The University of California’s outgoing president is painting a bleak picture for incoming and returning UC students this fall.
"I think it’s fair to say that none of our campuses will be fully reopened, like turned a light switch and all of a sudden COVID-19 was gone and it went away," outgoing UC President Janet Napolitano said. "I think what we are exploring, or some of our campuses are exploring, is a mix."
It will likely be combination of in-person classes and labs and online instruction instead.
"Should there be physical reopening of the campuses, it won’t be 100%," Napolitano said. "It will probably be greatly reduced."
ICYMI: Thank you @UofCalifornia President Janet Napolitano for great convo today with @JimWunderman and sharing your insights on how #COVID19 is impacting UC and higher ed, among other topics https://t.co/PK97Eibje4
— Bay Area Council (@BayAreaCouncil) April 30, 2020In a webinar with the Bay Area Council, Napolitano said the UC campuses lost $300 million in March and the UC medical centers lost another $300 million.
"We’re now measuring the full month of April," Napolitano said. "It’s gonna be ugly."
KCBS Radio has obtained an internal UCSF memo showing that hospital system alone is losing more than $1 million per day.
Napolitano said even if the campuses do reopen, the schools will need testing and contact tracing, and dorms will have reduced capacity and space for students to quarantine if they test positive or are exposed to the virus on campus.
Friday is the deadline for incoming UC students to declare if they’re coming.
