Status of Campus Operations in Light of State’s New Regional Stay Home Order

Dec. 4, 2020

 

Dear Campus Community,

I know many people have questions about the State of California’s Regional Stay Home Order announced yesterday. In short, to preserve our health care system, the order will go into effect if or when intensive care unit (ICU) capacity drops below 15% in a multi-county region. As of today, our region — San Joaquin Valley — has not dropped below 15%.

With the large volume of information we each receive each day, I know it is sometimes difficult to understand how our campus may be affected, if at all. I hope this brief update will serve to clarify our status as of today.

My cabinet members and I continue to be in ongoing contact with state and county public-health officials as well as the CSU Chancellor’s Office. Based on current information, the State’s new public-health order, which takes effect at 12:59 p.m. tomorrow, Dec. 5, does not immediately affect current campus operations. 

 

CLASSES

Of the 101 in-person courses scheduled for this fall semester, thanks to prudent planning and strategic implementation by our deans, department chairs and faculty over the summer, the vast majority of those courses are nearly completed, well before the end of this semester. In fact, as of this week, only 25 of these courses continue to meet in person.

To be clear, as of today, all virtual courses will continue through the end of the semester and a very limited number of courses will continue in person.

 

OPERATIONS/PERSONNEL

At this time, given that our on-campus population is already relatively low as of this week, and the vast majority of our staff are working remotely, we do not anticipate any significant changes or impacts to current work schedules.

For those who continue working on campus, we are grateful for your ongoing adherence to the public-health protocols. Should on-campus personnel have specific questions or concerns, they are encouraged to speak with their supervising manager to determine if an accommodation can be made.

REMINDER FOR ALL

I urge you to continue to wear a facial covering whenever outside your home, wash your hands frequently, maintain proper physical distance from others and avoid large gatherings such as parties or smaller gatherings with anyone outside of your household. 

As stated in my campus message earlier this week, recognizing the pandemic is a fluid situation, we will continue to review and adjust our campus operations as necessary. We will communicate any changes in a timely manner, should they need to be implemented.

Thank you for your time, and I wish you a relaxing weekend.

 

Sincerely,

President Joseph I. Castro