COVID-19 Updates
Last updated: May 24, 2023 at 11:00 am
Page Outline (click links below for more details)
Summer 2023 Updates
The COVID-19 public health emergency has ended. Public health officials in the United States and in the World Health Organization are reporting declines in COVID-19-related deaths, hospitalizations, and intensive care unit admissions. Agencies are also reporting high levels of population immunity to SARS-CoV-2.
Given improved local and national conditions, we are updating our campus COVID-19 policies and guidance. Please read the policy updates below.
With implementation having begun on Friday, May 19, the following is in effect:
COVID-19 Testing
- COVID-19 testing will remain available in the vending machine at the Calpulli Center in San Diego and at the Brawley and Calexico campuses in Imperial Valley. Additional updates regarding other testing availability for Fall will be shared with the campus community this summer.
- Home rapid test kits continue to be available for purchase at the Student Health Services Pharmacy.
COVID-19 Vaccinations
- Students will continue to be required to provide documentation of COVID-19 vaccination.
- Following system-wide discussions and agreements with each of the CSU employee unions, SDSU employees and contractors will no longer be required to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination.
Isolation & Quarantine
- In accordance with San Diego County and California Department of Public Health guidelines, all individuals who test positive for COVID-19 must isolate for at least five full days from their symptom onset date or from their asymptomatic test date.
- At SDSU, and across campus, COVID Clearance Team members will continue to provide individual guidance on isolation timeframes, but will no longer require proof of negative testing or submission of an Isolation Exit Request Form.
- Individuals who have been exposed to COVID should continue to monitor for symptoms and seek testing 3-5 days following exposure.
COVID-19 Reporting
- All community members must continue to report their positive COVID-19 test to SDSU.
- COVID Clearance Team members will continue to respond to COVID-related concerns as well as provide notifications to close contacts and potential workplace exposures.
- The COVID-19 Dashboard has been discontinued to coincide with the end of the Spring 2023 semester.
Wastewater Testing Discontinued
- With the discontinuation of the public health emergency, regular wastewater testing will no longer be conducted on campus.
- We are especially grateful to faculty member Dr. Matthew Verbyla and his team in the Safe WaTER Lab who have led our wastewater testing efforts for the last two years, allowing us to improve our monitoring and response capabilities.
Our university will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation and communicate updates to the community.
Each of us has a personal responsibility to help stop the spread of any illness, including COVID-19, and every member of our campus community is encouraged to practice good hygiene and cleanliness.
COVID-19 Policy For Students
All SDSU Global Campus students must be vaccinated for COVID-19 or request an exemption for one of the following reasons:
- You are a fully online student and do not plan to visit campus for any reason (this includes using the library, visiting the book store, attending events on campus, etc.)
- You are the in process of attaining full vaccination status
- Medical conditions prevent you from taking the vaccine
- You cannot take the vaccine for religious reasons
I Don’t Plan to Visit Campus
If you’re a fully-online student and you do not plan to visit San Diego State University’s campus for any reason, you’ll need to have an approved online exemption request in your HealtheConnect portal under the “Forms” tab.
If your class has already begun but you’re still awaiting clearance from HealtheConnect, please notify your instructor to ensure that your seat in the class is secure.
I Plan to Visit Campus
If you’re participating in an in-person course at San Diego State University, or you’re planning on visiting campus to access any in-person resources (the library, the Aztec Recreation Center, events, etc.), you’ll need to have a valid proof of COVID-19 vaccination or an approved exemption request in your HealtheConnect portal.
If your class has already begun but you’re still awaiting clearance from HealtheConnect, please notify your instructor before your first class begins to ensure that your seat in the class is secure. You should also contact your instructor if you’ve been quarantined due to COVID-19 exposure or if you’re feeling sick and unable to attend class.
International Students
If you’re an international student in our Semester @ SDSU or American Language Institute English programs, these guidelines also apply to you. Please contact us by calling (619) 594-5907 or emailing ali@sdsu.edu if you have any questions.
If your class has already begun but you’re still awaiting clearance from HealtheConnect, please notify your instructor to ensure that your seat in the class is secure.
How To Attain Clearance
To access courses and/or visit campus, you need to submit your COVID-19 vaccination records or request an exemption through SDSU’s HealtheConnect portal. The upload process takes no more than 10 minutes.
In order to participate in classes with SDSU Global Campus, you'll need to submit vaccination documentation or request an exemption through HealtheConnect. To do this, please complete the following steps:
- Register for a course.
- Activate your SDSUid.
- Submit your documentation through HealtheConnect.
Please note that it can take up to two (2) days before your SDSUid is added to HealtheConnect and up to three (3) days before your documentation is cleared. We strongly advise beginning your clearance process at least five (5) days before your first class begins.
Important Note for New Students: You’ll need to use your activated SDSUid (SDSU email address) to access HealtheConnect. You won’t be able to access HealtheConnect until you’ve activated your SDSUid and your registration has been processed. Current students should already have a valid SDSUid and can access HealtheConnect as needed.
Once your proof of COVID-19 vaccination has been validated or your exemption request has been approved, you’ll receive a Green Medallion in your HealtheConnect portal under the “COVID-19” tab. If you haven’t submitted the necessary documentation, your HealtheConnect portal will show a Red Medallion.
Types of Exemptions
Online Exemption
If you’re an online student and you’re not visiting campus, you’ll need to submit your exemption request via HealtheConnect by the deadlines established above showing that you won’t be participating in any on-campus activities. This includes using the library or other SDSU resources or participating in any on-campus events.
Information on submitting an exemption request can be found here.
Medical or Religious Exemptions
The CSU COVID-19 vaccination requirement allows students to seek an exemption based on medical or religious grounds. If you plan on submitting an exemption request for medical or religious reasons, you’ll need to submit your exemption request via HealtheConnect by the deadlines established above.
Information on submitting an exemption request can be found here.
Partial Vaccination Exemption
If you’re in the process of being vaccinated, but will not be fully vaccinated by the time your course begins, you can complete a temporary waiver request. You’ll need to submit your exemption request via HealtheConnect by the deadlines established above. This means you’ll be placed in a testing program until you reach fully-vaccinated status. Please note: you’ll be considered fully vaccinated two weeks after your second dose of a two-shot vaccine or two weeks after the first dose of a single-shot vaccine.
Information on submitting an exemption request can be found here.
Enforcement of Vaccination and Testing Protocols
SDSU’s COVID-19 testing requirement continues to reflect low COVID-19 case rates and high community vaccination rates.
- SDSU has discontinued surveillance testing for students and employees regardless of vaccination status.
- This means that the 7/14-day COVID testing requirement for exempt community members is no longer active.
- All community members must still either have an exemption on file or a full COVID series plus booster on file, but no further testing is required.
- This does not apply to employees required to test per California Department of Public Health (CDPH) guidelines.
Community members who have been diagnosed with COVID-19 must comply with SDSU’s isolation and quarantine guidelines, regardless of vaccination and booster status. If you’ve recently had a COVID-19 infection, please get vaccinated as recommended.
Vending machines are available in public spaces on campus with free access to molecular COVID testing. There will be six (6) machines at SDSU and two (2) at SDSU Imperial Valley. Use the interactive campus map to locate vending machines (zoom out on the map to locate Imperial Valley locations).
Because of the serious nature of COVID-19 and the importance of vaccination for individual and community wellness, the university will take action should you not adhere to the COVID-19 vaccination requirement. If you haven’t yet submitted your proof of vaccination or exemption, you’ll receive reminders via your official SDSU email account. Students who remain non-compliant will need to meet with the Center for Student Rights and Responsibilities (CSRR). Due to the severity of the ongoing public health concern around the global pandemic, and in the interest of individual and community safety, sanctions are possible for students who do not comply, including warnings and suspensions.
Quarantine & Isolation Policy
SDSU community members who have been diagnosed with COVID-19 must isolate for a period of five full days from their symptom onset date or from their asymptomatic test date.
COVID Clearance Team members will continue to provide individual guidance on isolation timeframes, but will no longer require proof of negative testing or submission of an Isolation Exit Request Form. Individuals who have been exposed to COVID should continue to monitor for symptoms and seek testing 3-5 days following exposure.
Aligned with CDPH guidance, SDSU’s quarantine policy is being updated:
- Those exposed to someone who is COVID-19-positive and who are asymptomatic are not required to quarantine, regardless of vaccination status. Individuals should seek testing and monitor their symptoms.
- Individuals who have been exposed and are symptomatic are required to quarantine, seek testing, and must report symptomatic exposure to the university.
FAQs
I’m an online student. What do I need to do to participate in online courses at SDSU Global Campus?
As an online student, you’ll need to attain Green Status in your HealtheConnect portal. You can do this by having an approved online exemption request in your HealtheConnect stating that you won’t be visiting campus for any reason. Please see our Online Exemption Update for more information.
What is SDSU Global Campus doing to ensure that Osher, non-credit, and international students can successfully upload their vaccine records?
All current Global Campus students - including Osher students, credit, and non-credit students - are required to upload either vaccination documentation or request an exemption via HealtheConnect.
How long will it take for my course registration records to be uploaded to HealtheConnect?
HealtheConnect is updated Monday - Saturday at 4:00 am PDT. However, it can take up to two (2) days before your SDSUid is added to HealtheConnect,
How do I provide my proof of vaccination?
Please visit HealtheConnect and login with your SDSUid and navigate to the Immunizations tab, where you’ll identify which vaccine you received. Then, you’ll navigate to the Upload tab, where you’ll upload a photo of your immunization card. Once we verify your proof of vaccination, you’ll receive a Green Medallion in HealtheConnect that says you’re cleared to visit campus.
Click here for an overview of this process.
Do Global Campus students need to register or create a separate account to log in to HealtheConnect?
No - all current credit and non-credit students can log in with their SDSUid. If you have not already created an SDSUid account, you’ll need to create one to access HealtheConnect using the following process
- Register for a course.
- You should receive an email within three hours of registering that contains instructions on how to activate your SDSUid.
- At the same time, your course registration is being processed and uploaded to the HealtheConnect database. This is a nightly process. Once you’ve registered for your course, you should be able to access HealtheConnect within two (2) days using your activated SDSUid.
What if I have my first dose of a two-shot vaccine?
If you’re in the process of being vaccinated, but will not be fully vaccinated by the time your first course begins, you can complete a temporary waiver request. You’re considered fully vaccinated two weeks after your second dose of a two-shot vaccine or two weeks after the first dose of a single-shot vaccine.
Please see Partial Vaccination Exemption for more information.
Are other vaccinations required for SDSU Global Campus online students?
At this time, SDSU Global Campus students are only required to submit proof of vaccination for COVID-19 or request an exemption for one of the reasons listed above. This does not apply to other vaccines you may see in your HealtheConnect portal.
What if I have questions?
If you have any questions about proof of vaccination or requesting an exemption, we’re here to help. Please call (619) 594-7700 or email globalcampus@sdsu.edu. If you’re reaching out via email, please include “Vaccine Question” in the subject line.
COVID-19 Policy SDSU Global Campus Faculty and Staff
Following system-wide discussions and agreements with each of the CSU employee unions, SDSU employees and contractors will no longer be required to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination.
Keeping Our Community Healthy
While the immediate risk of the coronavirus to the SDSU Global Campus community is believed to be low at this time, we each have a personal responsibility to continue to assist in mitigating this ongoing public health threat. SDSU Global Campus students, instructors, and staff are asked to maintain healthy habits to help prevent the spread of disease.
Facial Coverings
The California Department of Public Health has updated its facial covering guidance and no longer offers a strong recommendation that facial coverings be used at all times indoors. The agency now recommends that members of the public consider the use of facial coverings during times of heightened community transmission.
Facial coverings are no longer required for instructional settings, no matter the location of classes or labs. Facial coverings are no longer required to access library spaces.
Individuals may still voluntarily wear facial coverings in both indoor settings or outdoors if they wish to do so.
Individuals experiencing symptoms must wear a facial covering if they are on campus to seek testing or as they exit campus to return home if they have onset of symptoms while on campus.
As always, the university will continue monitoring COVID-19 conditions and will update the campus in the event of any major changes that directly impact our community. Visit the university’s COVID-19 site and SDSU Flex site for more information.
In-Person Events Guidance
Aligned with the state-wide timeline and effective April 1, 2022, separate vaccination and testing checks are no longer required at the door of SDSU-affiliated events. This includes “mega-events” of over 1,000 people and large events of 250-999 people.
Stay at Home if Sick
All SDSU students, faculty, staff, independent contractors, and vendors must stay home if they are unwell.
- Do not come to campus if you do not feel well. Remain home and monitor your symptoms and seek medical attention as needed.
- Contact your supervisor or faculty member to notify them of your absence.
- COVID-19 can result in mild to severe symptoms, and older adults and people who have severe underlying medical conditions, such as heart or lung disease or diabetes, seem to be at higher risk for developing more serious complications from COVID-19.
If you receive a positive COVID-19 test, complete the COVID-19 Reporting Form. You are required to notify the institution immediately (within two hours) of your positive test results.
Additional Resources
Resources for Students, Staff, and Faculty
Testing/Vaccinations
- SDSU COVID-19 Case Information and Reporting
- Testing and Vaccine Programs
- San Diego County COVID-19 Testing
- Imperial County COVID-19 Testing
- Report a COVID-19 Case/Test
Health Guidance
Campus Updates/Resources
Helpful Health Tips
- Monitor your health daily, and take appropriate action (stay home, call your doctor) if you begin to feel sick.
- Remember to always cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow.
- Throw used tissues in the trash.
- Regularly wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after blowing noses, coughing, or sneezing.
- If soap and water are not readily available, clean your hands with a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands, and avoid personal contact with people who are sick.
- Avoid sharing food, cups, or utensils.
- Avoid touching high-touch surfaces in public places and minimize handling cash, credit cards, and mobile or electronic devices.
- Custodial professionals will continue to disinfect high-touch surfaces (i.e., doorknobs, restroom fixtures, etc.).
SDSU Global Campus Program Academic Updates
Grading Basis Update:
Credit/Non-credit Grading Basis Option: Cr/NC option has been extended for the duration of the pandemic. The last day to submit a Cr/NC request for the spring 2021 semester is May 6th, 2021. Requests may be submitted here: Petition for Cr/NC due to COVID-19.
Undergraduate Students: A grade of Credit (CR) is awarded for work equivalent to a course letter grade of C (2.0) or better. No Credit (NC) is awarded for work equivalent to all grades, which earn less than 2.0-grade points (C- through F).
Graduate Students: A grade of Credit (CR) is awarded for work equivalent to a course letter grade of B (3.0) or better. No Credit (NC) is awarded for work equivalent to all grades, which earn less than 3.0-grade points (B- through F).
Financial Aid Impact: CR/NC grading may have an impact on your financial aid eligibility. Receiving an NC grade in a course may negatively impact future financial aid eligibility, if overall, during the academic year (summer 2020, fall 2020, spring 2021) 75% of your courses were not completed. Please review the COVID-19 information on the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships website for more information.
Questions can be directed to enrollment.global@sdsu.edu.