The Lumberjack



Students Serving The Cal Poly Humboldt Campus and Community Since 1929

Tag: Travel restrictions

  • California Universities Update Travel Suspension

    California Universities Update Travel Suspension

    The CSU Travel Suspension has just been extended until July 31

    The California State University travel suspension for all international and non-essential domestic travel has officially been extended until July 31, according to an update email from the CSU Chancellor’s office on April 29.

    The update also says that the determinations are made with guidance from the CDC and the US State Department. At the time of the update, the State Department had issued a level 4 Travel Advisory to worldwide travel. Level 4 advisory is a warning level caused by a higher likelihood of life-threatening risks.

    “We regularly monitor data from local, state, national and international agencies and organizations,” wrote the Chancellor’s office. “And may modify the temporal or geographical restrictions in this directive if warranted by future developments.”

    A plan to reevaluate the restriction has been projected to be in discussion again by mid-June.

    The campus presidents are allowed to make exceptions to this rule but only for “extenuating and compelling circumstances.” The authority of these decisions cannot be delegated. Factors for contributing to these exceptions are:

    • Necessity of the proposed travel, including consequences of postponing travel.
    • Needs and preferences of the individual.
    • Availability of safe and secure shelter at the destination.
    • Availability of appropriate medical care at the destination.
    • Availability of transportation, services, and other necessities at the destination.
    • Assessment of risks associated with traveling versus risks of remaining in place.
    • As well as “other relevant factors as determined by the president.”

    The update also clarified what will happen for an essential traveler is allowed.

    “Individuals granted exceptions to travel must observe local health guidelines upon their return. Presidents who grant an exception to the travel suspension must create a written memorialization of how the circumstances were extenuating and compelling, using the factors above.” said The Office of the Chancellor’s COVID-19 update.

    The update ends saying that circumstances and conditions may change at any time and the Chancellor’s office will provide updated information as it becomes available.

  • HSU Activates Pandemic Planning Committee

    HSU Activates Pandemic Planning Committee

    With COVID-19 spreading, HSU plans post-spring break response

    Humboldt State University is planning for a possible partial or full campus closure in response to the spread of COVID-19.

    HSU has sent multiple emails since March 4 to students and faculty communicating the steps and measures the campus is taking to address the spread of COVID-19. In addition to creating a website with updates on the virus, HSU has organized the Pandemic Planning Committee.

    In the most recent email, sent out March 10, HSU suspended all international and non-essential domestic university-related travel. Communication Specialist Grant Scott-Goforth clarified to The Lumberjack that students are free to travel where they wish outside of school. Scott-Goforth said HSU would send out more messages in the coming days to define essential travel.

    “The idea is that we’re creating a flexible solution, and our main goal is to ensure that we can provide services and instruction.”

    Kris koczera

    The Lumberjack spoke with the emergency coordinator at HSU, Kris Koczera, who sits on the PPC. Koczera said the PPC is meeting weekly, but that is subject to increase if the outbreak becomes more severe locally. She was hesitant to talk specifics due to the committee’s confidential status and the pandemic’s shifting nature.

    “The idea is that we’re creating a flexible solution, and our main goal is to ensure that we can provide services and instruction,” Koczera said.

    Graphic by Jen Kelly

    Representatives from Dining Services, Housing and even the Dean of Students have attended meetings to address concerns about how the pandemic will impact their departments. Much of what the PPC is doing is modeled after other campuses in the California State University system and is advised by direct communication from the Chancellor’s Office of the CSU.

    “We have the benefit of kind of looking at what they are doing, the timing of what they’re doing and using that as almost a case study for us to move off of,” Koczera said.

    As of March 10, several college campuses including the University of California, Berkeley, UC Santa Cruz, San Francisco State and Stanford have suspended most of their in-person classes and will be offering all lecture courses through online instruction services like Zoom and Canvas.

    HSU has advised faculty to create a contingency plan in the event of a full campus closure. Koczera says life is first and foremost for the PPC and that they’re aiming for a fluid-but-reactive approach.

    “It doesn’t matter how great instruction is,” Koczera said,” if we have no students to instruct.”