Eleanor Dunn ’24
Staff Writer
Scripps’ social scene has been fraught with uncertainty due to worries surrounding COVID-19 cases. Tension between valuing connection and safety has left many Scripps students feeling torn. Throughout this year, Scripps’ student clubs and organizations (CLORGs) have worked to offer a safe space for advocacy, creativity, and community building. However, due to new COVID-19 restrictions, as Scripps navigates these uncertain times, CLORGs had to return to virtual meetings, plan events in advance even as regulations changed, and closely monitor meeting numbers.
On Jan. 21, Interim Vice President of Student Affairs and Dean of Students Adriana di Bartolo-Beckman detailed the logistics of CLORG life in her spring return to campus email. This email outlined that all CLORG events must be requested two weeks prior to the planned meeting for approval by the Scripps Office of Student Engagement (OSE):
“Events for the spring semester are currently being reviewed,” said di Bartolo-Beckman. “As a reminder, events are limited to 10 students at a time including host(s)/facilitator(s) and participants. A surgical-grade mask or higher is required at all times for in-person outdoor events. Eating and drinking will not be allowed at events during this time. Again, these protocols are in place for the beginning of the semester.”
As of Feb. 7, CLORG leaders were free to request indoor events in addition to the original outdoor and virtual meetings allowed at the beginning of the semester.
“One common reason for an event to be denied include not meeting program policy guidelines or the event not being submitted at least 15 days in advance,” said Assistant Director of Student Engagement Brighitte Preciado. A program policy guideline oversight may include requesting an event on a school holiday or for too many students.
Additionally, OSE encourages students to use resources including the Scripps Strong website for health and safety protocols, and OSE’s programming guide which guides students in CLORG event planning.
While these regulations preclude spontaneous or large gatherings, it appears CLORG life is still alive and well at Scripps. Ava Flum ‘25, a member of the Scripps Student Garden, voiced the importance of their involvement with a CLORG during a strange year. “It has been significant. I’ve met people and found other ways of getting involved by attending these meetings,” said Flum.
Perhaps now more than ever, in the absence of the pre-covid social scene, students are relying on the involvement and connection CLORGs provide. For more information on CLORG goings-on and how to get involved, check out weekly emails from Scripps Associated Students.
Anyone interested in planning CLORG events is also welcome to email [email protected] for support and look to their Instagram @scrippscollegeose for information.
Image Source: Scripps College Facebook
