With the increasing prevalence of COVID-19 and the rapid spread of the Omicron variant, we must continue our mitigation efforts of getting fully vaccinated (including booster shots when eligible), wearing face coverings indoors, frequent handwashing, and participating in the campus testing program. We realize that the pandemic has been unpredictable, and public health guidelines often change, so we are reaching out today to provide you with the most up-to-date information for your return from Winter Break.
The Highlights
- Test 48 Hours Before Returning to Campus
- Register for On-site Campus Testing
- Instructions for Arrival on Campus
- All Residential Students (Living On-Campus)
- Not Fully Vaccinated Students (Living On-Campus)
- Fully Vaccinated Students (Living On-Campus)
- Non-Residential Students (Living Off-Campus)
- Not Fully Vaccinated Students (Living Off-Campus)
- Fully Vaccinated Students (Living Off-Campus)
- On-Campus Testing Locations
- Statewide Mask Mandate
- Booster Deadline: Jan. 31, 2022
Test 48 Hours Before Returning to Campus
All students are required to get tested or take a self-administered COVID-19 test before returning to campus for the winter quarter. If your test is positive, please postpone your return until your healthcare provider has cleared you.
Register for On-Site Campus Testing
Fulgent Genetics has taken over testing at both campus locations: the Merrill Cultural Center and Express Store. You should have received a registration email from Fulgent for COVID-19 testing. If you missed your registration deadline, you will receive another email prompting you to register.
Please note that asymptomatic testing appointments will no longer be available through Health-e Messenger. To avoid long lines, please visit the student COVID-19 webpage to learn more about testing requirements and schedule future appointments. The Fulgent appointment scheduler will be activated on Jan. 1, 2022.
Lastly, if you are a new arrival to our campus, you will need to log-in to Health E-Messenger to become compliant with the UC COVID Vaccine Policy. The deadline was ****Monday, Dec. 13, 2021. If you missed this deadline to provide proof of vaccination status or request an exemption, it is important to comply as soon as possible.
Instructions for Arrival on Campus
All Residential Students (Living On-Campus)
Regardless of vaccination status, all residential students must test at an on-campus testing site within 48 hours of their arrival. This post-arrival, on-campus test is in addition to your pre-arrival test. Students living on-campus who delay their return beyond the first days of instruction are encouraged to return to campus on the weekend of Jan. 8-9, 2022. Students who further delay their return to campus should plan to arrive back on campus no later than Jan. 13, 2022, to complete the post-arrival, on-site testing requirement.
Not Fully Vaccinated Students (Living On-Campus)
Once your initial post-arrival, on-campus test is completed, not fully vaccinated students who live on campus will resume the required testing cadence of at least once every 4 days.
Students who are not fully vaccinated are also required to sequester for a 7-day period, during which every effort should be made to limit movement around the campus and in-person interactions. Students can still attend essential activities, such as going to class, work, and picking up food to-go during their sequestration period.
Fully Vaccinated Students (Living On-Campus)
Once your initial post-arrival, on-campus test is completed, fully vaccinated students who live on campus must take a Rapid Antigen test 2-3 days later and then complete a PCR test on-campus every two weeks after their initial test date. The Rapid Antigen test will be provided during your post-arrival, on-campus test.
Fully vaccinated students are also required to sequester until they receive a negative initial post-arrival, on-site test result or are cleared by the Student Health Center. During the sequester period, every effort should be made to limit movement around the campus and in-person interactions. Fully vaccinated students can still attend essential activities, such as going to class, work, and eating in the dining hall during their sequestration period.
Non-Residential Students (Living Off-Campus)
Regardless of vaccination status, all students living off-campus must test at an on-campus testing site within 48 hours of starting in-person classes or any activities on campus. This post-arrival, on-campus test is in addition to your pre-arrival test.
Not Fully Vaccinated Students (Living Off-Campus)
Once your initial post-arrival, on-campus test is completed, not fully vaccinated off-campus students will resume your testing cadence of at least once every 4 days as required. If you are traveling over the Winter Break, please take a Rapid Antigen test or PCR test 2-3 days before returning to Santa Cruz. If your test is positive, please postpone your return until your healthcare provider has cleared you.
Please Note: The four-day testing requirement does not apply to employees who have completed a COVID-19 vaccine series but are not yet eligible for their booster or who plan to receive the booster by Jan. 31, 2022.
Fully Vaccinated Students (Living Off-Campus)
Once your initial post-arrival, on-campus test is completed, fully vaccinated off-campus students have the option of taking a Rapid Antigen or Fulgent PCR test, if desired. If you are traveling over the winter break, please take a Rapid Antigen or PCR test 2-3 days before returning to Santa Cruz. If your test is positive, please postpone your return until your healthcare provider has cleared you.
Please refer to the Testing Protocols webpage for more information.
On-Campus Testing Locations
On-campus testing for vaccinated and unvaccinated non-symptomatic individuals is available at two campus locations. Details for each site are below.
Merrill Cultural Center at Merrill College
- Days/Hours: Starting Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022, through Friday, Jan. 14, 2022, open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Appointments: Please make an appointment through the Fulgent website. Walk-ins: First come, first served.
- Turn-Around Time: Averages 24 to 48 hours for results. You will receive an email with a link to the results.
Quarry Plaza** Express Store
- Days/Hours: Starting Monday, Jan. 10, 2022, through Friday, Jan. 14, 2022, open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Appointments: Please make an appointment through the Fulgent website. Walk-ins: First come, first served.
- Turn-Around Time: Averages 24 to 48 hours for results. You will receive an email with a link to the results.
Statewide Mask Mandate
A reminder that face coverings are a requirement indoors on the UC Santa Cruz campus, and the California Department of Public Health requires them indoors across the state. This order is in effect until at least Jan. 15, 2022. Wearing a face covering is one of the best ways to protect yourself and other members of our community.
Booster Deadline: Jan. 31, 2022
The UC system COVID-19 vaccination policy requires faculty, staff, and students to obtain a booster shot as soon as they are eligible. You can qualify for a booster if it has been at least 2 months since you received the J&J COVID-19 vaccine or 6 months after your second Moderna or Pfizer dose. Eligible students should get their booster before the start of instruction. UCSC’s deadline for compliance with the booster requirement is Jan. 31, 2022. Students who are not yet eligible must comply with the booster requirement within 2 weeks of eligibility.
The Student Health Center will be hosting booster shot clinics on Jan. 19, 20, and 21, 2022, at the Hay Barn. You can also find a location providing them in your area on the Santa Cruz County Health website or California’s MyTurn website.
Thank you for assisting us in supporting the well-being of our campus community and getting the winter quarter off to a good start.
