Three prominent colleges in California, Pepperdine University, the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), and the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), have announced extended campus closures in response to the ongoing wildfires in the region.
Pepperdine University, situated in Malibu, revealed that undergraduate and the majority of graduate classes will be conducted online until January 19. The university's president stated that they will be modifying campus operations accordingly to ensure the safety and well-being of students and staff.
UCLA, located in Westwood, made an announcement that campus operations will be curtailed, undergraduate classes will be canceled, and graduate courses will be shifted to remote instruction on Thursday and Friday. This decision was made in light of the escalating wildfire situation in the area.
Caltech, based in Pasadena, shared an update indicating that the university campus will remain closed on Thursday. The officials at Caltech are continuously assessing the situation and aim to resume operations on Friday, pending further evaluations of the wildfire conditions.
The wildfires in California have prompted these educational institutions to prioritize the safety and health of their students, faculty, and staff members. By extending campus closures and transitioning to online instruction, the colleges are taking proactive measures to mitigate the impact of the wildfires on their respective communities.
