Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Fresno State: Most Classes Virtual, Face Masks on Campus, Football up in the Air
NANCY WEBSITE HEADSHOT 1
By Nancy Price, Multimedia Journalist
Published 5 years ago on
June 26, 2020

Share

Fresno State students and staff will wear face masks, university housing will be single occupancy, and everybody who arrives on campus will be asked to undergo daily health screenings and temperature checks in the fall semester, the university announced Friday.

And, to cut potential exposure to COVID-19 and prevent the spread of the virus, face masks or cloth face coverings will be required in public spaces and classrooms.

About 2,200 people, including about 1,340 students, will be allowed on campus for classes and work this fall, the university said. That compares to Fresno State’s fall 2019 student enrollment of 24,139.

Because of the ongoing threat of infection from the highly contagious coronavirus, only a small percentage of students, instructors, and other staff will be allowed on campus, and none will be on the Visalia campus.

About 2,200 people, including about 1,340 students, will be allowed on campus for classes and work this fall, the university said. That compares to Fresno State’s fall 2019 student enrollment of 24,139.

But if the number of COVID-19 cases mounts alarmingly, the campus could be closed again altogether as it was in March, when the pandemic first arrived here, President Joseph I. Castro warned.

But he said he’s optimistic that more students and staff will be able to be on campus by the spring 2021 semester.

Fall Semester Preview

Castro and two other top university administrators briefed reporters Friday morning about what the university will look like when classes start in August. Most courses will be virtual, as they were in the last two months of the spring semester.

The university’s two main goals, Castro said, are to continue to provide quality education to students, whether it’s on campus or virtually, while protecting the health and wellbeing of the entire campus.

“We firmly believe our plan strikes that delicate balance,” he said.

What About Football?

The question foremost on the minds of many people — will football and other sports be played this fall? — isn’t up to just Fresno State officials to answer. The decision will hinge on guidance from the governor’s office, the California State University chancellor, California Department of Public Health, and the Mountain West Conference.

The university is adding free baseline COVID-19 testing that will be optional for those on campus. Castro said that concerns were raised by one of the labor unions representing university employees about making the testing mandatory.

So, he said, “what we decided to do, which I’ve done at other times in my presidency, is we’re going to inspire participation, and not require participation.”

Castro said he planned to undergo the testing and hopes that everyone who comes to campus will want to be tested.

Photo of Fresno State football players running onto the field at Bulldog Stadium
A decision on whether Fresno State plays football this year hinges on guidance from the governor’s office, the California State University chancellor, California Department of Public Health, and the Mountain West Conference. (gobulldogs.com/Keith Kountz)

Credit/No Credit Up to Chancellor

It will be up to the chancellor’s office as to whether students will again have the opportunity to choose credit/no credit for their coursework as they did in the spring semester, provost Saul Jimenez-Sandoval said.

But Fresno State will allow students more time to drop courses without penalty, as happened in the spring, he said.

The university chose 128 courses to be on-campus because they can’t be delivered as effectively in a virtual setting. They include clinical labs, science, technology, engineering and mathematics lab courses, and select performance courses.

Fresno State is following the recommendations of health officials when it comes to keeping students and staff safe on campus: Facilities will have a rigorous cleaning schedule, classrooms will be reconfigured so students and instructors can be appropriately distanced, and hand sanitizer stations will be at all building entrances.

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

California Proposes Allowing Testing of Self-Driving Heavy-Duty Trucks

DON'T MISS

Higher Taxes on Millionaires? Trump Says He’s Open, but Many in His Party Are Not

DON'T MISS

Ex-US Rep. George Santos Sentenced to Over 7 Years in Prison for Fraud and Identity Theft

DON'T MISS

Selma Mayor Charged With Electioneering Violation on Election Day

DON'T MISS

Fresno Air Improves. Where Does It Rank in the US?

DON'T MISS

As Harris Ponders Run for CA Governor, Is She Prepared for the Daunting Job?

DON'T MISS

Stocks Rise With Tech-Related Shares, Notch Weekly Gains; Dollar Up

DON'T MISS

Conflicting US-China Talks Statements Add to Global Trade Confusion

DON'T MISS

Driving Near the Fresno Airport Next Week? Plan for Road Closures

DON'T MISS

Misty Her: Push for Fresno Unified Turnaround Starts Now With ‘Boots on the Ground’

UP NEXT

Misty Her: Push for Fresno Unified Turnaround Starts Now With ‘Boots on the Ground’

UP NEXT

Fresno Unified Trustee Wittrup Says District Had Stronger Candidates Than Misty Her

UP NEXT

On Major Economic Decisions, Trump Blinks, and Then Blinks Again

UP NEXT

Chicago Bears Great Steve McMichael Dies at 67 After Battle With ALS

UP NEXT

Long Wait Is Over for Cam Ward, Travis Hunter and Other Draft Prospects Joining the NFL

UP NEXT

Golden State’s Jimmy Butler Injured in Game 2 Loss, His Status for Game 3 Unknown

UP NEXT

Jalen Green Makes Eight 3s to Help Rockets Even Series With Warriors

UP NEXT

Fresno Students Celebrate Earth Day by Planting 5 Valley Oaks

UP NEXT

US Justice Department Directs Investigations Over Gender-Affirming Care

UP NEXT

Wired Wednesday: What’s the Future of Fresno Unified and the Superintendent Position?

Nancy Price,
Multimedia Journalist
Nancy Price is a multimedia journalist for GV Wire. A longtime reporter and editor who has worked for newspapers in California, Florida, Alaska, Illinois and Kansas, Nancy joined GV Wire in July 2019. She previously worked as an assistant metro editor for 13 years at The Fresno Bee. Nancy earned her bachelor's and master's degrees in journalism at Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism. Her hobbies include singing with the Fresno Master Chorale and volunteering with Fresno Filmworks. You can reach Nancy at 559-492-4087 or Send an Email

Selma Mayor Charged With Electioneering Violation on Election Day

2 hours ago

Fresno Air Improves. Where Does It Rank in the US?

2 hours ago

As Harris Ponders Run for CA Governor, Is She Prepared for the Daunting Job?

3 hours ago

Stocks Rise With Tech-Related Shares, Notch Weekly Gains; Dollar Up

3 hours ago

Conflicting US-China Talks Statements Add to Global Trade Confusion

3 hours ago

Driving Near the Fresno Airport Next Week? Plan for Road Closures

4 hours ago

Misty Her: Push for Fresno Unified Turnaround Starts Now With ‘Boots on the Ground’

4 hours ago

Fresno Police Arrest 17 in Domestic Violence Crackdown

4 hours ago

What’s Next for Fresno Smoke Shop Ordinance: Lawsuit, Veto, Override?

5 hours ago

Visalia Man Sentenced to Life in Prison for 2019 Fatal Stabbing

6 hours ago

California Proposes Allowing Testing of Self-Driving Heavy-Duty Trucks

LOS ANGELES — California regulators have released a new proposal to allow the testing of self-driving heavy duty trucks on public roads. The...

2 hours ago

2 hours ago

California Proposes Allowing Testing of Self-Driving Heavy-Duty Trucks

2 hours ago

Higher Taxes on Millionaires? Trump Says He’s Open, but Many in His Party Are Not

2 hours ago

Ex-US Rep. George Santos Sentenced to Over 7 Years in Prison for Fraud and Identity Theft

Selma Mayor Scott Robertson (left) has been charged with misdemeanor electioneering for allegedly campaigning near voters at a polling place during the November 2024 election. (Facebook)
2 hours ago

Selma Mayor Charged With Electioneering Violation on Election Day

2 hours ago

Fresno Air Improves. Where Does It Rank in the US?

3 hours ago

As Harris Ponders Run for CA Governor, Is She Prepared for the Daunting Job?

3 hours ago

Stocks Rise With Tech-Related Shares, Notch Weekly Gains; Dollar Up

A drone view shows containers at the terminals at the port in Kwai Chung in Hong Kong, China, April 3, 2025. (REUTERS/Tyrone Siu/File Photo)
3 hours ago

Conflicting US-China Talks Statements Add to Global Trade Confusion

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend