BROOKINGS, S.D. (KJJQ) – South Dakota State University set a goal of making it to Thanksgiving with students on campus.

They have done so and President Barry Dunn says he’s very proud of the effort put forth.

Students will finish classes next Tuesday, take a Thanksgining break and then prepare for finals, which will be conducted entirely online from December 2-8. Students will not be returning to campus until Jan. 11. SDSU is encouraging students to get tested before they leave. Dunn says they’ve been able to conduct tests on campus, at the new Animal Disease and Diagnostic Lab.

Dunn says they’ve been able to conduct nearly 3,000 tests at the lab thus far.

He wants to see the return to classes pushed back another week in January.

There was a bit of a surge in cases at SDSU in early November that seems to have settled down. Down says it was likely due to Halloween and Hobo Day parties.