Dear Santa Clara University Community, 

We are reaching out today to provide an update on our COVID-19 mitigation measures for the Fall 2023 term. Thank you to our students, staff, and faculty for all you do to keep our campus healthy and safe. We are looking forward to seeing all of our Broncos on campus in the next few days! 

With two new variants circulating, infections and hospitalizations are back on the rise, making testing incredibly important. There are a wide range of symptoms that can occur with COVID-19 infections including fever, sore throat, body aches, cough, headaches, congestion, loss of taste and smell, nausea/vomiting and diarrhea; symptoms can vary greatly depending on the person.

Rapid antigen tests are available from the Test Forms and More vending machine on the first floor of the Learning Commons. These rapid antigen tests will be available to SCU students, staff, and faculty only, during the Learning Commons hours of operations. PCR testing is no longer available on campus.

Returning to campus for fall quarter: 

• Before coming to campus, please test for COVID-19 using an at-home rapid antigen test. You are not required to report a negative test result. If you test positive, report your positive test result and observe all isolation protocols and precautions. Do not come to campus if you have tested positive.
• We strongly recommend you test again soon after arriving on campus. 

Testing during fall quarter: 

• Please take a test when you have symptoms, 3-5 days after you have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, when you return from traveling, or before you see vulnerable or high-risk individuals.
• Rapid antigen tests are available for students, faculty and staff from the Test Forms and More vending machine in the Learning Commons. 

Information about testing resources can be found at Prepared SCU testing protocol.

If you test positive, you will need to isolate. Isolation during your infectious period means you may not go to class, work, lab, or other activities. Students should notify their professors, supervisors, and close contacts. Students living in on-campus housing will be contacted by the SCU COVID Support Team with instructions for isolating in place or returning home for isolation. Students should wear a high-quality mask to pick up meals at the Benson Memorial Center or other dining locations, and then eat outdoors or in your room. If you test positive, you must report your positive test result, isolate for at least 5 days and wear a mask through Day 10.  

If you have been exposed to COVID-19, you do not need to quarantine. Test 3-5 days after your last exposure and wear a mask. If you test negative, consider testing again 48 hours later to confirm a negative result; if experiencing symptoms, test again 48 hours after the second negative test.

Please review the University's isolation and quarantine protocols for detailed instructions. 

Masks remain a simple and effective way to reduce exposure to COVID-19 and other airborne viruses. Although not required in indoor locations, masks remain highly recommended. Masks are not required in classrooms, unless required by a faculty member. 

While supplies last, KN95 masks are available at multiple locations across campus including the Benson Memorial Center, Campus Safety Office, Cowell Center, Residence Halls, the Learning Commons and at the JST front desk.

All students, faculty, and staff are required to be vaccinated against COVID-19. SCU requires the original primary series and one booster or an updated single dose. Questions regarding individual student records may be submitted to the Cowell Center. 

SCU monitors positive cases, virus levels in wastewater, and workplace exposures on campus. Results are shared on our COVID-19 Dashboard.

If you have questions or need additional information regarding COVID-19, please visit Prepared SCU or email us at covid19@scu.edu.

Stay safe and well,
SCU COVID-19 Operations Team