University of La Verne Preparing for Return to Campus in the Fall
The University of La Verne is planning to phase in appropriate face-to-face and on-campus operations in fall 2020 across all campus locations, while keeping the health and safety of students, faculty, and staff as the top priority.
The planning underway includes a mix of face-to-face and online instruction and safety protocols for employees as well as residence and dining halls in alignment with state and regional public health guidelines and industry best practices.
The university will also be prepared to quickly transition to fully-online instruction and remote operations should a resurgence of the coronavirus require it to do so.
A subgroup of the President’s Cabinet is coordinating planning with guidance from the Coronavirus Monitoring Committee, Academic Affairs Coronavirus Committee, and a group of faculty experts. Areas under review include hybrid teaching and learning, extensive faculty and staff development, modification of classrooms and workspaces, protocols for events and on-campus housing including quarantine procedures, cleaning requirements, mental and emotional well-being, and education on social distancing. The critical capacity for testing, tracking, and compliance are also being examined.
This planning is aligned with guidance from experts and public health agencies, including:
- American College Health Association
- Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities
- National Association of Independent Colleges & Universities
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- LA County Department of Public Health
- Governor’s Office, State of California
- National Collegiate Athletic Association
“The University of La Verne and California’s other private, independent universities moved quickly at the outset of the pandemic to transition to remote and online operations for the safety of students, faculty, and staff, while maintaining high-quality instruction,” University of La Verne President Devorah Lieberman said. “We were among the first sectors to respond to the pandemic, and we will continue to pursue safe and creative solutions as the state looks to safely reopen.”
There are still many unknowns for the fall. However, as a private university that prides itself on small class size and personal attention, the University of La Verne has the ability to be nimble and responsive in its planning even as the crisis and state guidance may change on a weekly basis.
Fall classes are scheduled to begin on Aug. 17 for the College of Law, Aug. 31 for the La Verne Campus semester, and Sept. 28 for the term at regional campuses and graduate programs.
Additional details will be shared as they become available.
