Written by Sasha Reva
This Monday, students will be able to go back into classrooms since the in-person learning resumes at UC San Diego. Some of the classes are going to continue to be virtual as professors have been given the option to stay remote for the rest of the quarter.
Due to the huge spike in omicron cases all of the schools planned to keep classes online for the first two weeks, but were extended until January 31. Despite the move to in-person, UCSD is suggesting professors the option to stay remote. In a statement, UCSD said “We are delighted that the COVID-19 situation on campus and in our community continues to improve, allowing for a greater return to the in-person modes of operation that afford our students so many opportunities for engaged learning, hands-on experimentation, and in-person research and co-curricular activities. At the same time, we recognize that there are certain situations where remote delivery of instruction continues to be a necessity and we want to make appropriate provision for these cases. “ UCSD was previously criticized for saying they would be returning to in-person classes but the release allowed a number of loopholes for online classes to continue. Their previous press release was described as “disingenuous” by parents and students. UCSD is allowing flexibility on in-person learning due to professors quarantine or caregiving concerns along with the difficulty of some classes to teach with the current mask mandate still in place. However, those classes can find an alternative place to host class such as outside.
There also was a checklist for the on-campus students, such as twice weekly asymptomatic COVID-19 PCR testing required if: you have to have your initial vaccination doses and you received your booster less than 7 days ago, you received the vaccination doses and you are eligible for a booster but you have not yet received a booster; and if you have not received the initial vaccination doses or you are unvaccinated. Also, students are not required to do a COVID-19 PCR test if you have had COVID-19 in the last 90 days.
Photo Cred: Erik Jepsen/UC San Diego
