California State University, Long Beach announced today that it will switch to remote instruction for the first two weeks of the spring semester.
The move follows three other CSUs—Cal State Los Angeles, Sacramento State and CSU Channel Islands—who will all begin their semesters virtually.
CSULB announced on Instagram today that the move came “out of an abundance of caution.”
Long Beach’s daily case rate in late December surpassed the highest levels seen during the previous year’s winter surge, mainly spurred on by the spread of the Omicron variant.
Long Beach Public Health tweeted yesterday that, “With more than 1,700 cases reported in a single day, the current peak is 1.6 times higher than the 2020-2021 winter surge peak, which at its highest experienced 1,052 reported cases on a single day.”
The spring semester begins on Jan. 20, delaying most face-to-face instruction until Monday, Feb. 7.
The University Student Union, University Library, University Bookstore, the Horn Center and Student Health Services will continue to provide services to students “with appropriate protocols in place, including the use of face coverings,” according to the university website.
Other aspects of campus operations, such as spectators at athletic events, audiences for performing arts, facilities reservations and hours at the Student Recreation and Wellness Center “may face short-term changes,” the university stated.
Before the announcement was made, university President Jane Close Conoley tweeted “The health of our community is always our first priority. Encourage all to get fully vaccinated!”
The CSU system is requiring all faculty, staff and students to be fully vaccinated and receive a COVID vaccine booster shot to access university facilities or programs.
Some University of California campuses, including UCLA and UC Irvine, both began their spring terms this week with remote instruction that is expected to last two weeks.
More information about CSULB’s COVID-19 safety precautions can be found at www.csulb.edu/covid-19.
