Posted: April 17, 2020Written by: Ritchie Bermudez

SAN LUIS OBISPO – Cuesta College lecture classes for Summer 2020 are to be delivered entirely online. Courses that have a laboratory component will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

“Some lab courses may continue to meet face-to-face, provided proper social distancing and hygiene can be maintained,” said Dr. Jason Curtis, Cuesta College Assistant Superintendent / Vice President of Academic Affairs. “Cuesta College will follow all state and county guidelines to protect the safety of faculty and students, and these in-person meetings may be subject to modification or moved online as the coronavirus pandemic develops.”

The summer term starts June 15 with six or eight-week courses available. The class finder provides a full list of classes. Priority registration begins Monday, Apr. 20 and general registration for all students on Monday, Apr. 27. Students may register at bit.ly/cuestaregistration.

Cuesta College is also evaluating the commencement ceremony scheduled for Friday, May 22. Student Services surveyed over 1,000 graduating students with their preference on how to proceed with the ceremony. A decision based on the survey results will be announced at a later date.

In response to the coronavirus pandemic, Cuesta College enacted changes to campus operations to ensure instructional continuity and secure the health and safety of students and employees. Superintendent / President Dr. Jill Stearns declared a campus-wide state of emergency on Mar. 9, suspended classes from Mar. 16-18, transitioned all in-person courses to online delivery as of Mar. 19, and limited employees on campus to provide essential services. Forty buildings are closed to daily use to reduce utility costs and to ease custodial burden. Cuesta College events, athletic competitions, and in-person Community Programs classes are canceled until further notice.

Student support services will remain online. Access to educational technology and resources are available from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday – Friday in the SLO Campus Library (3200) and NCC Campus Center (N1000/1100). Hours are extended to include Saturdays from noon to 4 p.m. through May 16. Essential services that are still available include computer check-out, enrollment support, financial aid, food pantry, and transfer planning.

Cuesta College continues to plan for an extended duration of the coronavirus pandemic with guidance from local and state public health experts and the Chancellor’s office. A self-report system is available on our COVID-19 webpage for individuals who may have been exposed to someone with coronavirus or are experiencing symptoms. While Cuesta College is currently not considered an exposure risk, we will continue to follow the SLO County Public Health Department’s authority on any self-reported or confirmed positive cases. In an effort to flatten the curve, we advise students and staff to continue the CDC-recommended practices of social distancing and proper hygiene, including thorough hand-washing, and following shelter-at-home orders.

For daily updates and information, please visit cuesta.edu/covid-19/.