As spring instruction comes to a close for the 23 California State University campuses, virtual instruction will continue in the fall semester due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a board of trustees meeting, CSU Chancellor Timothy White announced that campuses will remain closed as they’re planning ahead for a possible second wave of COVID-19.

“Our university, when open in-person without restrictions, is a place where over 500,000 people come together in close and vibrant proximity with each other on a daily basis,” White said. “That approach, sadly, just isn’t in the cards now.”

In a press release, Fresno State announced that they’re prioritizing in-person instruction for courses that cannot be held virtually. This includes performance, laboratory and clinical classes. 

In order for these classes to be held in-person, the university said restrictions will need to be made on the number of students in a single classroom. A classroom that normally has 30 students and one instructor would need to be restricted to five students and one instructor.

Moving forward, the university said the Fall 2020 planning task force will be presenting a plan to Fresno State President Dr. Joseph I. Castro in the upcoming weeks.

“The task force will submit a conceptual plan for both scenarios to President Castro by May 22,” said Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval, provost and vice president for academic affairs. “President Castro and his cabinet will then study and discuss the conceptual plan while taking into account current public-health realities.”

Fresno State said the campus will remain open next semester and critical services such as the Henry Madden Library will be open.

According to the university, a final decision about fall instruction will be announced by early June.