Dear Staff Colleagues:
As we begin our much-deserved holiday break, the University continues to track the impact of COVID-19 and the rise of the omicron variant. As Santa Clara County Public Health notes, cases are increasing across the country. While vaccination, booster shots, regular testing and mask wearing continue to serve as powerful preventative measures, we need to be vigilant to reduce community spread. Earlier today, a message was sent to students and parents with an update about winter 2022.
Start Date: At this time, all quarter-based programs will begin as planned on Jan. 3, 2022. Faculty teaching in quarter-based programs have the flexibility to employ a variety of modalities, including the option to meet virtually during the first week of the term. Law school classes will continue to be in person and begin on January 10; the Jesuit School of Theology begins on January 31.
COVID-19 Vaccination Boosters: Our campus has benefited from an extremely high level of vaccination, which has kept our community safe. Accordingly, faculty, staff, and students must obtain a COVID-19 booster vaccination as soon as they are eligible. To assist our community in remaining fully vaccinated, the University is working to bring booster clinics to campus in the winter quarter. Details will be shared as they become available. All faculty, staff, and students must upload their vaccination information by March 17, 2022, which is six months from the September 2021 date when students were required to have received their second Pfizer or Moderna dose, or single Johnson & Johnson vaccine. The only exception to this booster requirement will be for those who previously obtained a University-approved COVID-19 vaccination exemption. Information on how to upload booster vaccination information in Workday will be provided later in January.
Testing: The campus community is strongly urged to test for COVID-19 before arriving on campus in January. If you test positive during the winter break, please observe all isolation protocols and precautions. You are also strongly encouraged to get tested in the first week of the quarter.
Mask Wearing: Masks are required indoors, regardless of vaccination status. This is essential and will be strictly enforced to reduce community transmission.
Dining: Campus venues will reopen on January 3. Dining will be grab-and-go for the first week of the winter term to reduce the possibility of community transmission.
Athletic, Public Events, and Performances: All public events will continue as scheduled. Participants must follow our event requirements and show proof of vaccination or negative test results (PCR lab based test within 72 hours or rapid antigen test within 24 hours) for larger scale events.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, our commitment has been to protect the physical and mental health of our faculty, staff and students, and offer a rigorous, transformational education in the long tradition of Jesuit tradition. Now, more than ever, we need your help. The entire campus community will need to be steadfast in its commitment to vaccination, testing, mask wearing, good hygiene, and other prevention measures to ensure we can continue to offer a rich in-person experience.
As always, we will be working with our exceptional public health team to monitor local events. We will continue to keep you informed as we get closer to the start of the winter term.
Please have a joyous holiday,
Molly McDonald
Chief of Staff
Office of the President
Agustin Ruiz
Director of Human Resources
Kate Morris and Ed Ryan
Acting Provosts