FAQ

*Page last updated March 10, 2022

Have specific questions?

Students - Visit the COVID-19 Vaccine Requirements page or contact studenthealthcenter@sjsu.edu.

Employees - Visit the University Personnel page or contact up-vaccine-mgmt@sjsu.edu. 

• CSU COVID-19 Vaccine Requirement
• Student Vaccination Compliance
• Medical/Health
• Campus/Facilities
• Academics
• Student Life
• For Faculty and Staff
• For Students
• Housing
• Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library

CSU COVID-19 Vaccine Requirement

• Am I required to get the vaccine?

  • The California State University (CSU) vaccination policy requires students, faculty and staff must be fully vaccinated (including the booster shot) against COVID-19 if they are accessing campus facilities at any university location across the 23 campuses. Auxiliary employees as well as volunteers and other unpaid appointments are also subject to this policy. The CSU’s COVID-19 vaccination policy allows medical and religious exemptions. 

• When do I have to be fully vaccinated by?

  • The policy calls for full vaccination, including the booser shot, by February 28, 2022.

• Are there any exceptions?

  • You can submit documentation for a medical or religious exemption. If you are granted a medical or religious exemption, you will be subject to mandatory testing protocols as well as masking requirements.

Medical/Health

• When should I expect to hear something if I might have been exposed on campus?

  • Any potential exposures are notified as soon as possible. When SJSU receives notification of a person with COVID-19, contact tracing procedures are implemented. SJSU will then notify potential individuals as soon as possible. The goal is to decrease the spread of this virus.

    Information regarding when an individual who tested positive for COVID-19 was present on campus at a specific worksite(s) during their infectious period is available on the SJSU COVID-19 dashboard.

• What do I do if I believe I have been exposed to COVID-19 (but have no symptoms and feel well)?

  • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated its guidance regarding quarantine based on the exposed individual's vaccination status. The CDC has also updated its isolation guidance for individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 or have symptoms, regardless of vaccination status.

    CDC quarantine and isolation guidance

    If you need to report a case of COVID-19, the link below is to a form that provides a confidential space where information can be collected and shared with only the necessary campus officials.

    Report a COVID-19 Case

• What do I do if I believe members of my household or myself have been exposed to COVID-19 and have symptoms consistent with COVID-19?

  • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance for when you are sick is available online. 

    If you need to report a case of COVID-19, the link below is to a form that provides a confidential space where information can be collected and shared with only the necessary campus officials.

    Report a COVID-19 Case

• What do I do if I have tested positive for COVID-19?

  • Follow your medical provider's instructions and guidance from your local public health department. You may choose to inform SJSU about your positive result by filling out the Report a COVID-19 Case form. This is a confidential space where information can be collected and shared with only the necessary campus officials.

    Information from the form can be used to help SJSU inform others in the campus community if they may have been exposed.

• How can I get tested?

  • Santa Clara County has several free testing sites, including the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds. More information on pop-up and community testing, and hospitals and clinics, can be found on the Santa Clara County Public Health Department website.

• How long do I need to isolate or quarantine?

  • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated its guidance regarding quarantine based on the exposed individual's vaccination status. The CDC has also updated its isolation guidance for individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 or have symptoms, regardless of vaccination status.

    CDC quarantine and isolation guidance

    If you need to report a case of COVID-19, the link below is to a form that provides a confidential space where information can be collected and shared with only the necessary campus officials.

    Report a COVID-19 Case

• How should I handle information about others’ health?

  • Certain members of our campus community are charged with providing guidance and assistance concerning individuals who may need accommodation or leave, have returned from international travel, or have possibly come in contact, either through acquaintance/relationship or work in health care, to individuals exposed to COVID-19.

    As part of our community responsibility, respect the privacy of all members of our community and refrain from sharing information outside appropriate reporting channels about the identity or identifying characteristics (e.g., staff position, undergraduate/graduate status, faculty position, department, unit) of individuals in our community who may have been asked to self-quarantine, seek testing, or may themselves, at some point, be diagnosed with COVID-19.

    Exercise caution so as not to contribute to unintended consequences of speculation, unfounded fear, stigmatization, or behavior that may increase the likelihood of individuals not self-reporting their possible risk of exposure to COVID-19.

    Visit the U.S. Department of Education FERPA FAQs [pdf] for more information.

• Whom should I contact with questions?

  • Students

    Students may also contact the SJSU Student Health Center at 408-924-6122 with questions about symptoms.

    Faculty and Staff

    Faculty and staff should contact their healthcare providers. For questions about sick time and leave programs, contact University Personnel at 408-924-2250.

Campus/Facilities

• Will campus remain open?

  • SJSU remains open.

    Please contact your supervisor and/or the following offices immediately if you need accommodations, sick/medical or other leave, or wish to discuss other options or concerns:

    • Employment Accommodations Resource Center: Cindy Marota: x4-6003

    • University Personnel, Interim Leave Programs and Workers' Compensation Manager: Yazmin Perez: x2155 

• How will we be communicated with about future COVID-19 cases on campus?

  • Visit the SJSU COVID-19 dashboard to view updates regarding recent COVID-19 cases involving the SJSU campus community, known cases in isolation or quarantine, the total number of COVID-19 cases involving SJSU-affiliated individuals since March 2020, and on-campus worksites affected.

• Will we be reimbursed for tuition?

  • Campus remains open and all instruction is continuing online. Therefore, there are no refunds on tuition and mandatory fees, as they are being delivered, albeit by a variety of means.

    Financial Aid Considerations

    Withdrawal from all coursework may alter the cost of attendance and affect student financial aid packages, and must be processed according to state and federal financial aid regulations. Additional information can be found on the SJSU financial aid website.

• Are there additional safety protocols for guests, visitors and contractors?

  • Any guests, visitors and contractors must adhere to SJSU's health and safety guidelines. This includes enforcement of mask protocol. 

• Does SJSU follow the county or state recommendations?

  • Our guiding principle as SJSU repopulates is the health and safety of our Spartan community. The university follows public health guidelines set forth by both the State of California and Santa Clara County Public Health Department. SJSU worked closely with the Santa Clara County Public Health Department to produce the SJSU Adapt Plan, contact tracing protocols, and other guidelines to ensure the health and safety of our community. If there is conflict between guidelines from the state, county and/or other external organizations, SJSU will follow the strictest guidelines.

• How will contact tracing be done without exposing who has tested positive?
  • When SJSU communicates to someone who might have been exposed to a confirmed case of COVID-19, no information about the person who has tested positive is released. What is shared are instructions on what to do and how to access resources. Any information about the person who has tested positive is kept confidential.
• Who is expected to enforce the mask requirement? If a student/community member comes in and refuses, how do you advise this to be handled?
  • SJSU's top priority is to protect the health and safety of our campus community. Face masks are mandated at all times while inside campus facilities or in a shared vehicle for a university-sponsored activity. The only exception is if you are in a private office alone with the door closed or when you are eating or drinking. Should there be situations where a community member is not respecting -- or is not appearing to respect -- the mandate, SJSU will address on a case-by-case basis. If there are health-related reasons why a campus community member cannot wear a mask, they are asked to contact the Accessible Education Center (students) or Employment Accommodations Resource Center (employees).
• Will ventilation improve when people have to go back to campus for work?
  • Facilities Development and Operations (FD&O) continues to focus on improving ventilation on campus, including increasing the percentage of outside air that circulates through a building, increasing the number of air changes per hour, and also improving the filtration where possible. FD&O continues to work with the CSU Mechanical Review Board and with mechanical engineers and our skilled trades staff to evaluate each of our buildings and systems. While our approach is applicable to all buildings, we are especially focused on those buildings that will have the highest density in the fall and ensuring that we're doing everything we can to maximize the ventilation system; as well as considering improvements that can be made to continue to improve those systems.
• What kind of cleaning is SJSU doing on campus (classrooms and offices)? Is it the same for all colleges or determined individually?
  • The Facilities Development and Operations (FD&O) team has increased cleaning and disinfection on campus. The more utilized areas will experience more frequent and deeper cleanings.
• Will SJSU provide personal protective equipment (or PPE) to employees?
  • Facilities Development and Operations (FD&O) provides COVID-related safety supplies and equipment including face coverings, disinfection supplies, and personal protective equipment (PPE) for students residing on campus and for faculty/staff members who have on-campus work requirements during the pandemic. To request supplies, complete the Obtain COVID-19 Safety Supplies form. Supplies will also be available throughout the campus, as well as at the FD&O Customer Service Center (Corporation Yard A building) and at a kiosk located near the Event Center and Student Wellness Center.
• Are there shields protecting those who work at front desk areas on campus?
  • Facilities Development and Operations (FD&O) and Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) has installed clear barriers with pass-through windows at customer service areas that protect staff from airborne droplets. Protective barriers (Plexiglas) will remain or continue to be placed at high traffic customer facing locations, such as service desks and checkout windows. 

     

• Will there be temperature checks and mask checks at the entrance of every building?
  • At this time, there will not be mandatory temperature checks. Students, staff, and faculty who must be present on campus or have approval to come to campus are expected to self-check for symptoms consistent with COVID-19 before coming to campus. SJSU has created the SJSU COVID-19 Symptom Check Tool to facilitate the daily self-assessment of symptoms. Face coverings are mandatory at all times on campus, except when alone in a room or office with the door closed. 
• Will events be allowed on campus for the spring 2022 semester?

  • As part of repopulating campus, a return to in-person events are a natural and important part of re-establishing and building a vibrant campus community. As the campus navigates a transitional fall semester, in-person activities can resume, with considerations for inclusion, equity and the understanding it is possible pandemic circumstances could necessitate changes.

    Space requests for spring semester events handled by Student Union Event Services and Facilities Development and Operations can be submitted online. 

    Requests for spaces reserved through Academic Scheduling can be submitted once the academic needs are confirmed to have been met and needs for designated study spaces are resolved.

    With a lot of students enrolled in online and hybrid classes as part of their overall course load and some faculty and staff working hybrid schedules during fall semester, organizers with activities that worked well in an all-online format should consider continuing that event or meeting online for the fall semester. Additionally, organizers should be aware of several other considerations:

    • Some individuals may still be uncomfortable with large gatherings or meeting in small spaces
    • Changes to transit, or a lack of comfort using transit may impact people’s access to campus 
    • Even in the hybrid format, with changes to transit, parking may be highly limited especially for campus visitors at peak times

    Organizers must remind all members of the campus community and off-campus visitors to stay home if they don’t feel well and cannot attribute symptoms to another known cause, such as allergies or a pre-existing condition. Additionally, organizers should share masking requirements for unvaccinated individuals in invitations. 

• What will happen if SJSU closes?

  • The President will notify the campus by email. The information will also be announced through Twitter and the SJSU NewsCenter. In the event we need to close campus, “essential personnel” will still provide on-campus services that relate directly to the health, safety, and welfare of the university, ensure continuity of key operations, and maintain and protect university properties. When appropriate and feasible, these responsibilities may be carried out remotely. 

Academics

• How will students know which classes are being held online and which classes meet in person?

  • Please refer to the Spring 2022 Schedule of Classes or Class Search on one.sjsu.edu to see whether a class is fully online, hybrid, or in-person. It is important to also refer to your course syllabus for the schedule.

• Is there a limit on the number of hybrid courses we can enroll in?

  • There are no limits to the number of hybrid courses you can take, so long as you can meet the requirements of the course.

• What if I am enrolled and need an in-person class to graduate but do not want to come on campus due to the virus?

  • SJSU will try to accommodate as much as possible, and, in some cases, it might be possible to make an accommodation. It is possible that a course requirement substitution could be made; however, there may be a limitation on the courses available that meet the same learning outcomes.

• How should I inform my instructor if I am in isolation or quarantine?

  • Should you enter quarantine or isolation, please communicate the timeline with your instructor. Provide a date of when you will attend class and request any material.

• If a class will be quarantined, how will a student be given accommodations for their other classes or work on campus?

  • Faculty have been asked to be as flexible as possible with student attendance, especially if the student is quarantined or sick. Additionally, a lot of programming, including lab experiences, is being simultaneously made remotely available. Accessibility issues, such as recorded and broadcasted lectures, allow for our students that have to stay home or have concerns to have access to course material. In times when students are really sick, SJSU has make-up policies, as well as the potential for incompletes. No one will be penalized for having to be out sick.

• What happens if someone in an in-person class may have been exposed? Will the class be moved online and if so, for how long?

  • Each one of those cases will be evaluated on an individual basis. However, it may be required to move a class online temporarily during a quarantine period in order to ensure no other individuals have been exposed.

• How will SJSU change attendance requirements so that students who become ill can self-quarantine without consequences?

  • Every faculty member has been asked to be as flexible as possible with student attendance. Students will not be penalized for having to be out sick. Additionally, a lot of programming, including lab experiences, is being simultaneously made remotely available. Accessibility issues, such as recorded and broadcasted lectures, allow for our students that have to stay home or have concerns to have access to course material. If necessary, SJSU has make-up policies as well as the potential for incompletes. 

Student Life

• Will SJSU resume any on-campus student services/activities for Spring 2022?

  • Some of SJSU’s student services are still open and many have migrated their services online.

    The Student Wellness Center is open several days a week, and provides telehealth options every weekday. The Spartan Recreation and Aquatic Center is open as is the Martin Luther King, Jr. Library. SJSU Cares and the Spartan Food Pantry continue to be open to provide assistance to students who are food or housing insecure, along with other financial constraints. We have safely opened the Diaz Compean Student Union as well.

• Is the Spartan Recreation Center open for Spring 2022?

  • The Spartan Recreation and Aquatic Center (SRAC) is open. The weight rooms, three court gym, bouldering wall, track, and pool area are available for use by students, faculty and staff only.   

• How is SJSU providing technology to ensure student equity for access?

  • During the pandemic, SJSU acquired more equipment to meet the needs of our students, like laptops, mobile hotspots, mics, cameras, drawing tablets, and headphones. You can contact our IMS equipment loaning office at 408-924-2888 or visit our SJSU WORK ANYWHERE website.

For Faculty and Staff

• Teaching from home increases financial burden (wifi, electricity, printing). Are there plans to offset that? 

  • Faculty are able to come to campus for purposes of delivering and facilitating remote learning. Faculty should contact their chair and Dean prior to coming to campus. Additionally, if there are items that are needed for teaching online, you may request them from your department. It is encouraged that you reach out to people in your department college if there are concerns within these areas. The IT department is also working with all departments to identify equipment needs, and have been responsive to requests of faculty and staff. You can contact our IMS equipment loaning office at 408-924-2888 or visit our SJSU WORK ANYWHERE website.

• How can our work be secure if we are using a personal laptop to do work?

  • Security is extremely important for San José State University. SJSU’s Information Technology team has established over 6,000 IP connections. In addition, SJSU is working with our anti-virus company to expand our services and licenses to your home computer without you having to incur any additional cost. 

• When will colleges be notified about their ability to support faculty technology/equipment purchases to support their work at home (including equipment that will need to be purchased and shipped to faculty members’ homes)?

  • Requests for technology/equipment and other needs should be made through departments/colleges. The IT department also has equipment available, you may contact the IMS equipment loaning office at 408-924-2888 or visit the SJSU WORK ANYWHERE website.

• Will testing be mandated in order for employees to work on campus?

  • All employees who have an approved medical or religious exemption are subject to mandatory weekly testing.

    The process to input your vaccination information, including uploading your vaccination documentation, is available at SJSU @ Work.

• How do I request COVID-19 safety supplies?

  • Ensuring your safety and those around you during the COVID-19 pandemic requires having a supply of face coverings, personal protective equipment (PPE), and sanitary supplies. To address this need, Facilities Development & Operations (FD&O) has created this specialized COVID-19 Safety Supply Request Form. It is designed to streamline requests for the most common COVID-19 safety supplies that you may need to keep your work environment safe.

    If you have questions concerning this process or a request that you have already placed, please contact the FD&O Customer Service Center at 408-924-1990 or email workcontrol@sjsu.edu.

• How can I protect myself from COVID-19 related phishing attacks?

  • Phishing emails and messages have been prevalent throughout the pandemic. People are posing as government or aid organizations and asking for banking information or sending links with information about COVID-19 vaccines and installing malware when you open them.

    To stay safe while using your home computing devices and home networks, consider downloading Sophos Anti-Virus for free. Students can also add protection to their SJSU account by signing up for Duo Two-Factor Authentication. 

    You can also visit our How to Spot a Phishing Attempt page to read about our ongoing Phishing Awareness Program. As part of this program, you will periodically receive simulated phishing emails that imitate real attacks. These emails are designed to give you a realistic experience without putting you or the university at risk for a security breach. If you fall for our fake messages, there’s no judgment. SJSU IT will send you tips and tricks to improve your phishing recognition skills.

• Are there options if I need to take leave because of COVID-19?

  • Contact Yazmin Perez, Interim Manager, Leave, Workers' Compensation, and Accommodation Programs for more information on leave options.

• What happens if employees are sent home with symptoms but don’t have sick time?

  • SJSU’s goal is to protect the health and safety of our campus community. The university will work with employees who may be sent home for COVID-19 related reasons and who are concerned with their leave time. There are COVID-19 specific leave programs available in addition to our regular leave programs. To discuss your leave options, please contact Yazmin Perez.

• I’m worried about exposure to COVID-19 at work. Will employees in my department be notified if a colleague is in self-isolation?

  • Due to privacy considerations, this information will not be shared other than in a situation where it is believed other employees may also need to self-isolate.

• What is the best way to reach University Personnel with questions?

  • The fastest way to reach the University Personnel front desk for questions and information during the shelter-in-place order is via university-personnel@sjsu.edu and by calling x4-2250.

For Students

• Will I be required to live on campus in the fall if I am an incoming first-year student?

  • SJSU has suspended the Freshman Live-On requirement for the 2021-2022 academic year. If you choose to live on campus for the 2021-2022 academic year, you must be fully vaccinated prior to moving into university housing.

• Will there still be study abroad programs for the Spring 2022 semester?

  • Visit the College of Global and Professional Education's Study Abroad and Away website for the latest status on study abroad programs.

• How can I protect myself from COVID-19 related phishing attacks? 

  • Phishing emails and messages have been prevalent, especially during the pandemic. People are posing as government or aid organizations and asking for banking information or sending links with information about COVID-19 vaccines and installing malware when you open them.

    To stay safe while using your home computing devices and home networks, consider downloading Sophos Anti-Virus for free. Students can also add protection to their SJSU account by signing up for Duo Two-Factor Authentication. 

    You can also visit our How to Spot a Phishing Attempt page to read about our ongoing Phishing Awareness Program. As part of this program, you will periodically receive simulated phishing emails that imitate real attacks. These emails are designed to give you a realistic experience without putting you or the university at risk for a security breach. If you fall for our fake messages, there’s no judgment. SJSU IT will send you tips and tricks to improve your phishing recognition skills.

• Why am I not being refunded for campus fees even though I am not on campus?

  • The campus continues to remain open, as essential services related to operations and support—including campus housing, dining services, facilities maintenance, IT support and services, University Personnel services and Library virtual support—continue to function.

    The mandatory campus fees—which excludes annual tuition—support a multitude of purposes. Due to Santa Clara County and state of California public health guidelines, some of the buildings the fees support are closed or operations are limited/restructured. As the guidelines evolve, SJSU will evaluate how and when to reopen the buildings. 

    Since 2016, the Student Union building was completely renovated, and the new Student Wellness and Spartan Recreation & Aquatic Centers (SRAC) were built. These facilities were supported by long-term loans similar to a mortgage that are being repaid by Student Union and Student Health Facility fee revenues. None of these fees are a "usage-based fee," but cover the debt services and personnel on a 12-month budget basis.

    The Student Union fee also supports operation of these buildings, which remain partially open, and services: the Bookstore inside the Student Union, Associated Students and Student Union staff, Student Union online programming, the SRAC lap pool and Athletics pool, and SRAC online programming. Beginning Monday, March 15, SRAC will open at 10 percent capacity per Santa Clara County public health guidelines. Student Health fees support operating the Student Wellness Center, which is also still serving students, with some in-person services available. Our Student Health Center (led by Dr. Fu) has been instrumental in helping the campus through this pandemic. SRAC once again is re-opening within Santa Clara County guidelines. The pool for lap swimming has been open since early fall 2020. 

    In 2020, SJSU deployed $14 million in federal CARES support to students. Two additional rounds of federal funds are earmarked for students this spring.  Similar to the first round, these will be distributed to those who qualify. This aid will provide students with some relief while still ensuring SJSU’s ongoing operations are sustained. In total, the average amount per student through these three distributions totals over $2,300.

• Is the Spartan Food Pantry still open?

  • Yes, it remains open and has shifted to a food distribution model. Hours of operation change daily, so visit the Spartan Food Pantry Instagram page to learn more. As a reminder, the food pantry is meant for those in need.

    Other food resources

    Second Harvest of Silicon Valley

    Second Harvest is still serving the community through this difficult time. To get food assistance:

    • You can visit the Second Harvest website;

    • Call them at 1-800-984-3663, or

    • Text “GETFOOD” to 1-408-455-5181.

    CalFresh

    CalFresh is California's food stamps (SNAP) program. Apply to get up to $192 a month per household member on an EBT card. Remember, if you’ve recently experienced a loss or decrease in employment income, you may be newly eligible for CalFresh, and should reapply.

    Second Harvest of Silicon Valley will still offer food referrals and CalFresh assistance by phone: 1-800-984-3663 (Mon-Fri, 8am-5pm). You can also contact Quy Nguyen directly to apply for CalFresh or ask questions: 408-266-8866, ext. 260 or email at qnguyen@shfb.org.

    Silicon Valley Strong Initiative

    Over 60 years of age and/or medically vulnerable: Silicon Valley Strong Initiative. Website updated daily.

• What should I do if COVID-19 is causing me stress and anxiety?

  • In this rapidly changing situation, stress and anxiety have surely increased amongst students and their loved ones. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has information specifically related to stress management through COVID-19.

    Please know that there are people on campus that care and want to help. The people in our Counseling and Psychological Services unit can be reached at (408) 924-5910 and counseling.services@sjsu.edu.

    Other resources include:

    • Santa Clara County Suicide and Crisis Hotline at 855-278-4204;

    • Send a text to the Crisis Text Line at 741741;

    • Peer-Run Warm Line at 855-845-7415.

• What if I don’t currently own a computer that meets the needed requirements for online education?

  • Laptops and other equipment can be checked out for loan in person or online at IMS by students, faculty, and staff. Students can also visit the Work Anywhere website.

• I need help learning how to navigate online learning. What resources are available?

  • The Learn Anywhere site provides resources and training on how to get started with online learning. Our Peer Connections continue to operate and are ready to provide support to help you navigate our remote learning tools. You are encouraged to reach out to your instructors, teaching assistants, or embedded peer educators directly with questions about how to successfully navigate the online learning experiences in their classes. Additionally, the eCampus office can also help answer technical questions for students about navigating Canvas, Zoom, Google Chat, or other new technologies associated with their classes (408-924-2337).

Housing

• Is the Housing Office open?

  • Yes, the Housing Office is open. You may visit the Housing website for current hours. Students can still submit payments online through their MYSJSU portal.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library

• Is the library open?

  • Yes, the library is open. A Tower ID is required during SJSU-only hours. See the Library Hours page for more information. Note: Due to mask requirements, food and drink are currently not allowed in the library. See the Library Repopulation FAQs for other COVID-19-related information.

• Where do I return my books?

  • Please hold on to all library materials currently checked out to you, including books, media, and other library equipment. All due dates for loan items, including CSU+ loans, will be extended, and renewal requests will be automatically submitted for Interlibrary Loan books. Overdue fines incurred during the current semester will be waived. If you have any questions please contact library-accounts@sjsu.edu.

• Can I still access articles, books, and videos online?

  • The University Library will continue to provide access to digital materials, including media, ebooks, articles, hundreds of databases and more. Use OneSearch to find these online resources. You will need to log in with your student ID and SJSUOne password to access resources off campus. Contact us for help with accounts or access to electronic resources.

    Articles, books, and videos in print format are not available. Ask us for help, via email or chat, if you have any questions.

    Additional resources can be found online through the National Emergency Library and then Vendor Sharing website.

• Can I check out books from the library, or from Interlibrary Loan (ILL) and CSU+?

  • Yes, print and other physical items such as laptops are available to check out from King Library, and ILL and CSU+ are processing requests as well. See Borrowing & Requesting for more information. Check your OneSearch account for due dates; any pending fines may be waived once items are returned. If you have any questions about your account, please contact library-accounts@sjsu.edu.