Matador Forward

August 13, 2021

Dear CSUN Students,

Across campus, preparations to warmly welcome you back to campus and the virtual learning environment continue to accelerate. There are some important steps you need to take to prepare for the start of the fall semester as well. This message follows-up on the MATADORS FORWARD message sent to all students on August 9 and includes important information about vaccination against COVID-19 and COVID-19 testing as we approach the start of fall classes on August 30.

VACCINATION INFORMATION

Per the CSU COVID-19 Vaccination Interim Policy, students, faculty, staff and student employees learning or working on campus will need to provide certification of full vaccination status or request a medical or religious exemption. If you are currently unvaccinated or partially vaccinated against COVID-19, and are not seeking a religious or medical exemption to this policy, time is short to get fully vaccinated. Appointments are free and easily available through myturn.ca.gov. Vaccinations are also available from your healthcare provider, local pharmacies and clinics. Please act now!

• Students who do not qualify for exemption and who choose to remain unvaccinated are not permitted access to campus programs, facilities and buildings.
• All students must complete the vaccination attestation and certification as soon as possible. Students still in the process of becoming fully vaccinated should complete the certification once full vaccination is achieved but not later than September 30, 2021. Students who are not planning to access campus or participate in CSUN programs off campus this fall are also able to make that declaration. However, your plans may change, so it’s much better to become fully vaccinated as soon as possible and to certify your fully vaccinated status, allowing you to access the CSUN campus or participate in off-campus CSUN programs or activities.

To begin the certification process, please log into the MyHealth portal and follow the directions to complete the attestation and certification. To review the student COVID-19 process, described with helpful step-by-step screen shots, please visit COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement. If you have questions, please email shcinfo@csun.edu.

ACCEPTABLE VACCINES, INCLUDING THOSE FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson and Johnson/Janssen are the three COVID-19 vaccines available in the United States under FDA Emergency Use Authorization.

Students living outside of the United States may only have access to other COVID-19 vaccinations. CSUN international students who have been fully vaccinated with the required doses by any of the World Health Organization-approved vaccinations below meet the requirements of CSUN’s COVID-19 immunization policy. International students not fully vaccinated will be asked to complete their series with vaccines authorized in the United States.

• Pfizer-BioNTech (e.g., COMIRNATY, Tozinameran)
• Moderna
• Johnson & Johnson (Janssen)
• AstraZeneca-Oxford (e.g., Covishield, Vaxzevria)
• Sinopharm
• Sinovac

TESTING INFORMATION

Enrolled students for fall 2021 who are exempted from vaccination and plan to come on campus at any time, including for a class, appointment, service, or who will participate in an on- or off-campus CSUN coordinated program or activity, will be required to participate in free, weekly COVID-19 PCR testing. All exempted or not yet fully vaccinated students should obtain a negative COVID-19 PCR test within the seven days prior to attending their first class, activity, lab or service.

Directions for on-campus testing, including locations and appointment scheduling, are found on the Matadors Forward website.

For unvaccinated students with exemptions, COVID-19 PCR testing will be required on a weekly basis upon first return to campus and for every week the student will be coming to campus. Testing will be performed on campus by appointment in partnership with the laboratory vendor Fulgent at one of three kiosks, beginning August 18. The Fulgent kiosks will provide free testing for enrolled students from 11 am to 7 pm, Monday through Friday. Students will be able to make an appointment for weekly COVID-19 PCR testing via the Student Health Center MyHealth portal.

DAILY HEALTH SCREENING

Students who come to campus are required to complete the online daily health screening for students through the CSUN app or student portal before coming to campus for any purpose, including entry and on-going COVID-19 PCR testing, to attend a class, appointment, service, or to participate in an on- or off-campus program or activity. This applies to all students whether vaccinated or unvaccinated.

CSUN STUDENT EMPLOYEES

Students working at CSUN, including students employed by the Associated Students, University Student Union or the University Corporation need to comply with the vaccination and testing policies for employees.

Student employees who have not been contacted directly by their employer should check with their supervisor to confirm the proper procedures to be followed.

MATADORS FORWARD

Continue to visit the MATADORS FORWARD website for the latest guidance and information, including the updated student FAQs.

We are excited about the fall semester and supporting you in your academic journey.

Thank you,

Fall 2021 Tactical Repopulation Team Chairs:
Mary Beth Walker, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
William Watkins, Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students
Colin Donahue, Vice President for Administration and Finance & CFO