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Cal Poly outlines future plans for fall quarter as CSU system announces plans for online instruction

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SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. - Cal Poly President Jeffrey D. Armstrong sent a letter to students and staff following the California State University system's announced plans to focus on virtual classes in the upcoming fall quarter.

On Tuesday, CSU Chancellor Timothy P. White said in a statement that the majority of classes will be delivered virtually to "preserve[s] as many options for as many students as possible."

Armstrong said in his letter that it was important for Cal Poly as a technical institute to offer some hands-on instruction. In White's statement, he said CSU would offer some exceptions to the online-only curriculum based on a case-by-case basis.

Armstrong said Cal Poly will continue to evaluate the situation and provide "definitive information on the fall quarter" by August 26.

The fall quarter is set to begin on Sept. 17.

Armstrong said the university is "cautiously optimistic" that the region will be in Stage 3 of Governor Gavin Newsom's 4-stage plan for reopening come September. The university says they are planning to focus on "testing, tracing, isolation and support."

The university is planning for myriad possibilities related to the fall quarter.

They include:

Scenario A: A partial and modified reopening of campus. The university has identified 15% of classes that will likely require in-person instruction which they say is "critical and indispensable for multiple majors."

Fall classes will be divided and more classes will be offered online in conjunction with the required in-person instruction.

No student will be penalized if they need in-person instruction but do not feel comfortable coming to campus to fulfill the requirements.

Scenario B: Classes given entirely online and in virtual environments.

"We may face public health situations that do not allow us to re-populate our on-campus housing in mid-September but we will not know this until August. Students who are living on campus in the fall quarter will be allowed, and indeed encouraged, to remain on campus even if we must change to virtual instruction," Armstrong said.

Scenario C: The university will explore the possibility of delaying the start of fall quarter. The State of California and San Luis Obispo County may only be in Stage 2 of the reopening plan come August. The university could possibly delay the start of the quarter by anywhere from two to four weeks.

Armstrong said in his letter that he wished he could give students a more definitive plan.

"The best we can do is hope and plan for the best, while also preparing for contingencies should circumstances change. I hope that knowing how and when we will make these decisions makes it a little easier for you to plan your fall quarter," Armstron said.

To read his complete letter and a more detailed outline of the University's plan for fall quarter, click here.

Article Topic Follows: San Luis Obispo County

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Travis Schlepp

Travis Schlepp is the Digital Content Director for News Channel 3-12. To learn more about Travis, click here.

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