2/25/2022 - To Undergraduate Students: Spring Break Travel

To: Undergraduate Students

From: Kevin M. Gilmartin, Vice President for Student Affairs
Lesley Nye, Interim Dean of Undergraduate Students

In looking ahead to Caltech's spring break recess from March 17-25, we write to provide guidance around undergraduate spring break travel.

Although the number of reported cases of COVID-19 in Los Angeles County and among members of the Caltech community has recently been on the decline, the SARS-CoV-2 virus is still circulating at elevated levels across the United States. We must remain vigilant in our preventative health practices to ensure the well-being of the community.

Caltech recommends that all undergraduate students refrain from unnecessary travel away from campus during spring break. Those undergraduate students who travel in between the winter and spring terms will be expected to plan in advance and to adhere to the following requirements:

Register travel by submitting a Reporting Temporary Absence from Surveillance Testing form by March 4. For the purpose of travel registration, any overnight stay away from campus, whether or not air travel is involved, qualifies as travel.
Upon returning to campus, comply with a specific arrival testing protocol that will be distinct from and in addition to the usual surveillance testing required of all students. Additional details on arrival testing requirements will follow.

Furthermore, all undergraduate students who choose to travel are strongly urged to return to campus by Monday, March 28. This will both allow for us to re-establish our campus "bubble" as quickly and effectively as possible after the break and support a smooth transition to the start of the spring term. The Institute is planning for in-person instruction, so all enrolled undergraduates are expected to be on campus to participate in in-person learning for the spring term.

Any student whose travel plans involve a late return to campus, on or after Tuesday, March 29, must submit a late arrival form. These students will be provided with distinct instructions and testing protocols for their return to campus.

Students who remain on campus and do not travel over the break will be required to continue participating in surveillance testing at least twice a week during the break, but will not be required to undergo any special testing at the start of spring term beyond continuing in the surveillance testing program.

Any student who fails to follow any of these guidelines and protocols for students who travel or remain on campus will be subject to potential disciplinary consequences, in accordance with the Student Health and Hygiene Policies.

These travel planning measures are meant to support the Institute's commitment to in-person learning and research, and to prevent any need for more restrictive measures around student activities and events through spring term.

Thank you for your ongoing cooperation and adherence to these protocols.