Fresno Pacific postpones due to coronavirus, other major changes planned at local colleges

Fresno Pacific reschedules

Fresno Pacific University announced Wednesday it would postpone its May 9 commencement ceremony, which usually draws around 7,000 people.

“This decision was made after much deliberation, relying on expert advice from public health agencies and with our peers at other institutions of higher learning,” FPU President Joseph Jones said. “We realize commencement is a significant event in the lives of our students and their families and are committed to ensuring there are future opportunities to celebrate your hard work and success.”

The move follows a similar announcement from Fresno State.

On Tuesday, Fresno State announced a series of sweeping changes at the university to help slow the spread of the novel coronavirus, including canceling commencement, moving all classes online for the rest of the semester and asking students housed in dormitories to go home.

In an email to students and faculty, President Joseph I. Castro said the campus will resort to the barest of services beginning Wednesday.

The university previously held out that classes would resume normally on April 27, but Castro extended virtual learning through the end of the semester, which ends on May 22.

Even laboratory classes, performing arts and physical education courses will move online, a shift from the previous announcement that those types of classes would remain in-person.

The exception is agricultural courses, which must use the school farms.

Students who complete their degree will be able to graduate, but commencement ceremonies as planned have been canceled.

A refund is coming for students who applied for graduation and paid the fee, Castro said via Twitter.

Earlier this year, the university announced it would not hold a main commencement ceremony for the first time, due to low participation. The college would have held smaller ceremonies for each college instead.

“We will continue to explore how and when to celebrate Commencement 2020, depending on the quickly changing situation,” Castro wrote in the email.

The Henry Madden Library will also limit its services to students using DISCOVERe materials and for faculty who need to deliver their virtual instruction.

“Studying, researching and other usual activities will no longer be permitted in the library, including by community patrons, due to social distancing requirements,” he said.

Although student housing will remain open, Castro encouraged any students still on campus to return home by Friday. A majority of the 900 residents have already left, he said.

Fresno State Housing is working on refunding a prorated amount to students who leave.

Students who do remain in the dorms can still use the residence dining hall, which will have limited to-go options.

The student cupboard in Industrial Technology Room 144 will also remain open and will have food and hygiene items.

The Student Health and Counseling Center, Services for Students with Disabilities, the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships, Student Accounting Services and the DISCOVERe Hub will remain open.

For students who need internet access, the university purchased 1,350 mobile hotspots, Castro said, and 1,000 iPads will also be available to loan out.

Most student assistants do not have to work, but will be paid the hours they would have worked through April 5, Castro said. Faculty will still have access to their offices.

All employees who can work remotely, should, Castro said.

“These actions require difficult sacrifices for each of us, especially for our graduating seniors and the entire student body,” Castro said.

“Please remember that our main focus is the health and safety of our campus community, and that our mission remains to educate and empower every student for success. Now more than ever, our students will need our support during this time.”

This story was originally published March 17, 2020 at 12:16 PM.