Return Information for Student

The District has completed its phased in approach for return to campus. Instructional, student, and operational services are available to support students. This page will provide you with the most up-to-date information as you transition back to in-person courses and services.

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Return to Campus information

COVID-19 Vaccination Policy

The San Mateo County Community College District Board of Trustees has suspended the COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement policy (BP 2.90) and no longer requires COVID-19 vaccination documentation or medical/religious exemptions for any individuals wishing to access district facilities. Students may now register for in-person courses and access in-person student services on campus regardless of vaccination status.

SMCCCD recommends staying up to date with COVID-19 vaccines, including boosters, regardless of risk factors. CDC recommends that people ages 5 years and older receive one updated (bivalent) booster if it has been at least 2 months since their last COVID-19 vaccine dose, whether that was:

Their final primary series dose, or
An original (monovalent) booster

People who have gotten more than one original (monovalent) booster are also recommended to get an updated (bivalent) booster. To schedule an appointment, visit https://myturn.ca.gov/ .

For additional information, visit https://smccd.edu/return-to-campus/vaccine-info.

Face Coverings Policy

The Board of Trustees modified the District’s face masking requirement, utilizing the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention COVID Community Level coding system..

The updated masking requirements, as outlined below, are effective until further notice, and apply to all students, employees, and visitors, regardless of vaccination status.

CDC COVID Community Level	SMCCCD Face Masking Requirement	Additional CDC Guidance
LOW	Face mask is recommended, but not required	Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines Get tested if you have symptoms
MEDIUM	Face mask is required while indoors in any District facility
HIGH	Face mask is required while indoors in any District facility

*At levels where masking is required, the exemption of not wearing a mask while actively eating or drinking still applies.

To track the San Mateo County’s COVID Community Level, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.

**Face covering means a surgical mask, a medical procedure mask, a respirator worn voluntarily, or a tightly woven fabric or non-woven material of at least two layers. A face covering has no visible holes or openings and must cover the nose and mouth. A face covering does not include a scarf, ski mask, balaclava, bandana, turtleneck, collar, or single layer of fabric. Surgical masks or higher-level respirators (e.g., N95s, KN95s, KF94s) with good fit are recommended.

- Free surgical masks available throughout occupied campus facilities if you misplaced yours.
- N95 masks are available at the Bookstore, Library, Learning Center, Admissions & Records, Health Services, Counseling, and Public Safety.

Experiencing Symptoms, Test Positive, or Exposed?

If you are experiencing symptoms, tested positive, or had an exposure, please following these guidelines

If you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms:

Stay home and do not come to campus
Follow the COVID-19 Symptomatic Guidance

If you test positive for COVID-19:

Report at the following URL: https://smccd.edu/return-to-campus/covid-positive-result.php

If you think you may have been exposed to someone who tested positive:

Follow Self-Assessment Guidance for exposure

A reminder to help keep our college community healthy and safe:

Monitor daily for signs of illness. Stay home if sick and report to appropriate instructor or college staff.
Wear a required face covering at all times while indoors. The face covering should have at least 2 layers, completely cover your nose and mouth, and fit snugly against the sides of your face
Sanitize hands and works spaces frequently to reduce the spread of germs

Self-Assessment of COVID-19 Symptoms Upon Entering SMCCCD Buildings

Individuals are required to self-assess for signs and symptoms of COVID-19 prior to entering any district building.

Signs are posted at each building entrance to prompt individuals for self-assessment of the following symptoms: fever, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, sore throat, abdominal pain/diarrhea, or new loss of taste or smell.

If an individual self-assesses any symptom(s), they cannot enter the building and must leave campus grounds immediately. Follow reporting procedures as outlined by the SMCCCD COVID Written Prevention Plan for further guidance.

COVID Symptoms Self-Assessment Sign

Indoor Building Safety

All San Mateo County Community College District buildings are Cal/OSHA compliant and clean. The District Facilities Team continues to assess and address any safety issues (indoors and outdoors) on campuses and the District office. The District facilities are clean and meet Cal/OSHA requirements. Appropriate ventilation/filtration and sanitation protocols are in place (or alternatives have been identified) for buildings to ensure compliant operating conditions. Click here to view a briefing on the buildings’ air handling systems.

Sanitization & Hygiene

The following Sanitization and Hygiene strategies are identified to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. The CDC has determined that COVID-19 is predominantly transmitted via aerosolized droplets from person to person. However, effective cleaning and disinfecting may contribute to the slowing of COVID-19 virus transmission.

Facilities Custodians clean and disinfect at least once daily:

high use community spaces: in-use classrooms, break rooms, work rooms, conference rooms, etc.
high touch points: handrails, door handles, elevator buttons, etc.
restrooms

All campus community members are expected to participate in:

effective hand hygiene by washing and sanitizing hands frequently
sanitizing the furniture, fixtures, and equipment they touch and use

Campus Activities and Events

All campus activities and events are resumed through normal operations.

• All employees and students may engage in in-person campus activities.
• The public and visitors may also engage in in-person campus activities if they comply with district safety guidelines and other policies. Vaccination verification will not be requested.