CSU system plans return to campuses

The 23-campus system has been in virtual learning since March

The California State University system, the nation’s largest public four-year higher education institution, will look toward returning students to in-person learning in fall 2021, which would be about a year-and-a-half since shuttering campuses at the start of the coronavirus pandemic in March.

The CSU system, headquartered in Long Beach but with 23 campuses throughout the state including CSU Monterey Bay, announced plans to bring students back to campus on Wednesday, Dec. 9.

Cal State officials had kept the timeline for returns students to campus fluid for much of 2020, with outgoing Chancellor Timothy P. White announcing in May that the current fall semester — which saw 485,549 students enrolled — would be virtual. In September, the system announced the spring semester, set to begin Jan. 19, would also be online.

California, like the rest of the country, is in the middle of a renewed surge, one that is worsening by the day.

The result is mass uncertainty for everyone, from small business owners to educators. But the CSU’s announcement about potentially returning to campuses next fall noted the vaccines that are on the way.

“It’s critical that we provide as much advance notice as possible to students and their families, as we have done previously in announcing our moves toward primarily virtual instruction,” White, who is retiring, said in a statement. “While we are currently going through a very difficult surge in the pandemic, there is light at the end of the tunnel with the promising progress on vaccines.”

The CSU, in its announcement, said it was to soon to determine whether students could safely return to campus for summer courses. But, the system said, officials will announce specifics close to the summer registration deadline.

“We are approaching planning for the 2021 fall term with the goal of having the majority of our on-campus experiences returning,” said Joseph I. Castro, who will take over for White on Jan. 4. “This decision comes at a good time as high school and transfer students have until Dec. 15 to complete their applications for fall admission. I urge eligible students across the Golden State to apply for admission to one or more CSU campuses.”

“While we are currently going through a very difficult surge in the pandemic, there is light at the end of the tunnel with the promising progress on vaccines.” Outgoing Chancellor Timothy P. White