Provost's Message - March 18, 2020

Message From Provost Jersky

Dear Campus Community, 

We are living in historic times. I certainly have been surprised and shocked at this unprecedented COVID-19 and the lifechanging effects our whole world is having to adjust to.  

But here we are, quickly adapting to this new threat.  

Know that I empathize with you during this time. All of us have loved ones that we are concerned about making it hard to focus on education. I understand the anxiety, fear and concern that all of us face.  

As our campus has been forced to this everchanging reality, I am extraordinarily grateful to all of you. I have witnessed overwhelming flexibility, concern and patience. We really do have remarkable faculty and staff who are willing to adjust, overhaul or step up in the best interests of our students. The best of humanity really does shine bright when a situation is dark.  

What now? What can we all do? I wish I could provide you with more answers, but I will continue to communicate out all emerging situations. While we cannot prepare for every nuanced possibility, we have set up plans, technology and procedures to maintain critical functions for our students, faculty and staff.   

Academic Affairs has received several questions regarding the academic calendar and Spring Break. Courses will not occur over Spring Break. Faculty may give an assignment deadline for immediately after the break, but no actual courses can happen during the break. CSULB will maintain the regular academic calendar, including finals week. As a precautionary measure, the CDC is recommending everyone to avoid unnecessary travel, even during Spring Break. Mostly, stay safe!

CSULB’s COVID-19 website will continue to provide information and announcements will contain centralized resources. For faculty, we created an Academic Continuity Resource website that provides on-campus information on technology and alternate modes for classroom application. For our students, instructors will communicate any potential classroom changes as needed, and Student Health Services will provide 24-hour care for any health issues for our students. 

We will face these upcoming changes together. Continue to stay up-to-date on preventative measures, encourage your peers and students to refrain from panic, and fight fear with facts through the latest resources available. Our community is stronger together. 

Census 2020 - Everybody Counts 

This census is sure to be a historic one in many ways. Most notably, this is the first time the census will be available online. Our university and community remain engaged and committed to making the census a success. We are involved with educating, collaborating, and supporting our communities during this census process.  

Our CSULB Census website is an excellent resource that succinctly explains why the census matters and how completing the census varies for our different student populations. For those involved in community service in Long Beach, the city also offers a number of resources available to ensure that our population is effectively and efficiently counted. Our CSULB students are also engaging with the census with our award-winning Bateman Team leading the charge in spreading information to students.  

I believe this is an important opportunity to practice compassion as we educate and inform. The Long Beach City government has provided a list of frequently asked questions regarding the census that is helpful in dispelling some common misconceptions. The census is available online at census.gov, now through the end of July.  

Lastly, rest assured that everyone’s safety is paramount to me personally as well as our leadership and community. Thank you for your commitment to the public good, both locally and nationally. 

Stay healthy, 

Brian Jersky 

Provost and Senior Vice President 

---

News

• Podcasts with the Provost - Academic Senate Chair, Jessica Pandya
  For this month's episode of 'Podcast with the Provost,' we meet with the Academic Senate Chair, Jessica Pandya. We discuss her goals and vision as Chair of CSULB's Academic Senate, as well as her research regarding data usage on educational apps for teachers. Also on Spotify. Join the conversation.

• As we alternate the modality of our courses, stay up-to-date on any and all changes regarding our Academic Continuity plan. Our website is being constantly updated and contains all the pertinent resources for faculty with alternative forms of instruction.

• At CSULB, we believe that everyone counts. See how you can get involved in making sure our population is accurately represented. Visit our census website to see how our campus is involved in the census process. 

• A Transportation Center: The Grunion Gazette with President Jane Close Conoley

Academic Affairs News

• Jane Close Conoley - Cal State Long Beach Recognized By Money.com – Patch

• Brian Jersky - Cal State Long Beach shows biggest graduation rate gains of all 23 CSU campuses –EdSource

• 10 Best Colleges in California in 2020 – Money

• Rotary Club of Long Beach raises $350,000 for City College, CSULB student scholarships - Long Beach Press-Telegram

• Justin Levitt - Massive changes to California voting spark fears of Iowa-style primary chaos – Reuters

• Jane Close Conoley - Long Beach State hosts UC Berkeley professor to discuss challenge of college droputs – Long Beach Press-Telegram

• Galen Pickett - How a Physics Department Became One of the Country’s Largest Producers of Majors – The Chronicle of High Education

• Jane Close Conoley - Cal State Long Beach Continues Reversing The Number Of College Dropouts – Patch

• Interns in the Arts benefiting the Creative Long Beach Internship Program – The Grunion Gazette

• Photos: 26th annual Long Beach Step Show celebrates African American community – Long Beach Press-Telegram

• Kevin Wallsten - Discusses Super Tuesday Races – CBS Los Angeles

• Jason Whitehead – Recaps Super Tuesday – KTLA 5

• Larry Allen - Scientists seed local seas with imperiled fish. Can giant sea bass make a comeback? – Los Angeles Times

• Sarah Schrank - CSULB: Panel, Movie Showing Will Mark Significant Achievements By Women – Patch

Grants and Gifts