The majority of fall 2021 courses will be offered in-person, but some courses will still be offered virtually. See the 2021-2022 University catalog and fall registration materials for more information regarding course mode of instruction.
The global pandemic is evolving, and we need to be prepared to pivot to virtual teaching if circumstances change in our region.
As a faculty member, if you have tested positive for COVID-19, you must isolate according to the written instructions you receive from Risk Management after contact tracing. It is also recommended that you contact your healthcare provider. During the isolation period, you will need to work with your Dean to determine the best option for the continuity of instruction. Moreover, you may use the Supplemental Paid Sick Leave (SPSL), which is in effect through September 30, 2021 or Expanded COVID-19 Related Leave (ECRL) which is in effect through December 31, 2021.
Our goal as a learning community is to do our best to keep teaching and learning with as little interruption as possible. As with most things in life, communication is key.
If a disruption occurs during the semester, you will be informed via email, LMS, and any other channels of communication used for the course. Information will be provided regarding what steps will be taken to mitigate the disruptions. It is the student’s responsibility to monitor established channels of communication.
Similarly, if any disruptions occur to students, the expectation is that you will communicate this with faculty as soon as is feasible (it is understood that this may not always mean immediately).
While all individuals on the CSUSB campus are required to wear face coverings while indoors, there is an exception to the CSUSB face-covering requirement for fully-vaccinated faculty engaged in lecturing. This exemption applies when:
- The faculty member is fully-vaccinated and has completed the vaccination self-certification; and
- The faculty member is able to conduct the lecture at least 6 feet away from any other individual in the room; and
- It does not conflict with any local, state or federal face covering mandates
That said, it is important that faculty wear their masks before the class begins and immediately after the class ends as students may approach them with questions.
Faculty may contact the University’s Department of Academic Technologies & Innovation (ATI) for training, assistance, and support for utilizing technology within a pedagogical framework. For technology or office equipment, faculty must make any such requests of their department chair. Moreover, for general assistance with teaching and pedagogy, faculty may contact the Teaching Resource Center.
Students who test positive for COVID-19 or have been in contact with someone who tested positive should be referred to the Office of Services to Students with Disabilities. Reasonable accommodations will be coordinated for students impacted by COVID-19 as we would for any other disability as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Amendments Act.
It is CSUSB’s policy to ensure that individuals with disabilities have equal access and the opportunity to participate in CSUSB activities and programs as it relates to the areas of employment, educational services and campus physical access.
No, this is personal medical information and no employee should ask another student or employee if they have been vaccinated.
Vaccination records will be managed in the Peoplesoft ERP system, via its student and employee self-service portal. Vaccine information will be stored in the same information system, and subject to the same usage and security protections, as other sensitive information that is already collected and stored by the CSU.
Unvaccinated students who wish to participate in on-campus programs will be subject to weekly COVID-19 testing. These individuals will continue to have equal access and opportunity to participate in CSUSB activities and programs as it relates to the areas of employment, educational services and campus physical access.
Departments will have supplies of face coverings available for those who need one. In addition, face coverings can be obtained from the two information booths on campus. In the event that a student refuses to wear a face covering, standard disciplinary processes will apply. Instructors should consider:
- Offering the student a face covering or sending them to obtain one
- Stopping the instruction and cancelling the class session in the interest of everyone’s health and safety
- Referring the student to the Student Conduct and Ethical Development Office
California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB) is committed to maintaining an inclusive learning and working environment in which all individuals are treated with dignity and respect. To that end, CSUSB strives to make its programs, services, and activities accessible to students, faculty, staff, and members of the general public who have disabilities.
In order to establish the existence of a disability and request a reasonable accommodation under the ADA, an employee must complete and submit an Employee Request for Accommodation Application and Medical Provider Inquiry Form in Response to an Accommodation Request. The form should be completed and submitted to Human Resources for consideration.
In the event that there is a positive case on campus, Risk Management and the Infectious Disease Response Team work together to identify and notify those community members who may have been exposed. Depending on the nature of exposure this notification could take several forms:
- If the Instructor has been in close contact (within 6 feet of someone for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period) with someone who has COVID-19 they will be notified by Risk Management by phone or email.
- If the Instructor was in a building or location where a positive case was reported but was not identified as a close contact, they will receive a general notification via email regarding the case on campus.
- Campus case count and location information is also available on the Return of the Pack Website
A COVID-19 diagnosis is considered personal medical information. In the event an instructor is required to quarantine or is ill for any reason they are not obligated to share that information with students. The reason for a cancellation of an in-person class meetings or a shift in modality does not need to be shared with students.
We understand there may be situations where it is warranted to change the class format from in-person to virtual. An instructor must receive approval from their department chair, college dean, and deputy provost prior to changing any class formats. These decisions will be made in a timely fashion.
When there is a classroom outbreak, Risk Management will notify the instructor if there is a need to quarantine and the duration required (typically 10 days from the date of exposure). If Risk Management informs the faculty of a need to suspend in-person class meetings, the faculty should pivot with approval from the department chair, college dean and deputy provost to a virtual format for the duration required. If a faculty member wants to continue teaching virtually after the required length of quarantine, they must consult with and seek approval from their chair and the college dean.
It depends. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention requires a 10-day quarantine if you have been in close contact (within 6 feet of someone for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period) with someone who has COVID-19, unless you have been fully vaccinated. People who are fully vaccinated do NOT need to quarantine after contact with someone who had COVID-19 unless they have symptoms.
However, fully vaccinated people should get tested 3-5 days after their exposure, even if they don’t have symptoms and wear a mask indoors in public for 14 days following exposure or until their test result is negative.
Not necessarily. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention requires quarantine for unvaccinated people if they have been in close contact (within 6 feet of someone for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period) with someone who has COVID-19. Whether or not individuals need to quarantine and for how long is dependent upon the proximity to the sick individual, who was in attendance the day of the exposure, COVID-19 testing results and other factors.
Since eating and drinking cannot be done while wearing a face covering, these activities can provide additional risks particularly for those campus community members who are unvaccinated. The campus has worked to provide additional outdoor furniture to maximize outdoor study and eating locations. There are currently several outdoor venues including the Center for Global Innovation, the Student Union, Coyote Commons, Performing Arts, College of Education, Chaparral Hall, Pfau Library and along Coyote Walk.
When eating indoors community members should attempt to physical distance to reduce risk.
The Teaching Resource Center has included recommended COVID Safety language on the Course Syllabi website.
CSUSB is offering more online course sections in fall 2021 than in terms prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. To identify these sections and to see availability, students should review the course schedule for fall 2021 and select “online” as the modality of instruction. Students needing assistance should contact their academic advisor or the Office of the Registrar.
Facilities Management will continue to focus disinfection efforts on high-touch surfaces and will clean and disinfect campus spaces in accordance with CDC guidelines. The disinfection of desktops, shared equipment, and spaces prior to use should be done by the user. Disinfection wipe dispensers are provided in classroom and laboratory spaces on campus for this purpose. Dispose of the wipes and other cleaning materials in the waste receptacle.
The COVID-safety expectations for those participating in off-campus activities are the same as when you are accessing campus facilities. This includes:
- Completing the self-certification of vaccination by September 20, 2021
- Completing the daily health screen prior to the start of the activity
- Wearing face coverings regardless of the requirements at the off-campus location
In addition, those students participating in off-campus activities will be required to complete the Release of Liability form provided by their faculty member.
The following locations are open to the public and are wifi enabled for participation in online courses:
- Pfau Library including the “Cave” 24/7 study space in the wedge
- Santos Manuel Student Union Lobby and Plaza
- Center for Global Innovation Lobby and Patio
- Various Outdoor locations throughout campus
In addition, students needing a space to attend their online courses are able to utilize unscheduled classrooms. To check specific buildings and rooms for availability use the Open Access Classrooms List
The University requests that any employee or student who tests positive for COVID-19 report the positive result or exposure as soon as possible.
Faculty should encourage the student to self-report their positive test result using the CSUSB COVID-19 Reporting Form. The reporting tool asks very specific information regarding locations, close contacts, etc. that only the student will know.
Faculty should also report the case on behalf of the student using the Reporting Form. Please report as much information as you know including the name, Coyote ID and any contact information for the person that tested positive. There is a text box at the end of the reporting tool that allows an explanation and space for you to indicate that you are reporting on behalf of someone else.
Timely reporting of COVID cases is critical in preventing the spread of COVID-19 infection on campus. The Office of Risk Management verifies COVID-19 confirmed cases that are reported, provides return to campus status, and responds to concerns from the campus community on COVID-19.