La Sierra University -
An aerial view of La Sierra University in Riverside, Calif.
La Sierra University Online for Fall, Offers Tuition Subsidy By Darla Martin Tucker
I
n keeping with recently released California Department of Public Health guidance, La Sierra University will hold the majority of fall quarter classes online, with allowed exceptions for certain labs and studio classes. It is also providing an automatic 10 percent fall quarter tuition subsidy for all enrolled students. School begins Monday, Sept. 21.
The university’s Emergency Management Team (EMT), which has met regularly since March to provide direction during the pandemic crisis, voted on Aug. 13 to maintain general instruction and operations online for the fall quarter in keeping with state guidelines for higher education that were released on Aug. 7. Under those guidelines, select science labs and art studio-type classes may be offered in person as long as careful measures are implemented to create a safe and healthy learning environment. Thus, La Sierra’s academic leadership
38
PA C I F I C U N I O N R E CO R D E R
is exploring which of these kinds of classes might be offered on campus this fall in adherence with strict state guidelines concerning physical distancing, sanitization, and other protocols as detailed in the Aug. 7 guidance. Additionally, the decision by the EMT allows for some students to move into campus dorms based on state directives and on selection criteria established by the university. Details pertaining to athletics practices, communication of pandemic protocol and operations, protocol
compliance strategies, additional safety procedures, and other matters will be addressed in forthcoming EMT decisions. Such actions will be incorporated into a four-part, detailed COVID-19 protocol plan that aligns with the state guidelines for higher education, which the EMT, through the work of four task force groups, has developed over the past several weeks. Also, in order to give La Sierra’s new and returning students as much assistance as possible during the economic havoc wrought by the
