President Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval announced that the university will extend virtual instruction through Feb. 4 in an email sent to Fresno State community members.

“Extending virtual instruction is not something I prefer, and I realize that there are different opinions on this within our campus community,” Jiménez-Sandoval said. “Yet, based on the data and feedback from our health care providers and trusted guidance from the Fresno County Department of Public Health, I feel confident that this decision is necessary to keep our Bulldog family safe.”

The university campus, alongside its offices and resources, will remain open in the following weeks, according to Jiménez-Sandoval. 

Courses that were approved for on-campus instruction at the beginning of the spring semester will continue meeting in person.

“As you know, we continue to commit to prioritizing the instructional needs of our students while remaining responsive to our region’s ongoing case counts and adjusting our plans as the science warrants,” he said.

Jiménez-Sandoval said that the decision was made after consultation with Associated Students Inc. (ASI), the Academic Senate executive committee, Fresno County Department of Public Health and Campus Preparedness team.

Jiménez-Sandoval also detailed updated isolation and quarantine procedures from the California Department of Public Health, noting that any students, faculty and staff who test positive for COVID-19 may return to campus after five days of isolation if symptom-free for 24 hours and with a negative COVID-19 test result.

Free COVID-19 testing is available for students through the COVID-19 testing center.