COVID-19 Booster Required; Remote Instruction for Intersession
Dear USD Campus Community:
Throughout this fall semester, our resilient campus community overcame many challenges by making deep sacrifices to provide a safer learning environment for our students. I am writing to you today to again ask for your support to lay the groundwork for a successful in-person spring 2022 semester experience for our deserving students.
Earlier this week, we made the difficult decision to transition our study abroad programs to remote instruction during intersession due to COVID-19 infections increasing exponentially in several countries associated with studying abroad. Two weeks ago, circumstances looked much more feasible to offer students this rewarding international experience. Unfortunately, the volatility of the virus requires us to be attentive to evolving situations.
Locally, USD is coordinating closely with San Diego County and state public health officials, as experts predict a surge of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 in early January. With this in mind and in an effort to maintain our hope for providing in-person learning throughout the spring 2022 semester, we are taking the following actions:
- Intersession courses will transition to remote instruction only;
- The School of Law will begin its spring semester on January 10 via remote instruction and will transition to in-person instruction the week of January 24;
- All eligible faculty, staff, administrators and students are required to get a COVID-19 booster vaccination by January 14;
- Those students returning to campus housing or in-person classes for the spring 2022 semester will need to provide a negative COVID-19 test taken no more than 72 hours prior to returning to campus. Both PCR and Antigen (rapid) tests are acceptable, but home tests are not;
- In order to further facilitate low campus density in early January, our vice presidents have the option to allow remote work for some employees for the first two weeks of January. Employees should coordinate with their respective vice presidents on remote work options.
As we indicated in a communication to you earlier this month, the CDC recommends booster shots to all adults who completed their Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna two-dose vaccination at least six months ago. The CDC recommends booster shots for those who received the Johnson & Johnson single dose COVID-19 vaccine two or more months ago. The CDC and San Diego County health officials believe that boosters dramatically lower the risk of a breakthrough infection and even further reduce risk of severe disease.
All spring 2022 students enrolled at USD must submit on the Wellness Portal proof of booster vaccination against COVID-19 to live in the residential halls or attend in-person classes.
Faculty, staff and administrators must submit their proof of booster vaccination here.
Those unvaccinated students, faculty, staff and administrators who submit a request for a COVID-19 booster vaccination exemption will still be required to participate in weekly COVID-19 testing.
Updated Air Travel Requirements
Members of the USD community should also take special care when traveling over the holiday break. Please note that U.S. travel requirements have changed: all air passengers returning to the United States from international travel must now show a negative COVID-19 test taken no more than one day before travel, regardless of vaccination status. The CDC quick reference guide for requirements and restrictions can be found by clicking here.
I know this is not the news we had hoped for at this point in the pandemic. However, as we navigate even more uncertainty, I remain optimistic that our campus community is prepared to face the challenges ahead. It seems only fitting that yesterday was the longest night of the year — a year that has been much too full of darkness. Yet, I am also convinced that more light is coming, better days are dawning and that we will get through this together.
Have a safe, happy and healthy holiday break!
Peace,
James T. Harris III, D.Ed.
President
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