TO: All employees
FR: Tyson Hill, Associate Vice President for Risk Management and Safety Services
As the community prepares for the 2022–2023 academic year, SSU continues to prioritize the health and safety of our community. For your awareness and planning, the University is sharing the following overview of COVID-19 protocols approved for the fall 2022 semester effective today:
- Face Coverings: In alignment with CDC, CDPH, and local health recommendations, masks are strongly recommended in all indoor settings, including instructional settings, but not required. Face coverings are available on campus at the Seawolf Service Center, Student Center Information and Tickets desk, and Library (2nd floor circulation desk).
- COVID-19 Vaccination Policy: SSU continues to require the COVID vaccine (and booster) per the CSU’s COVID-19 Vaccinations policy or an approved exemption for all employees and students.
- Reporting Cases: All employees and students who test positive or are exhibiting symptoms for COVID-19 are required to notify COVID Monitoring and Compliance Team by completing a wellness screening or by emailing covid.monitoring@sonoma.edu. Additionally, employees must notify the University of a close contact exposure that has resulted in symptoms.
- Isolation: Employees and students with COVID-19 are required to isolate themselves from the University community for the duration of their isolation period as required by local public health orders. The University will assign residential students to University isolation housing upon testing positive for COVID-19.
- Contact Tracing: As required by Cal-OSHA workplace safety standards, SSU’s COVID Monitoring and Compliance Team will continue to conduct contract tracing of positive cases and associated on-campus contacts and notify any individuals who had direct sustained contact with the individual.
- Weekly Testing of Unvaccinated Employees and Students: SSU is switching to a testing-when-symptomatic approach. Weekly testing is no longer required for employees or students (regardless of vaccination status) unless you are experiencing symptoms. Symptoms must be reported to the COVID Monitoring and Compliance Team.
- On-campus Testing: For our student and employees safety and convenience, we will continue to offer on-campus COVID-19 testing as use necessitates for our campus community. The On-campus Testing Center will be open on Mondays from 7 to 10 a.m., Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and Thursdays from 3 to 6 p.m. beginning on August 22, 2022.
- Procurement Restrictions: Most COVID-based procurement restrictions have been lifted for departments. Departments are NOT allowed to purchase rapid tests or face masks (with the exception of Risk Management and Safety Service and Student Health Center).
As the pandemic progresses, SSU has remained on the forefront of balancing the most pragmatic and health-minded path for faculty, staff, and students. We will continue to monitor COVID-19 trends, both locally and on our campus, and update our requirements and guidance accordingly in consultation with the University leadership. If you have questions about these safety measures, please contact risk@sonoma.edu.