Less than 10% of Fresno State's population will return to campus next semester; fall sports still uncertain

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Fresno State released its plans for the fall semester that outline how a small number of students will return to campus and the safety measures that will go into effect amid coronavirus concerns.

In 2019, around 26,700 students, faculty, and staff came to the campus in a typical week.

When classes resume in the fall, the campus population would be limited to a population of 2,200. The in-person community would primarily be focused on the 1,340 students enrolled in courses that require laboratory or clinical components, and the faculty and staff needed to support them.

Coronavirus testing will be offered to all who will need to go on campus during the semester. Before heading to class, there will be daily temperature checks and health screenings.

Face coverings will be required for those in public areas, and during in-person classes, officials said.

On-campus classroom capacities will be cut by at least 70%, and desks will be separated to adhere to social distancing guidelines. Hand sanitizing stations will be added around the school.

Most of the classes offered next fall will be conducted through virtual instruction, the California University school system announced in May. Fresno State said its faculty members would be trained over the summer to help strengthen their online courses.

RELATED: CSU campuses, including Fresno State, suspending in-person classes through fall semester

"This plan upholds our ability to provide high-quality educational experiences and steady academic progression for our talented students while also mitigating the risk of infection among our campus community members and their families," University President Dr. Joseph Castro said in a press release.

As for Fresno State Athletics and extracurricular activities, the university is still awaiting guidelines from the governor and state to determine if fans can see their Bulldogs compete this fall.

Officials say all in-person university events scheduled for the summer are canceled, and administrators will re-evaluate the plan for fall events on August 1.

The university housing facility and dining hall will also reopen to some students, Castro said. Only 560 students will be allowed to reside on-campus, and each will be in their own rooms.

Castro said that their priority would be getting rooms for students who experience housing insecurity.

All classes offered through the university's Visalia campus will be through virtual learning.

The university said it configured a task force that will overlook a multi-phase plan for bringing back students to campus in the future.

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