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Dear USD Campus Community,
As we transition to the Spring 2022 semester, we want to again remind everyone about the important health and safety measures the university is implementing to mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 virus and its variants:
- By Friday, January 14, all spring 2022 students enrolled at the university 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 are also required by Friday to submit proof of booster vaccination through the USD Employee Vaccination and Booster form. Those who are ineligible (i.e., there has not been adequate time from their last dose) will be required to submit documentation of a booster dose when they become eligible.
- Students can apply for a medical or religious exemption from the booster. Employees can also apply for a medical or religious exemption.
- Those who receive exemptions for COVID-19 vaccination or booster will be required to participate in weekly COVID-19 testing.
- Those students returning to campus housing 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 addition, resident students will be COVID tested on campus upon move in.
- Commuter students will be required to come to campus the week of Jan. 31-Feb. 4 to be tested for COVID prior to the start of classes on Feb. 7. Drive-up testing will take place in the main and west parking garages. More information will be provided the week of Jan. 24 on how to register and schedule your appointment.
Additional information on Spring 2022 COVID-19 Safety Measures can be found on our student and employee frequently asked questions (FAQ) pages on the Onward USD website.
Random Campus Testing
Beginning February 7, the university will conduct weekly random testing of all non-exempt (vaccinated and have received a booster) faculty, staff and students. Additional details will be provided closer to the testing date.
Campus Events
The university will not host (rent facilities to) external non-academic events on campus during the spring semester, though the COVID-19 Action Team will re-evaluate this decision in March.
For academic-related events during the spring semester, guest lecturers and panelists will be required to provide proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test taken within 48 hours of coming to campus. Proof of vaccination or proof of a negative test will be managed at the individual school and college level. Those unable to provide the required information may not present in person but may present via Zoom. These guests will also be required to follow our face covering protocols while inside buildings.
Face Coverings: State of California Guidelines
In compliance with guidelines provided by the State of California Department of Public Health, face coverings are required inside buildings, including common open office areas such as cubicles. For more details on face covering guidelines, click here. As a reminder, you are not required to wear a face covering inside USD buildings when you are alone in your office or in your on-campus housing.
Thank you again for your continued efforts to support the health and safety of our entire USD community.
Sincerely,
The COVID-19 Action Team
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