Cal State Long Beach will suspend face-to-face classes beginning Thursday to prevent the spread of coronavirus, President Jane Close Conoley announced Wednesday.
Classes will be cancelled Thursday through Tuesday. Alternative forms of instruction will begin next Wednesday and the campus anticipates resuming regular operations on April 20, barring any change in safety assessments.
There are currently no cases of coronavirus on the campus, but Conoley, in a note to students and faculty, said the shift is being done out of an abundance of caution.
“This action is a proactive step being taken because of our commitment to your health and safety and supports the concept of ‘social distancing,'” she said.
USC, Stanford and UC Berkeley have also shifted on-campus classes in recent days. Conoley noted that the campus is not closing and officials and buildings will remain open and many operations will continue normally.
Some courses will continue to meet in person if alternative instruction is not appropriate, such as some laboratory, performing-arts, and physical-education courses. Accommodations associated with social distancing will be implemented in these courses.
The campus library and Horn Center will remain open for students who need computers or WiFi.
The campus will continue to provide updates through its COVID-19 informational website.
Long Beach Unified School District will remain open, spokesman Chris Eftychiou said Wednesday.
“Based on all the information that we’ve gathered in partnership with health officials so far, our schools remain safe, so we continue to operate,” Eftychiou said. “Should that situation change, we’ll let everyone know.”