OFFICE OF THE CHANCELLOR

May 11, 2023

ALL STUDENTS, ACADEMICS AND STAFF AT UC SAN DIEGO (Including UC San Diego Health)

Ending UC San Diego’s “Return to Learn” Program

When the Return to Learn program launched in May 2020, it was UC San Diego’s bold response to the COVID-19 pandemic. A science-based, real-time approach to maintaining low infection rates among the campus community, the strategy was made possible by the breadth and depth of our scholars’ expertise in immunology, microbiology, public health and data science. It was also made possible thanks to the truly heroic efforts of UC San Diego Health, our students, staff, faculty and community partners.

As a result of these efforts, we were able to bring students back to campus in a safe and strategic manner, beginning in Fall 2020 and increasing the number of students returning to campus each quarter for the 2020-2021 academic year. Based on that year’s success, we were able to return to full, on-campus operations in Fall 2021, and served as a model of best practices for other institutions and K-12 systems regionally and nationally.

Now, the acute phase of the pandemic is fading and, while the virus continues to evolve, case rates are lower than they have been in years. On May 11, 2023, the federal government will also end the COVID-19 public health emergency, which was first declared on January 31, 2020. Based on this, we will now be adopting current COVID-19 regulations as outlined by Cal/OSHA. We will also continue to use all that we have learned over the last few years while embracing more personal responsibility for our individual health and well-being.

As of May 11, 2023, operational needs related to the new normal will be led by Environment, Health & Safety (EH&S). The Return to Learn website will also begin re-directing over the next few days to the EH&S COVID-19 webpage, where you will be able to find up-to-date information. The COVID-19 emergency banner will be removed from campus websites and the Return to Learn newsletter will sunset as well.

There will also be other changes as follows:

The Daily Symptom Screener will no longer be required for students or employees who are coming to campus. However, you must complete the symptom screener if you are not feeling well, have been exposed to COVID-19 or have tested positive for COVID-19.
Symptomatic testing will no longer be required for students and employees, but it is strongly recommended. It is recommended that you test 3 to 5 days after an exposure to COVID-19 or if you develop symptoms consistent with COVID-19. Please visit the EH&S COVID-19 webpage for more information about how to report your results and what to do if you have been exposed to or tested positive for COVID-19.
Masking in non-health care settings is optional. Masking remains required in UC San Diego Health clinical settings during face-to-face direct patient care (ambulatory and acute care settings) and when an individual requests masking. Patient and visitor masking is optional EXCEPT for infection prevention precautions (e.g., have or are suspected to have an infectious respiratory pathogen such as tuberculosis, measles, influenza, COVID-19, RSV). Patients may be advised to wear a mask by their medical team if they are immunocompromised or during periods of reduced immunity. Visitors are asked to wear a mask if a patient requests masking. More details about green tier guidelines for UC San Diego Health employees can be found on Pulse. Patients and visitors can find more information on the UC San Diego Health Visitor Information webpage.

Please note that while screening, testing and masking may no longer be required in certain situations, they are still encouraged, especially if symptomatic. We should also continue to respect fellow Tritons’ decisions to mask as they are making the best choices for themselves and their families.

While some things may be changing, there are several policies and operations that will remain in place. These include:

The UC Vaccination policy currently applies.
UC San Diego wastewater testing will continue until further notice.
The UC San Diego COVID-19 Daily Dashboard will remain active until further notice.
The Required Notification of Potential Exposure Building Locations will be distributed once monthly to campus and daily to supervisors and employees in affected worksites.
Rapid antigen tests will still be available to campus community members via campus vending machines.
Masks will be made available via the campus vending machines in advance of the new academic year. In the meantime, EH&S is able to provide masks upon request.

Any additional changes will be communicated to the campus community in a timely fashion, either through a campus notice and/or through the UC San Diego Today campus newsletter. Should you have any questions, please contact QHC-EOC@ucsd.edu.

In closing, we’d like to express our deep appreciation for your resilience and the exceptional efforts all of you have undertaken over the last three plus years. Together, we will continue to keep our campus healthy and thriving now, and into the future.

Pradeep K. Khosla
Chancellor

Elizabeth H. Simmons
Executive Vice Chancellor

John M. Carethers
Vice Chancellor for Health Sciences

Margaret S. Leinen
Vice Chancellor for Marine Sciences

Gary C. Matthews
Vice Chancellor for Resource Management and Planning

Corinne Peek-Asa
Vice Chancellor for Research

Pierre Ouillet
Vice Chancellor and Chief Financial Officer

Becky R. Petitt
Vice Chancellor for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

Alysson M. Satterlund
Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs

Ann Spira
Vice Chancellor for Advancement

Judith C. Bruner
Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer

Anne L. Buckley
Chief Communications and Marketing Officer

Vince Kellen
Chief Information Officer

Patricia S. Maysent
Chief Executive Officer for UC San Diego Health

Daniel W. Park
Chief Campus Counsel

Terri Winbush
Chief Human Resources Officer