UC Merced delays start date for in-person classes due to housing shortage

MERCED, Calif. (KFSN) -- Officials with UC Merced announced the university would delay its start date for in-person classes to August 30 after a housing shortage left thousands of students without a guaranteed place to live.

Administrators said that the faculty offering in-person courses would be able to utilize online assignments for asynchronous learning starting August 25 or they could wait until instruction begins in person on August 30.

RELATED: UC Merced may delay start of semester amid housing shortage

The delay will not include classes that were meant to be taught online this semester. Those classes will begin on August 25 as previously scheduled.

Last week, would-be student tenants at Merced Station received emails stating material and labor shortages meant their move-in date would be postponed until late September, more than a month after the planned start of the fall semester.

RELATED: Housing shortage, delayed construction leaves some UC Merced students without guaranteed housing

University officials said they hoped the later date would help give more time to help students with their housing needs.