The University of California (UC) System announced Monday it is planning to return to in-person classes for the Fall 2021 semester.
UC officials credited the widening availability of the coronavirus vaccine for students, staff and faculty as the driving force behind announcing plans to reopen. Officials also said they wanted to make an early announcement about fall classes so current and prospective students can plan accordingly, reports ABC 7.
The 10-campus system has been holding primarily remote classes since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic.
“As the university continues to monitor the evolution of the pandemic, we are also carefully planning a safe return to in-person classes,” UC President Michael Drake wrote in a statement. “Current forecasters give us hope that in the fall our students can enjoy more normal on-campus experiences.”
Drake made the decision in consultation with the 10 UC chancellors. More detailed plans, including specific dates and safety protocols, will be announced by individual campuses in consultation with local public health agencies and local and state health guidelines.
Emily Carter, UCLA executive vice chancellor and provost, wrote a message to students confirming the continuation of remote learning through the spring semester.
“While we celebrate advances like the development, approval and first stages of the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, we also acknowledge that change will not happen overnight,” she wrote. “At present, the risks posed by the virus remain. In Los Angeles County, the latest surge in cases is straining our region’s hospitals, including UCLA’s. The UCLA community must continue to do its part to reduce the risk of transmission by limiting the number of people on campus.”
Back in December, California State University also announced its anticipation to reopen its 23 campuses in the fall.
“We are approaching planning for the 2021 fall term with the goal of having the majority of our on-campus experiences returning,” said CSU Chancellor-select Joseph I. Castro. “This decision comes at a good time as high school and transfer students have until December 15 to complete their applications for fall admission. I urge eligible students across the Golden State to apply for admission to one or more CSU campuses.”
