Issue link: http://ihouse.uberflip.com/i/1472931
D uring the sad but necessary closure of I-House due to health and safety concerns caused by the pandemic, our volunteer House Committee of the Board of Directors and staff have been working tirelessly to address the needs of today and of the future with respect, care, and appreciation for the historical significance of the building. Preserving the look and feel of our architectural treasure while reimagining safety and security requirements, accessibility, functionality, and ambiance has necessitated new policies, procedures, building renovation and remodeling projects, and countless innovations large and small. COVID-19 precipitated the need to rethink how we promote community and connection—the lifeblood of the I-House "recipe"— within the physical and behavioral constraints inherent in safety, social distancing, and space utilization choices. e question "What else can be made touchless?" led to many improvements such as touchless bathroom fixtures, sinks, soap and towel dispensers, hand sanitizer stations, and the installation of card entry systems instead of old fashioned keys throughout the house. Plexiglass shields were installed at the Front Desk and Dining Commons reception area to protect residents, staff, and student workers from airborne transmission of the virus. e wrenching decision to limit public access due to health concerns has impacted our current ability to provide the hallmark welcoming environment for dining guests, event participants, and returning alumni and friends. Everyone entering the building must be masked and present a completed green "daily symptom screener" badge to the Front Desk before being allowed entry. is is a campus-wide requirement designed to limit the spread of the virus. We love welcoming back alumni and friends. If you wish to visit, we ask only that you kindly contact us in advance so we may ensure everyone's safety. One of the most important considerations for safely reopening I-House has been revising cleaning and disinfection protocols, and reconfiguring rooms. In addition to researching and bringing in new tools and cleaning systems to address the pandemic, Custodial Manager Mary Cinko and Director of Physical Operations Mark Cassettari and their teams have continued to keep the house in beautiful shape, despite recurring layers of dust needing to be removed as renovations and remodeling projects have been managed and completed. Adding to the complexity of completing these improvements, Mary and Mark have successfully addressed more than the usual contractor and vendor challenges, supply chain interruptions, and impacts of limited staffing during the closure. e timing of the relocation of the Berkeley International Office (BIO) offices from I-House to other space in Berkeley turned out to be fortuitous as it allowed I-House to renovate and to designate the 2nd floor as an isolation floor in the event of COVID-19 infection. Importantly, we added a wheelchair lift to make the second floor ADA accessible. Making the required building updates during the temporary closure was indeed one of the primary reasons why we were able to have the confidence to open to a full house of residents this year. Among the changes made to the 2nd floor are a separate entrance with restricted access, provisions for supplying food, coordination with health care workers, and a process of frequent communication between staff and impacted residents. n Preserving the Past International House Times 3 Preparing for the Future Larnie Macasieb, Housing Operations Assistant From left, back row: Billy Hudson, Santino Vera, Eric Brizedine, Francis Sogelau Middle row: Maria Lares, Anna Adele Saladino, Rodrigo Aguilar, Linla Yiu, Victoria Cortes (Supervisor), Cecilia Acosta Front row: Maria Moreno, Pauline Lei, Mary Cinko (Manager), Curtis Hall