Immigration raid fears prompt Cal State L.A. move toward online classes: Report

Cal State L.A. is allowing professors to switch to online classes amid student concerns over the ongoing immigration raids.

University Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Heather Lattimer told faculty members in a letter that they have “the option of working remotely for a limited time due to extraordinary circumstances they are facing,” the Los Angeles Times reported.

The letter also reaffirmed the university’s policies allowing for excused absences and alternative makeup work after students expressed worries about taking public transit or driving to campus, according to the report.

The decision comes amid ongoing immigration raids that have sparked protests and made national headlines. No raids have been reported on the campus, which is currently in its summer session.

“As a campus, we need to thoughtfully navigate these concerns as we seek to support all members of our Golden Eagle family,” Lattimer wrote. “While we do not want to go back to the online course schedule we experienced in 2021 and 2022, there may be circumstances where faculty choose to offer students facing extraordinary circumstances the option of joining an on-campus class remotely via a zoom link or turning in assignments remotely.”

It was unclear how many classes would be online when the majority of students return for the fall semester.