Safer Return at Cal Poly Pomona

Our Commitment to Keeping You Safe and Healthy

Date: 8/16/21
To: Students
From: Student Affairs
Subject: Our Commitment to Keeping You Safe and Healthy

Dear Students,

This Thursday, August 19, marks the start of classes for fall semester. While the return of in-person class options is an exciting milestone, we recognize many students may be feeling apprehensive, anxious, or concerned about in-person class components given the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Students who feel anxious and wish to seek resources can always reach out to Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) for support.

Your health and safety have remained our top priority throughout the course of the pandemic, resulting in the implementation of multiple strategies and protocols to mitigate risk in compliance with CDC, state, and county guidelines. These strategies include: 

  • Requiring face coverings indoors for all individuals regardless of vaccination status.    
  • Weekly COVID-19 testing required for all individuals. Individuals who have uploaded their vaccination record (fully vaccinated) are exempt. An individual is considered fully vaccinated two weeks after their second dose of Pfizer or Moderna or two weeks after the one dose of Johnson and Johnson. 
  • If you need a mask, look for the wall-mounted dispensers containing face coverings, gloves, and sanitizing wipes in buildings throughout campus. All items are free of charge. 
  • Regular cleaning of instructional spaces, offices and other public areas. For a breakdown of classroom cleaning protocols, visit this website. 
  • Installation of high-efficiency MERV 13 filters in HVAC systems across campus as an upgrade to ventilation systems. 
  • Required training and education for students, staff and faculty verifying they are aware and informed of COVID-19 protocols and best practices. 

In addition, the campus is hosting several COVID-19 vaccination pop-up clinics for your convenience. They are free and open to all members of the community: 

  • August 17 from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm in the courtyard between Sicomoro and Secoya residence halls.  
  • August 18 from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm at University Park. 

For full details on the health and safety plan the university has implemented, visit the Safer Return website. While no strategy can be 100 percent effective, the protocols outlined in this plan help mitigate the spread of the virus.

Students who are interested in an alternative mode of instruction for their course(s) should seek to adjust their schedule now during the Add/Drop period, as modes of instructions will not change. The Add/Drop period will end on September 1. You can always refer to this document for more information on all instruction mode types for fall semester.

Those enrolled in hybrid classes should first check the ‘Class Details’ section on BroncoDirect for information on class meeting location. Additionally, students should continue to check their CPP email and Canvas for class meeting location over the course of the week.

Finally, the CPP Mobile App has a built-in map where you can locate the closest study space near you while on campus. This can be useful if you need to log-in to an online course or need a space to study in-between classes.

With all of this in mind, staff and faculty members are so excited to see you once again! As a reminder, all offices on campus are open and available for you in-person from 8:00 am – 5:00 pm, Monday-Friday.

We encourage you to seek support when needed and wish you nothing but success this academic year.

Sincerely,

Christina M. Gonzales
Vice President for Student Affairs

Dr. Iris S. Levine
Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs