June 19, 2020

Dear Campus Community:

As you heard from the President’s video message earlier today, Chancellor White has approved our Campus Plan for Fall 2020 Semester(PDF, 266KB). The document outlines our fall 2020 semester plans for the delivery of instruction and other on-campus activities such as housing and dining services that was submitted to his office on Monday, June 8.

We echo the President’s thanks to the Fall Planning Task Force, the multiple stakeholder groups, and the five working groups within Academic Affairs that worked diligently to provide the information that was used to inform the submission. This was an incredible undertaking and we are grateful for their dedication and unwavering commitment to our students.

While the approval of the Campus Plan for Fall 2020 Semester (PDF, 266KB)represents a major milestone, it is important to consider the approved plan as a high-level framework that will shape the continued work needed to prepare for the fall.

The plan as approved by Chancellor White outlines the campus’ request for exception to virtual instruction for several of our academic programs. Specifically, the campus requested the ability to offer in-person classes for six of our academic programs: Art, Biology/Geology, Chemistry, Environmental Science & Resource Management, Nursing, and Performing Arts. The academic program chairs along with Dean Vandana Kohli worked collaboratively with various areas across campus including Environment, Health & Safety, Facilities Services, Public Safety, Human Resources, and Disability Accommodations & Support Services, to ensure the continued health and safety of faculty, staff and our students enrolled in these courses.

Additionally, in consultation with Ventura County Public Health and as approved by the Chancellor, on-campus housing will continue to be provided for students at a reduced occupancy model of 430 students. Dining Services staff is currently evaluating the best option for providing dining/food services for our residential students, faculty and staff who will continue to be on the campus.

The progression of COVID-19 coupled with evolving federal, state, and local directives and a declining state economy continue to necessitate substantial fluidity in our planning. Thus, as the campus navigates through the required implementation, it is important that we stay nimble and refine, adjust, and adapt plans as needed. We also continue to develop answers to many questions raised during the staff and faculty town halls, aided by Senate Exec and the Staff Council.

Part of this work includes ongoing planning and developing a phased approach for repopulation of the campus. In the meantime and with the exception of the six academic programs mentioned above, the campus will continue to provide instruction and most campus services virtually through the end of the fall semester. Should you need additional information or accommodations for the fall semester, please speak with your Dean or supervisor.

Communication & Marketing is in the process of updating our website for the fall 2020 semester with updated FAQs, campus communication, technology resources, campus services and resources, and other important information for students, faculty and staff. The campus community will be notified of its availability as soon as it is ready.

We realize that all this work is not easy and continues to present daily challenges and obstacles that require the considerable effort and creativity of us all. Thank you for your continued efforts, hard work and dedication to our institutional mission. We remain proud of what we have accomplished together.

Please stay well and take care.

Sincerely,
Elizabeth Say Ph.D., Interim Provost
Ysabel Trinidad, Vice President for Business & Financial Affairs

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