Campus & community, Campus news

With new-student move-in, that old campus energy starts to return

But not all was as it was before: Masks, COVID-19 testing and vaccines are a must

By Public Affairs, Public Affairs

a man in a mask brings luggage into a dorm room — Xin Bi (center) helps his daughter, Emma Bi (not pictured) and her new roommate, Rae Xin, move into their new room. (UC Berkeley photo by Brittany Hosea-Small)

August 18, 2021

a student sits in her dorm room with — Kate Gaffney, from Tahoe City, sits for a portrait in her new room during the second day of New Student Move-In. (UC Berkeley photo by Brittany Hosea-Small)

students in masks line up distant from each other — Students line up at one of the check-in tents before moving into Unit 2. (UC Berkeley photo by Brittany Hosea-Small)

carol christ in a mask talks to a student at the start of fall semester 2021 — "I could not be prouder of our amazing campus community ...," Chancellor Carol Christ said in a back-to-school message. "More than 94% of Berkeley’s students and 88% of our faculty and staff are vaccinated. Mask guidelines are being carefully followed. Testing protocols and policies are understood and respected. Our facilities are being kept clean and safe by the unsung heroes of this campus, our essential workers." (Photo by Brittany Hosea-Small)

a student in a mask holds a laundry basket — Lawrence Chen from Irvine, Calif., loads up a cart with the help of his family before moving into his residence hall. (UC Berkeley photo by Brittany Hosea-Small)

a group of students in masks pose together outside — Chelsea Alvarenga (center), of Los Angeles, stands for a portrait with her family and aunt, who was watching on FaceTime. (UC Berkeley photo by Brittany Hosea-Small)

a woman in blue and gold welcomes a new student on lower sproul plaza — A Golden Bear Orientation mentor helps a new student during the Golden Bear Orientation check-in. (UC Berkeley photo by Brittany Hosea-Small)

socially distant crowds on lower sproul plaza — Students fill the Lower Sproul Plaza during the second day of move-in and Golden Bear Orientation check-in. (UC Berkeley photo by Brittany Hosea-Small)

staffers in blue-and-gold do a dance on lower sproul plaza — Several of this year's 400 volunteer GBO leaders dance in Lower Sproul Plaza during the second day of new student Move-In. (Photo by Brittany Hosea-Small)

a woman in a mask signs a form next to target bags — Autumn McAlpin writes a card to her son Gavin McAlpin while she helps him move into his new room at UC Berkeley. (UC Berkeley photo by Brittany Hosea-Small)

a young person in a berkeley sweatshirt sits in a trolley of items — Renee Joy David smiles for a photo while she sits in a cart holding the belongings of her brother, Arun Mommileti, during the second day of New Student Move-In.

UC Berkeley’s campus sprang to life this week as thousands of new students moved from their old homes to their new ones in the many residence halls across the campus.

The transition marked a milestone for UC Berkeley — the official return of a fully vibrant campus after the COVID-19 pandemic pushed classes online and students, staff and faculty into socially isolated bubbles.

But not all was as it was before: Anyone living in a UC Berkeley residence hall must be tested for COVID-19 when they arrive and wear a mask whenever they are not in their own room or doing things like eating, drinking or brushing their teeth. All staff, faculty and students must also be vaccinated against COVID-19 or receive an exemption.

More information about the return to campus and next week’s start of school can be found on the campus coronavirus site and on Berkeley News.