USD updates on-campus COVID-19 protocols to fit Orange tier requirements
USD is able to loosen restrictions to allow for more opportunities for socialization
Karisa Kampbell / Assist. News Editor / The USD Vista
As San Diego begins to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, San Diego County has been able to successfully move into the moderate Orange tier. In accordance with this tier’s county guidelines, USD has been able to modify some current policies, allowing for less strict on-campus rules and more flexibility with social interactions.
In an email sent on April 20, Dr. Donald Godwin, assistant vice president and dean of students announced the new on-campus protocols for the Orange tier to be implemented immediately.
“Our Core Connect Program will progress to Orange — ‘Finally at 50,’” Godwin wrote. “I am writing to provide you some information regarding other changes on campus.”
As outlined on the Core Connect website and in the email sent out by Dr. Godwin, approved social events are now allowed to gather on campus with up to 50 people. Student organizations must submit an EvR (Event Registration) and trained student Core Connect Safety Monitors must be present at all events.
Junior Nick Stineman, a student who is currently trying to get approval for University Ministry’s Men’s Group to meet on campus shares his frustration about the rigorous requirements to meet in groups on campus.
“It feels like they’re trying to make it so that students don’t want to gather on campus Stineman said. “There are so many hoops to jump through for organizing any type of gathering on campus that it seems impossible to get anything done.There is a two week waiting period for official approval that comes with it all. The whole process is just pretty ridiculous.”
Additionally, news regarding residential life was also announced. Students are now allowed to have one other residential student guest in their rooms.
“Residential students may have one guest in their living space,” Godwin wrote. “ Guests should be limited to students living in USD sponsored housing only, since all residential students are required to be tested. No off-campus guests are permitted.”
Lounges located in residence halls are now open for students to use for socializing and studying. Capacities are posted on a sign in front of each lounge, and face coverings and social distancing are expected while using these spaces.
First-year student Gage McPhail shares his thoughts on the updated COVID-19 regulations.
“It’s looking like a step in the right direction — a good step to going back to normal life and I think we deserve that after the low COVID cases,” McPhail said. “As students, we need opportunities to have a social life and this is a promising sign.”
While the pandemic continues to be a substantial obstacle to safe campus life, the steps the university is making provides some relief to social constraints previously placed on students while in more restrictive tiers. With the new parameters, students should be able to safely socialize together and experience a more normal, if still regulation-heavy, end to the semester.