The omicron variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus is driving COVID-19 cases to record levels around the world. UC San Diego is monitoring public health very closely. We continue to collect new data and publish it daily on the Return to Learn dashboard. We will also continue to assess the data and inform our campus community of new decisions required to mitigate the changing public health situation.
As outlined in the Dec. 21 campus notice, we will populate the campus incrementally over the first two weeks of Winter Quarter 2022 in order to provide the best support to students, staff and faculty within the capacity of our campus public health infrastructure. We are therefore starting the quarter with two weeks of remote instruction and are currently targeting Tuesday, Jan. 18 as the start of in-person instruction.
If it becomes necessary to adjust the duration of the repopulation phase, any extension of the remote instruction period would be determined in partnership with the Academic Senate and would be communicated as soon as possible. Other adjustments to campus life, activities, services and access to facilities may be required as well. Academic Senate leadership encourages instructors to employ the pandemic resilient teaching methods described and supported by the Teaching + Learning Commons.
We understand that decisions about instructional modality impact our students, staff and faculty very directly. We appreciate your understanding and flexibility as we seek to balance the many uncertainties and competing constraints as the pandemic continues to evolve.
Required Return to Campus Testing Schedule
To prepare for coming back to campus, we strongly recommend being tested within 48 hours of arrival on campus. Rapid antigen testing will be made available to those entering campus-owned housing after Jan. 7 for self-administration 24 hours prior to arrival. Details are forthcoming from Housing Dining Hospitality (HDH) and Student Health and Well-being. All students and employees, regardless of vaccination status, are required to complete a PCR test on the day of their return to campus. Tests are available in the test kit vending machines on campus or at the Price Center for new students and employees.
Campus Housing
In order to help UC San Diego plan for a gradual, incremental increase of students on campus, we strongly recommend that those with undergraduate housing contracts indicate their planned date of arrival to HDH as soon as possible. In addition to rapid testing prior to arrival, all residential students will need to complete a PCR test upon arrival and no less than 24 hours after arrival. Returning residents may pick up a test at the vending machines; new residents may test at the Price Center.
Protect Yourself and Others
Public health orders across the nation are encouraging people to STAY HOME as much as possible. If you need to go out, wear a N-95 or KN-95 mask at all times. Change your mask at least every five days and whenever soiled or wet.
Current vaccines combined with a booster dose help protect against severe illness, hospitalization and death due to infection with the omicron variant. GET A BOOSTER SHOT as soon as possible and before Jan. 31 to remain compliant with the UC COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate.
For those living in the region, vaccination and booster shot appointments remain available at the Price Center and at the Hillcrest and La Jolla drive-up testing and vaccination sites. To review eligibility requirements and to schedule COVID-19 vaccine or vaccine booster appointments, students and campus employees should refer to the Return to Learn vaccine booster page.
Thank You
Thank you for your continued patience and resilience as we navigate another new frontier during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The safety of our campus community is our top priority. UC San Diego will continue to monitor, evaluate and make operations decisions with the most up-to-date data available.
I want to take this opportunity to also offer my best wishes for the new year to our entire campus community. Moving past the current surge of the omicron variant, we have much to look forward to in the coming year.
