Coronavirus Information for Residents

Last updated: December 13, 2021

With the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic affecting nearly all nations across the world, we are more dedicated than ever to ensuring your safe arrival to campus and well-being during your overall residential experience. 

Following U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), state of California and county guidelines, we are proceeding with caution with our return to campus for move-in. In keeping your health and safety as our top priority, we have implemented a set of practices designed to mitigate exposure to COVID-19. 

Information, policies and procedures contained on this page are subject to change pending new guidance and recommendations from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), state of California, and county, and the evolving nature of the pandemic situation.

• The University Housing Administration provides an addendum to each resident outlining COVID-19 mitigation expectations, protocols and measures.
• Detailed pre-arrival and move-in instructions are communicated to each resident and their family with practices to mitigate exposure to COVID-19 before and during housing move-in. 
• Signage and digital displays are used throughout the residential communities to display information on physical distancing, handwashing, wearing facial coverings and other measures.
• The Policy Guide (PDF) handbook is provided to each resident, outlining the policies and procedures residents are expected to follow to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
• The Housing and Residential Education team communicates COVID-19 related information and updates to each resident.
• CSU, Chico maintains a public-facing COVID-19 site with information, updates, health-related guidance and FAQs.

Per CSU policy, vaccinations against COVID-19 are required to access campus facilities and participate in in-person learning.   

Vaccinations allow University Housing to plan for a more complete residence hall experience.

The vaccination obligation for Housing residents is separate and distinct from the campus-wide vaccine obligation. All Housing Residents will need to be fully vaccinated prior to move in. Residents are required to upload their COVid-19 Vaccination card and have it verified.

The CDC currently defines full vaccinations occurring:

• 2 weeks after their second dose in a 2-dose series, such as the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or
• 2 weeks after a single-dose vaccine, such as Johnson & Johnson’s vaccine

This means, CSU, Chico will require students to have received their second (Pfizer and Moderna) or first (Johnson & Johnson) vaccination by January 7, 2022 in order to be eligible to move in on the first move in day (January 21, 2022) of the Spring semester.  You must have uploaded a valid COVID-19 vaccination card and had it verified or received official approval of an approved medical or religious exemption from a designated campus official. Please do this ASAP.

The state of California has announced that anyone 16 or older in California is now eligible to get vaccinated against COVID-19.  There is no cost to get vaccinated, but appointments are required at most vaccination sites. Please check with your county health department to schedule an appointment. 

Any vaccine authorized for use in the U.S. (currently Moderna, Pfizer, and Johnson & Johnson) is acceptable. As well, as any vaccine authorized for use in foreign countries (AstraZeneca).

The benefits of COVID-19 vaccination include prevention of serious illness, hospitalization, and death from the virus. Broad immunization is critical to help stop the pandemic and to protect our community. Benefits specific to the CSU, Chico community include: 

• An expedited return to pre-pandemic normal 
• Opportunities for a wider range of events and activities offered at our campuses 
• Expanded dining and recreation options at CSU, Chico 
• Greater interpersonal collaboration among staff and students

University Housing completed significant modifications to the residential communities and services including, but not limited to

• Installation of protective screens at front desks. 
• Signage throughout the residential communities to encourage and ensure physical distancing. 
• Hand sanitation dispensers in building entrances and exits
• Closure and occupancy limits in common areas. 

How We Clean

• Facilities Management Services (FMS) clean the residential communities each day using EPA-registered disinfectants. 
• High touch areas such as doors, furniture, and handrails are cleaned twice daily. 
• Residents are responsible for cleaning their own suite or apartment
• Appropriate cleaning protocols are in place to respond to a positive COVID-19 case.

All CSU, Chico Dining locations operate in accordance with Butte County COVID-19 guidelines. Each restaurant and dining operation has specific protocols to address unique physical distancing and cleaning/sanitation within the operation.

Events

• Residential programs and services have been revised to support no-contact delivery or appropriate physical distancing guidelines. 

• Group gatherings, events, and programs are limited per current CSU, Chico, County, and state restrictions.

• Virtual programs are held regularly for community building.

Masks

Due to the rapid spread of the COVID-19 Delta variant, face coverings will once again be required for everyone accessing indoor campus facilities regardless of vaccination status, effective August 3. This decision was made in an abundance of caution and comes in addition to the CSU's vaccine requirement. 

To be clear, both vaccinated and unvaccinated people must now wear masks in indoor facilities and restrictive spaces like campus vehicles while traveling with others. Individuals unable to wear face coverings due to a medical condition should contact the Accessibility Resource Center regarding accommodations.

This is a preventative measure for the foreseeable future to avoid the kind of outbreaks we are seeing across the country. Experts are finding that while vaccines are very effective at preventing serious illness and death from COVID-19 and its variants, vaccinated people can still spread the highly contagious Delta variant, putting at risk those who cannot be vaccinated (including children and immunocompromised people). It is important for the safety of our campus and community to proactively prevent widespread outbreaks through the use of vaccines AND masks.  

In University Housing masks must be worn in all community areas (such as, entryways, hallways, lounges, laundry rooms, computer labs)  You may remove your mask when in your own room. 

Guests 

• • Guest policies are subject to change at any time to conform to public health and university guidelines. At this time, residents may not have guests in their residential spaces (including personal space and community spaces such as lounges, study rooms, and outdoor recreation areas), with the exception of assistance provided to the resident to move the resident into and out of the residential space.

Staff

• • We continue to enhance our student support services, facilities and program offerings. Our primary responsibility is to provide a safe and welcoming environment to all student residents. Students living on campus have access to inclusive living communities and the kinds of learning opportunities that will support their holistic growth. The Residential Education team, including Residence Life Coordinators, RAs, and Front Desk Assistants are available in the on-campus communities to support student success as well as safety.