Mandatory COVID Testing for Campus Community

Students and employees who are not fully vaccinated (two weeks after your final dose of vaccine), as well as those who have an approved vaccine exemption, are required to test at least once a week if they come to campus or participate in any university-sponsored activity (on campus or off). Testing facilities at both the San Marcos and Temecula campuses offer free tests to all CSUSM students, faculty and staff.

How to Schedule an Appointment

Use the CSUSM Mobile App to schedule your testing appointment. Tap the link that says COVID TESTING, enter the unique code sent to you via text, select a location and time, complete the questions and you are all set. You will receive an appointment confirmation via your campus email.
Visit the testing location as scheduled – You will check-in using your campus Digital ID (found in the Mobile App) or you can use a government ID. You will complete a quick PCR test that involves swabbing the inside of your nose.
Get your results - You will receive your results via email or text, whichever you choose. In most cases, test results will be sent within 24 hours - although there may be a delay for those being tested after 5 p.m. If the test is negative, the text/email you receive will have that information. If you test positive, you will need to log in via the link that is provided in the communication to receive your results.

CSUSM students or employees without symptoms can use the testing site in Clarke Field House on main campus, or in Room 107 at Temecula.

For symptomatic testing: If you have any symptoms of illness, or have recently been exposed to someone with COVID-19 infection, please use the outdoor testing facility at Clarke Field House. Make appointments on the CSUSM App under "Clarke Field House - Symptomatic" and follow the orange signage to the outdoor testing Site located on the north side of Clarke Field House.

Testing Locations and Hours

Testing Location Map

On-campus testing is for CSUSM students, staff, and faculty only. For other members of the community, San Diego County continues to offer testing throughout the county. Find sites and appointments for County-sponsored testing.

Show All

Fall San Marcos Campus - Non-symptomatic

Fall CSUSM Testing Hours
	Clarke Field House
Monday	7:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. 7 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Tuesday	7:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Wednesday	7:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Thursday	7:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Friday	7:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Fall San Marcos Campus - Symptomatic Outdoor Testing

Fall CSUSM Testing Hours
SYMPTOMATIC - Outdoor
Follow orange signage
	Clarke Field House
Monday	10 a.m - 2 p.m.
Tuesday	10 a.m - 2 p.m.
Wednesday	10 a.m - 2 p.m.
Thursday	10 a.m - 2 p.m.
Friday	10 a.m - 2 p.m.
Saturday	10 a.m - 2 p.m.

Fall Temecula Campus

Fall Temecula Testing Hours
	ROOM 107
Tuesday	8 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Wednesday	8 a.m. - 2 p.m.

FAQs

Show All

Why is testing required?

Regular testing has shown to be one of the best ways we can help stem a surge of coronavirus among asymptomatic individuals and keep our campus healthy and open. “Surveillance testing” (a public health term used by the CDC and healthcare agencies) – as opposed to diagnostic testing – is another means to identify and more quickly contain any potential outbreak once a positive contact is identified.

If there is a positive contact, strict health/safety protocols are already in place to mitigate the potential risk of spread to others, and the university has a robust process in place to support those students, and rapidly advise those who may have shared the same space.
How often must CSUSM employees and students get tested?

Students and employees who have been approved for a vaccine exemption must test once during each week (each Monday through Sunday period during the semester) they come to campus. Additionally, any student or employee who is not yet fully vaccinated must test once during each week until two weeks after their final vaccine dose is administered.
Do students need to test before going to class, or employees before they report to work?

No, they can test any day of a week when they are on campus. They cannot be required to come to campus the day before their on-campus class, research, work, or to use the computer labs.

Employees and students can easily make an appointment at a time that does not conflict with their class or work schedules.
How do I make a testing appointment?

Use the CSUSM Mobile App any time you need to schedule your testing appointment. Simply tap the link that says COVID TESTING and complete the quick process of selecting a location, time, and confirmation of your personal information.

Please use your CSUSM email when making appointments to ensure testing records are accurately monitored.
What do I need to bring to a testing location?

Bring your smart phone and download the CSUSM Mobile App to access your digital student ID. At the testing site, there will be a mechanism for you to report that you have been tested as required. You will also be required to scan a QR code posted inside any indoor space that you visit on campus, such as classrooms, research laboratories and the computer lab.

What if I do not own a smart phone?
If you don’t own a smartphone, IITS can provide you with an older generation iPad to be used for this process. Please visit our Technology Equipment Request page for more information.
What if I miss my appointment?
Visit a testing site and they will help you rebook and get tested, or rebook through the CSUSM Mobile App.
Can I test at another offsite facility?
Yes, if you receive a test result that week from another testing site, submit those results through the exemption form.
What if people are coming to campus and not testing?

Staff and faculty will not be expected to track student testing compliance. Student enrollment, vaccination status, and testing records will be tracked and monitored, in compliance with confidentiality and other requirements. If students do not comply with the testing requirements, they will be subject to student conduct, which will be handled by Student Affairs and other supporting offices.
Which COVID-19 test will be used?

PCR tests will be administered, which are very similar to the tests used at the San Diego County test site on campus. The test will be self-administered and entail a mid-nasal swab in both nostrils. This is not painful, and will be done by you, under the guidance of medical personnel that we have hired to assist with this testing program.
How and when will I get my results, and what if I am COVID positive?

Test results will be delivered directly to you via a text message within 24 hours in most cases, although there may be a delay for those testing after 5 p.m.

Should you test positive, you will need to immediately isolate in your residence for a minimum of 10 days from the date of the positive test, as per County public health requirements.

CSUSM will also receive notice of a positive result so that staff can follow up and offer services and support. In compliance with state and county regulations, any positive test results will also be reported to San Diego County Health and Human Services Department.
Do I still need to complete the COVID Screening on the Campus app each time I come to campus?

As of Aug. 2, the CSUSM community is no longer required to complete the COVID Screening on the Campus app.
I need to show proof of a negative test result for clinical placement. How do I get a copy of my lab results?

Please contact cs@hqesoterics.com to request a record of your COVID test result.
What if I was tested at an off-campus site?

If you have received a negative COVID-19 test, use the exemption form to submit the required documentation for exemption. You will need to provide documentation showing your name, date of test, and a negative result.
What if I have tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 90 days?

Per CDC guidelines, you should not partake in COVID-19 testing for 90 days following the date of your positive test. Use the exemption form to submit the required documentation for exemption. You will need to provide proof of a positive COVID-19 test showing your name, date of test, and a positive result.
Where can I park while I am testing?

Complimentary parking for COVID-19 testing is available in designated areas in lots F, X, Y and Z.  There are two free 30-minute parking spaces in Lot H and several free 90-minute parking spaces in Parking Structure 2 (adjacent to the Extended Learning Building).

All other parking areas require a valid permit. Craven Circle is not intended for parking; it is pick-up/drop-off only.
How can these sites be accessed if I am mobility impaired?

To reach Clarke Field House from Parking Structure 1, navigate along Campus View Drive to the ramps to the facility.

There is also 30-minute guest parking in the Clarke Field House parking lot.
If I live on campus, is there still a testing program for residents?

Testing for students in residential housing is no longer separate from the general campus community. Students living in residential housing are required to test once a week - the same frequency as all other students.
Are COVID-19 test results confidential? Who will see my results?

The medical provider that we have hired to administer these tests is required to report all positive results to the County. As per the declared public health emergency, the County will conduct contact tracing efforts to help contain and reduce the spread of the virus, and this typically includes contacting employers and places the person attends school. The County is otherwise responsible for keeping your information confidential, and individual results will not be shared unless needed for public health measures. Such information received by CSUSM from the County is kept confidential by CSUSM, and individual results will not be shared unless permitted by law or needed for public health or campus safety measures.

What will CSUSM do with my results?
Test results will be disclosed only as allowed or required under public health and other legal requirements. CSUSM will receive notice should you test positive so that we can follow up and offer you the services and support in place for members of our campus community. Access to positive results will also help with campus exposure investigations to further mitigate potential exposures. In compliance with state and county regulations, any positive test results will automatically be reported to San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency.
Am I considered “safe” or able to lower my guard after a negative COVID-19 test or full inoculation?

No. Testing results only indicate whether you had the virus at the moment you took the test. This helps identify asymptomatic cases within the community and decreases the spread of the virus. Testing does not keep us negative in the future nor does it mean we can lower our guard or relax any COVID-19 precautions.

While the COVID vaccine decreases your risk of contracting COVID-19, it does not guarantee full immunity. It is recommended that you continue to observe safe and healthy practices day-to-day.
Who do I contact if I have other questions?
Please call (760) 750-7800 or email COVIDTesting@csusm.edu if you have questions. The phone will be answered 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. There will be a voicemail box active during other hours.