Hoping to return to campus amid COVID-19? Bad news for Fresno community college students
Fresno City College and other community colleges in the central San Joaquin Valley will remain primarily online for the spring 2021 semester, according to a Thursday morning announcement from the State Center Community College District.
Chancellor Paul Parnell said after input from constituent groups and public health officials, the spring would “primarily be taught online with a few limited courses that require face-to-face interaction.”
“Our number one priority remains the safety of our students, faculty, and classified professionals,” Parnell said in a district-wide email. “In striving to be part of the solution to reduce COVID-19 cases, the District has remained in constant contact with local Public Health officials.”
The classes that will meet face-to-face, such as the police and fire academies and nursing students, will continue social distancing, wearing masks and washing hands, Parnell said.
“We look forward to the day that it is safe for us to offer all face-to-face classes. Until then, have a great semester and please continue to stay safe.”
The State Center is the parent district of Fresno City College, Madera, Reedley, and Clovis Community colleges and the Oakhurst Community College Center.
Fresno-area college students were forced online in mid-March as the coronavirus shut down higher education and K-12 campuses across the world. Schools initially believed the closure would only last a month, but, at least for Fresno-area community colleges, it will stretch on for more than a year since they first shuttered.
Fresno State has not yet announced a spring 2021 plan. However, California State University Chancellor Timothy White said in July that COVID-19 would likely affect the whole academic year, ending in May 2021.
The Education Lab is a local journalism initiative that highlights education issues critical to the advancement of the San Joaquin Valley. It is funded by donors. Read more from The Bee’s Education Lab here.