By Jackson Cascio, Staff Reporter

In this era of uncertainty and confusion, there are some entities that have stepped up in support of those who are probably the most confused and stressed. High school seniors and junior college transfers are getting some support from the California State University and University of California systems.

The UC has changed its requirements for admission for fall 2020 and fall 2021. For fall 2020 students, they are suspending the grade requirement for classes for A-G courses completed in winter, spring and summer 2020 for all students. 

For fall 2021 admissions, the UC’s have suspended the standardized tests (SAT) requirement for freshmen.Transfer students get a temporary lift of the cap on the number of transferable units with “pass/no pass” grading applied toward the minimum 60 semester/90 quarter units required for junior standing. 

“We want to help alleviate the tremendous disruption and anxiety that is already overwhelming prospective students due to COVID-19,” UC Board of Regents Chair John A. Pérez said in a statement on the UC website. 

A change like this could greatly help those students who are in limbo right now when it comes to college. Many high school students could apply and have a higher chance to get accepted to their dream school with these new changes. 

CSU schools are also putting in several changes to their admissions policies.

Following the UC’s, the CSU’s are waving grade requirements and accepting “pass/no pass” grades for fall 2020 admission. 

What that means for CSUDH isn’t clear at the moment.  Like all public universities in California, the school won’t know how much money it will receive from the state until July, nor does anyone know how severely enrollment will be affected if it is announced that the fall semester will be taught online.

But maybe any dip in admissions due to uncertainty over the coronavirus could be offset by new students taking advantages of the relaxed standards. And considering the new science building that is planned for fall 2020, as well as the new dorm facilities, the more new students taking part in the schools’ evolution can only be a good thing.