March 11, 2020

Dear Campus Community:

Over the past several months, we have been monitoring the coronavirus (COVID-19) public health pandemic with daily consultation with Ventura County Public Health (VCPH) and other reliable resources such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Our campus continues to remain safe and we have zero presumptive and no confirmed cases of COVID-19 on or related to our campus. However, out of an abundance of caution and in consultation with VCPH, our educational partners in the community, the Chancellor’s Office, and our academic and student leadership, CSUCI will begin to transition to virtual and alternate modalities of learning following our spring break scheduled for March 23-29, 2020.

In order to provide time for faculty and the University to make this significant shift, instructors who are prepared and willing to teach virtually are encouraged to begin voluntary virtual instruction for all in-person classes beginning Friday, March 13 and continue through Friday, March 20. Faculty will notify students directly how, and if, classes will be adjusted during this specific week.

Following spring break, all in-person classes will be suspended Monday, March 30 through Friday, April 3 in order to allow faculty additional time to prepare for virtual or alternate modalities of learning and the campus will be closed Tuesday, March 31 for the Cesar Chavez holiday. During this week we will provide training and resources for all faculty and also plan for experiential and hands-on courses like lab classes.

Mandatory virtual instruction will begin Monday, April 6 and continue through May 1, at which time we will reassess whether we continue with virtual instruction beyond this date. Faculty will notify students directly prior to Monday, April 6 how classes will be adjusted for virtual instruction. Courses currently offered online will continue as usual; other courses may be more difficult to offer virtual options, but faculty are developing plans to allow students to continue with their education.

Timeline Summary

March 13-20: Voluntary, but encouraged virtual instruction begins

March 23-29: Spring Break

March 30, April 1-3: Classes suspended in order for faculty to adjust and prepare classes

March 31: Campus closed for Cesar Chavez Holiday

April 6: Mandatory virtual instruction begins through May 1.

CSUCI will remain open during every phase of these planning efforts and students will continue to be welcomed on the campus for all student services including student housing, dining services, Student Health Services, CAPS, Career Services, Academic Advising, services within the Broome Library, Enrollment Center, as well as all other services across campus.

Concerned students are free to limit their physical engagement with the campus, but offices and buildings will remain open with uninterrupted operations and staff and management will continue to work on site. Information about upcoming campus events will be communicated within the next couple of days.

Faculty, if you have questions about how to address non-lecture courses or need additional support, please discuss with your respective academic program chair or Dean.

Students, please check in with your instructors and look for communication from them for their plans in the courses you are enrolled in. If you have questions, please contact your professors directly.

Staff, please contact your supervisor if you have any questions or concerns.

CSUCI will continue to monitor any spread of COVID-19 in our local community and issue additional notices as necessary. Information is available and will also be regularly updated on the University’s website at: go.csuci.edu/covid19.

We understand that situations like this could be distressing and anxiety producing for many people. If you would like to talk to someone about how this situation is impacting you, support and resources are available for the campus community.

Thank you for your continued cooperation and patience as we get through this evolving global situation together. I wish you all to remain healthy and well.

Sincerely,

Erika D. Beck, Ph.D.

President