Frequently Asked Questions

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

All individuals ages 5 and older are eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Visit the California Department of Public Health's My Turn website to make an appointment.

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 eligible individuals. Appointment information 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 all CSU students are required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and receive their booster once eligible. More information about the vaccination requirements for students.

Is a COVID booster required for students?

Yes. The California State University system announced that all CSU students are required to receive a COVID booster  when eligible.

Am I eligible for the COVID booster?

If it has been more than five months since your second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine or more than two months since receiving the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, you are eligible to receive the booster. More information about booster eligibility is available on the CDC website.

Are there any vaccine exemptions for students or employees?

Students can apply for a medical exemption. The exemption application process for employees is available online.

Is weekly testing required for students and employees who have an approved exemption?

No. CSUSM no longer requires weekly surveillance testing for students and employees who have an approved medical or religious exemption on file.

Free PCR testing will continue to be available through the San Diego County testing clinic located in Parking Lot B off Craven Road for the entirety of the fall semester. The walk-in clinic is open to the community seven days a week.

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

Yes. The California State University system announced that all CSU students and employees (including auxiliary employees) must be vaccinated against COVID-19 and receive a booster once eligible. 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.

N95 masks are available to any employee upon request at the Covered Cougars Distribution Center (CCDC).

KN95 masks are available to students and employees at the CCDC and other satellite locations as indicated on the CCDC web page.

Complimentary surgical masks are available at building entrances. 

Please contact the Office of Safety, Health, and Sustainability  at shs@csusm.edu with any questions related to N95/KN95 face filtering devices.

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.

What cleaning protocols are in place on campus?

All cleaning and disinfection protocols have returned 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?

Courses are offered in a variety of modalities, including 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

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

Are online classes 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

Are masks/face coverings required while on campus?

The temporary masking requirement in instructional spaces ended on Friday, Sept. 9. Masks remain recommended in all indoor campus spaces. Masking is still required in medical settings in California, which includes Student Health and Counseling Services. 

We encourage everyone to always have a mask on hand. The university will continue to provide masks at building entrances and from the Covered Cougars Distribution Center, where surgical masks, KN95s and N95s are available.

Health and Safety | Returning to Work

Students | Faculty | Staff

When do I need to submit proof of immunizations?

Students entering CSUSM for the first time in spring 2023 must submit proof of immunization to COVID-19, MMR and Hepatitis B by March 1, 2023.

It is highly recommended that you upload these immunization records as soon as possible.

Students who fail to meet the immunization requirement may not be permitted to enroll in classes.

More information about immunization requirements is available at this link. For questions or assistance submitting immunizations, please contact Student Health and Counseling Services at (760) 750-4915 or shcs@csusm.edu. If your question is related to COVID-19 immunizations, please contact the COVID Case Management Team at 760-750-7800 or covidtesting@csusm.edu.

Health and Safety

Students

Where can I find more information related to mask/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?

The County of San Diego is operating a free, walk-up testing site in CSUSM's Lot B off Craven Road. No appointment is necessary. Please visit the county's website for hours of operation.

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

Health and Safety

Students | Faculty | Staff

Can I take a campus tour?

Yes. Schedule your tour now or visit via a virtual tour.

Student Life and Activities

Students

Is on-campus dining open?

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

Student Life and Activities | Returning to Work

Students | Faculty | Staff

Is the library open?

Yes. Learn more about library hours.

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

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. 

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 or for store operating hours. 

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 I have to purchase a parking pass?

Yes. 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. 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