On Oct. 31, California Baptist University issued an Instagram post and email announcing the continuation of remote learning throughout the spring 2021 semester. During winter break, Gov. Gavin Newsom reinstated the stay-at-home order on Dec. 3 due to rising COVID-19 cases. As a result, CBU officials were required to change COVID-19 campus constraints to comply.
Winter break was extended for a two-week period, pushing the start of the semester from Jan 8. to Jan. 22. Outdoor dining and outside gatherings were barred until Jan. 25, when the state lifted the regional stay-at-home order.
“We will continue to follow the campus safety protocols that were established last semester, with live synchronous instruction, face coverings and physical distancing,” said Lisa Hernandez, professor of mathematical sciences.
Anthony Lammons, dean of students, said that the occurrence of potential socially distanced in-person events depends on state and county regulations.
“A lot is dependent upon what we are permitted to do by both the county as well as the city,” Lammons said. “We are still holding on and waiting for the next tier before we can make that decision.”
The decision to lift the stay-at-home order, along with the delay of the start of the spring semester and continued remote learning, has affected the lives of many CBU students. Natalie Cruz, freshman environmental science major, spoke on how COVID-19 has changed her spring semester from the fall.
“COVID-19 has affected my spring semester by taking me back home,” Cruz said. “It has been a bit rough since I still have labs on campus.”
Lammons also spoke on CBU’s hopes for the fall semester saying that normalcy is the ultimate goal.
“Our No. 1 priority is keeping our campus community safe, and we will do everything that we can to get to the point where we can get back to normal,” Lammons said. “We hope that restrictions will eventually be few, if any.”
CBU announced on Jan. 31 that the fall semester will plan to return to in-person learning, as well as potential events.
