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The Coronavirus (COVID-19)

SDSU RequireS boosters for students

The California State University system announced on Dec. 22, 2021 that all students, faculty and staff in the system will be required to have a COVID-19 booster on file to access campus facilities and programs.

Faculty and staff are no longer required to show proof of vaccine, but must still report positive COVID-19 test results to the university using the online reporting form. 

Students are required to have the COVID-19 booster on file with the university via HealtheConnect. Students are encouraged to speak to their health care provider or locate booster availability online.

Eligible Population for a Booster Shot

All students, faculty and staff are highly encouraged to get a booster shot when they become eligible. Faculty and staff are not required to present proof of a vaccine to the university, however, students must submit proof to the university. 

Those currently on an approved religious or medical exemption for the COVID-19 vaccine are still highly encouraged to get vaccinated and, when able, a booster.

Medical or Religious Exemptions 

The CSU COVID-19 vaccination requirement allows for students, faculty and staff to seek an exemption based on medical or religious grounds.

Information on submitting an exemption request can be found online.

COVID-19 Isolation & Quarantine Policy

In accordance with the San Diego County and Imperial County, San Diego State University updated its isolation and quarantine policy on Jan. 22, 2024 for students, faculty and staff. Per the updated policy, SDSU community members with COVID-19 are permitted to return to school and work as long as they are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication and their symptoms are both mild and improving. Those who test positive but are asymptomatic do not need to isolate, but should take measures to reduce exposure to others, according to updated county and state guidance. 

 

 

San Diego State University, in its decision-making regarding COVID-19, follows the guidance of the San Diego County Health and Human Services (HHSA), California Department of Public Health (CDPH), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Department of State.

 

GENERAL PREVENTION

Multi-Level Approach to Preventing the Spread of COVID-19

No single action by an organization or an individual can prevent the spread of COVID-19. Instead, prevention requires a combination of personal actions and other interventions. The best way to prevent the spread of COVID-19 includes getting vaccinated and practicing general prevention. San Diego State University has also implemented a number of interventions to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and urges all members of the campus community to be consistent in the general guidelines and policies detailed below.

Personal Responsibilities

  • Get vaccinated and boosted
  • Test when experiencing symptoms
  • Wash your hands frequently
  • Avoid school, work when sick
  • Report positive cases and exposures
  • Quarantine and isolate based on current guidance (updated guidance indicates individuals no longer need to isolate if they are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication and their symptoms are both mild and improving) 

SDSU-Led Interventions

  • Routine cleaning and disinfection
  • Public health policy enforcement
  • Public health notifications to individuals identified as close-contacts

Stay at Home if Sick

Cómo protegerse y proteger a los demás (En Español)

All SDSU students, faculty, staff, independent contractors and vendors must stay home if they are sick. 

  • Do not come to campus if you are unwell. Remain home and monitor your symptoms and seek medical attention as needed.
  • Contact your supervisor or faculty member to notify them of your absence.
  • COVID-19 can result in mild to severe symptoms, and older adults and people who have severe underlying medical conditions, such as heart or lung disease or diabetes, seem to be at higher risk for developing more serious complications from COVID-19.
  • If you test positive, Isolate until you are fever-free for 24 hours without use of fever reducing medications and your COVID-19 symptoms are mild and improving.

If you become sick, you should follow the existing guidance of medical professionals and monitor your health. If you receive a positive COVID-19 test, complete the COVID-19 Reporting Form.

If a student or employee who is accessing campus has tested positive for COVID-19, the university will provide notifications to other students, faculty and staff identified as close contacts. Effective January 2024, the university will no longer send building or academic course notifications while continuing close contact notifications to offer more directed communications to individuals at higher risk of exposure.  When providing close contact notifications, personal information of students and employees will be protected.

Facial Coverings

As of Friday, Oct. 7, 2022, SDSU’s facial covering policy has been removed. There is no longer a requirement to wear facial coverings in instructional settings. Individuals may still voluntarily mask either when in non-required indoor settings or outdoors if they wish to do so.

Individuals may still voluntarily mask either when in non-required indoor settings or outdoors if they wish to do so.

SDSU will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation and communicate updates to the campus community as we approach that date. 

Any individuals experiencing COVID-19-like symptoms must wear a facial covering if they are on campus to seek testing or as they exit campus to return home if they have onset of symptoms while on campus.

Additional Guidelines

Individuals are considered fully vaccinated for five months after their final dose of a two-dose COVID-19 vaccine or for two months after receiving the only dose of a single-dose vaccine, and without a booster. 

Practice Cough Etiquette, Good Hygiene and Cleanliness

Each of us has a personal responsibility to help stop the spread of any illness, including COVID-19. The following practices will help you avoid contracting the virus.

  • Monitor your health daily, and take appropriate action (stay home, call your doctor) if you begin to feel sick. 
  • Remember to always cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow.
  • Throw used tissues in the trash.
  • Regularly wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after blowing noses, coughing, or sneezing.
  • If soap and water are not readily available, clean your hands with a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands and avoid personal contact with people who are sick.
  • Avoid sharing food, cups or utensils.
  • Avoid touching high-touch surfaces in public places and minimize handling cash, credit cards, and mobile or electronic devices.
  • Custodial professionals will continue to disinfect high touch surfaces (i.e., door knobs, restroom fixtures, etc.).

COVID-19 Vaccine

Faculty, staff and students are encouraged to stay up to date with their COVID-19 vaccinations and shouldto reach out to the following to secure an appointment:

  • Sign up for an appointment with a vaccination provider near you via the California MyTurn vaccination program.
  • Schedule an appointment at Student Health Services via HealtheConnect (available to students only).
  • Contact your primary care physician or other healthcare provider.
  • Vaccines are also available by appointment at clinics, pharmacies and certain stores, such as Ralphs, Albertsons/Vons/Pavilions, CVS, Walgreens, and Rite Aid.

Additional information about SDSU's COVID-19 Vaccination Program.

Additional Coronavirus Resources

 

Case Notifications

Positive COVID-19 cases among students, faculty, staff and contractors who are physically on campus are documented and will be reported to close contacts. As of January 2024, SDSU will no longer send general notifications to departments or buildings or academic courses, focusing instead on notifying individuals who came in close contact with those with reported positive test results.

Confirming COVID-19 Cases

When SDSU learns of a probable or confirmed case at any SDSU location, the COVID Assessment & Response Team contacts the individual and those known to have been in contact with them. The Assessment & Response Team works to learn more about symptom onset, provide public health guidance for isolation, quarantine and testing, and to appropriately communicate information about the case.

Notification Process

Anyone confirmed as having had direct contact with someone who has tested positive will be notified and told to quarantine if needed based on U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance.

SDSU will generally not disclose more specific details about the location of individuals who have been infected for privacy reasons and also because avoiding the physical location does not inherently lower a person's risk of infection; getting vaccinated and maintaining healthy practices, to include washing your hands, are among the best methods to lower your risk.

As of January 2024, SDSU will no longer send general building or department notices but will continue to provide notification to close contacts of those who have tested positive for COVID-19.

 

HEERF DISCLOSURES

Higher Education Emergency Relief Funding Disclosures

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act was passed by the U.S. Government in the spring of 2020 to provide support in the wake of the coronavirus public health crisis and associated economic fallout. One section of the CARES Act established the Higher Education Emergency Relief fund (HEERF), which provides funding to the nation’s colleges and universities to provide emergency grants to students, as well as reimbursing colleges and universities for a portion of certain unbudgeted costs and lost revenue due to the disruption of campus activities due to the COVID-19 pandemic. San Diego State University was awarded $29,394,934, of which no less than $14,697,467 or 50% was disbursed to Students. SDSU was awarded $2,305,607 under the MSI portion of the HEERF under the CARES Act.

In late December 2020, the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriates Act (CRRSAA) was passed by the U.S. Government to provide additional support as a result of the financial challenges brought on by the ongoing pandemic. Through CRRSAA, SDSU was awarded additional grant funds through the HEERF. SDSU was awarded $14,697,467 in additional Student Aid funds, $31,216,660 in additional Institutional funds, and $3,151,669 in additional MSI funds under CRRSAA. SDSU’s acceptance of the terms of this additional grant was indicated by drawing funds from the grants.

In March 2021, the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) was passed by the U.S. Government to provide additional continued support as a result of the financial challenges brought on by the ongoing pandemic. Through ARPA, SDSU was awarded additional grant funds through the HEERF. SDSU was awarded $40,379,009 in additional Institutional funds, $40,516,163 in additional Student Aid funds, and $5,386,314 in additional MSI funds under ARPA. SDSU’s acceptance of the terms of this additional grant was indicated by drawing funds from the grants.

SDSU has used the HEERF grant funds as noted in the Quarterly Budget and Expenditures
Reporting form as of June 30, 2023. Prior reports can be found here.

EARLIER COMMUNICATIONS

The following earlier e-mail messages have been shared with the SDSU campus community and include some of the university's targeted communications:

 

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Libby Skiles

Libby Skiles
Director, Student Health Services

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