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Residential Programs COVID-19 Policies

Your student’s safety, that of our staff, and that of the wider University Community are our top priority.  Below is the framework for COVID-19 Safety at UC San Diego Extension’s 2023 Academic Connections Residential Program.  Should the public health landscape change, we will update this framework with the guidance of the University, San Diego County Public Health, the American Camp Association, and the CDC.  Vaccination, effective masking, social distancing where possible, and effective handwashing remain the best preventative measures from COVID-19 viral spread.

Pre-Academic Connections Residential Program Requirements:

  • All eligible students must be fully vaccinated AND boosted for COVID-19 at least two weeks prior to the start of the program.  Proof will be required to be submitted to the program.
  • All students and staff will need to provide a negative COVID test before arriving to the program.  A negative test result must be submitted to the program and acceptable forms include either:
    • A PCR test 48 hours before the residential move-in / start of the program
    • A rapid-antigen test completed 24 hours before arrival that is administered by a third-party such as a pharmacist or doctor or an at-home Telehealth Certified test (Abbot BinaxNOW emed test or Quest Diagnostic) and official documentation submitted the program.
    • Photo of an at home test taken on your own WILL NOT be accepted.
  • In addition to the pre-travel test, parents or guardians must purchase a total of 6 Telehealth Certified/reported rapid antigen tests to be used during the program.  We recommend Abbot BinaxNOW emed test or Quest Diagnostic tests because each box of these products is cost effective, reliable, comes with 2 tests, and 6 telehealth-guided procedures and reporting of official results. 
    • While we are still in a state of health emergency, insurance companies will often reimburse a portion or all of the cost of these tests.  We recommend that parents/guardians purchase these tests prior to May 1, 2023 to take advantage of any insurance benefit.  The out-of-pocket cost for 3 boxes (6 tests) of the BinaxNow EMed Test is $210 and 3 boxes (6 tests) of the Quest Diagnostic is $210.
  • Parents or guardians must purchase or acquire at least 20 individually packaged KN95 or 10 N95 masks to send with their students to the program.
    • Many pharmacies or medical offices currently give these away for free.  Contact your local pharmacy, urgent care, or clinic to request a supply.  

Travel to the Academic Connections Residential Program:

  • If students or their travelling companions are feeling symptomatic, do not travel to the program.  Contact academicconnections@ucsd.edu and we will provide options.
  • People who are fully vaccinated with an FDA-authorized vaccine can travel safely within the United States. Please review the CDC’s Travel During COVID-19 page.
  • If using shared transportation like airlines, buses, public transportation, students and families must wear a tight, well-fitted KN95 or N95 mask while travelling.
  • A well-fitted KN95 or N95 mask must be worn by students and their travelling companions while checking in and while inside any residential facility or auditorium on move-in day.  Masks will not be provided for students or their guests.

During the Program:  Phase I:  Sunday, July 9, 2023 – Friday, July 14, 2023 at 11:59P

  • In line with the University’s Phase I residential protocol, from move-in through Friday, July 14, 2023, while in any residential facility or transportation (e.g., bus), students must wear a well-fitted KN95 or N95 mask that fully covers their mouth and nose.  This is to protect everyone following the initial travel period, to stabilize the population, and to get through the first 2 rounds of rapid antigen tests to gauge any viral activity.  The only exceptions to this initial period is to remove the mask briefly while eating, drinking, showering, brushing teeth, while in the resident’s room, while in the classroom, or while outside.
    • Masks are not required in the classroom, but are required in residence because the residential environment mixes much more than the classroom.
  • No room to room visitation (i.e., students not contracted to a specific room) will be permitted during this time period.
  • Students should eat and socialize outdoors as much as possible.
  • Students must complete a Telehealth Certified COVID test (Abbot BinaxNOW emed testor Quest Diagnostic) and official documentation submitted to the program each Tuesday and Friday.  
  • Students will be reminded of regulations during the first day of the program (Sunday, July 10, 2023), but if they are not following these regulations after that date, they will be documented and guardians will be notified.  As public health is essential to the program, multiple documentations (i.e., 2+) will result in dismissal from the program with no opportunity for a refund.

During the Program:  Phase 2:  Midnight, Saturday, July 15, 2023 – end of program

  • Masking is not required but is STRONGLY ENCOURAGED for everyone throughout Phase 2.
  • Masks must be worn in exposure situations.  For example, if a person in a room tests positive for COVID-19, that person will go into an isolation setting until their parents/guardians can pick them up (within 8 hours of a positive test).  Their roommates will have to mask while in residential facilities and the classroom for 10-days following their roommate’s positive test.
  • Students must complete a Telehealth Certified COVID test (Abbot BinaxNOW emed testorQuest Diagnostic) and official documentation submitted to the program each Tuesday and Friday.
  • Students should eat and socialize outdoors as much as possible.

Closing Day:  Saturday, July 29, 2023

  • For the safety of everyone, we are planning for graduation to take place outdoors and will only use an indoor location in the event of inclement weather.
  • Students and their travelling companions are STRONGLY ENCOURAGED to wear a well-fitted KN95 or N95 mask while in the residential facilities.  Masks will not be provided for students or their guests.

Staff

  • All eligible staff must be fully vaccinated AND boosted for COVID-19 at least two weeks prior to the start of the program.
  • Program staff will following the same masking and testing requirements as the students.
  • During time-off, staff are expected to wear masks indoors while in public settings and eat outside to limit any possible exposures.