LOS ANGELES—Eligible students and staff at University of California (UC) campuses will be required to obtain COVID-19 vaccine booster shots, the system’s president said Dec. 21, while indicating some campuses could temporarily shift to remote courses in January.
UC–Irvine will revert to remote classes for the first two weeks of the winter term in January, the school chancellor announced Tuesday, and other University of California campuses such as UC–Los Angeles could do the same in response to surging COVID-19 cases.
In a letter sent to chancellors at the 10 UC schools statewide, Dr. Michael Drake called for each campus to develop “a plan for a January return to campus that mitigates public health impacts,” including remote instruction.
Responding to that call, UC–Irvine Chancellor Howard Gillman announced that all classes will be held remotely from Jan. 3 through Jan. 13.
He said that while classes will be held remotely, “the campus will remain fully operational, with the same staffing policies we have followed for the past few months.”
UC–Riverside and UC–San Diego also announced temporary shifts to remote learning for January. There was no immediate word from UC–Los Angeles.
UC President Drake also wrote that campuses should not be holding any large gatherings.
“Large, congregant events, particularly indoors, should be avoided in the opening weeks of your winter quarter or spring semester.”
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