CSUN President Erika D. Beck announced in an email Friday that the university is planning for increased face-to-face instruction for the fall semester now that Los Angeles County has entered the less restrictive orange tier.

As the spread of COVID-19 continues to decline and vaccine rollouts increase, the administration’s goal is to increase on-campus instruction, student services and overall operations that will “serve as a bridge to an anticipated full return to campus for spring 2022,” according to Beck’s email.

The fall semester will hold nearly 2,000 course sections that will be offered in person. Students will be able to determine whether the class is offered online or in-person at the time of registration. According to the email, students will have the option to continue virtual instruction for fall but should work with their advisor “to map an appropriate plan.”

Following state and local guidelines, the university will continue employing mitigation strategies to lower the risks of COVID-19. These strategies include daily health screening for those coming to campus, social distancing practices, the use of face masks, testing availability and various cleaning procedures. Despite these measures, Beck encourages the campus community to get vaccinated if possible.

The remainder of the spring semester will continue with primarily virtual instruction, with the exception of the partial reopening of the University Library, where students can reserve a study space or computer workstation. Over the upcoming weeks, the university will communicate the reopening and occupancy details of the Student Recreation Center, student housing and on-campus food services.

Over the summer, the university will reopen buildings across campus at a reduced capacity, in which faculty and staff will be able to repopulate office and workspaces. According to Beck’s email, faculty and staff will receive more details from their supervisors at a later date.

CSUN has launched the Fall 2021 Planning Gateway page that will provide the latest campus updates for students, faculty and staff. The campus community is encouraged to check the site often to stay up to date.

“As I have said before, if there is one certainty upon which we can rely in this pandemic, it is that uncertainty abounds,” Beck said. “Which affirms the imperative to remain nimble and let the science be our guide.”