Dear Colleagues:
We write with an update to the University guidelines on the use of face coverings in classrooms and other learning spaces. Given that more than 97 percent of faculty, staff, and students are vaccinated and boosted, that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicate that Santa Clara County has a low COVID-19 community level, and that testing data and waste water analysis from on-campus and from the County Department of Public Health demonstrate the number of positive COVID-19 cases is declining, the University is making the following adjustments, effective on Monday, October 24:
- Masks will no longer be required in classrooms, unless required by a faculty member. Faculty who require continued mask use should inform students prior to October 24. Students are expected to adhere to masking guidelines set forth by their faculty. Failure to comply with a faculty members’ mask requirement will be seen as a violation of the Student Conduct Code.
- Masks continue to be strongly recommended in all indoor locations.
- Masks will be required in all classrooms for the first two weeks of the Winter 2023 academic term and may be extended if the positive case count presents a concern for the health of the SCU community.
The University made the decision to adjust our face coverings guidelines after analyzing the aforementioned data and consulting with the Public Health Team, COVID-19 Operations Team, Faculty Affairs Committee, Faculty Senate Council, and Council of Deans. In these discussions, our community expressed the need to balance two key principles: (1) protect the health and safety of our faculty, staff and students, and (2) offer a rigorous, transformational education in the long tradition of Jesuit education. While masks play a key role in reducing the spread of COVID-19, they can also impact classroom learning experiences. We believe that revising the mask mandates will allow for greater flexibility for faculty and students.
Finally, we offer the following reminders:
- Mask distribution: Surgical masks will continue to be available in classrooms on the Santa Clara campus and KN-95 masks will be available at key locations across campus.
- Testing: Weekly testing via Color PCR continues to be strongly recommended for students, faculty, and staff. Color PCR test kits and collection bins are located in the following buildings: Benson Center, Charney Hall, Guadalupe Hall, JST, Lucas Hall, and SCDI. Tests are collected Monday - Friday at 3 p.m. on the Santa Clara campus, and on Wednesday at 1 p.m. on the Berkeley campus. In addition, rapid antigen tests are available at the Health Ambassadors table, located outside of the Learning Commons, Monday - Friday from 11 a.m.- 3 p.m.
- Quarantine: If you have been exposed to COVID-19, you do not need to quarantine. Please get tested 3-5 days after exposure and wear a mask for 10 days.
- Isolation: After reporting your positive test result, isolate for at least 5 days, and continue wearing a mask for 10 days. Students who are positive for COVID-19 may not attend in-person classes. A negative rapid test is required to end isolation before 10 days. A member of the COVID-19 Operations Team will contact you with guidance once your test has been reported.
In closing, we want to remind you that the most up-to-date information on the University’s response to COVID-19 can be found at www.scu.edu/preparedscu, and thank you for your efforts to keep our community safe.
With gratitude,
Kate Morris and Ed Ryan
Acting Provosts
