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COVID-19 Updates

Protocols for Fall Instructional and Research Activities

July 21, 2021

 

Dear Campus Community,

As we prepare for the repopulation of Fresno State, the following information is provided as guidance for instructional and research activities for fall.

Our continued efforts remain focused on safeguarding the health and well-being of our faculty, staff and students. Developed in accordance with public health guidelines, the following face covering guidelines apply to all instructional and research activities, on and off campus, for the fall 2021 semester. The University’s guidelines were further based upon survey data revealing that 72% of new students (both freshmen and transfers) have been vaccinated or plan to be fully vaccinated. The University is also surveying continuing students on their vaccination status and will soon launch a promotional campaign encouraging vaccination.

As always, you are urged to consult the University’s Fall 2021 and COVID-19 website for the latest information and updates should conditions change.

For Instructional Activities in Classrooms and Laboratories:

Face Coverings:

  • All students and faculty, vaccinated and unvaccinated, will be required to wear face coverings while in classrooms and laboratories on campus.

Physical Distancing:

  • There are no longer any physical distancing requirements; however, students and faculty should do their best to maintain 6 feet of physical distance whenever removing their face covering to eat or drink.
  • Note: Eating or drinking is prohibited in areas where chemical, radiological and/or biological materials are used or stored.
  • Faculty can set class policies to discourage drinking and eating, if it is not feasible to maintain 6 feet of physical distancing due to class size or space limitations.

For Outdoor Instructional Activities:

Face coverings:

  • Face coverings are not required, regardless of vaccination status, but are highly encouraged if physical distancing is not possible.

For Daily Instructional and Research Activities (Community Members):

Share the following reminders with guests from the external community:

  • Community guests should complete the Daily Health Screening Questionnaire in advance of coming to campus. If the questionnaire participant receives a red X, they should not attend the class.
  • Community guests who will not be presenting or lecturing are expected to wear a face covering indoors regardless of vaccination status.
  • Community guests who will be presenting or lecturing and are unvaccinated are expected to wear face coverings to conform with the state Department of Public Health Face Covering Guidance. Those who are vaccinated should strongly consider wearing a face mask if unable to maintain physical distancing. A face shield with a drape may be worn as needed to improve communication.
  • If a community guest becomes ill within two (2) days after the class, they must notify the course instructor. The course instructor will then notify the campus Office of EHS/Risk Management at 559.278.6910 or via ehsrms@listserv.csufresno.edu.

For Research:

Effective fall semester 2021, RSCA Ramp Up proposals will no longer be required.

Face Coverings:

  • All students, faculty, staff and research fellows, vaccinated and unvaccinated, will be required to wear face coverings while conducting research in classrooms and laboratories on campus where more than one individual is present in the facility.
  • For outdoor field research, face coverings are not required regardless of vaccination status, but are highly encouraged.

Physical Distancing:

  • There are no longer physical distancing requirements in laboratories; however, a 6-foot physical distance must be maintained when students or faculty remove their face covering to eat or drink.
  • Note: Eating and/or drinking is prohibited in areas where chemical, radiological, and/or biological materials are used or stored.

Additional Resources:

Find additional updates and information at the following links:

You may direct questions about following these guidelines to Lisa Kao, director of Environmental Health and Safety/Risk Management, at lisak@csufresno.edu or to Amy Luna, manager of Emergency Operations, at amyluna@csufresno.edu.