COVID-19 is back on campus, at a lower rate than last year

While the 5Cs continue to grapple with COVID-19, positive COVID test rates administered by Student Health Services (SHS) are lower this year than last.

Since the start of the academic year, SHS reported 15 positive COVID results out of 100 students tested through Sept. 25, meaning a 15% positivity rate. Last year, the positivity rate across a similar time period was 19%, meaning a four percentage point decrease.

Still, SHS warns that the figures do not represent all COVID infections across the Claremont Colleges, as many community members self-test with campus resources. “Students who are ill are encouraged to stay home when they have a fever, mask when appropriate, test when symptomatic, and contact SHS with questions or if symptoms worsen,” SHS stated.

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SHS transitions from 7C to 5C

As of Jun. 30, Claremont Graduate University (CGU) and Keck Graduate Institute (KGI) are no longer partnering with Student Health Services (SHS) and Monsour Counseling and Psychological Services. The shift away from SHS leaves CGU and KGI with exclusively online resources for graduate students and without the option of in-person

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SHS updates isolation restrictions and close contact policy, Pomona and Scripps follow suit

As of Thursday, March 23, Pomona College and Scripps College students are no longer required to test negative on a COVID-19 antigen test in order to exit isolation, reflecting a shift in Los Angeles County protocol.   On March 20, Student Health Services (SHS) announced that students with COVID-19 can end

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SHS introduces gender affirming care to support 5C students

The Claremont Colleges’ Student Health Services (SHS) now offers gender affirming care for all students under their health plan, an expansion to their service coverage as of January 2023.  “Student Health Services (SHS) at the Claremont Colleges is committed to providing culturally competent and inclusive services to all students under

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SHS shuts down Tranquada COVID testing site

After serving the Claremont Colleges’ COVID-19 testing needs for almost 18 months, Student Health Services’ (SHS) Tranquada Center discontinued in-person testing this Wednesday, officials across the consortium announced in emails to students and faculty this week.   At the Tranquada Testing Center, located on the first floor of the SHS building,

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Design class crafts blueprint for all-in-one 7C student center, to be finished in August 2025

In 2025, the 7Cs will welcome a new student center meant to foster connection between students at the different colleges, thanks in part to its collaboration with the Human Centered Design class.  Set to be constructed to the north of the Honnold-Mudd Library, the center aims to help students “gather

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Pomona, Harvey Mudd, Pitzer require post-break COVID-19 testing; Scripps institutes random testing

As 5C students made a return to Claremont following fall break, some colleges also brought back temporary COVID-19 testing requirements. Students at Pomona College, Harvey Mudd College and Pitzer College are required to test for COVID-19 upon returning from fall break, according to emails from both colleges. 

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Students lived alongside infected peers after CMC and Mudd ran out of isolation space

As COVID-19 cases surged to unprecedented levels at the 5Cs throughout April, Claremont McKenna College and Harvey Mudd College quickly found themselves in a complicated position: they didn’t have enough isolation space for everyone who tested positive.

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Norovirus is back, Pitzer says

As students returned to campus earlier this semester, so did another bout of stomach ailments, mostly affecting students at Pitzer College. At least 23 students have experienced symptoms of what the college deduces to be norovirus, according to an email to the community by Pitzer Chief Operating Officer Laura Troendle.

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SHS implements pooled COVID-19 testing, citing cost and efficiency

This month, some 5C students were puzzled to discover their COVID-19 test results from Student Health Services read “Pnegative,” rather than the formerly reported “negative.” 

The reason for their confusion? SHS began pooled testing on Nov. 1, and results shifted accordingly to reflect the new process in place.

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