In communications sent Oct. 23 and Nov. 30, UCR laid out instructional plans for its winter quarter, which will look much like fall quarter.

Fifty courses have been approved for in-class instruction in winter quarter. All will offer students the option of remote instruction.

“This represents only 2-to-3 % of UCR’s overall course offerings, and so it’s in keeping with UCR’s guiding principle throughout the pandemic; prioritize the safety of all members of the campus community while still extending access to education to the greatest extent possible,” said Thomas M. Smith, UCR’s interim provost and executive vice chancellor. 

Conventional classroom instruction isn’t part of the mix. The only indoor instruction will be in specialized settings such as studios and laboratories. Classes will also be offered outdoors or off-campus, such as for internships.

Specific guidance about the delivery method – in-person vs. remote – is available at https://registrar.ucr.edu/registering/schedule-of-classes. Instructors conducting in-person classes will contact students with details, Smith said.

Campus housing, research, and student services will also continue as they did in fall. And employees whose jobs don’t require a campus presence will continue to work remotely.

Campus housing will be lower density, and open to freshmen, transfer students, and graduate students. For fall quarter, student housing occupancy was at about 35%. Students living on campus must subject to coronavirus testing twice a week.