In a campus-wide email on Feb. 22, Chancellor Henry T. Yang discussed current and upcoming COVID-19 vaccine distribution efforts, the continuation of remote instruction in spring quarter, the development of an enhanced summer quarter, the workings of an in-person fall quarter for the 2021-22 academic year and the postponement of a final decision on commencement until spring.
UC Santa Barbara is currently administering vaccines to those in the community who are either involved in on-campus health care services or COVID-19 testing services or are 75 years and older. Remaining vaccines will be offered to select active staff and faculty members who are 65 years and older. Yang said in the email that he expects the first allotment of second doses to be administered by the end of February.
For spring quarter, Yang said a majority of classes will be held remotely, but field-experience courses will be held in person. On campus, however, Yang said the university is planning for a limited reopening of the University Library and RecCen this spring.
Though the university is currently planning for a remote commencement, Yang said UCSB is holding out “with the hope that the current situation in Santa Barbara improves enough to allow us to host some kind of hybrid ceremony for those graduating students who will be in the area.”
If an in-person commencement were to be held, it would likely be limited to graduating students, he added.
For the upcoming summer quarter, Yang said UCSB is working on a plan to offer an “enhanced summer quarter” with both remote and residential opportunities. Yang described a developing program specifically for second-year students which includes holding small seminars outdoors. Additionally, plans to expand the current summer mentoring and retention programs to support students are underway, Yang said in the email.
More details on these plans will be announced later in spring quarter.
