STORY AND PHOTO BY SINDY SALMERON
CYPRESS CHRONICLE
Cypress College Welcomed back students after more than a year of remote learning but for many students, this fall, returning to campus classes might take a little getting used to.
Students and Instructors are required to wear masks indoors on campus with a few exceptions, to employees working in their own workspace and not within 6 feet of others, instructors who are vaccinated can also remove their mask while teaching if they remain 6 feet away from students and employees and students who have been approved for accommodations.
“Even though it’s quite hard to breathe while wearing a face mask, it’s worth following protocols because I know that I am keeping myself quite protected from any transmission that may occur,” said Kaylene Fabros, a student majoring in nursing who is taking a class on campus.
In addition to the requirement to wear masks, Cypress college will require students and employees who are enrolled in in-person classes to be fully vaccinated by Nov 1, 2021, following the mandate by the North Orange County Community College District Board of trustees who voted on the mandate on Aug. 24.
Fabros agreed with the mandates and said that “ Colleges should require students to get vaccinated because it will help slow down the risk of transmission from student to student.”
When students like Fabros return to campus this fall they can expect to see just how much the college has changed in the past year and a half.
Here is a list of 4 things students can expect to see and experience this fall on campus
Science, Engineering, and Math (SEM) building
Students can expect to see the new 106,00 square foot SEM building which will serve as the Campus Collaboration Hub and includes research and teaching laboratories, interactive student resources areas, a multidisciplinary classroom, lecture spaces, and conference room. According to a press release the new building effectively replaces and doubles the size of the old facility, which had been in use since the early 1970s construction for the new building began in late 2018.
Veterans Resource Center
Students Can also expect to see the Veterans Resource Center ( VRC) which is scheduled to open its doors to students in Upcoming weeks and according to a press release it will serve Cypress College more than 16,00 students, Including 900 who identify as veterans or Military affiliated. The VCR will offer essential educational support services to veterans as they transition from active military duty to civilian life. In the Facility Veterans and Military- affiliated students will have access to modern computers and technology, as well as private counseling rooms, social space, and a private patio.
Food services
The Charge cafe which is located on the first floor of the student center will be opened Monday through Friday from 8 a.m to 2 p.m and students who are eligible for financial assistance are eligible to access the free breakfast and lunch grab and go offerings ( operating hours)
Furthermore, according to an email from Marc S. Posner, The Cypress College Food pantry will be offering drive-thru food distributions throughout the semester, the service will be provided once a week on Wednesday excluding holidays from 9 a.m to 12 P.m in Lot 4/5. Reservations are required weekly and can be made from Thursday to Monday prior to the distribution on Wednesday of that week.
No parking permit and Free Bus passes
Parking permits will not be required this semester at Cypress College, and those students who used the bus can now download a Free bus pass to ride all OC bus fixed local routes. According to an email sent by Marc Posner, the school’s public information officer, the Free bus pass will be valid throughout the semester. To download the free bus pass simply download the OC Bus app and create an account with your Cypress college preferred email address.
