for the Fall 2021 semester. 

“We hope to return to all in-person activities which would include intramurals, sport clubs, fitness programs, like recreation classes and personal training group X classes,” Gandara said. “We also hope to run our outdoor adventure programs as well; outdoor adventures typically run day trips and overnights trips throughout the semester.” 

Outdoor adventure programs during the Fall 2021 could look like local day trips — biking and hiking trips — as well as a program called “Love San Diego” where students could go coffee tasting, gelato tasting, and learn about the different areas in San Diego. Through these outdoor experiences, students are gaining this “outdoor piece, wellness piece and socialization piece,” Gandara said. 

 As far as special events go, Gandara expects events like glow in the dark yoga, glow in the dark spin, paddleboard yoga, and more will be offered in the fall. 

“Most of the activities that we have planned are typically socially distanced. So if there is still that requirement we can safely adhere to that guideline and still run our programs,” Gandara said. “We’re paying really close attention to both the CDC and the county and what the university wants us to do in order to support the health and wellbeing of our community.” 

Regardless of the expectations, it is almost certain that next year will surely involve more activities in all capacities for students next year.