{ FEATURE Article }
Back in person, Back in place After 17 months, students, faculty and staff return to campus By Pamela Dean
BACK IN PERSON, by PAMELA DEAN
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n August, CSUCI eagerly welcomed students, faculty and staff back to campus for the Fall semester after operating in a virtual capacity since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020. “We are thrilled to bring back in-person instruction, activities, programs, and student support services,” said Interim President Richard Yao. Math major Jessica Tapia is happy as well. “It feels so good to be back. I didn’t realize how much I missed being on campus.” The senior is grateful to be attending classes in person, living in her dorm once again, and having lunch with friends in the Student Union. Tapia is just one of many students glad to return to the normalcy of life on a college campus. “I feel so happy that I am back on campus where I am around all my fellow students and I can get my work done with my classmates,” said Communication major Charles
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Heaney. “It’s been a struggle readjusting to the in-person and wearing a mask, but I’m so happy to be back.” Biology major Sarah Byrd is pleased to be getting the hands-on experience she will need to land a job upon graduation. “I can finally go back to lab and get the skills people want when I leave the school. It’s nice to see classmates too and work with them instead of being stuck behind the screen. It’s especially nice to talk with the professors.” Since the pandemic began, the University’s COVID-19 case management team has worked closely with Ventura County Public Health (VCPH) to meet requirements that ensure the safety of the entire campus community. To prepare for the Fall semester repopulation, COVID19 hazard assessments were conducted all over campus. Classrooms and offices were evaluated for spacing. High traffic customer service areas, such as Student Business Services, Broome Library, Student Union, and Islands Cafe were
