Most classes will be offered remotely and on-campus housing will be limited in the fall, UC Santa Barbara Chancellor Henry T. Yang said Friday, adding that plans may change as details are worked out over the summer.
“As is the case for all California universities — and for many others across the country — most classes will need to be offered remotely in accordance with physical distancing and other requirements,” he said in a statement.
“Planning teams are working with faculty to identify which courses will be conducted via fully remote instruction, which will be offered in person, and which will use a format combining remote and face-to-face components. The final schedule of courses indicating course formats will be available in July.”
Even with the likelihood of mostly remote instruction, UCSB plans to charge full tuition and student fees for the fall quarter, according to Yang.
“The UC Regents and the Office of the President have determined that tuition and mandatory fees have been set regardless of the method of instruction and will not be refunded in the event instruction occurs remotely for any part of the academic year. Mandatory university charges for tuition and student services help cover ongoing operations, which include the delivery of instruction and the cost of student services such as registration, financial aid, and academic advising,” he said.
UCSB on-campus undergraduate residence halls will have limited capacity, with no more than two people per room and possibly only one person per room, Yang said Friday.
All students returning, or entering, campus housing “will be asked for proof of a negative COVID-19 test,” students may be asked not to travel away from campus during the quarter, and face coverings will be required inside all campus buildings, according to UCSB.
Thousands of UCSB and Santa Barbara City College students moved out of Isla Vista and other South Coast communities after classes moved online, but many leases for the upcoming school year start soon, so students will have to decide what to do.
Summer classes are being offered remotely and most campus housing was closed.
“We expect that students who are in the process of deciding whether to sign leases in Isla Vista will carefully explore all options, and be mindful about the importance of physical distancing and reduced density in living situations,” Yang said in the Friday update.
“Please be aware that any leasing arrangement that exceeds double occupancy in a bedroom can increase the risk of spread and is strongly discouraged. Keeping the population density low in Isla Vista will help protect our campus community as well as the communities of Isla Vista, Goleta, and Santa Barbara.”
Click here for more COVID-19 information from UCSB.
UCSB has reported two COVID-19 cases among its Dining Services staff and two students, including one who worked in Dining Services.
Santa Barbara City College is holding most of its fall semester classes online, and the California State University system has announced its colleges will be as well, including Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo.
— 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.