Dear Student:
We are writing to clarify the steps required for you to be able to attend classes in person when full in-person instruction resumes on January 31, 2022. There are two important steps you must complete (A and B, described below), which can be completed in any order.
In order to be able to attend your classes without delay, we suggest that you return to the UCSB area with enough time to obtain a campus COVID-19 test and to self-isolate for five days in case the test is positive. In other words, we recommend you return to the area no later than January 25.
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Step A. Get a UCSB COVID-19 PCR test at the Campus Testing Center as soon as possible after returning to the UCSB area – at least once between 1/3 – 2/2/2022.
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Campus Testing Appointments
Campus testing appointments are available Monday through Friday from 8:30-11:45 a.m. and 1:05-4:45 p.m. The center is closed on holidays and weekends.
If you plan to return later this month, please make your testing appointment through the Student Health Patient Portal* soon to ensure availability.
- Make your testing appointment through the Student Health Patient Portal*.
- Pick up a 'drop off saliva PCR collection kit' in advance at the Loma Pelona Testing Center, Library front desk, Student Resource Building (SRB) main desk, the RecCen Equipment Desk, or building entry desks of your on-campus residence.
- Prepare your saliva sample no more than 4 hours prior to your appointment time.
- Drop off your PCR test sample at the Loma Pelona Testing Center at your appointment time.
Uploading Recent Positive Test Results
If you have recently tested positive for COVID-19 outside of UCSB, you do not need to be tested again, but must upload your test results through the Student Health Patient Portal* under the "New Messages" section. This will exempt you from further COVID-19 testing requirements for 90 days after your positive test result.
Testing Enforcement
Your Daily COVID-19 Clearance Badge will be blocked if you do not submit one campus test as soon as possible upon your return to the area and no later than February 2, 2022.
Weekly Testing Required for Unvaccinated (Exempted) Individuals
Students who are unvaccinated with approved exemptions must continue to submit weekly COVID-19 campus tests as soon as they return to campus.
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Step B. If you're eligible, get a COVID-19 booster by January 31, 2022.
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Booster Shot Clinics
Booster shots are available at Embarcadero Hall in Isla Vista on January 18, 21, 25 & 28 by appointment through MyTurn, with walk-ins accepted if space is available.
Booster Shot Eligibility
You are eligible for a COVID-19 booster shot 2 months after a J&J/Janssen vaccine or 5 months after your second Pfizer, Moderna, or other international COVID-19 vaccine.
If you become eligible for a booster shot after the January 31 deadline, you will be given 2 weeks after your eligibility date to obtain the booster shot.
Please check your Student Health Patient Portal* records to be sure we have a record of your booster shot; if not, please upload your COVID-19 vaccine records through the "Medical Clearances" section.
Students who recently tested positive for COVID-19 are allowed 90 days to obtain their COVID-19 booster shot, although we strongly encourage you to obtain it as soon as possible. If you have recently tested positive for COVID-19 outside of UCSB, please upload your test results through the Student Health Patient Portal* under the "New Messages" section.
Vaccination Policy Exemptions
If you have already received an approved COVID-19 vaccine exemption, your exemption will automatically carry over for the booster requirement. Students who wish to apply for a new exemption from the COVID-19 booster requirement should email covid19-vaccine@ucsb.edu.
Vaccination Policy Enforcement
Eligible students who do not comply with COVID-19 booster requirement by 1/31/2022 will be required to obtain weekly campus COVID-19 testing, and be referred to the Student Conduct office.
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Clearance badges from the Daily Survey are being checked in the Dining Commons, Rec Cen, and Library, and may be requested by your instructors.
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Resolving Course-Related Questions Concerns
The Chancellor's message on January 8 stated that "instructors may continue to offer instruction remotely or choose to teach in person, and students who choose to remain off campus or who must isolate or quarantine following COVID-19 protocols will be provided with reasonable opportunities to participate remotely in any in-person class" (emphasis ours). Instructors were to contact students by Tuesday, January 11, if they planned to teach in person. If students have been contacted by their instructor regarding an in-person class but are unable to attend and are unsure about how to access the course material remotely, then we encourage those students to contact their instructor.
If after consulting with the instructor a student has concerns about being able to be successful in the course, then they should contact their College Advising Office.
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*Reminder: Duo Authentication Coming to Student Health Portal
Duo Authentication will be required to access the Student Health Patient Portal after January 25. If you are not already enrolled in this security system for multi-factor authentication, please see more information at www.it.ucsb.edu/mfa.
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Questions About UCSB's COVID-19 Protocols?
Please direct your questions about campus COVID-19 protocols to our campus COVID-19 Call Center at ucsb-covid19@ucsb.edu or by telephone (805) 893-3113, Monday –Friday, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. They can also assist you with any Daily Screening Survey or Clearance Badge problems.
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