Essential Caltech

While the vast majority of Caltech staff and faculty spent the spring working from home due to the coronavirus pandemic, a small number of essential employees came to campus each day, operating under strict conditions set forth by health officials, to ensure that the Caltech community, broadly dispersed, could continue to pursue scientific exploration for the benefit of all.

Erica Crawford

Senior Residential Life Coordinator, Office of Residential Experience 

Crawford lives and works in the Bechtel Residence. Her job is to provide personal, social, and academic support to students. “During this experience,” she says, “campus community members have really come together to try to make the transition as smooth as possible for everyone involved. The social-distancing requirements make it hard to interact with others who are still on campus, but we are working every day to continue to support students both on and off campus.”

Corey Campbell

Materials and Services Supervisor

Campbell is responsible for ensuring the campus has enough of the essential supplies it needs. “I hope that my work allows critical research to continue and keeps the campus supplied and safe,” says Campbell. One thing that struck him during this pandemic is the number of rolls of toilet paper required.

Jose Alvarado-Orozco

Yoga Instructor

Alvarado-Orozco, who has been teaching live Stretch & Flex classes every week via Zoom, says he has been struck by Caltech’s “willingness to keep us moving; the support system here never stops.” His message to those at home? “We are here for you, we show up to work, we are here to give you support. We want to know how you are doing and give you a sense of structure and stability during this uncertain time.”

Paul Ayala and Alex Hernandez

Building System Operators

Ayala and Hernandez monitor the building automation console for HVAC issues and manage service calls on campus. Used to sitting side by side in a busy service center, the two are now operating solo on alternating schedules. The quiet on campus has stood out for Ayala; he is used to a faster pace and looks forward to busier days when the full campus community returns. Hernandez, too, is looking forward to life getting back to normal but is happy to support essential research during this time.

Rick Germond

Lead Storekeeper 

Germond is responsible for liquid nitrogen service on campus. “The current campus experience can be fairly stress-fraught, yet the knowledge that we’re working at an institution on the forefront of seeking to end our world-wide pandemic makes me and others around me glad to be able to contribute,” he says. What is Germond looking forward to most? “I’d love to once again stand in the middle of Chandler’s lunch-hour clamor and know all ofus aren’t focused on the same infinitesimal virus!”

Sandra Padilla, Miguel De La Torre, and Martin Contreras

Dining Services

Caltech’s Dining Services staff never stopped cooking and serving meals to students and faculty who remained on campus. In late March, Dining Services also started offering cook-at-home meal kits (similar to Blue Apron) to all students, faculty, and staff.