TO: All employees
FR: Karen Moranski, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs and Tyson Hill, Associate Vice President for Risk Management and Safety Services
We hope your winter break was peaceful and joyful. This spring, we will be exploring a combination of in-person work and telecommuting, and our classes will be operating 65-70% in person. We are grateful for your tenacity, your willingness to be flexible, and your continued commitment to making Sonoma State an excellent place to work, to teach and learn, to do research, and to serve our students.
The return to on-campus operations on Monday, January 3 is a joyful development, but one that brings worries and complications for many in our community as we continue our journey through COVID. The new omicron variant creates uncertainty, but through careful and diligent adherence to COVID safety measures, we can help ensure a healthy and engaged start to our spring semester. It also helps greatly that instruction for Spring 2022 is not slated to begin until later in the month on Monday, January 24.
Student Health Center and Risk Management and Safety Services continue to monitor the emerging data about the omicron variant. At this time, data indicates that the variant is causing illness that is less severe than the delta variant, but is likely more transmissible. Masks, vaccinations, and boosters are more important than ever.
Vaccination and booster requirement
On December 22, the Chancellor’s Office announced that all faculty, staff, and students will be required to have a COVID-19 booster to access campus facilities. This vaccine booster requirement follows research demonstrating that the protective immunity of the vaccines wanes over time, and boosters can help to significantly protect against contracting COVID-19 and severe illness.
Students and non-represented employees eligible for the COVID-19 booster will be required to have their booster on file by Monday, February 28, 2022, to be considered fully vaccinated. Represented employees are not subject to the requirement until the CSU concludes its meet-and-confer process with labor unions. We urge all eligible employees to make an appointment to receive the vaccine booster. Visit MyTurn.ca.gov to find a vaccine clinic near you. Many pharmacies and clinics are currently offering boosters, and you may choose any of three authorized boosters, regardless of your original vaccine, according to the CDC.
Daily Wellness Screening
All employees coming to campus are required to complete a Daily Wellness Screening at the start of each day. This includes off-schedule visits to campus and regularly scheduled on-campus work days.
Face masks
Face masks are proven to be very effective at preventing the circulation of the coronavirus. Face masks are required inside ALL campus buildings, except residence halls. Employees may remove their mask if they are in their private office while the door is closed. Face masks may be taken off for brief periods indoors while eating, drinking, or taking oral medications. However, it is recommended that the mask be worn between bites and sips when eating or drinking. Face masks are not required outdoors, as long as a six-foot physical distance between persons can be maintained.
If you lose or forget to bring a mask to campus, you may pick one up during business hours at the Seawolf Services Center in Salazar Hall or the Student Center.
On-campus COVID-19 Testing Center
The on-campus COVID-19 Testing Center will resume operations next week in the Recreation Center. The Testing Center schedule will be posted online on January 3.
Post travel COVID-19 test
Employees who elected to travel over the winter break are encouraged to take a COVID-19 test upon return from their travels. Managers may not prohibit employees from on-campus work due to personal travel.
Testing requirements
Employees who are required to participate in the COVID-19 employee testing program will be asked to test on Tuesday, January 4, 2022, or their first day of work after the winter break.
If you have any questions about campus COVID-19 safety protocols, please email covid.monitoring@sonoma.edu.