Intern Handbook

Occidental College currently follows Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LACDPH) guidelines for COVID-19 wellness including masking and symptom and exposure management. LACDPH guidelines may change based on federal, state, and county requirements and the LA County CDC COVID-19 community level and transmission rate.

Programs and individuals are encouraged to perform daily health screenings for infectious diseases, including COVID-19.

Stay home if you are sick or have COVID-19 symptoms:

• Do not come to Occidental College if exhibiting any symptoms of COVID-19 as identified by the CDC, including cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, fever, or chills.
• Do not come to Occidental College if in the last 14 days you have been in close contact with or without face mask (within 6 feet for more than 15 minutes or any unprotected contact with bodily fluids/secretions) with someone who has COVID-19 or COVID-19 symptoms during the 14 days prior to your scheduled arrival to campus, or if you are currently under isolation or quarantine orders.

Occidental College strongly recommends that all persons are fully vaccinated and up to date on booster(s).

• Occidental College recommends that all persons, regardless of vaccination status, wear a mask at all times when social distancing is not possible.
• See Exposure & Symptom Management below for masking requirements for symptomatic and close contact persons.

Required masking for symptomatic and close contact persons:

• Masks must be surgical grade medical masks or higher quality (KN94, KN95, N95)
• Masks can be disposable or reusable
• Masks must fully cover the nose and mouth, secure under the chin, be secured with ties or ear loops. For more info, see this helpful video.
• Unacceptable masks: Cloth masks, masks with exhalation valves, scarves, buffs, bandanas, gaiters, face shields alone

If you are COVID positive WITH symptoms:

• Remain in sleeping room until you have not had a fever for 24 hours without using fever reducing medication AND your other COVID-19 symptoms are gone or mild and improving (except to use restroom).
• Avoid contact with others.
• Wear a surgical-grade mask when you are around other people for 10 days after you become sick, except when eating or drinking (see Masking above for more info). You may remove your mask sooner than 10 days if you have two sequential negative tests at least one day apart. Day 0 is your symptom onset date or the day you tested positive, whichever came first. 

If you are COVID positive WITHOUT symptoms:

• You are not required to isolate yourself but are required to wear a well-fitting, surgical-grade mask whenever around other people for 10 days following the positive test result, except when eating or drinking (see Masking above for more info).
• You may remove your mask sooner than 10 days if you have two sequential negative tests at least one day apart. Day 0 is your positive test date.​

• If you are experiencing symptoms, call your primary care provider or insurance-based nurse helpline for a telemedical assessment and treatment options.
• If instructed to get a COVID-19 test, you can access testing through various providers or get an home test.

If you test positive for COVID-19, whether or not you are experiencing symptoms, you must inform the College immediately by contacting Conference Services at conference@oxy.edu. The College will provide applicable isolation instructions.

Interns shall carry their Occidental College-issued card at all times when on College premises

• Occidental College Health Center services are not available to Interns. Interns are responsible for obtaining and arranging all necessary medical aid or treatment.
• Intern must notify the College of any injury or illness sustained on campus premises, by submitting a written report to conference@oxy.edu within 24 hours of onset or occurrence.

Interns age 21 years or older: Alcohol consumption is allowed inside Intern’s private residence hall room with the door closed. Consumption of alcohol in any other interior or exterior area -- including residence hall lounges and hallways -- is prohibited.

• Smoking and the use of smokeless tobacco or unregulated nicotine products (such as electronic cigarettes) is prohibited in all indoor and patio areas of all campus facilities.
• Smoking is permitted only in outdoor areas, at a distance of 30 feet from any building or structure.
• Use of tobacco in any form is prohibited in all Athletics facilities (including outdoors).

• Marijuana is prohibited on campus. The College allows NO exceptions to this policy, including the possession or use of marijuana for medical purposes.
• All individuals must abide by federal law, state law, and College regulations regarding intoxicants, narcotics and drugs.

• Oxy’s Campus Safety Office provides security and emergency response services for the College 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Reach them at 323-259-2599.
• Contact City of Los Angeles Emergency Services by calling 911 (or dial 9 + 911 from any campus phone).
• In the event of an emergency, news bulletins will be posted on the main campus phone line (323-259-2500) and the front page of www.oxy.edu. If local phone circuits are unavailable, Oxy has an out-of-state emergency hotline for news updates: 1-866-961-3300.

Your Check-in Packet will include a copy of your Room Condition Report (RCR). You should inspect the condition of your room at arrival to confirm the accuracy of the RCR. Notify Conference Services of any inaccuracies immediately, at conference@oxy.edu.

• Housekeeping service is provided in common areas every day (restrooms, lounges, hallways).
• Housekeeping service is not provided in rooms. Intern and roommate(s) are responsible for cleaning and maintaining your room (and bathroom if present).
• Use trash and recycling receptacles in common areas for prompt collection.

• Each residence hall guest room is equipped with a microfridge unit (microwave and mini-refrigerator).
• Not using your microfridge → Unplug and leave door open
• At Checkout: Remove all items and clean your microfridge. There is a $350 fee for unclean units.

• All residence halls have laundry rooms with washers and dryers.
• Laundry machines are free and require no special access; simply push the button to use.
• Bring your own laundry detergent.

• Berkus Hall residents: The Trash Room is located at the south end of the floor (4th floor). Please empty personal trash and leave recyclables in the Trash Room.
• Bell-Young Hall residents: Trash and recycle containers are located in common areas throughout the building (lobby, lounges, hallways). Please empty personal trash and leave recyclables in these containers.   

• No loud music or musical instruments that might disrupt other residents.
• Interns must abide by “Quiet Time” daily from 10:00 PM – 8:00 AM in all interior and exterior areas of residence halls. Noise should be kept to a minimal level and should not be audible in common areas or other areas of the residence hall.
• Oxy is located in a residential area. Please be considerate of both the campus community and surrounding neighborhood residents.

• Candles, incense, or any open flames
• Appliances with heating elements: Hot plates, coffee pots, toaster ovens, space heaters, air conditioners, halogen lamps, or anything that uses over 800 watts of electricity (hair dryers are okay)
• Pets of any kind

• The College reserves the right to make all housing assignments, and to change assignments as necessary.
• You may request roommate(s) by name on your application, or submit a request to conference@oxy.edu up to 14 days before your arrival date. Roommates must have compatible arrival and departure dates, the same housing selection, and roommate preference. We make every effort to accommodate roommate requests but cannot guarantee assignments.
• The College may assign any vacant space in the Premises to another intern without prior notification to Intern.
• Housing and/or roommate changes are subject to current availability. If the change is approved, each party will incur a $50 change fee.

• Intern is liable for any damages to the Premises incurred during Occupancy, and is liable for all costs associated with damages, including replacement costs, labor, materials and overhead as determined by the College.
• Each resident of the residence hall shall be jointly liable for damages caused to lounges, corridors, stairs, communal restrooms, and areas of common use of the residence hall or of the College. If damages or fines are assessed, all residents shall be equally liable and the College may, at its sole discretion, pursue collection against one or more residents unless the responsible resident(s) is determined by the College.

Location: Samuelson Alumni Center

Menu & Service

• View this week’s menu
• The Tiger Cooler Express (TCE) offers Snacks, Drinks, Assorted Sandwiches, Hot Entrees and Salads)
• The TCE accepts cash and meal swipe
• If you want to use a meal swipe, you will receive options for meal equivalency. Unlike at the Marketplace, the meal equivalency will not provide unlimited food and beverages.
• During the respective meal period, a meal swipe will provide: For example: A sandwich, Hot Entree, or Salad, with a Beverage, Fruit, and Snack
• You can eat there to take it to-go.

Hours

• Monday - Thursday 11:  AM  - 7:00 PM
• Friday 11:00 AM - 2: 00 PM
• Closed Weekends and Holidays

Summer Changes & Closures

The College may occasionally modify meal times, locations, and service options. Interns will be notified of any additional updates beyond the below changes:

• Employee Recognition Day, THURS 5/23: Closed
• Memorial Day Weekend, SAT 5/25 - MON 5/27: Closed
• Juneteenth, WED 6/19: Closed
• July 4th, THURS 7/4: Closed

• Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options are regularly available; please ask if you don’t see what you need.
• Patrons with dietary preferences and/or intolerances are encouraged to make informed choices by being alert to signage and asking questions. Campus Dining staff are available for assistance. More information is available at:
  /offices-services/events-campus/summer-camps-programs/guest-resources

• All housing packages include 7 meals per week, or you can simplify your life with an expanded Meal Plan.
• Your selected Meal Plan is effective for the duration of Occupancy.
• Meal Plan week: Starts Sunday at 1:00 AM, ends Saturday at 11:59 PM
• Un-used meals do not carry over to subsequent weeks.
• There is no discount or credit for un-used meals.
• Use your Meal Plan for any meal during Marketplace operating hours. The Marketplace is open for 17 – 21 meal periods each week.
• You may purchase additional meals (beyond your Meal Plan) on an a la carte basis with cash only.

• Each Intern will be issued a room card for use during their stay.
• Carry your room card at all times when on College premises.
• Room cards serve these functions:
  • Access residence hall exterior doors 
  • Access your room
  • Marketplace entry / weekly meal tally
  • Fitness Center & Pool access

• Lost or damaged room card → Request replacement
• Charge = $50 per request (non-refundable) 
• Charges are added to you Iris account, if not paid prior from departure charges will be deducted from your Security Deposit
• Replacement cards are typically provided the next business day.

• Occidental College does not provide transportation services or vehicles.
• All persons operating vehicles on campus must comply with Occidental College Driving & Parking Regulations.

• Campus parking is free, but a permit is required.
• Interns: Request a permits via conference@oxy.edu
• Permits must be displayed at all times when parked on campus.
• Permits are valid during your contracted residency period only.

• Visit the Athletics site for current info
• Bring your card for entry

• Food, gum, peanuts, and seeds
• Tobacco in any form, spitting
• Smoking and vaping are prohibited in all athletics facilities, including outdoor fields and spectator areas
• No toys, including rafts, chairs, diving rings, and beach balls
• No street clothes in pool, including t-shirts or shorts
• No persons with open wounds, cuts, or skin infections in pool

• You may ship items to the College at your own risk. The College is not responsible for damage or loss occurring before, during or after delivery. Intern assumes full responsibility for shipped and/or stored items at all times.
• The College is not responsible for notification, delivery, or receipt of perishable or other time-sensitive shipped items. Intern is hereby advised that the College’s limited receiving and pickup schedule (Monday – Friday) may impact time-sensitive deliveries.
• Interns are responsible for tracking information.
• Interns must retrieve shipped items within 48 hours of delivery.
• Items shipped or remaining outside occupancy dates will be returned to sender or considered abandoned property