How are Cal Poly students affected by SLO County shelter in home order?
Residents in San Luis Obispo County were ordered to shelter in home beginning Thursday — adding Cal Poly students to the growing list of millions of Californians asked to stay home to slow the spread of coronavirus.
The announcement came in the middle of finals week, which has already been marked by sharp changes to campus life.
Finals are being held online only. Spring quarter was postponed to April 6, and those classes will be held virtually.
San Luis Obispo County residents have been ordered to only leave their homes for essentials, like buying food and attending doctor appointments, for at least 30 days. Seven county residents have tested positive for COVID-19 as of Wednesday.
What does that mean for Cal Poly students?
According to a campus-wide email from university President Jeffrey Armstrong, the order does not prevent students from leaving campus to travel to their permanent homes. But those who need to stay, can.
“We are strongly encouraging students, whether they live on or off campus, to return to their permanent home residences, where they can attend the spring quarter virtually,” Armstrong said. “However, those who feel safer at the university, those who have no other housing options and/or those who may have limited access to technology and the internet, can remain on campus.”
Armstrong outlined further guidance in the email for two groups of students.
Students who chose to stay on campus or in town:
- Students should remain in their residences unless it is absolutely essential that they leave.
- Students are asked to not travel and return to help minimize potential spread of the virus.
- Residence halls and campus dining will remain open with social distancing.
- Students living off campus with concerns about housing or safety can reach out to the Dean of Students at deanofstudents@calpoly.edu.
- Students who stay are asked to fill out this form: baseline.campuslabs.com/cpsuslo/returningstudentpoll.
Students who chose to leave the area:
- Students are asked not to come back until further notice.
- Those leaving should take their belongings if possible.
- Students who cannot remove belongings or have already left will be allowed to return after mid-May to pick up their things
This story was originally published March 18, 2020 at 6:12 PM.
