Students will not return to campus at Fresno State at the start of the spring semester due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the university announced Wednesday.
In an email to the campus community, University President Dr. Saul Jimenez-Sandoval said the first week of classes – scheduled for Jan. 20 through Jan. 28 – will be conducted virtually.
After the virtual first week, in-person instruction is set to resume on Jan. 31.
“Fresno County continues to report rapidly increasing numbers of cases, which have prompted great uncertainty regarding the more infectious Omicron variant,” Jimenez-Sandoval said.
A select group of courses will be conducted in-person during the first week, which will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
“We understand that decisions about instructional modality directly impact our students, faculty and staff,” Jimenez-Sandoval said.
“We appreciate your ongoing adaptability and understanding as we strive to balance the uncertainties associated with the evolving pandemic with our commitment to campus safety and supporting student success.”
Fresno State will focus on the following strategies as part of its COVID-19 response during the upcoming semester:
- Increased vaccination rates, including a booster dose;
- Continuation of the face-covering mandate;
- Compliance with mandatory weekly testing (for vaccine-exempted individuals);
- Support for rapid antigen testing.
Despite the lack of in-person classes, the library and student union will remain open during the first week of instruction.
Students who require internet access to take their in-person classes virtually will have access to hotspots provided by the university.
All students, faculty and staff are required to receive the COVID-19 vaccine booster shot, as mandated by the California State University in December.
