SAN DIEGO (KGTV) — University of San Diego is sidelining its plans to return to some form of on-campus classes this fall unless given approval by state and local officials.
A statement from USD President James Harris read that due to the rising number of cases locally and in California, as well as the lack of reopening guidance for colleges, they will offer remote learning for all fall undergraduate and graduate courses.
The undergraduate semester is still set to begin on Aug. 17, according to the school.
"At the time of my original announcement, the number of daily cases of COVID-19 in San Diego County was approximately 100, and given the shut-down order then in place, we were optimistic the situation would be much improved by the Fall," Harris' statement read. "Instead, the number of daily cases skyrocketed, and San Diego is now averaging more than 400 cases per day.
"With less than a month to go before we begin Fall classes for undergraduates, we have reached the point where a final decision has to be made."
Originally, the campus planned to offer in-person courses as part of a hybrid approach to the academic year.
USD says it can still pivot to the planned hybrid model if conditions improve. The school added that the campus will also continue to offer students options for remote or in-person classes when they receive permission to move forward with the plan.
"The good news is that all of the great work of the task forces preparing for the Fall will benefit us as we move forward. Due to their continuing efforts, we are prepared to pivot to our planned hybrid approach of both in-person and remote instruction when conditions improve and allow us to do so," according to USD. "The timing for a transition to our hybrid approach will be determined by future guidance from State and County officials."