CSU TO REQUIRE COVID-19 VACCINE FOR FALL 2021. The CSU has shared that COVID-19 vaccinations will be required for students, faculty and staff this fall. Upload your vaccination card now. Additional information can be found on the university's dedicated COVID-19 page.
Student COVID Policies
(Updated August 1, 2024)
The safety and success of all members of the SDSU community are of the greatest importance. For this reason, students are expected to uphold the following policies as a commitment to their personal safety and well-being, and that of the entire SDSU community. Although this policy is specific to SDSU students, the following policies are consistent with what we expect from the rest of our campus community. Policies are in effect at all times and in all locations, including residence halls, classrooms, public restrooms, open office and common spaces, hallways, meeting rooms, libraries, theaters, and other indoor spaces. Students who do not honor these policies may be reported to the Center for Student Rights and Responsibilities.
While the COVID-19 vaccine is not required, it is highly recommended for all students in accordance with CDC guidance. Refer to the Immunization Requirements Page for a comprehensive list of vaccines that are required for all regularly enrolled students.
In accordance with the San Diego County and Imperial County, San Diego State University updated its isolation and quarantine policy on Jan. 22, 2024 for students, faculty, and staff. Per the updated policy, SDSU community members with COVID-19 are permitted to return to school and work as long as they are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication and their symptoms are both mild and improving. Those who test positive but are asymptomatic do not need to isolate, but should take measures to reduce exposure to others, according to updated county and state guidance.
Step 1: If a student has tested positive, all students must continue to report their positive COVID-19 test results to SDSU. If tested at SDSU, the results are typically ready within 3-4 days. If not tested at SDSU, the student should report their positive test within 2 hours of receipt.
Step 2: Following the positive test result, the student is contacted by a COVID Assessment and Response team member to help understand onset of symptoms and assist with notification of close contacts as needed.
Step 3: Students who are feeling unwell should stay home and not go to classes, work, or other activities.
- For students who live in on-campus housing: while experiencing symptoms, the student should stay in their room unless they need to use the building’s facilities (bathroom, shower, kitchen, laundry, etc.), pick up food, or attend a doctor’s appointment. When using the building’s facilities or picking up food, the student must wear a facial covering at all times. The student may pick up food on campus or order food using delivery app services such as Doordash, GrubHub, or AmazonFresh.
Per the updated policy, students with COVID-19 are permitted to return to school and work as long as they are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication and their symptoms are both mild and improving. Students should wear a facial covering while around others through day 10 after symptom onset, or until they have had two negative COVID tests at least 24 hours apart.
- Symptoms include: runny nose or congestion, sore throat, fatigue, headache, cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, high fever, chills, body/muscle aches, nausea/vomiting, and a new loss of taste or smell.
- Students must test for COVID-19 within 24 hours of onset of symptoms.
- There are a few testing options available for SDSU students. Students can get tested through SDSU Student Health Services or their preferred healthcare provider. Tests when symptomatic may be antigen or molecular.
- Students living in a residence hall must stay in their room or apartment/suite unless they need to use the building’s facilities (bathroom, shower, kitchen, laundry, etc.), pick up food, or attend a doctor’s appointment until they meet the criteria to return to school and work, as outlined above. When using the building’s facilities or picking up food, the student must wear a facial covering at all times.
- Students living off-campus may not come to campus or attend campus-related activities for any reason other than testing or receiving medical care until they meet the criteria to return to school and work, as outlined above.
- If the COVID-19 test is negative, students may not return to class, on-campus employment, or campus activities until at least 24 hours have passed since their last fever (without use of fever-reducing medication) and symptoms have improved.
- If the COVID-19 test is positive, students are permitted to return to school and work as long as they are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication and their symptoms are both mild and improving. Students should wear a facial covering while around others through day 10 after symptom onset, or until they have had two negative COVID tests at least 24 hours apart.
- Residence hall students must comply with all directives related to isolation and quarantine.
- Students are permitted to return to school and work as long as they are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication and their symptoms are both mild and improving.
- Those who test positive but are asymptomatic do not need to isolate, but should take measures to reduce exposure to others, according to updated county and state guidance.
- Students who have not been cleared to access campus (as indicated in their HealtheConnect portal) may only access campus or campus-related activities for the purposes of testing (including visiting testing vending machines) or receiving medical care.
PLEASE NOTE, if you are unwell, diagnosed with COVID-19, or are quarantining due to exposure to someone who was diagnosed with COVID-19, you must contact your instructor to inform them of your situation. Communication with your instructors is key. Update them on your situation to ensure absences are accounted for and you have clear instructions for making up assignments.
All members of our campus community are expected to follow all COVID-19 safety protocols and policies. For additional information, visit sdsu.edu/covid19.
* This policy may be subject to change based on orders, requirements, and guidance from federal, state, and local authorities, or from the University.
Report a student violation of COVID-19 policies
For additional information, please refer to Standards for Student Conduct and San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency guidance (PDF).
As a reminder, when students chose to participate in student housing, they agreed to abide by the terms set forth in the housing license agreement, the COVID-19 Addendum (PDF), and the COVID-19 Notice and Disclosure (PDF). Students are responsible for their actions within a community and the impact those actions can have on others. Students are asked to continue to be responsible and considerate of their community.
