While most local school districts are closed this week for fall break, many universities were supposed to hold class on Monday but canceled them because of the poor air quality.

San Jose State University, however, was open, despite an online petition to close the school.

“It’s been kinda hard,” student Jenessa Ullugue said.

Xavier Diaz agrees.

“Pretty gloomy in my opinion,” Diaz said.

Another student, Chris Yu, says he heard of other students “complaining about headaches, migraines, (and) coughs.”

More than 11,000 signatures on an online petition to cancel classes at San Jose State were not enough for the administration to shut down the school.

Students were writing that their health matters and sharing concerns about the unhealthy air.

On Monday on campus, many students were seen wearing their masks, covering their faces.

“I don’t think it’s a good decision because, I don’t know, it hasn’t really improved,” Ullugue said.

Last week, San Jose State closed on Thursday and Friday due to poor air quality but said conditions are improving which is why they opened on Monday.

As of 3 p.m. Monday afternoon, the air quality in San Jose was sitting at an unhealthy level of 162.

“I feel safer. I feel better about things,” San Jose State Vice President of Finance and Administration Charlie Faas said. “We are making sure we have masks that are available.”

Faas says they do plan to be open on Tuesday as well.

Students will not have class Wednesday due to Thanksgiving break.

“Tonight, tomorrow, we’ll go through this,” Faas said. “We feel safe to be on campus. Is it the healthiest of air? It’s not, but is it ok? Absolutely. And we are not in the business of putting people in harm’s way.”

A few San Jose State University police officers were sent to Chico to assist in the search and recovery efforts.

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