UNC has announced they will be converting some doubles to singles, with the intention of putting immunocompromised students who opt to return to campus in singles.
My D17’s school (LMU) is heading in that direction too: Their summary of ideas (not concrete plans) included ending at Thanksgiving, shortening each semester by 2 weeks, and creating a J Term, online only, for catch up work. I haven’t read of any other schools creating a J Term as a covid plan so that was interesting. Also lots of other hybrid options like the staggered class sections and start stop times, and that 35-50% of the learning would be online.
The only definite I’ve heard so far is from my S19’s school (Elon) who said that they are committing to having all classes be 100% available online for those who need or choose that option. As discussed upthread, I would imagine this to be the case for many/most schools, that online will be an option. And Elon does have a strong performance program (MT BFA).
@lkg4answers , maybe the CARES act could help your son’s roommate? Colleges were allocated federal funds to disburse to students who have been adversely affected by COVID, it seems like each college is allocating differently but the funds are being dispersed now. I’ve heard that the way to look into it is to contact the schools financial aid office.
@ChemAM – Small thing, but actually I’m pretty b/c of the early start and no fall break UNC and NC State will finish finals b4 the Thanksgiving break. No at-home finals.
If this is looking like the best way to move forward, I hope the CT governor changes his mind because at this point no colleges in the state are allowed to start before September 1.
That plan wouldn’t work for our schools here in Canada. For us Thanksgiving is the 2nd week of October though it most likely won’t be an issue as it appears that the vast majority of schools will be predominantly online with limited hybrid offerings.
Here’s the latest from Cal Poly SLO - https://coronavirus.calpoly.edu/campus-updates
They are hoping to have students return to campus but said they won’t make a decision until the end of August.
Thanks for the update. Another important distinction for SLO is that it is the only CSU on the quarter system. All others are on the semester system.
@taverngirl - I was going to say the same thing.
I’m not really familiar with the CSUs other than SDSU, but my understanding is they are mostly commuter campuses other than SDSU and SLO, is that correct? So would it make a whole lot of difference for commuter campuses? I am very familiar with SDSU and what little dorm rooms they have are like tiny boxes. I cannot see how they could have a reasonable amount of students back living on campus and distancing appropriately. Also, the school is so integrated with the surrounding community, I think it would be an exercise in futility trying to keep track of/monitor all those students and keep any sort of control over any outbreaks during the year, which would very likely spread to the community or vice-versa. I could just see having the kids start on campus as a recipe for disaster. That’s just my view of SDSU, though. Not sure about the rest.
And many of my D20’s classmates are committed to SDSU. None has so far indicated they are going elsewhere as a result of online classes. One of D20’s friends committed to SLO, though, and is currently considering a gap year. I don’t think she will, because at least 3 of their friends are committed to SLO and will attend regardless. Peer pressure.
I’m sure he’ll follow the lead. Is it specified in his phased plan? Baker in Mass kept the info on college phases to be discussed ‘later’.
Of the 23 CSU campuses the following are the more residential ones:
- CPSLO, CSUC, and HSU are in sparsely populated areas, so "local" students are still often too far to reasonably commute. This probably applies somewhat to CSUCI, CSUMB, and SSU.
- CPSLO and SDSU have become "destination" campuses for students looking for a residential college experience, although probably less of a luxury class one than at high end private schools.
- CSUMA is a very small campus with specialized programs relating to ships and shipping.
The rest primarily serve the local population, most of whom commute from where they lived before attending the CSU. Note that serving the local population to each campus is part of CSU’s mission, as reflected in local area admission preferences for campuses which are more selective than the CSU baseline minimum.
I’m not sure how you think the “commuter” student expectations of college is so low that they should be ok that classes will be all online? For example, Cal Poly SLO (a CSU) has almost 8,000 on campus housing spaces with around 20K total students (40% live on campus). The other students live in off campus apartments. Very few live at home with their parents and are true “commuters”. Most, if not all, of these students want more out of college than taking classes online.
I stand by my comment that the CSUs took the easy way out. Let’s hope the UCs don’t do the same. I know a lot of kids from LA going to San Diego State, Sonoma State, Cal Poly SLO, Chico State, CSUN and similar CSU’s and no one is happy about this situation, whether they commute to college or not. It’s does a disservice to these students that they some how don’t deserve a great college education and experience (on campus) like other students are getting. I’m telling you, there will be a lot of unhappy families…especially when they see their peers attending the UCs or private colleges that plan on being on campus in the fall.
Editing to add, someone just posted that Cal Poly SLO might allow students on campus. I think is a step in the right direction…let’s hope more CSUs follow suit…
@suzyQ7 wrote:
The silence regarding full-time residential college re-openings is deafening:
And, I still think it is a huge concession to YALE which is virtually landlocked in the middle of a densely populated urban area. Right now, I’d say it’s even money neither it nor Harvard re-open with live classes.
@socaldad2002 I agree these students are disappointed. The whole situation just stinks.
Or, they are being honest that there is no way to ensure the health of the entire U community and safely house and feed their residential students and are admitting it before collecting all of the tuition and room and board fees. They are at least letting people know up front what the situation will be in advance of collecting the cash.
Only time will tell which was the more realistic and honest approach. I’m not full of admiration for the schools who are ‘going for it’ without detailed plans that have a chance of working. At least they are telling the students and parents what they want to hear though…
Here are the guidelines regarding CT college openings:
As someone else commented, probably the majority of Cal State students doesn’t have a whole lot of choice where they go, aside maybe campus selection.
Most are at Cal State for financial reasons, academic reasons that kept them out of the UCs, or a combination of both. For many, if not most, the only other option would be a community college, which many would see as less desirable.
Really? Interesting. I would say it seems most schools are opting for opening with certain concessions to the virus. These two have so much money you’d think they could deal with the constraints/concessions. It will be interesting to see what happens.
Im not very familiar with the big school systems but Im curious. Is SUNY in the same category as CSUs?
I don’t think it’s a question of “commuter” expectations. Few students would opt for online classes if they had the choice.
I think it’s a question of where else these students could go if not Cal States. The UCs may be financially and academically out of their reach. Out of state and Stanford too, for the same reasons. The only viable option – besides a gap year – would be a community college which could also end up being mostly online.
But yea, it’s a bummer if you don’t have the means to go elsewhere.