University of La Verne Winter Planning

University of La Verne President Devorah Lieberman sent the following message to the university community.

Dear University of La Verne Students,

I would like to again express how delighted I am to have you among our community of learners and scholars for the 2020-21 academic year at the University of La Verne. The coronavirus pandemic continues to pose challenges for each of us, and I commend you for having the wisdom and strength to recognize the importance of pursuing your education during this time and persevering.

This academic year may be unlike any other, but I am confident that it will be rewarding and productive. I would like to share with you the following updates on the university’s plans for winter and spring.

The health and well-being of the university community remains our top priority. Los Angeles County public health guidelines require that colleges and universities continue to be fully remote through at least Thanksgiving, and there is currently no indication beyond that for when in-person operations might resume. Campuses in other counties are also bound to state and regional public health guidelines.

As such, with the approval of the Board of Trustees COVID-19 Committee, we are committing the university to the following:

• All classes and most business operations will remain remote through the end of the fall semester and term.
• The January interterm and winter term, which both begin on Jan. 4, will be remote.
• The decision on the spring semester and term, which begin in February and March, will be made at a later date, and in alignment with state and county public health guidelines.

Many of us are eager to return to our campuses, and we remain committed to doing so as soon as it is safe and permissible. I encourage you to read the comprehensive La Verne Safe Return plan, which will guide our eventual return to on campus operations.

Commencement remains one of our most honored and cherished traditions, when we gather as a community to celebrate the success and achievements of our graduates and their families.

As you may recall, we postponed last spring’s commencement due to the pandemic. We do not know when it will again be safe or permissible to host large gatherings, and we no longer wish to delay the formal recognition of such a momentous event in the lives of our students. Therefore, we will host virtual commencement ceremonies on January 29-30 for the spring graduating class of 2020 and winter graduating class of 2021. Should graduates from these two classes wish to participate in a future in-person ceremony, that option will remain available to them.

We hope you will join in what will undoubtedly be wonderful events. Additional information will be provided to graduates and will be available on laverne.edu/commencement in the coming weeks. You may also contact Veronica Ashcroft at vashcroft@laverne.edu with questions.

I hope you remain safe and well. Please continue to monitor laverne.edu/coronavirus for the university’s updated information and plans.

Sincerely,

Devorah Lieberman, PhD
President