Shifting classes online for nearly 40,000 students and faculty, trying to coordinate alternatives to commencement and hashing out contingency plans for essential staff are some of the challenges confronted by officials at Cal State Long Beach in recent weeks as the nation grapples with coronavirus pandemic.

President Jane Close Conoley joined the Long Beach Post and the Daily Forty-Niner in a live discussion Thursday to share what it’s been like managing one of the largest campuses in the Cal State University system.

“I thought I’d seen everything,” Conoley said. “I’ve never seen anything like this.”

In addition to moving all spring classes online, the university announced this week that all summer session classes will be held virtually. Conoley said at this point, she is hoping fall classes will remain face-to-face.

Conoley also shared that the university would not require the SAT or ACT as an admission requirement next year.

Commencement ceremonies for 2020 graduates will be held likely in the fall, but possibly in 2021 depending on advice from health officials she said.

“Students have been very strong in saying they really want the face-to-face (graduation) and not virtual,” she said.

Watching the full discussion, hosted by Long Beach Post Publisher David Sommers, and Rachel Barnes, managing editor for the Daily Forty-Niner, here:

https://www.facebook.com/longbeachpost/videos/538859893494866/