Spring 2020 will be delayed until April 6, President Jeffrey Armstrong announced in a video statement sent in a campus-wide email.
The pushback will result in a nine-week quarter, ending as previously scheduled June 12, University Spokesperson Matt Lazier wrote in an email to Mustang News.
In-person final exams will continue as planned for the remainder of Winter quarter.
The university will offer workshops for faculty throughout spring break and the week of March 30 to prepare to teach virtually. However, classes are still scheduled to be conducted in-person following spring break.
“We are preparing to deliver classes fully virtually after spring break, if circumstances warrant,” Armstrong said in the video.
The university will announce if classes will be modified and if students who left San Luis Obispo County for spring break should return by March 25, Armstrong said
The campus will remain open for students who chose to stay in San Luis Obispo for spring break. This includes University Housing, Campus Dining and other programs that provide basic needs support, Armstrong said.
“I want to reassure students and parents we do not currently foresee any scenario under which Cal Poly would simply close and offer no Spring courses,” Armstrong said. “Unless things change very dramatically, Spring classes will go forward and seniors will graduate.”
Open House and associated activities have been cancelled, including the Poly Royal Rodeo and Poly Cultural Weekend.
Campus tours for prospective students have been cancelled through the end of the Spring.
Cal Poly sports will be put on hold, as the Big West Conference has suspended all competition effective immediately.
In addition, all Performing Arts Center events have been postponed through April 1.
California State University-wide policy is preventing Cal Poly and the Cal Poly Corporation employees from international and domestic non-essential travel from now until May 31.
The university is advising against Spring Break travel.
The president made these decisions in consultation with more than 50 faculty and staff leadership from throughout campus, according to Lazier. A meeting was held late Wednesday afternoon with faculty and staff leaders.
The Department of Emergency Management is leading the planning efforts, according to Lazier.
“The coronavirus situation is fluid and moving extremely quickly worldwide and here in California,” Lazier wrote. “The university is monitoring the situation and adjusting its planning and response quickly as new developments occur.”
San Luis Obispo County Public Health asked at least three students to self-quarantine as of March 11 out of concern over potential COVID-19 exposure.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available. This story was last updated at 11:50 a.m.
