Chico State stops in-person and hybrid courses, closes the dorms

Covid-19+cases+in+Butte+County+as+of+Friday%2C+Aug.+28.+

Covid-19 cases in Butte County as of Friday, Aug. 28.

Chico State announced Sunday evening that all remaining in-person classes will be suspended and resumed online. The university also canceled most on-campus housing because of a growing cluster of COVID-19 cases.

“We knew this semester wasn’t going to be typical, but we wanted to provide as much in-person learning as possible while ensuring the health and safety of students, faculty and staff,” Chico State President Gayle Hutchinson said in an email message to the campus. 

Confirmed on-campus infections reached 27 on Saturday, said Alex Karolyi, executive director of University Communications. 

President Hutchinson had previously advised the campus community that a steady trend of on-campus infections could force the decision to cease in-person and hybrid classes.  

Accordingly, Hutchinson urged students and staff to wear face coverings and limit gatherings in light of reports of student parties during the weekend before fall semester began. 

The Orion will continue to update this story as new information arises.

Kimberly Morales can be reached at [email protected] or @kimberlymnews on Twitter.