Cal State Los Angeles is allowing its students to attend summer session classes virtually, officials said this week, amid growing fears of immigration enforcement raised by students, faculty and staff.

In an internal email sent to faculty on Wednesday, July 9, Cal State L.A. Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Heather Lattimer said that recent events across the L.A. area “have left many in our community concerned for their safety.”

“We have heard directly from individuals who are scared to take public transit and fearful of driving to campus,” Lattimer wrote.

The email, shared Friday by CSULA spokesperson Erik Frost Hollins, cited the July 7 large-scale military operation at MacArthur Park, where over a dozen military vehicles and around 90 California National Guard members showed up at the park near downtown L.A., with guns. City officials said they didn’t believe there were any arrests.

It also cited the six-month anniversary of the Los Angeles wildfires that “disrupted the lives of many in our community,” as a reason for remote learning.

“As a campus we recognize the significant harm that has resulted from these events and reaffirm our commitment to supporting our students, faculty, and staff and prioritizing your safety and well-being,” Lattimer wrote.

Hollins said Friday, July 11 that there have been no reports of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity on the campus.

It was not immediately known Friday if other Cal State schools would follow suit. Hollins said that CSULA “does not have insight into flexibility provided in policy by other universities.”

“As a campus, we need to thoughtfully navigate these concerns as we seek to support all members of our Golden Eagle family,” Lattimer’s letter said.

In March, students protested Cal State University-wide budget cuts affecting DEI programs and ethnic studies, while demanding the school protect its undocumented students.

Student organizer Ashley Gregory, who helped lead the protest in March, said he was “glad” that virtual learning is being offered to students, but “it shouldn’t have taken this long.”

“We’re how many months into the Trump administration? People have been deported well before Trump,” Gregory said. “There’s no sense the university truly cares about keeping students safe. Now that it’s become more real and disrupted civil daily life, it (has) forced the university to act in some way. For undocumented students, ICE activity has always been a reality.”

Gregory hopes to see more done on the school level, and a specific plan in place for if ICE officers were to show up on campus.

“Considering the moment we’re in, it’s easy for us to expect ICE to come on our campus,” Gregory said. “If they do, the university needs to notify students and have a plan of action to keep students safe. There isn’t one.”

Hollins said that nine campus-wide messages have gone out so far this year, providing support for undocumented and international students. An immigration resource page, with a list of rapid response hotlines and other community resources, is available on the CSULA website, where students and faculty can also fill out an online report if approached by ICE.

Remote learning was also enacted during the COVID pandemic for all 11 Cal State University schools, something Lattimer said “we do not want to go back to.”

Virtual classes were also offered at CSULA and other L.A. schools, including Pasadena City College and UCLA, due to the L.A. fires in January.

According to Lattimer’s email, faculty may choose to offer students “facing extraordinary circumstances” the option of joining class remotely, excused absences, and providing opportunities for make-up work. They also have the option to work remotely for a limited time if department leadership allows it.

Lattimer also said that she met with faculty, staff and students “repeatedly, about the need to re-establish a stronger on-campus presence to rebuild a sense of belonging and connection post-COVID. Supporting a strong and vibrant campus community is also critical to ensuring the well-being of our students, faculty, and staff.”

For students who are able to come to campus, she encouraged building up in-person community ties by attending campus gatherings, chatting with other students, and attending face-to-face classes.

“At a time of significant strife, maintaining and growing a thriving campus community reflects our shared sense of purpose and commitment to one another,” the email concluded.

This story is developing. Check back for updates.