hope you had an enjoyable Winter Break and that your New Year is off to a great start.
As we begin winter quarter, I want to thank you for your ongoing patience and flexibility as we continue to adjust our guidelines to ensure the well-being of our campus community. The following are some important reminders regarding your return to on-site work.
The Highlights
- Jan. 3-14: Remote and Alternative Instruction
- Jan. 31: Booster Deadline
- On-Site Work: Testing Requirements
- Register for On-Campus Testing Online
- Winter Quarter FAQs
Jan. 3-14: Remote and Alternative Instruction
As communicated in this message from Chancellor Cynthia Larive and Campus Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Lori Kletzer, UC Santa Cruz is beginning the first two weeks of winter quarter (Jan. 3-14) with alternative and remote modes of instruction. Faculty and staff are recommended to hold meetings and events remotely for these first two weeks as well.
Employees with questions about their work modality during these first two weeks of the quarter should consult their managers and supervisors if they have not done so already.
Jan. 31: Booster Deadline
The UC system COVID-19 vaccination policy requires faculty, staff, and students to obtain a booster shot as soon as they are eligible. You are eligible 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. We ask eligible employees to get their booster before the start of instruction. UCSC’s deadline for compliance with the booster requirement is Jan. 31, 2022. Employees who are not eligible by the Jan. 31 deadline must comply with the booster requirement within two weeks of eligibility. You can find a location providing booster shots in your area on the Santa Cruz County Health website or California’s MyTurn website.
To upload proof of your booster, log into Health e-Messenger and navigate to the 'Medical Clearances' tab. Next to 'COVID-19' there should be a green 'Update' button, click it. On the pop-up that will open, upload a photo of your vaccination card and select 'Add Immunization' with the date and type of vaccine you received. Click 'Done' and the information will be saved. View this document for a detailed step-by-step.
On-Site Work: Testing Requirements
48 Hours Before You Arrive
Once your on-site return date has been scheduled, employees who are not fully vaccinated are required to get tested or take a self-administered COVID-19 test 48 hours prior to returning to on-site work.
We strongly recommend that fully vaccinated employees get tested or take a self-administered COVID-19 test at least 48 hours before returning to on-site work.
For all employees, if your test is positive, please postpone your return until your healthcare provider has cleared you. If you have been exposed through close contact, please contact your manager and follow current CDPH Guidelines.
Returning to On-Site Work
Employees who are not fully vaccinated are required to test at an on-campus testing site within 48 hours of their return to on-site work. After your initial on-site test, you will need to resume the testing cadence of at least once every 4 days.
Please Note: The 4-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 will receive their booster by Jan. 31.
Fully vaccinated employees are advised to take an on-site Fulgent PCR test when they return to campus, but it is not required. The university also has rapid antigen tests available, if desired. Visit the Merrill Cultural Center or the Bay Tree Bookstore to pick up a rapid antigen test kit.
Regardless of vaccination status, all employees will also need to complete the daily symptom checker once they return to on-site work.
Lastly, we recommend that all employees self-monitor for any COVID-like symptoms within 7 days of their return as a best practice. Please notify your medical provider as appropriate.
Please refer to the Testing Protocols webpage for more information.
Register for On-Campus Testing Online
Over Winter Break, you should have received a registration email from Fulgent Genetics for COVID-19 testing. Your registration includes an ID that you may need to enter to schedule an appointment for an on-site test when you return to campus. If you missed your registration deadline, you should have received another email prompting you to register. Please make an appointment as soon as possible using the Fulgent appointment scheduler to avoid long lines. The employee COVID-19 webpage also has step-by-step instructions.
Winter Quarter FAQs
I won’t be eligible for a booster shot before the Jan. 31 deadline. What should I do?
Once you become eligible, you must comply with the booster requirement within 2 weeks.
Will UCSC be providing booster clinics for staff and faculty?
Employees should contact their primary healthcare provider for information about scheduling a booster appointment. At this time, the Student Health Center is not able to offer boosters to employees, though the campus is evaluating how it can expand the clinics to serve employees.
Where can I find support for remote or alternative instruction?
Please visit the Keep Teaching website for additional resources.
Should I stay home or come back to work on Monday, January 3?
If you are unclear, please consult with your supervisor on whether your work should be on-site, remote, or hybrid during the first 2 weeks of winter quarter.
I have an in-person event scheduled in January. Do I need to make it virtual?
We recommend that scheduled events and meetings be remote through Jan. 14. For events on and after Jan. 18, please contact your supervisor (or event coordinator if relevant) to discuss the best approach for your specific event as public health guidelines are rapidly evolving.
Are face coverings required indoors and outdoors on campus?
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. If you are outdoors, face coverings are not required but are encouraged if you are gathered with a large group and can’t maintain distance.
How can I request PPE or other COVID-19 mitigation supplies?
You can request boxes of disposable face coverings and hand sanitizer for classrooms by submitting a request through the Physical Plant work order process. Supplies will be provided by Custodial Services. Environmental Health & Safety can assist with requests for N95 respirators and reusable face coverings. A list of available items and the request form are on the Environmental Health & Safety website.
We will continue to update the Slug Strong website with important information on our campus operations. If you have additional questions, please reach out to check@ucsc.edu .
