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CSUSM as One

Mandatory COVID Testing for Campus Community

Students and employees who are not fully vaccinated (two weeks after your final dose of vaccine and boosted within 30 days once eligible), 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). Students and employees must test at the Clarke Field House or CSUSM at Temecula campus locations to be in compliance. Both of those testing facilities offer free tests to all CSUSM students, faculty and staff. 

Testing Site Hours

How to Schedule an Appointment

An appointment is not required - walk-ups are welcome. If you would like to reserve a specific time, please follow the steps below. 

  1. Use the CSUSM mobile app or use the Registration Website 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.   
  2. 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. 
  3. 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 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 the 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. 

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FAQs

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  • 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). Additionally, any student or employee who is not yet fully vaccinated and/or exempt must test once during each week until two weeks after their final vaccine dose is administered.

    Students and employees should receive their test at the Clarke Field House or CSUSM at Temecula locations.



  • 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.

  • 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 smartphone 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 smartphone? 
    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?

    Students and employees who are required to test weekly are encouraged to do so at the Clarke Field House or CSUSM at Temecula locations.

    Home tests do not qualify for weekly testing compliance – a PCR test must be administered. If taking a PCR test off campus, students must upload results to their my.csusm.edu account (found under the Quick Links tab) by end of day Thursday each week to be cleared the following week.
  • What if people are coming to campus and not testing?

    Student enrollment, vaccination status, and testing records will be tracked and monitored by the COVID Case Management Team, 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?

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

  • What if I test positive for COVID?

    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.  

  • I need to show proof of a negative test result for clinical placement. How do I get a copy of my lab results?

    When testing on campus, the Health Quest Testing Lab will email and text your results to you.

  • What if I have tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 90 days?

    Anyone who tests positive, regardless of vaccination status, should not test for 90 days from their 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?

    Testing for students and employees is at the Clarke Field House (testing for students and employees is also available at the CSUSM at Temecula campus). Parking for the Clarke Field House is available in Lot L. Additional parking is available in Parking Structure 1.

    Community members can be tested at the county-operated site in Lot B. 

    Please note that 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 30-minute guest parking in the Clarke Field House parking lot as well as disabled parking.

  • If I live on campus, is there still a testing program for residents?

    Students living in residential housing who are not fully vaccinated or exempt are required to test once a week. Students who are required to test weekly must do so at the Clarke Field House or CSUSM at Temecula locations.

  • 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 with any questions. The phone is answered 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. There is a voicemail box active during other hours.