Cal State System to Close Its Doors and Go Online for Fall Semester 2020

Risako Hareda, a Santa Monica College Music student taking an online class from her home in Los Angeles on April 20, 2020. Distance learning, as required limit the spread of COVID-19, is a difficult adjustment for students in many departments. (Maxim Elramsisy/The Corsair)

A question on many California State University (CSU) transfer and current students' minds about what is going to happen for the fall semester was answered on Tuesday, May 12. CSU Chancellor Timothy White announced that CSU institutions will be holding most of their fall classes online and keeping nearly all their classrooms closed, with a few exceptions.

CSU is the nation’s largest four-year public university system with: 23 campuses, 53,000 faculty and staff and 482,000 students. According to the CSU’s official website, half of the CSU's students transfer from California community colleges. They are also the first major American university system to announce that they will not be able to physically return to campus for the fall.

“Retaining the current closures is necessary because of unknowns about the coronavirus pandemic and how it will play out in coming months,” said Chancellor White in his statement.

The exceptions include, but are not limited to, clinical nursing training courses, some engineering courses, and science courses with laboratory classes. However, the exceptions will only be in effect when, “there are sufficient resources available and protocols in place to assure that rigorous health and safety requirements are in place.”

This pandemic has already had a huge financial fallout, not only for students, but colleges and universities as well. At Santa Monica College (SMC) alone there have been over 9,000 students who have dropped one or more of their Spring 2020 classes, with SMC seeing a 25 percent decrease in summer classes and a 22 percent decrease in fall classes from non-residential students.

Even the $14 billion federal help passed by Congress to help schools stay afloat will not be enough for some universities, which continue to face declining enrollment. The draw for many students is the in-person experience as many students thrive in classroom settings.

However this new, grim reality has not deterred all students from re-enrolling. Marisa Flores, a full-time Digital Designs major at the California State University, Northridge, who had decided to take a semester long break this spring, is deciding to return.

“I am okay with starting my classes online with the eventual transition to a physical campus. The downside for me would be lack of access to a space other than my own home to do my work,” Flores said. “However, I’ve noticed some students struggling with the concept of solely online classes as some thrive more in physical settings. It would be helpful to the students who are struggling to have the option to halt their studies without penalty.”

Maria Rivas, a Nursing major at California State University, Los Angeles and another full-time student, agrees with Chancellor White’s decision. “Although it is not ideal for classes to be online during the fall, I agree with the decision that has been made. I understand that it is a safety precaution and in our best interest to avoid classes being on campus,” Rivas said.

Despite some colleges and universities planning on going back to in-person classes for the fall, White told the board of trustees that the risk was just too great and that classes would remain virtual as much as possible.

“Our university, when open without restrictions and fully in person, as is the traditional norm of the past, is a place where over 500,000 people come together in close and vibrant proximity with each other on a daily basis,” White said. “That approach, sadly, just isn’t in the cards now.”

Although a difficult transition for most, Rivas is “happy for the opportunity to continue classes online rather than delaying graduation for a year,” which was something she was concerned would happen. “I know that I will be safe at home rather than being at risk in school. Having classes online allows me to have my health in my own hands.”