Updated Protocols for Fall Instructional and Research Activities

Aug. 17, 2021

 

Update to July 21, 2021 campus message

Dear Campus Community,

As we begin the start of the fall 2021 semester, the following updated information is provided as guidance for instructional and research activities for fall. Updates are indicated below in bold italics.

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 Repopulation/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 indoors. 

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 need to 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 are expected to wear a face covering indoors regardless of vaccination status. A face shield with a drape may be worn as needed to improve communication. Contact EHS at ehsrmsrequest@listserv.csufresno.edu for further guidance and to obtain a face shield with a drape for guest presenter/lecturer use.   
• 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 ehsrmsrequest@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 when conducting research in classrooms and laboratories and 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.

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.