Frequently Asked Questions

Are CSUSM employees and students eligible to be vaccinated in San Diego County?

All individuals over the age of 12 are eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. 

Health and Safety

Students | Faculty | Staff

How do I make a vaccination appointment?

Your health care provider: Many providers are notifying their patients directly with next steps to receive the COVID-19 vaccine based on federal and state guidance.

San Diego County locations: If you are unable to get the COVID-19 vaccine from your health care provider, the County of San Diego and its partners are offering vaccinations to individuals in eligible priority groups. Appointment information for County vaccination super stations and PODs is available online at www.VaccinationSuperStationSD.com.

Riverside County locations: Please visit Riverside County’s Public Health website for appointments.

Health and Safety

Students | Faculty | Staff

Is a COVID vaccination required for students?

Yes. The California State University system announced that it is requiring all CSU students who are accessing campus facilities at any location to be vaccinated against COVID-19. More information about the vaccination requirements for students.

Are there any vaccine exemptions for students or employees?

Students can apply for a medical or religious exemption. The exemption application process for employees will be available soon. Any student or employee who is granted an exemption must participate in mandatory weekly COVID testing.

If I'm exempt from vaccination, do I need to undergo regular COVID-19 testing?

Yes. Any student or employee who is granted an exemption must participate in mandatory weekly COVID testing.

Do I need to get vaccinated if I've already tested positive for COVID?

Yes. The California State University system announced that it is requiring all CSU students and employees (including auxiliary employees) who are accessing campus facilities at any university location to be vaccinated against COVID-19. More information about the vaccination requirement for students and vaccination requirements for employees.

How do I submit proof of vaccination?

Students can submit proof of vaccination online: student proof of vaccination. Employees can submit proof of vaccination online: employee proof of vaccination.

Can I still get a free COVID test if I am participating in the VVP?

Yes. Any employee or student may get a free COVID test at any public testing site that offers them, as well as at the campus testing locations.

Is there a vaccination location at CSUSM?

The county's vaccination station at CSUSM has closed. Please visit the county's website to make an appointment or to find a convenient location.

Health and Safety

Students | Faculty | Staff

Do employees need to undergo COVID-19 symptom screening before coming to campus?

COVID-19 symptom self-assessment is still required, but employees don't need to submit the screening form through the campus app or website. By showing up at work, all employees are confirming that they are not experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms. Employees should stay home if they are sick. Anyone who is not coming to work because of COVID-19 symptoms should notify their manager.

Health and Safety

Students | Faculty | Staff

Do I need to report a positive COVID-19 result?

Yes. Students and employees who test positive for COVID-19, experience COVID-19-like symptoms or have recently been exposed to someone who tested positive to COVID-19 are still required to report this information to campus (unless they are fully remote and have not been on campus recently). 

Health and Safety

Students | Faculty | Staff

What if I lost my vaccination card?

The California Immunization Registry (CAIR) offers a way to get a digital copy of your vaccination record. If you have trouble accessing your record through CAIR, please contact Student Health and Counseling Services at 760-750-4915 or immunizations@csusm.edu for assistance.

Are there travel restrictions for students or employees?

There are no longer post-travel quarantine requirements for vaccinated people (for foreign or domestic travel). Unvaccinated people are still required to quarantine for 7-10 days post-travel (seven days if they test mid-quarantine and are negative; 10 days if they do not test). If you are considering traveling for work or personal reasons, please review the full set of CDC requirements and recomendations.

Health and Safety

Students | Faculty | Staff

What do I need to bring to a vaccination appointment?

You will need one of the following forms of documentation:

• a physical or digital employee ID card;
• a signed employment verification letter from CSUSM AND a government issued photo ID;
• a printout of a recent digital CSUSM paystub AND a government issued photo ID.

Please note, paper checks and direct deposit warrants do not have CSUSM printed on the stub.

Employment verification letters were sent via email on Jan. 26, 2021. If you have questions about your letter or need another copy, please contact:

• For stateside staff and MPPs: Human Resources at hr@csusm.edu
• For CSUSM Corporation staff and managers: CSUSM Corporation HR at mhinojos@csusm.edu
• For faculty: Faculty Affairs at mihunt@csusm.edu

Health and Safety

Students | Faculty | Staff

What cleaning protocols are in place on campus?

All cleaning and disinfection protocols are returning to pre-pandemic status. The exception to this is if there is a confirmed COVID-19 case on campus, in which case enhanced cleaning procedures will still be utilized depending on the location and timing of the case. (Enhanced cleaning will be performed if the space in which a COVID-19-positive person was present will be occupied within 24 hours following the positive case being in the space.)

Any person wishing to perform additional cleaning or disinfecting of their personal workspace or equipment can obtain cleaning/sanitizing supplies by contacting the CCDC.

Health and Safety

Students | Faculty | Staff

What course formats are being offered for fall?

Students can choose from courses that are fully in person, online synchronous, online asynchronous, online blended asynchronous and synchronous, hybrid, and live & online. Please visit the Office of the Registrar's Class Formats/Instruction Modes webpage for details on what each course modality entails. 

Academics 

Students | Faculty | Staff

What indoor air quality protocols are being followed?

In response to COVID-19, Facilities, Development and Management has implemented the following measures in accordance with Cal/OSHA requirements, California Department of Public Health requirements, and recommendations made by the CDC, ASHRAE, and the Chancellor’s Office:

• Analyzed and replaced all campus building HVAC filters. Most filters already had a rating of MERV 13 or 14. (MERV, or Minimum Efficiency Reporting Values, measures how much matter passes through an air filter. MERV ratings are on a scale of one to 20 depending on the minimum size of the particles a filter can be expected to filter.) In systems not designed for MERV 13 or 14, those filters were upgraded to as high a MERV rating as possible.

• Maximized the amount of outside air drawn into buildings.

• Ran building HVAC systems for longer hours so that the buildings are “flushed” two hours before and after occupancy.

• Disabled our Demand Control Ventilation systems, allowing more outside air into the buildings while purging CO2.

• All of our HVAC systems go through regular preventive maintenance by FDM’s highly trained, qualified technicians.

Health and Safety

Students | Faculty | Staff

Will the schedule of classes change before the start of the fall semester?

The schedule of classes will remain substantially the same. There will likely be sections added over the summer to meet student demand. Some will be in person, some hybrid and some virtual. This is in keeping with our goal to offer flexible course options for our students.

Academics 

Students

If I sign up for a hybrid course but can’t come to campus because I am immunocompromised or a family member is immunocompromised, do I still have to come to campus for the course?

Please contact your instructor to see if accommodations can be made for you to complete your coursework virtually.

Academics 

Students

Why are some courses online only?

Many courses are well suited to online modalities. Having online options helps students meet their educational goals in a timely manner while accommodating important work-life commitments. In many cases, it makes the difference for students staying in school and completing their degree. We continue to offer flexible course options to meet different student needs.

Academics 

Students

Why are some courses in person only?

Many courses benefit from in-person instruction and the ability to engage material with the instructor. Some students learn best in this mode. And some courses require hands-on activities. We continue to offer flexible course options to meet different student needs.

Academics 

Students

Will online classes be asynchronous or synchronous?

Class modality is noted in the course schedule portal.

Academics 

Students

What is the difference between asynchronous and synchronous courses?

Courses taught asynchronously are accessible to students any time; there is no set meeting day or time. Courses taught synchronously occur at the same day and time each week. Your class will remain in the same modality for the duration of the fall semester. Please visit the Office of the Registrar's Class Formats/Instruction Modes webpage for more information.

Academics 

Students | Faculty

How do I receive help with academic planning?

Our Office of Academic Advising is available to assist you, offering virtual appointments as well as drop-in advising. Please visit the Office of Academic Advising website for more information or to make an appointment.

Academics 

Students

Why am I limited to 16 units?

When registration appointments open, we restrict all students to 16 units so that everybody has a chance to enroll for a full load. This allows more students to stay on pace for a four-year graduation (or two years for transfers). On Aug. 16, after everyone has had a chance to enroll, the unit limit is lifted and students wishing to take more units can go back and add classes.

Academics 

Students

Is weekly COVID-19 testing mandatory for students?

All students who have in-person classes or labs will continue to be required to get a COVID-19 test at least once per week. Students who are fully vaccinated or who are not attending classes or labs on campus (i.e. virtual classes only) may apply for an exemption from the weekly testing requirement. Exceptions will also be allowed for religious or medical reasons. Details, including the process for filing an exemption request, are located here.

Health and Safety

Students

Are face coverings required while on campus?

Currently all employees and students – regardless of vaccination status – are required to wear a mask indoors while on campus. In addition to wearing masks indoors, individuals who are unvaccinated must also wear a mask outdoors when social distancing is not possible.

Employees may request a mask or N95 respirator (which requires training) by submitting a resource request through the Covered Cougar Distribution Center (CCDC). 

Health and Safety | Returning to Work

Students | Faculty | Staff

What is the Vaccine Verification Program (VVP)?

The Vaccine Verification Program (VVP) is currently being updated to reflect the new system-wide vaccine policy and current mask protocols on campus.

The VVP was developed in coordination and consultation with the Chancellor’s Office and labor unions to allow fully vaccinated employees the ability to voluntarily attest their vaccination status. Participation in the program previously allowed vaccinated employees to be unmasked in the workplace. However, following a sharp increase in regional COVID cases and the spread of the Delta variant among vaccinated populations, the university has updated its current masking protocols, which now requires all individuals on campus – regardless of vaccination status – to wear a mask when indoors. Visit the Health & Safety plans page for the latest campus protocols and guidance.

Health and Safety | Returning to Work

Faculty | Staff

Can employees voluntarily wear masks or face coverings even if they have been vaccinated?

Currently all employees and students – regardless of vaccination status – are required to wear a mask indoors while on campus. In addition to wearing masks indoors, individuals who are unvaccinated must also wear a mask outdoors when social distancing is not possible.

CSUSM supports employees continuing to wear masks at any time and will not tolerate any reprisals or negative workplace responses, including verbal harassment, teasing, or requests to justify actions. Please contact Human Resources (staff/MPPs) or Faculty Affairs (faculty) to report a concern.

Health and Safety | Returning to Work

Students | Faculty | Staff

Where can I find more information related to face-covering guidance?

More information regarding face-covering guidance is available on Safety, Health & Sustainability’s COVID-19 Campus Resources and Guidelines webpage.

Health and Safety

Students | Faculty | Staff

Is COVID testing available on campus?

Mandatory student testing can be completed by making an appointment through the CSUSM mobile app. More information about manadatory student testing.

CSUSM employees can use the on-campus testing locations available to students by scheduling an appointment through the CSUSM mobile app. This testing can be completed during the work day once coordinated with your supervisor. Employees can also be tested at any county site.

The County of San Diego is currently operating a free, walk-up testing site in CSUSM's lower Lot B off Craven Road. The testing site is open to the public and available Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. No appointment is necessary.

Visit the County's website to find other available testing locations.

The county-operated testing center, previously located at the Viasat Engineering Pavilion, closed in June.

Health and Safety

Students | Faculty | Staff

Can I take a campus tour?

In-person campus tours are currently unavailable, although expected to resume in the fall. Virtual tours are available online.

Student Life and Activities

Students

Will there be in-person activities this fall?

CSUSM will be phasing in events over the 2021-2022 academic year, working to meet campus needs while also prioritizing the reengagement of students. This fall, event scheduling priorities include campus signature events; student-focused events where at least 50% of attendees are students; departmental employee events; and two pre-approved external events. These priorities will be expanded as Event and Conference Services rehires events staff and increases its capacity to provide event planning and logistical support again.

Event and Conference Services has reviewed and responded to each event request based on the scheduling priorities. If you are considering an event, please input the request into 25Live by the end of October for spring semester priority consideration. Event requests can still come in after that and will be reviewed individually based on scheduling, space and staffing availability.

For all on-campus events, all COVID-19-related in-person event restrictions will be lifted (other than the indoor mask requirement for those who are unvaccinated).

Student Life and Activities

Students | Faculty | Staff

What is New Student & Family Convocation?

New Student & Family Convocation is a spirited night of tradition and celebration for all incoming students from 2020 and 2021, including first-year and transfer students and their families. It will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 29. New Student & Family Convocation.

Student Life and Activities

Students | Faculty | Staff

Is on-campus dining open?

For updated hours and operations, please visit CSUSM Corporation’s website.

Student Life and Activities | Returning to Work

Students | Faculty | Staff

What is Weeks of Welcome?

Weeks of Welcome offers a wide variety of events, activities and opportunities to meet new people and kick off your semester with a bang! Download the CSUSM Mobile App or visit the Weeks of Welcome website for a schedule of events.

Student Life and Activities

Students | Faculty | Staff

When will the library reopen?

The library is currently operating virtually; you can learn more about resources and services available on the library's COVID-19 Resources webpage. The second-floor computer lab in Kellogg Library is open from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Thursday during the summer. The full building will reopen Aug. 29. Please visit the Library Hours and Events webpage for more information.

Campus Services

Students | Faculty | Staff

Where can I return my library books?

You may return library materials to one of the large, blue drive-up Library Return boxes in Craven Circle.

Campus Services

Students | Faculty | Staff

How can I access resources, such as databases, from off campus?

Navigate to the research databases as you would on campus. When you click on a link, the proxy server will ask you for your campus username and password. Once you have entered that information, you should be able to access the database. For more information, visit the Off-Campus Access to Library Resources webpage.

Campus Services

Students | Faculty | Staff

Where do I pick up physical library materials?

Once you receive an email letting you know your requested item is ready, you can pick it up from the Library Lockers located just outside the second-floor entrance of Kellogg Library (near Craven Circle). You have 6 days to claim your items from the lockers. When the library reopens, the option to pick up from the desks inside will be available.

Campus Services

Students | Faculty | Staff

Can I place a request for materials to be mailed to my home?

Yes! Learn more about how to place a Mail-to-Home request.

Campus Services

Students | Faculty | Staff

When will I receive my financial aid package?

Please contact the Office of Financial Aid at finaid@csusm.edu with any questions related to financial aid.

Financial Aid

Students

How come I haven’t heard about my application for Student Relief Funds?

Please contact the Office of Financial Aid at finaid@csusm.edu with any questions related to your application for Student Relief Funds.

Financial Aid

Students

Is on-campus housing available?

Yes. Please visit our housing website or email housing@csusm.edu for more information.

Campus Services | Student Life and Activities

Students

Is the University Store open?

Yes, in-store shopping is available. Face coverings must be worn, and all campus regulations followed. The University Store is open 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Monday-Thursday. Please note that store hours may change at any time based upon guidance from county health officials.

Items can be purchased on our bookstore website and shipped directly to your home as a contact-free alternative to shopping in person.

Please contact the University Store at 760-750-4730 with additional questions. 

Campus Services

Students | Faculty | Staff

How can I order course materials?

Course materials are available on our bookstore website. Please contact the University Store at 760-750-4730 with any questions. 

Campus Services

Students | Faculty

Do employees need to reactivate their parking pass?

Yes. Employees interested in purchasing their parking permit through payroll deduction must reactivate their account. Employees can indicate the month that the deduction will go into effect. Please note it can take a minimum of two business days for the permit to be activated.

Campus Services | Returning to Work

Faculty | Staff

Do I have to purchase a parking pass?

Parking and Commuter Services is offering a no-cost parking option through Aug. 23. Lots X, Y, Z are available for daily free parking from 5 a.m.-11:59 p.m. No overnight parking is allowed in Lots X, Y, Z.

A parking permit is required in all other parking lots.

Please visit the Parking and Commuter Services website for information on purchasing daily, monthly or semester permits.

Campus Services

Students | Faculty | Staff

Can employees continue to telecommute?

The university has updated its routine telecommuting policy and formal notices to meet and confer are being sent to appropriate union leadership by the Chancellor’s Office. More information will be provided as soon as it is available. If an employee had a telecommuting agreement in place before the pandemic began, that agreement may continue. Auxiliary employees may contact hrcorp@csusm.edu for updated information on telecommuting.

Returning to Work

Faculty | Staff

Are campus buildings open?

Campus grounds are no longer required to be closed to the public. Departments and areas on campus that are prepared to do so may open to receive in-person visitors. Buildings will be open and accessible based on the pre-pandemic summer building schedule with a few exceptions such as the USU and Kellogg Library. More information on when those spaces will open to the public will be available in the coming weeks.

Campus Services

Students | Faculty | Staff

Do employees need to complete a campus access form before coming to campus?

No. Campus Access Requests and Research Reactivation Requests are no longer required.

Returning to Work

Students | Faculty | Staff