Campus Safety Preparations and Updated Masking Recommendation

As we head into final preparations for fall quarter, I would like to remind our community of the many things UC San Diego is doing to keep our campus as safe as possible.

Positive case rates on campus have remained consistently low compared to regional and national case rates. As a result, UC San Diego has been able to increase the number of students on campus each subsequent quarter throughout the 2020-21 academic year. Our plan is to resume in-person instruction on September 21.

We fostered a culture of caring, where students and employees monitor symptoms, provide information, and practice behaviors that minimize risk.

UC San Diego Health was instrumental in getting student and employee vaccine coverage as high as possible with minimal exceptions. We made it easy to access vaccines and will continue that commitment when vaccine boosters become available.

We provided easy-to-access asymptomatic testing through our testing center at Price Center and via 20 test-kit vending machines and drop-off locations across campus. We will be testing all students when they arrive on campus and for students who live in campus-operated housing, we will be testing them again on days five and 10 after arrival.

We are collecting samples and testing wastewater at more than 200 locations across campus. We are alerting residents and visitors of persistent (three days) positive signals in residential or non-residential locations.

We are increasing case investigation staff with the goal of providing evaluation within 24 hours of all cases and completing contact investigations within 48 hours.

Our more conservative approach to masking has been successful in decreasing potential exposures across the entire campus. We have also remained mindful to limit the size of indoor and outdoor social gatherings and special events, augmenting protocols during viral surge periods.

We have encouraged use of CA Notify on smart phones to provide alerts between those who use the service about possible exposure to infection. The State’s digital exposure notification system was piloted at UC San Diego.

We have updated air handling systems, optimizing ventilation in residential and non-residential buildings across campus.

Isolation and quarantine housing have been relocated to open up more housing on campus. Adjacent to campus, no-cost isolation housing will be provided to students who live in campus-operated housing and who test positive during the term.

All of these actions and protocols are working together to increase protection for our campus community this fall.

Masking Policy & Recommendations

Regardless of vaccination status, all persons must wear a mask or face covering at all indoor locations at UC San Diego, except while eating and drinking. Masks may be removed if you are alone in an office with a closed door. The campus recommends the use of N-95 and KN-95 masks.

A face covering/face mask DOES NOT include a scarf, ski mask, balaclava, bandana, gaiter, turtleneck, collar, plastic face shield, or single layer of fabric.

All students, faculty and staff are encouraged, but not required, to wear masks outdoors while on campus. Attendees at outdoor campus events must wear a face mask if required by the event organizer. Read the full masking policy online.

Asymptomatic Testing

Students. As of the start of the fall quarter, asymptomatic PCR testing is required for all students living in campus-operated housing or coming to campus (weekly for vaccinated for the first four weeks; and ongoing twice weekly for unvaccinated).

Employees. Asymptomatic PCR testing is required twice weekly for all unvaccinated employees coming to campus. Weekly asymptomatic PCR testing for vaccinated employees is encouraged.

Our experts in epidemic modeling will incorporate estimates of viral activity and vaccination rates on campus, to adjust testing requirements and recommendations.

Find locations for ongoing asymptomatic testing locations on campus on the Return to Learn website.

Thank you

Your commitment to each other, to the health of our campus community, and to the health of the greater San Diego region has been exemplary. Please continue the practices that keep our campus community safe and visit the Return to Learn website for the most recent updates to interim policies and procedures. Thank you to our staff, to our faculty, and to our students for your continued partnership and commitment to safety.

Pradeep K. Khosla
Chancellor

Elizabeth H. Simmons
Executive Vice Chancellor

Gary C. Matthews
Vice Chancellor for Resource Management and Planning

Pierre Ouillet
Vice Chancellor and Chief Financial Officer

Alysson M. Satterlund
Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs