We look forward to welcoming all of you to campus next week.  Ahead of that, this communication is to summarize all COVID-19 policy and protocols so that you are prepared to return to campus in a way that protects the health, safety, and academic experience for everyone.  Please direct any questions or concerns to krocschool@sandiego.edu.

Vaccination Requirement, Exemptions, Testing

• All students must either be vaccinated for COVID-19 or have obtained an exemption and submit to regular testing.
• Students with exemptions will undergo regular testing.  The Student Health Center will contact each exempt student with individual instructions on how to schedule testing.  Students who have not yet received their testing instructions are not out of compliance with the testing requirement.

Interim Suspensions for Non-Compliance with Vaccination Requirement

• Students who did not submit documentation of their vaccination or obtain an exemption have now been issued Interim Suspensions.
• Once a student is in compliance, the Interim Suspension will be lifted and, following confirmation and formal notification, the student may participate in classes and campus activities.
• Students who have not complied with this requirement by the end of the add/drop period on September 13 will be withdrawn from their classes and issued a full tuition refund.

Class Recordings, Attendance Policy

• Engage in daily self-screening and stay home if you believe you are contagious because you’re ill or because you believe you’ve been exposed to COVID and do not come to class until that is resolved.  If a student does contract COVID, we will make sure that the student has the appropriate support.
• If at any time during the semester you believe you have COVID-related symptoms or might be contagious, please send a message to your professor. Faculty will make accommodations to support ongoing learning, including granting access to recorded sessions.
• It is the students’ responsibility to communicate with their professors regarding their absence.  Please inform your professor if you are going to be absent due to COVID-related issues, and contact krocschool@sandiego.edu if you need additional support.

Contact Tracing Protocol

The University has issued protocols for those who may have been exposed to COVID-19. Per these protocols:

• All positive cases will be advised of CDC guidelines to isolate for 10 days regardless of vaccination status.
• Vaccination status will be determined for close contacts.  Since classrooms are considered a dynamic environment where students move around and are together for long periods of time, individuals in classes with the positive case will likely be considered close contacts.
• Unvaccinated close contacts will be advised to quarantine for 10 days.  If living on campus, they will be moved to quarantine housing.  These individuals would have the option to shorten quarantine to 7 days (released on day 8) if they have a negative test result performed on days 5-7.
• Vaccinated close contacts do not need to quarantine but will be given the recommendation to get tested on days 3-5 after last exposure.
• Students who have documented infection of COVID-19 in the past 90 days would not need to quarantine or test. 

Face Coverings Indoors, Eating and Drinking Indoors

• The CDC and San Diego County recommend that everyone should wear face coverings indoors, regardless of vaccination status.  While this is not required in our County at this point, the University has returned to requiring face coverings indoors for everyone.  Everyone on campus must wear a face covering while indoors.
• Individuals who do not comply with the face-covering rule will be asked to leave the premises until they do comply.  Kroc Academic Programs will have spare face coverings available if a student needs a back-up face covering.
• Eating and drinking indoors during class is prohibited.  Please refrain from eating or drinking during your classes—wait until you can eat in an outdoor setting or an indoor setting where physical distancing is possible.  If indoors, wear a mask except if you’re actively eating or drinking. 

Upgraded Ventilation Systems, Cleaning Protocols

• The University has upgraded its ventilation systems, installing MERV-13 filtration in 98% of classrooms across campus, and has extended the HVAC operating hours to maximize the introduction of fresh outside air into indoor spaces.
• All common areas without mechanical ventilation have also been equipped with HEPA filtration air purifying systems.  USD’s recent classroom indoor air quality test results exceeded OSHA and ASHRAE air-quality standards.
• USD maintains strict cleaning protocols across campus.  The University continues to use CDC-recommended and EPA-registered disinfectants in all of our cleaning protocols across campus. Our primary cleaning products are the same as those used in many hospitals, nursing homes, and medical offices, and are effective against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Custodial “Strike Teams” have methodically deep-cleaned all campus buildings and residence halls, all of which have continued to receive ongoing cleaning without interruption. Cleaning frequency has been increased across campus, specifically in classrooms, restrooms, and other high-traffic areas.  Frequently touched surfaces (i.e., door handles, push bars, elevator buttons) are also cleaned and disinfected with much greater frequency.