Cal State to cancel most in-person classes, move to virtual learning for Fall 2020

[TravelTime]

This is not good news for students or anyone, really. The world will not go back to "normal" anytime soon.

Coronavirus: Cal State to cancel most in-person classes, move to virtual learning for Fall 2020

The University of California is weighing similar options, citing likelihood that ‘none of our campuses will fully reopen in fall.’

www.mercurynews.com

 

[am1]

Hopefully they drop their fees as well. Not something I would think freshmen would be interested in and even graduating seniors.

 

[Luanne]

I wonder how many incoming Freshmen may decide to defer admission and take a gap year.

 

[Cornell]

UGH. My daughter and I (high school class of '21) met w/a college financial planner on Sat. Had some very hard, realistic conversations. College admissions for next year are completely uncharted territory.

She told me that if college is not back to the "Old way" fall '21 she will take a gap year. She's not willing to go to college in an virtual only environment.

 

[Luanne]

UGH. My daughter and I (high school class of '21) met w/a college financial planner on Sat. Had some very hard, realistic conversations. College admissions for next year are completely uncharted territory.

She told me that if college is not back to the "Old way" fall '21 she will take a gap year. She's not willing to go to college in an virtual only environment.

I don't blame her. I always felt the college experience was far more than just the classes. My own dd said online isn't satisfactory because a lot of professors just aren't good at teaching that way. That said my dh got his Master's online.

 

[cman]

My son's school is exploring, continuing some in-person classes, but providing students the option to attend virtually. They are also thinking of closing the dormitories and dining hall for the fall semester. They're struggling with how to handle the classes that require a lab.

 

[Chrispee]

Although I agree that taking a gap year will be the route many choose, it's also a great opportunity year to get into a school that you might not have otherwise made the cut for.

 

[bbodb1]

I am not saying Cal State is right or wrong here, but to make this call now makes me wonder what they are seeing as sufficient enough to justify this decision now.

I know we have to keep in mind the size and location of the Cal State system but if this is a precursor of thongs to come, oh wow..

 

[TravelTime]

If I were a student trying to decide on whether to continue college or take a gap year, I would probably choose to continue college. Otherwise, the virus wins and the student loses another year of their life. Given that it will be hard to get a job in the next year, continuing college would make the most sense to me. Otherwise, what are all these students going to do with their gap year? Stay home doing nothing and wait for the virus to go away? I have a bachelor’s degree and two master’s degrees (one from an Ivy League university). While I was lucky with getting the on campus experience, I would probably choose online education over postponing my life for a year. I know online college is not ideal but neither is doing nothing for a year. Usually a gap year involves work, volunteering or traveling. Those are not available right now. We are all making sacrifices. No one is living the life they planned right now. It is a sad time for everyone and we need to get through it the best we can.

 

[TravelTime]

I am not saying Cal State is right or wrong here, but to make this call now makes me wonder what they are seeing as sufficient enough to justify this decision now.

I know we have to keep in mind the size and location of the Cal State system but if this is a precursor of thongs to come, oh wow..

That is my fear too with their announcement. Many universities will probably follow their lead. Oh wow is right!

 

[Cornell]

I am not saying Cal State is right or wrong here, but to make this call now makes me wonder what they are seeing as sufficient enough to justify this decision now.

I know we have to keep in mind the size and location of the Cal State system but if this is a precursor of thongs to come, oh wow..

Maybe they are reacting to Dr. Fauci's testimony today:

Fauci cautious about schools, colleges reopening in fall: 'We better be careful"

Anthony Fauci says the reopening of academic institutions in the fall will largely depend on the ability to do widespread testing and other factors.

www.latimes.com

 

[Chrispee]

A few Canadian universities made the announcement today of starting classes online in September. The fact is most lower level university classes are mass gatherings of 100+ people in a confined space.

 

[Monykalyn]

I don't blame her. I always felt the college experience was far more than just the classes. My own dd said online isn't satisfactory because a lot of professors just aren't good at teaching that way. That said my dh got his Master's online.

Yeah I thing being thrown into online teaching suddenly was alot harder and many teachers aren't used to online nor set up for it. The university's that are primarily built from the start to offer online are leaps and bounds better. I have several friends that have completed advanced degrees online.

Maybe they are reacting to Dr. Fauci's testimony today:

Fauci cautious about schools, colleges reopening in fall: 'We better be careful"

Anthony Fauci says the reopening of academic institutions in the fall will largely depend on the ability to do widespread testing and other factors.

www.latimes.com

It is his job to be cautious and only think about public health. He is not a school administrator or economist etc. If he had his way we'd be in hermetically sealed bubbles for 2-3 years with necessities to sustain life magically produced and beamed in. Not saying that to put him down or anything! Just pointing out he has ONE perspective because it is his job. Just like a business owner who is watching his livelihood go down in flames and hearing his employees going broke and losing their homes etc-that persons perspective is going to be way way different than a public health administrator. There is a middle ground of mitigated risk-we just need to find it.

 

[elaine]

I'd agree with concern over a gap year with nothing to do. I'd advocate a modified "forward motion plan" with online college (it can be anywhere in the US) or a community college. Many colleges allow one to take classes without being admitted if they are not seeking a degree there. I'd look for classes that have been designed for online students (look at past schedules from 2019, 2018, pre-Covid 19) that are likely to be better than on the fly converted to online ones.
I'll venture that colleges the following year will be very lenient on transfer credits due to Covid 19. I'd probably talk with my chosen freshman college 1st and ask if I can pay my deposit, defer admission until the following year, with the agreement that I can transfer X credits from online U or CC. I'd bet a number of colleges might agree to that deal. (for ex, in VA, JMU allows up to 9 credits for gap year deferral, GMU doesn't allow any--but I think that might be negotiated now).
If DD's current $$$ college is online for fall, I'm going to try to negotiate taking 9 credits (Jr level classes not offered at CC) there and 1 class at CC. Paying for 9 is not full time and cuts tuition by thousands of dollars. They can't close her dorms and have in person as it's in a small town and 75% live in dorms. DS's college tuition is about 2.5X that of CC, so I'd be OK for him to do online at state U.

 

[Luanne]

Maybe they are reacting to Dr. Fauci's testimony today:

Fauci cautious about schools, colleges reopening in fall: 'We better be careful"

Anthony Fauci says the reopening of academic institutions in the fall will largely depend on the ability to do widespread testing and other factors.

www.latimes.com

But that statement from Fauci just came out. I would think the schools have been talking about this for quite awhile.

 

[elaine]

our college has a task force and has been weighing options for the past month. they said they'd announce by early June. It could be that Facui's assessment pushed them over to online. IMHO, no one knows what'll happen until we actually open back up. No VA just pushed back opening by 2 weeks due to increasing numbers of C19.

 

[Monykalyn]

A Commencement Address Too Honest to Deliver in Person

I couldn’t say these things during a traditional ceremony, but these aren’t traditional times.

www.theatlantic.com

It is addressed to college grads but kinda interesting anyway.
My college senior is starting grad school-but her roommate just had her job offer rescinded.

 

[am1]

Fall sports look to be cancelled for Cal State schools.

 

[Brett]

Harvard medical is going online this fall
maybe all 'education' will be online .............. thanks Dr. Fauci !

https://thehill.com/homenews/state-...rvard-medical-school-will-start-fall-semester

 

[bogey21]

I'm all for "gap years". It took me 9 different universities (long story) and 15 years to get my degree. On-off worked great for me...

George

 

[bbodb1]

And, as a public service reminder, consider serving in a military.

 

[Cornell]

And, as a public service reminder, consider serving in a military.

I just discussed this with my daughter

 

[TravelTime]

I am curious how the military is dealing with Covid. What guidelines are they following to deal with Covid in the military?

 

[bbodb1]

I am curious how the military is dealing with Covid. What guidelines are they following to deal with Covid in the military?

I do know the Army is using quarantine periods prior to and after deployments and the Coast Guard is requiring their personnel to wear masks while on duty. I am sure there are more things they're doing I am not aware of but I do know these things are being done.

 

[bbodb1]

I just discussed this with my daughter

..especially if there is an area she wants to pursue that the military can offer.