SJSU’s Response to State Moving Santa Clara County to Yellow Tier
Sent: May 19, 2021
From: President Mary A. Papazian
SJSU campus community,
Today, May 19, Santa Clara County improved from Orange (Tier 3 - Moderate) to Yellow (Tier 4 - Minimal) in the State of California’s four-tier color-coded tracking system. Ahead of the state’s plans to fully reopen on June 15, this move to the Yellow tier is a testament to the diligent care for health and safety our county has stressed since the pandemic began.
Coinciding with this move to the Yellow tier, the Santa Clara County Public Health Department has lifted most of its previous health orders and enacted a new limited local health order. The following are requirements that affect SJSU, and how the university is addressing these requirements is listed in bold:
1. Requires the collection of vaccination status of all personnel — employees, contractors, subcontractors, independent contractors, vendors, volunteers and other individuals who regularly provide services onsite at the request of a business. If an individual declines to report vaccination status, they will be considered unvaccinated. Initial ascertainment of vaccination status must be completed by June 2, 2021.
SJSU is currently examining this requirement to consider how it complements and/or differs from the CSU’s intended requirement for students, faculty and staff to receive the COVID-19 vaccine before the fall 2021 semester or once the FDA fully approves one of the vaccines, whichever comes later. To schedule a vaccination appointment, visit your county health department website or myturn.ca.gov. As updates become available, we will share with the campus community.
2. Mandates personnel immediately notify their employer if they test positive for COVID-19 or are exhibiting symptoms consistent with COVID-19.
SJSU employees, including auxiliaries, must use the Report a Case tool on the Health Advisories site if they have tested positive for COVID-19 or are exhibiting symptoms consistent with COVID-19. This Report a Case tool must be used regardless of if you have been on campus or in Santa Clara County recently or not. This is a confidential space where information can be collected and shared with only the necessary campus officials. If you have contractors, volunteers, or other individuals providing services to the university, you must inform them of their need to use this form, if necessary. SJSU strongly encourages students to use this portal as well.
3. Aligns with California Department of Public Health guidance on face coverings and masks that was updated earlier this month.
SJSU’s mask and face covering guidelines as part of the SJSU Adapt plan remain the same. Masks or face coverings must continue to be worn at all times on campus, including outdoors. The only exception is if you are alone in a private office with the door closed. SJSU will continue to monitor the evolving mask and face covering guidelines and will update the campus community of any changes as we look ahead to the fall semester.
We also await revised guidance from the state’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) regarding workplace safety protocols.
SJSU campus repopulation reminders
As a reminder, SJSU’s goal throughout the pandemic has been to safely repopulate the campus as state and county guidelines allow. University Personnel is working with departments to finalize staffing plans ahead of July 1, 2021. As we continue to move forward with repopulating the campus, email covidrepopulation@sjsu.edu with questions you may have about the process.
Thank you for your continued patience and flexibility as we work to adapt to the ever-changing landscape of the COVID-19 pandemic. We will continue to share updates with the campus community as they become available.
Sincerely,
Dr. Mary A. Papazian
President
