Dear Santa Clara University Community,

I’m writing today because the past week has seen a sharp increase in the number of positive COVID-19 cases on our campus. While we should all be incredibly proud that we are a heavily vaccinated and boosted campus, we still must take reasonable steps to avoid further outbreak at this critical time, for several reasons:

• To protect those in our community who can’t be vaccinated or who are at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19
• To protect our ability to hold in-person large gatherings later this year such as commencement (which could be curtailed if campus or county rates continue to surge)
• To ensure we can continue our robust in-person classes, extracurriculars, and other campus offerings
• To ensure that neither our campus nor our county health-care infrastructure gets overwhelmed by a new surge in cases.

Last week, more than 100 cases were reported on our campus, and cases have tripled over the last three weeks. This indicates a level of transmission that we have not seen since the Omicron surge in January. Santa Clara County has seen a significant increase in weekly average cases as well—slightly higher than during the peak of last summer’s Delta wave.

To get us through this period of high transmission, we are strongly urging everyone on our campus to wear masks indoors to slow the spread of COVID-19. You will recall that wearing masks is already required in classroom settings— so please make every effort to stay masked at all times indoors during this crucial period.

We also are requiring all those who live in on-campus housing to get tested weekly for the next two weeks, and we urge others to test weekly as well.

While we understand that our campus’s high vaccination rates and booster mandate offers protection against severe illness for many of our community members, widespread positive cases can still have serious negative repercussions on our campus.

Already, isolation spaces on campus are at capacity. If cases continue to increase, students who test positive will be required to isolate in place. As our community prepares for the end of the academic year, finals week, graduation and other celebrations, we are working to minimize disruptions to campus life while simultaneously slowing the spread of COVID-19.

Here is what you need to know to help do your part:

Masking

• We strongly encourage everyone to wear a mask indoors when around other people. Masks are especially important when in meetings, at events, or when gathered in groups.
• Remember that masks are required in classrooms. If the current increase in cases does not slow, we may need to require masks in all indoor spaces.
• KN95 masks are available at multiple locations across campus including the Health Ambassador's table, Campus Safety Office, Provost Office, Charney Hall, Lucas Hall, Guadalupe Hall and at the Jesuit School of Theology front desk. Surgical masks are available in all classrooms.

Mandatory Testing

• Students who live in campus housing are required to take a COVID-19 test twice in the next two weeks - once this week and once next week. Students who live off campus; faculty; and staff are also strongly encouraged to test.
• Color tests are available in the residence halls, Benson Memorial Center, or the lobbies of the following buildings: St. Joseph’s Hall, Dowd, Vari Hall, Lucas Hall, SCDI, and Guadalupe. Color tests are also available at the front desk of Jesuit School of Theology. Completed samples can be dropped off at the same locations.
• If you have tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 90 days, please take a rapid antigen test instead of a Color test. Rapid antigen tests are available at the Health Ambassadors’ table outside the Learning Commons, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. M-F, and Saturday, May 14, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

The COVID-19 Operations Team will continue to closely monitor case rates on campus, and will reassess the situation over the coming days and weeks.

I know we all wish COVID-19 were fully behind us, and I hope and pray that these measures will get us through this period of high transmission without any backtracking in our ability to be fully together in person as a campus. Thank you for your continued attention to the health and safety of our community.

Stay safe and well,

Lisa A. Kloppenberg
Acting President