Aug. 4, 2022
Dear Faculty, Staff, and Student Employees:
As a follow-up to my communication of July 4, 2022, I am writing to provide additional updates regarding our campus COVID requirements for the upcoming Fall 2022 semester.
This Fall we enter our sixth semester, excluding summers, of navigating the pandemic. With my fourth semester of guiding this process approaching, I continue to utilize the same two guidelines that I adopted in January 2021 for decision making: 1) utilizing data to inform decisions; and 2) exceeding baseline public health recommendations to promote a healthy campus environment.
In consultation with Ventura County Public Health, the data we have currently indicate that:
- Ventura County is considered to be in the “High” community transmission level according to CDC
- The local case count is fairly stable.
- Hospitalizations are up somewhat, though ICUs are not being negatively impacted.
- Although reported cases since June 1 appear to be almost evenly distributed among the vaccinated (48%) and the unvaccinated (52%), the numbers also show substantially lower infection rates among vaccinated individuals (8.9%) than unvaccinated (27.6%).
- People who are vaccinated are much less likely to contract COVID-19, and also far less likely to suffer severe illness if they do.
- Mask-wearing indoors mitigates spread and is an action we can take to support each other—especially those caring for infants and/or the elderly, immunocompromised people, and others at higher risk.
Each of the above points informed the plan for Fall 2022. I encourage you to visit the Ventura County Recovers website where additional data and information is available. Please also make sure to visit our updated COVID website to review additional campus information on the topics included below.
Masking
Due to Ventura County currently being in the “High” community transmission level, indoor mask-wearing at all on-campus locations and affiliated sites will continue to be required until further notice, which is in full alignment with CDC recommendations. Medical/disposable masks will be available throughout the campus and a limited supply of KN95 and N95 masks will also be available. We will continue to monitor Ventura County’s Community Level in relation to our indoor mask wearing requirement.
Testing
Ventura County Public Health (VCPH) guidance indicates that we do not need to require weekly testing of students or employees with qualified medical exemptions at this time, since current COVID infections from new variants are impacting people regardless of vaccination status. Therefore, effective August 15, the weekly testing requirement for unvaccinated faculty, staff, and students with a University approved COVID-19 vaccine exemption is suspended for the Fall 2022 semester.
We will continue to provide free on-campus testing for campus community members who are symptomatic, were exposed to an infected person, and/or want to monitor their status as a precautionary measure. Details about the testing location and schedule are being determined and will be communicated to the campus when finalized. Questions about testing may be directed to healthycsuci@csuci.edu.
Testing for students in Housing & Residential Education is still required for initial entry and upon return from campus designated breaks. All housing students will be receiving additional communication regarding these requirements, as well as other details related to their move-in onto the campus.
Isolation and Quarantine Protocols
Updated information about isolation and quarantine protocols can be found on our COVID-19 website.
Vaccination Compliance
There are no changes in CSU policy requirements. All students and employees must certify their vaccination/booster status or that they have an approved medical or religious exemption on file.
Human Resources will continue to communicate about and monitor the compliance status of employees.
As noted above under Testing, employees and students with exemptions are no longer required to test weekly; therefore, the campus’ approach for monitoring student compliance will no longer utilize the previous Not Permitted on Campus (NPOC) strategy as circumstances for monitoring certification and/or testing compliance for all students on a weekly basis have changed significantly.
The number of students needing to be monitored for compliance in certifying their vaccination status is greatly reduced since students who did not comply with the CSU policy during the Spring semester were not allowed to enroll for the upcoming Fall semester.
Our communication strategy over the summer has been focused on all new students entering Fall 2022 who will be required to certify their vaccination status per the CSU policy by August 11, 2022. Students who have not completed their certification by September 30, 2022, will be notified that a hold will be placed on their record, and they will be unable to register for Spring 2023 until certification is complete.
Students in housing will also be required to certify vaccination status before moving into their residence. As noted above, entry testing will also be required for all students living in on-campus housing.
Events
Internal and external events with over 100 guests will be reviewed by Environmental Health & Safety through the 25Live approval process with contact tracing continuing to be required for all indoor events.
Vaccination remains strongly recommended but guests to campus are not required to show proof of vaccination. Their mask-wearing indoors is required at this time. Event organizers should communicate the University’s COVID requirements to guests, encourage proper hygiene and etiquette to avoid spreading COVID, and discourage guests from attending events on campus or affiliated sites if they are feeling unwell or have been exposed to COVID. Physical distancing is not currently required for any events.
Campus Cleaning Protocols
Cal/OSHA has removed the cleaning and disinfection requirement of a space where a positive case may have been. This change reflects the evolution in scientific understanding which now indicates a low risk of infection from surfaces. If employees would like to have disinfection products on hand for their workspace, they can request them from their personal protection equipment (PPE) coordinator.
We will continue to monitor and provide additional updates with ongoing consultation with VCPH, as well as our campus’ Environmental Health & Safety team, to proactively adapt to changing conditions as deemed necessary. If you have any questions, please reach out to: csuci.news@csuci.edu.
Sincerely,
Richard Yao, Ph.D.
President