During her Fall Welcome Address, President Ellen Junn reiterated Stan State’s commitment to hosting in-person classes and repopulating the campus on Oct. 1 while emphasizing the University’s obligation to protect everyone’s health and safety.
Those were among the key points Junn and the Stan State leadership team shared Thursday, Aug. 16, with faculty, staff, students, alumni and guests during the annual fall address, held virtually for a second consecutive year due to COVID-19.
“Many of us were optimistic that we were turning a corner on this pandemic, but unfortunately, it isn’t over,” Junn said. “Protecting the health and safety of our students, faculty and staff and reducing the spread of the coronavirus remains our priority.”
Stan State had planned to begin some in-person instruction Monday, Aug. 23, but after a recent increase in COVID-19 cases on campus and in Stanislaus and San Joaquin counties due to the Delta variant, campus leadership decided to temporarily delay the return of most in-person activities until Oct. 1. Virtual instruction for most courses will begin Aug. 23 with student services also provided in mostly virtual formats, with some on-campus exceptions.
“Our mission is to provide students with a dynamic and holistic college experience. To be able to provide that — and for us to be able to collaborate again with our peers in-person — we must be vigilant in following appropriate safety measures and guidance. We remain committed to repopulating and hosting students and all employees back on campus in October. We will continue to work together as we maneuver these ever-changing times.”
During the 66-minute event, which was held on Zoom and garnered more than 450 registrants, Junn and her leadership team provided campus and divisional updates, applauded achievements from the prior academic year and heralded upcoming programs and events scheduled for the coming semester. Viewers also got sneak peeks at two new brand videos that highlight Stan State’s brand refresh.
