The California State University system plans to hold mostly online classes in the fall, while the University of California has not announced a decision yet.
UC Santa Barbara transitioned to online classes in March for the rest of the school year, and is using remote instruction for its summer session classes and programs.
UCSB is also holding a “virtual ceremony” for its Class of 2020 graduation in June.
CSU Chancellor Timothy White said the system’s 23 campuses need to plan for online learning, “because a course that might begin in a face-to-face modality would likely have to be switched to a virtual format during the term if a serious second wave of the pandemic occurs, as forecast.
“Virtual planning is necessary because it might not be possible for some students, faculty and staff to safely travel to campus.”
There would be exceptions for some in-person teaching and research activities that cannot be done virtually and are “indispensable to the university’s core mission,” according to White.
Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo President Jeffrey Armstrong said the campus has to be prepared to have virtual learning for the fall quarter.
“We are optimistic that we will be in Stage 3 of (Gov.) Gavin Newsom’s plan by the start of fall, and that we can have students return and offer some in-person courses,” he said in a social media message Wednesday.
“Our goal is always to achieve student success while working to minimize risk for everyone,” he said.
“Given the evolving nature of the pandemic, we will continue to evaluate the situation and provide definitive information on the fall quarter by Aug. 26.”
— Noozhawk managing editor Giana Magnoli can be reached at gmagnoli@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.