California State University system to cancel in-person classes for fall semester

The California State University (CSU) System, which consists of 23 campuses across the state, will continue online classes into the fall semester, the system’s head announced Tuesday. 

“This virtual planning approach for the next academic year is necessary because of the evolving data surrounding the progression of COVID 19,” CSU Chancellor Timothy White said at a public meeting with trustees, according to an ABC affiliate in Fresno

White said that research thus far has not indicated that universities will be safe by the fall semester, noting that a vaccine is not expected until early next year at the earliest. CSU campuses began virtual learning in March.

The CSU system has not yet official released a statement on the move. 

As of Tuesday afternoon, the state has reported 67,939 coronavirus cases and 2,770 deaths. Per capita, however, the country’s most populous state is well behind several others, including states that are already scaling back restrictions, such as Florida and Georgia. 

California was one of the earliest states to issue a strict stay-at-home order and has been one of the most hesitant to begin reopening. 

On Tuesday, Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) announced guidelines for restaurants in the state’s less-impacted counties to resume dine-in services, moving deeper into Stage 2 of the his four-phase plan he announced this month.