HSU administration considers 3 scenarios for Fall 2020
Administration at Humboldt State University has yet to make a decision about class sessions for the fall 2020 semester. The administration is considering three potential scenarios: in-person, fully online or a hybrid of the two.
As the semester comes to an end, students everywhere wonder what fall 2020 has in store. This semester was interrupted by a pandemic, and no one was prepared for the turmoil it would cause, but next semester is still a ways away with plenty of time to prepare.
Dr. Lisa Bond-Maupin, Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at HSU said via Zoom that the university is considering three potential scenarios for next semester’s educational experience:
- Classes resume in person: Although this option is the least likely to occur, it would mean students sit in class and resume face to face instruction with masks and added protection.
- Fully online classes: Although not the most popular option, Bond-Maupin assures this would only happen if absolutely required by public health and safety. She is confident that if this were the case, HSU faculty and staff will be better prepared to provide the best educational experience.
- A little bit of both: This is the more likely of the two to happen. Part of the coursework would be offered online and part of it would be face to face with added protection.
HSU anticipates that social distancing will still be required for the fall, but Bond-Maupin assures that the administration prepares to accommodate student needs regardless.
“I think part of what’s preventing us from saying let’s go fully online next semester is the realization that there are some programs of study at HSU that are really dependent on field-based experience and lab or studio-based experiences,” she said.
Bond-Maupin did not give a specific date for a final decision, but she did say the California State University leaders would like to make the call at a similar time.
“I think part of what’s preventing us from saying let’s go fully online next semester is the realization that there are some programs of study at HSU that are really dependent on field-based experience and lab or studio-based experiences.”
– Dr. Lisa Bond-Maupin, Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at HSU
In a recent article for The Times-Standard, HSU President Tom Jackson addresses the lack of decision making and his reluctance to describe potential scenarios in letter form.
“Many universities have experienced news coverage of ‘scenarios’ presented as ‘decisions’ — with students jumping to make plans based on these reports and faculty confused about news stories that conflict with internal discussions,” he writes. “So I’m avoiding describing potential scenarios for Humboldt State.”
In the article, he assures students that faculty and staff are planning for a number of possibilities. He said no one knows what a new normal might look like, but that Humboldt State is committed to a meaningful educational experience.
El Leñador has reached out to the president’s office for an interview, but did not receive a reply.
