These FAQs - updated on an ongoing basis - are intended to provide information about CSUCI’s Spring 2023 semester.

COVID-19 information and guidance from the State of California is available on the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) website.

* Additional questions may be submitted via email to csuci.news@csuci.edu and we will direct your question(s) to appropriate University personnel for a response.

Students

1. What are the health requirements for students who will be on campus this Spring? [top] Below are requirements for all students this Spring 2023 semester:

Per the CSU Vaccination Policy, the vaccine and one booster will be required for all eligible students and employees to meet the policy’s definition of “fully vaccinated.” Anyone who is considered not fully vaccinated must request a medical or religious exemption. Information about masks on campus is available below.
Complete a COVID-19 Self Symptom Check prior to visiting the campus. If you are not feeling well, please do not visit the campus or affiliated locations.
Continue use of good personal hygiene practices, e.g., handwashing, cough/sneeze etiquette;
Report a positive case of COVID-19 or possible exposure by visiting the COVID Cases web page

2. Is a COVID-19 vaccination be required to be on campus? [top]
Yes. All CSUCI students are required to provide proof of a vaccine and booster or provide an approved medical or religious exemption. Instructions for self-certification are available online.

3. Where can I find support for academic and personal well-being needs? [top]
We encourage you to visit our Campus Services and Resources webpage to learn about the various resources and support available to students.

4. How do I report a positive case of COVID-19 or possible exposure? [top]
Anyone who tests positive for COVID-19, displays symptoms of COVID-19, or who has had a high-risk exposure should notify the Environmental Health & Safety Office using this reporting form. You may also visit our COVID Cases web page to learn more.

On-Campus Housing

5. Will students be able to live on campus during the Spring 2023 semester? [top]
Yes. There will students living on campus for the Spring 2023 semester. Information about on-campus student housing is available by visiting the Housing & Residential Education website.

6. Will food services be open on campus for residential students? [top]
Yes. Islands Café (south) will be in operation for the Spring semester beginning Friday, Jan. 20. Food will be available for residential students and to the campus community, and both sections of Islands Café will be open to allow for seating to be spread out. In addition, beginning Jan. 23, the Sea Store at the Student Union will be open for grab-n-go purchases, as well as Pizza 3.14 at the Town Center.

At the Town Center, Tortillas Grill and Mom Wong Kitchen will continue to operate independently. Information about their hours of operation can be found their websites.

Employees

7. Are employees required to be vaccinated? [top]
Yes. Per the CSU Vaccination Policy, the vaccine and one booster will be required for all eligible employees to meet the policy’s definition of “fully vaccinated.” Anyone who is considered not fully vaccinated must request a medical or religious exemption. Information about masks on campus is available below.

Complete a COVID-19 Self Symptom Check prior to visiting the campus. If you are not feeling well, please do not visit the campus or affiliated locations.
Continue use of good personal hygiene practices, e.g., handwashing, cough/sneeze etiquette;
Report a positive case of COVID-19 or possible exposure by visiting the COVID Cases web page

8. How do I report a positive case of COVID-19 or possible exposure? [top]
Anyone who tests positive for COVID-19, displays symptoms of COVID-19, or who has had a high-risk exposure should notify the Environmental Health & Safety Office using this reporting form.

9. I feel worried and stressed and I am having difficulty navigating policies and workplace processes. What can I do? [top]
If you would like to talk to someone, support and resources are available for employees.

Employees can obtain confidential support services through the Employee Assistance Program or by contacting Human Resources at 805-437-8490.
The University Ombuds office is available to support faculty by providing off-the-record and impartial help navigating change and addressing difficult work relations virtually. The University Ombuds can meet by Zoom or by phone. Appointments can be scheduled confidentially at Contact Ombuds.

10. Will additional COVID-19 paid leave be provided again if we are unable to work due to COVID-19-related reasons? [top]
COVID-19 paid leave was exhausted Dec. 31, 2022 and is no longer available. Questions about the COVID-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave (SPSL) should be directed to Human Resources at human.resources@csuci.edu.

University Operations

11. Are masks required to be worn on campus? [top](updated 12/20/2022)
No. Indoor masks are recommended but not required on campus or at affiliated locations (i.e., Channel Islands Boating Center, the Goleta instructional site, and the Santa Rosa Island Research Station (these policies will also be the goal for the SRIRS, but we will continue to work with our partners at the National Park Service to ensure that we meet their requirements)). Masks will continue to be available on campus at the following locations:

Classrooms
Dean of Students Office, Bell Tower 2565
Student Health Center, Yuba Hall
Broome Library Lobby
University Police Department, Placer Hall Lobby
Sage Hall Enrollment Center Lobby
Housing & Residential Education Offices: Santa Cruz Village – Bldg. E HRE Main Office;
Front Desks in all four living areas: Santa Cruz Village – Bldg. G, Anacapa Village, Santa Rosa Village, and Town Center
Student Union downstairs - front desk
Student Union upstairs - ASI suite
Dining locations across campus and in Town Center

12. When and where will COVID-19 testing be held on campus for students, faculty, and staff? [top](updated 1/13/2023)
CSUCI will continue to offer free COVID-19 testing to students and employees, Monday through Friday in Aliso Hall 150, when the campus is open.

Please see below for hours and holiday closures:

Testing Days* and Hours

Mondays: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Tuesdays: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Wednesdays: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Thursdays: 9 a.m. to noon

Fridays: 9 a.m. to noon

*Excludes campus closures on the following dates: Jan. 16 (Martin Luther King Jr. Day), March 31 (Cesar Chavez Day), May 29 (Memorial Day)

Anyone needing urgent testing access because of an exposure to COVID-19 or possible symptoms of COVID-19 can call the Environmental Health & Safety office at 805-437-3550 during regular business hours to arrange testing.

Location
Testing will be offered in Aliso Hall 150. If you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, please contact the COVID-19 Case Management Team at 805-437-3550 to arrange testing outside the main testing clinic.

Individuals who are positive or have an exposure and are symptomatic should not come to the campus. They should contact the COVID-19 Case Management Team at 805-437-3550 to arrange testing outside the main testing clinic.

Individuals interested in being tested for their own purpose or need, can learn about local testing sites, pharmacy locations, and at-home testing kits, by visiting the sites below:

13. How do I report a positive case of COVID-19 or possible exposure? [top]
Please follow the steps below to report a positive case of COVID-19 or possible exposure.

COVID-19 POSITIVE CASE - Isolation Protocols

Report the case via our COVID-19 reporting form
Follow CSUCI COVID-19 Management Team protocols, which include Cal/OSHA Exclusion Requirements for those who test positive for COVID-19
- Excluded from campus for at least 5 days after start of symptoms or after date of first positive test if no symptoms.
- In consultation with CSUCI COVID Team Isolation may be able to end after day 5 if symptoms are not present or are resolving, and a diagnostic specimen* collected on day 5 or later tests negative.
- If the test on day 5 (or later) is positive, isolation can end, and the individual may return to the workplace after day 10 if they are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications.
- If unable or choose not to test, isolation can end after day 10 (return day 11) if they are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications.
  All must wear face coverings around others for a total of 10 days.

COVID-19 EXPOSURE - Protocols

Report the case to the COVID Cases web page
Get tested 3-5 days after last exposure
Follow CDPH Guidance for Close Contacts – Those who are exposed to someone with COVID-19
Monitor symptoms each day for 14 days from last exposure
Wear a mask while around others
Do not come onto campus if you are feeling ill or symptomatic

14. I tested on campus but have not received my test result; what should I do? [top]
Individuals who have received a COVID-19 test on campus and have not received test results may send an email to healthycsuci@csuci.edu and request a call-back. Be sure to provide an active phone number for the call-back.

15. What if I can’t attend the COVID-19 Testing Clinics on campus? [top](updated 1/13/2023)
Tests may be taken elsewhere, with a personal medical provider, a local testing clinic, or through the purchase of a self-test kit that is FDA Approved or authorized for emergency use (EUA). Test results may then be submitted to CSUCI via the campus testing portal (step-by-step instructions are available).

Learn about local testing sites, pharmacy locations, and at-home testing kits by visiting the sites below:

Free, in-home test kits are also available via the U.S. Government. You may request the free, at-home test kits by visiting https://www.covidtests.gov/ or calling 1-800-232-0233 and submitting an order request.

The FDA has extended the expiration date of several brands of at-home COVID-19 test kits one or more times, including brands that were distributed at various locations at CSUCI or that were provided directly to households via the U.S. Postal Service. If you have test kits at home that are past their labeled expiration date, check the manufacturer's website for updated expiration dates before disposing of the test kits. Brands distributed on campus that are known to have had their expiration dates extended include iHealth and FlowFlex.

16. What are the current protocols at CSUCI for isolation and quarantine? [top]
Anyone who tests positive for COVID-19, displays symptoms of COVID-19, or who has had a high-risk exposure should notify the Environmental Health & Safety Office using this reporting form. Students and staff should follow direction from the Environmental Health & Safety Office about their need to isolate and their isolation timeline and should not return to campus until they are cleared to do so by EH&S.

The University continues to follow the Cal/OSHA Exclusion Requirements for those who test positive for COVID-19:

Excluded from campus for at least 5 days after start of symptoms or after date of first positive test if no symptoms.
- California COVID-19 Isolation & Quarantine Calculator.
Isolation can end after day 5 if symptoms are not present or are resolving, and a diagnostic specimen* collected on day 5 or later tests negative.
- If the test on day 5 (or later) is positive, isolation can end and the employee may return to the workplace after day 10 if they are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications.
If unable or choose not to test, isolation can end after day 10 (return day 11) if they are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications.
All must wear face coverings around others for a total of 10 days.

We recommend reviewing the CDPH Guidance for Close Contacts – those who are exposed to someone with COVID-19 to stay up to date on the latest information for exposure to COVID-19.

17. Where can I find information about the availability of the COVID-19 booster vaccine? [top] (updated 1/18/2023)
Ventura County Public Health will be on campus on Tuesday, Jan. 31 from noon to 3 p.m. in Aliso Hall 150 to provide COVID-19 vaccinations at no cost. This clinic is open to the general public; please bring proof of ID and your vaccine card (if available).

VCPH assures us that booster vaccine availability is plentiful in Ventura County. Depending on your county of residence, information is available by visiting: myturn.ca.gov. You may also check with your healthcare provider or local pharmacies such as Ralphs, CVS, Rite Aid, or Walgreens, Albertsons or Vons.

The COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective for everyone six months and older. Learn more about why the vaccine is one of our most powerful tools to ending the pandemic by visiting VaccinateALL58.com for COVID-19 facts.

18. What if I am tested off-campus, can I use those test results instead of taking a test on campus? [top]
Yes. The COVID-19 testing requirement need not be completed on campus. Tests taken elsewhere, with a personal medical provider, a local testing clinic, or through the purchase of a self-test kit that is FDA Approved or authorized for emergency use (EUA). Test results should be submitted to CSUCI via the external test reporting form for students or employees, depending on your affiliation.

19. What safety precautions should employees and members of the public, visitors, and vendors follow prior to visiting the campus or an affiliated location (Channel Islands Boating Center, Santa Rosa Island Research Station, and Goleta instructional site)? [top]
Any individual who plans to visit the campus or an affiliated location in person, should follow the steps noted below:

Professional visitors, general contractors, vendors, construction contractors, and their employees, should review the COVID-19 safety protocols to ensure they are in compliance for being on campus.
Complete a COVID-19 Self Symptom Check prior to visiting the campus. If you are not feeling well, please do not visit the campus or affiliated locations.
Remember to wash your hands often or use the hand sanitizer dispensers located throughout the campus.
Santa Rosa Island Research Station: Please contact SRIRS personnel to learn about the requirements for visiting the Island, including testing, vaccination requirements, and form compliance

20. Will food service be available on campus this Spring? [top]
Yes. Please visit the UAS Hospitality for hours of operation, a description of services, and some menu information.

At the Town Center, Tortillas Grill and Mom Wong Kitchen will continue to operate independently. Information about their hours of operation can be found their websites.

21. What are the requirements to host an in-person event on campus? [top](added 2/3/2023)
In-person events may be held on campus as long as current safety protocols are followed. External groups should review the current event guidance for external events to ensure they are in compliance. We encourage you to visit the University Events website to learn more about hosting an event on campus.

About Coronavirus (COVID-19), Health, and Wellness

22. What is the Coronavirus? [top]
Coronavirus is a respiratory illness that can spread from person to person and was first identified in 2019 during an investigation into an outbreak in Wuhan, China. Patients with Coronavirus (COVID-19) have experienced mild to serious respiratory illness.

23. How is Coronavirus spread? [top]
The Coronavirus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person through close contact and primarily when an infected individual coughs, sneezes, or otherwise breathes out droplets and small particles that contain the virus. According to the U.S. Center for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), COVID-19 continues to evolve and new variants have emerged. Washing hands, cleaning commonly touched surfaces, avoiding sick people, and wearing a mask, are the best ways to prevent the illness from spreading.

24. What are the symptoms for the Coronavirus? [top]
COVID-19 symptoms can include cough, fever, chills, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, new congestion/runny nose, nausea or vomiting, and diarrhea. Symptoms may appear in as few as 2 days or as long as 14 days after exposure.

Symptoms may vary as the virus evolves and new variants are discovered. The US Center for Disease Control (CDC) website contains additional, current information.

25. How do I know if I am at risk of contracting Coronavirus? [top]
You may be at greater risk if you have come into close contact with someone who has the virus or recently traveled to regions where there are currently outbreaks of COVID-19. Symptoms typically appear within 2 to 14 days after exposure.

26. How are "close contact" and "high risk exposure period" defined? [top]
According to Cal/OHSA, these two terms are defined as follows:

"Close Contact" means being within six (6) feet of a COVID-19 case for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or greater in any 24-hour period within or overlapping with the "high risk exposure period." This definition applies regardless of the use of face coverings.
"High Risk Exposure" means the following time period:

For COVID-19 persons who develop COVID-19 symptoms, from two (2) days before they first develop symptoms until all of the following are true: it has been 10 days since symptoms first appeared, 24 hours have passed with no fever, without the use of fever-reducing medications, and symptoms have improved.
For COVID-19 cases who never develop COVID-19 symptoms, from two (2) days before until 10 days after the specimen for their first positive test for COVID-19 was collected.

27. How do I best protect myself from contracting COVID-19? [top]
The CDC and the California Department of Public Health recommend getting fully vaccinated against COVID-19, as well as continuing safe practices such as wearing a mask and physical distancing when in crowded settings.

Indoor mask-wearing is optional but recommended at CSUCI and affiliated locations (Santa Rosa Island Research Station, Channel Islands Boating Center, Goleta instructional site).

We continue to encourage you to actively engage in healthy habits to help prevent contracting and spreading illnesses. There are steps each of us can take to reduce our chances of getting ill — whether from COVID-19, the flu or a cold.

Treat Yourself Well

Eat healthy
Maintain good sleep habits
Manage stress. Students can seek assistance through Counseling & Psychological Services. Employees can seek assistance through the Employee Assistance Program.
Drink plenty of fluids and eat nutritious food. Students with food insecurities can contact the Dolphin Pantry for fresh produce and healthy options.

Make it Hard for Viruses to Spread

Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
Wear a face covering and practice physical distancing when warranted (such as in a crowded setting)
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash; or cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve, not your hands.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces within your normal surroundings.
Check with your health care provider whether obtaining the annual flu vaccine is advisable for you.

28. Where can I get more information about the Coronavirus? [top]
Please utilize the links below as a source of current and accurate information on COVID-19.

VC Emergency
Ventura County Public Health
California Department of Public Health
U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention
World Health Organization
CSU Chancellor’s Office
U.S. Department of State
Johns Hopkins Real Time Map
County of Ventura
Santa Barbara County Public Health

29. If I have cold or flu-like symptoms, what should I do? Should I self-quarantine? [top]
If you are sick with COVID-19 or think you might have COVID-19, follow the steps below to care for yourself and to help protect other people in your home and community.

Stay home. Do not leave your home, except to get medical care. Do not visit public areas.

Wear a mask over your nose and mouth around others in your home and in public spaces.

Take care of yourself. Get rest and stay hydrated.
Monitor your Symptoms and get Tested
Reporting. Report a positive COVID-19 case of possible exposure
Stay in touch with your doctor. . Be sure to get care if you have trouble breathing, or have any other emergency warning signs.
Wash your hands often
Quarantine/Isolation guidance

30. Are there any resources for combating stigmatization, bias and xenophobia related to the Coronavirus? [top]
We understand that there is some anxiety and uneasiness around COVID-19; however, we encourage our campus community to support one another during this time.

COVID-19 is a virus that can affect all humans. Racism or stigmatism do not reflect CSUCI’s values.

If you believe you have been treated unfairly, discriminated against or harassed based on a protected status, such as disability, medical condition, race or national origin, please contact the University’s Title IX office at titleix@csuci.edu.

Travel

31. Where can I find additional information about travel guidelines and restrictions? [top]
The following resources have been identified as having reliable and accurate information related to domestic and international travel:

CDC Information for Travel
CDC Travel Planner
U.S. Department of State Travel Advisories
U.S. Department of State Country Information
World Health Organization Travel Advice

I have a question that has not been addressed here, who can I contact? [top]
Please email additional questions to csuci.news@csuci.edu and we will direct your question(s) to appropriate University personnel for a response. You may also call the University’s main number at 805-437-8400 for additional assistance. Parents of students may also email us at dolphin.parents@csuci.edu.