Phase 3 repopulation still in place after outbreak

Biola announces in-person chapel attendance is required for living on campus.

Natalie Willis, Editor-in-Chief • February 2, 2021

Phase 3 repopulation still in place after outbreak

On Jan. 29, President Barry Corey addressed the Phase 3 repopulation strategy in an email following the announcement of a COVID-19 outbreak on campus. Students in this phase are expected to return in March.

PHASED MOVE IN

According to the email, government restrictions currently prevent in-person classes outside of Phase 1 and 2 classes that fall under the essential workforce categories.

“In my opinion, the email still seems very vague,” said sophomore English major Alyson Brodmann. “In classes, my teachers are telling me that we will likely not be coming back but, in the email, they are sure we are coming back in March even though there is an outbreak.”

The campus remains closed to visitors and a majority of student services will continue to be provided remotely. While students will not be granted to meet socially, they can meet and walk through the cafeteria together, according to Assistant Director of Parent Relations and COVID-19 call line staffer Stephanie Ramirez.

SINGLE-OCCUPANCY HOUSING

If students wish to return to campus, Phase 3 students may live in single-occupancy housing under strict face mask policies, mandatory testing, social distancing and other health and safety protocols. In-person instruction applies only to previously permitted classes in Phases 1 and 2.

In order to apply for housing, Phase 3 students must be committed to attending one in-person chapel each week and have no other housing alternative within 25 miles of campus. The housing application deadline is Wednesday, Feb. 10. Students will be given move-in instructions one or two weeks after their submission.

“Over the course of a few days, spread apart, they’ll have opportunities for students to move in, get tested, and all of that,” Ramirez said.

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About the Contributor

Natalie Willis, Editor-in-Chief

Natalie Willis is a junior journalism major who loves golden retrievers, Wes Anderson movies and rainy days. Hi! I am from Bakersfield, CA, land of cows and oil rigs. Growing up on a farm with a veterinarian father, I assumed I would follow in his footsteps to pursue a career in agriculture. God had other plans. Reluctantly, I listened but had every intention to switch my major from journalism to pretty much anything else. Half way through my freshman year, I was working on a portfolio project which involved pitching ideas, interviewing sources and telling a story—suddenly, everything clicked into place. I loved what I was doing, who I was meeting and where I thought I could go. God has a way of telling us we are on the right path and I have felt that throughout my college career. Three years ago, if someone told me I would be the editor-in-chief of a student news publication I would have politely advised them to seek counseling. Now, I cannot imagine a life without tight story deadlines and strict adherence to AP style. I am so excited to lead The Chimes this year as we enter into a new era of print media.