May 6 saw the return of the first batch of students. SCU students would return to school in batches one after another. The campus was tidy and in good order for the safe return of students.
Chairman Jianguo Wang of the university council, President Yanrong Li and other university administrators respectively went to the three different campuses to inspect the return of students. At the gate, the university set up a designated walkway for students to return to school. After body temperature check, the returning students swiped their student ID cards and entered the school one after another. The university has purchased dozens of new shuttle buses to transport the students to their dormitories free of charge. Makeshift observation tents were set up at each university gate and the doctors of West China Hospital worked conscientiously to monitor students’ health and provide necessary medical treatment. At the student check-in point, each student received an anti COVID-19 package, a letter of care and a postcard. At the dining hall, students were required to rub sanitizer all over their hands and take body temperature before proceeding to buy their combo-meals from a large variety of choices. In front of each of the teaching buildings, a newly added infrared temperature detector and special entrance and exit would ensure the students to enter the teaching building safely and orderly.
After the COVID-19 outbreak, SCU launched the public health emergency plan immediately and formed a leading group with Chairman Jianguo Wang and President Yanrong Li as the head. The university also did careful studies and formulated a work plan for students’ return.
In this epidemic prevention and control campaign, West China Hospital/School of Medicine provides strong support for the medical and health security on campus. The emergency medical team (EMT) of West China Hospital, Sichuan University, which is the world's second and China's first type 3 EMT, employs the World Health Organization EMT standards to manage the campus epidemic prevention and control.
SCU gives full play to its scientific and technological advantages in face recognition and artificial intelligence. It uses an automatic system for body temperature screening and face recognition. In order to monitor the students’ health status in real time, SCU has also developed online intelligent systems such as Sichuan University Health Daily report, classified epidemic reporting, and campus health code to fight COVID-19.
To safeguard the first defense line of campus security, the Security Office has formulated the “Management and Control Plan for Students Returning to Campus” and launched the CCTV system. Moreover, they have designated special walkways for students so as to separate traffic from pedestrians.
The logistics department keeps up with their good job in campus cleaning, disinfection and health care. The janitors of the university do the cleaning every day. The Publicity Department, together with the Student Affairs Department, has filmed the short video "Flowers are still blooming" to welcome students back. They also put up showcases for epidemic prevention to create a good atmosphere for students returning to school. Additionally, the Student Affairs Department has adopted policies and measures such as “The Guidelines for Counselors of Sichuan University in Spring 2020” to reinforce the student service and management. Besides, the Mental Health Education Center provides a 24-hour assistance hotline and weekday video consultation services to give students psychological support and emotional guidance. The Academic Affairs Office has gathered information regarding teachers and their availability, made arrangements for students to have small classes, ensuring a smooth class resumption.
