With the fall semester right around the corner, the California State University system is implementing a COVID-19 vaccination requirement for all students, faculty, and staff who plan on returning to campus in the fall. More information can be found on SDSU’s Student Health Services website.
While many Global Campus programs will continue to be offered online, San Diego State University plans to offer most classes fully in-person, with additional classes in hybrid or virtual modes during the fall 2021 semester. Students who will be on campus for any reasons, including meetings and events, should upload a copy of their vaccination card through HealtheConnect, the university’s secure online health portal, no later than Aug. 16
An individual is considered fully vaccinated two weeks after their second dose of a two-shot vaccine or two weeks after the first dose of a single-shot vaccine.
As a result of recent California Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Cal/OSHA) updates, the following policies are now in place on SDSU campuses and sites:
Physical Distancing
Physical distancing requirements on SDSU properties were eliminated in July 2021.
Fully Vaccinated Individuals and Facial Coverings
Facial covering policy for those who are fully vaccinated:
An individual is considered fully vaccinated two weeks after their second dose of a two-shot vaccine or two weeks after the first dose of a single-shot vaccine.
Facial coverings are required in the following settings:
- When in public-facing indoor settings and/or when any students or visitors are present
- When in instructional settings, whether indoors or outdoors.
- This includes classrooms, instructional labs, spaces being actively used in an instructional capacity, and the University library.
- Vaccinated instructional faculty, teaching assistants and interpreters can remove their facial coverings when teaching as long as students are masked in the classroom.
Facial coverings are recommended in the following settings:
- Indoors in non-public settings when gathering for events, meetings and other functions with others, even if no members of the public or students are present.
- Vaccinated individuals may still voluntarily mask either when in non-required indoor settings or outdoors if they wish to.
Please visit SDSU’s Student Health Services website for SDSU’s latest masking policy.
Unvaccinated Individuals and Facial Coverings
Facial covering policy for those who are not vaccinated:
- Facial coverings must be worn at all times while indoors.
- Unvaccinated individuals must wear facial coverings outdoors when unable to maintain six feet of distance from others.
- Certain limited exceptions to wearing a facial covering will be granted to unvaccinated individuals, to include the following:
- When you are alone in a private office or in an assigned residence hall room, suite or apartment.
- Eating inside the workplace, which includes workstations, office areas, breakrooms, etc. but six feet of distancing must be maintained
- Individuals who are under the age of 2, or anyone who has trouble breathing, is unconscious, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove the facial covering without assistance.
- When removal is required as part of an instructional music, dance or fitness course, but only as directed by the instructor, with distancing required for unvaccinated individuals.
- When removal is required as part of approved athletic participation, as directed by Athletics personnel.
Any individuals experiencing COVID-like symptoms must wear a facial covering if they are on campus to seek testing or as they exit campus to return home in accordance with expectations for those who are unwell if they have onset of symptoms while on campus.
Other Locations and Events
In addition to the guidelines for vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals, other specific guidelines may be imposed regardless of vaccine status. Those include the following:
- Until September 30, facial coverings are required for all indoor university events that involve the public, students or uncontrolled mixing and during outdoor events of more than 250 people that involve uncontrolled mixing. Facial coverings are also required during attendance at mega events (such as those with more than 5,000 people in attendance during athletic competitions, events or concerts), whether the event occurs indoors or outdoors.
- Facial coverings may be required under California Department of Health regulations in specific settings such as healthcare practices and childcare centers.
Additional information about physical distancing and the facial covering policy as well as general information regarding how to stay healthy when returning to campus can be found at SDSU’s Student Health Services website.
