Cal Poly’s COVID-19 reopening plan approved. Here’s what campus will look like this fall
Cal Poly may extend distance learning through its winter quarter and will reduce the number of students in on-campus housing, the university said Wednesday evening in an email announcing the approval of its fall plan.
The approval from the California State University Chancellor’s Office was long awaited by the university, which on Friday received guidelines from Gov. Gavin Newsom and the California Department of Public Health on reopening campus safely.
The approval also comes as Cal Poly is experiencing an uptick in positive COVID-19 tests among students and employees. As of Wednesday, the university had 23 students and six employees who had tested positive since March.
Cal Poly’s plan restricts the number of students on campus, greatly decreases the number of in-person classes, puts several safety measures in place and details contingencies if a student or faculty member tests positive for the virus.
Cal Poly housing
Cal Poly typically houses nearly 8,500 students in on-campus dorms and apartments. But due to safety concerns, the university will limit that number 5,980 students, or about 70% of the usual capacity.
The university will prioritize first-year students, as it typically does for on-campus living, and will reach out to students who have completed the housing application and agreement process with more information.
It is currently unclear how Cal Poly will determine which students it will turn away from on-campus living, but in a campus community communication, President Jeffrey Armstrong said the “intent is to strike a balance that accommodates the needs and desires of students, while also seeking to minimize risk to them and the broader San Luis Obispo community.”
The reduction means that one month before classes start, up to 2,520 students will be forced to find other housing in San Luis Obispo and surrounding communities.
Armstrong in his campus communication said that the move-in period will be extended to 10 days in order to “de-densify the process.” Students can start moving in on Sept. 3 through Sept. 13, he said in the email.
The new student Academic Day will be held on Sept. 9, while the Week of Welcome orientation will be held from Sept. 10-13 in a hybrid format. Students will be able to attend small-group, in-person activities outside with physical distancing, while larger-group activities will be held virtually.
Most fall classes will be held online
The first day of classes for Cal Poly students is Sept. 14.
Only about 13%, or about 559, classes will be held in person out of the 4,300 sections available to students. Those that are held in person, mainly labs and project courses, “have been determined as critical to student success and to keeping students on track to degree completion,” according to Armstrong’s email.
Students and staff must wear face coverings in any public areas, shared work areas and common areas such as hallways, break rooms and conference rooms, Armstrong wrote.
Students who cannot or choose not to take those classes in person will have a fully virtual option available to them, Armstrong said.
First-year students have been advised to reach out to the Mustang Success Center if they are having difficulty registering for a class, while continuing students have been advised to contact the academic department for the course they’d like to take or college advising center for assistance.
On Nov. 20, most of the university’s in-person classes will conclude and be held virtually from Nov. 23 to Nov. 24 with virtual final exams from Nov. 30 through Dec. 4. Only a few, select courses will be in person for those time periods, according to the email.
Classes that are held virtually during the duration of the quarter will not move to in-person instruction under any circumstances, according to the email.
University employees encouraged to work from home
Most faculty and staff are encouraged to work from home if possible, the email said.
But for those who have in-person classes or must be on campus, the university will take safety precautions where necessary including “bringing staff back on campus on alternating days, staggering starting and departure times to reduce traffic in common areas and taking measures to create physical distance in offices and meeting rooms,” according to the email.
The university is also encouraging staff to hold virtual meetings and conduct their work via email, phone or other technology rather than face-to-face, even if they are present on campus.
Employees who are vulnerable to COVID-19 in accordance with CDC guidelines should make arrangements to work virtually if possible and should contact Human Resources or Academic Personnel if such work is unavailable, according to the email.
What happens if a student or staff member tests positive for COVID-19
Cal Poly’s Campus Health and Wellbeing has tested 355 students as of Wednesday. The on-campus tests are available only to students and are free of charge.
The test are for those who are symptomatic or who have come into close contact with another student who has tested positive or is symptomatic.
The university has developed a comprehensive contact-tracing process that “will assist San Luis Obispo County Public Health’s efforts in determining close contacts of COVID-19 positive cases among campus community members,” Armstrong said in the email.
Students who are symptomatic will be directed to self-quarantine in their rooms while they wait for an appointment to get tested. If an on-campus student test positive, they will be moved to a temporary isolation room.
Students who test positive who live off campus will be directed to self-isolate.
To ensure students are supported academically and physically during the isolation period, Cal Poly and San Luis Obispo County Public Health have developed a Quarantine Support Team, according to the email.
The team will be able to connect the students with campus resources such as food delivery from Campus Dining, counseling services, academic support services, the disability resource center and the dean of students, according to the email.
New Cal Poly ‘Roadmap’ website for parents, students and staff
Cal Poly has created a new website, “Roadmap to fall 2020,” which is a one-stop shop for resources and information for students, employees and parents.
The university also maintains a COVID-19 website that keeps track of the number of students and staff who have tested positive with the virus.
“Whether you are returning to campus this fall or planning to study or work from home, please continue to practice healthy behaviors: Wear your face covering when outside of your home, practice physical distancing, wash your hands often and get plenty of self-care, ample rest, nutritious food and regular exercise. We care about you; please reach out if you need resources or support,” Armstrong wrote.
“I know the uncertainty of this evolving situation can cause stress and anxiety, and I thank you for the patience you’ve shown during this time. We will come through this stronger, together. In the meantime, please take care of yourself.”
