SJSU Response to Lift of Stay-at-Home Order; Access to Campus Reminder; Campus Tours

Sent: January 25, 2021
From: President Mary A. Papazian

SJSU campus community,

Today, Governor Gavin Newsom announced the lifting of the Stay-at-Home order for the state of California, returning the state to the four-tier Blueprint for a Safer Economy system. Santa Clara County has been placed in the Purple (Widespread) tier, where we were before the Stay-at-Home order was put in place. The county has instituted additional restrictions to which we must adhere, including the county restriction regarding travel. Any travel that extends beyond a 150-mile radius of Santa Clara County requires a 10-day quarantine when returning to the County, as required and outlined in the SCC Travel Directive.  

What SJSU campus services will remain the same?

  • Critical Operations, Infrastructure & Facilities: We will continue to operate as necessary to support the campus and its ongoing programs and services.
  • Academic Courses: As previously announced, face-to-face classes will be remote until February 15. The spring semester begins Wednesday, January 27.
  • Dining Commons: We will continue to operate take-out/grab n’ go services based on current operating hours.
  • Spartan Food Pantry: We will continue to provide services based on current operating hours. 
  • Spartan Recreation and Aquatic Center (SRAC): Gym and fitness facility will be closed. The SRAC Aquatic Center outdoor pools will remain open for Athletics, Kinesiology classes, and student/faculty/staff lap swim by reservation.
  • Student Wellness Center: Medical services continue to be open Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays for in-person visits and remotely for telehealth on Wednesdays and Fridays. Counseling and Psychological Services remain available five days per week through telecounseling. After hours telesupport remains available.
  • Student Services Center: We will continue to provide services as currently offered.
  • Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library: We will continue to provide services as currently offered. You should check the website, however, for ongoing updates regarding online library resources.
  • Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity (RSCA): Critical and time-sensitive on-campus and field RSCA projects will continue as approved. New project plans submitted for approval are required to demonstrate criticality and/or time-sensitive deadlines within three months.  
  • SJSU Athletics: Santa Clara County has updated its Mandatory Directive for Collegiate and Professional Athletics to allow teams to practice and compete in the county, as long as teams comply with the additional restrictions.
  • SJSU Child Development Center (CDC): The CDC will continue to remain open with a limit of 72 children.

Access to Campus and Virtual Tours

As we prepare for the start of the spring semester this week, please keep in mind the following reminders.

Access to the property, grounds and facilities of SJSU continues to be restricted to authorized students, faculty, staff, and essential contractors/vendors only. Everyone must carry their Tower ID with them to provide evidence of authorization.

We understand that campus tours are part of the college experience, both vital when deciding where to attend college and a tradition for visiting family and friends. However, due to the campus access restrictions stated above, and our current Purple tier status, in-person campus tours are not permitted at this time. 

SJSU does offer options for virtual tours for you, your family, and prospective students. Live virtual tours are available through the SJSU Welcome Center. You can sign up for a live virtual tour at the Student Outreach and Recruitment (SOAR) website.

In addition, there are alternative virtual tours that are available at any time. These include an interactive tour of campus, a guided tour, and tours of university housing and the Student Union.

We appreciate your understanding as we continue to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic. The health and safety of our Spartan community, and your friends and family, are our top priorities.

As we continue to look forward to the day when we can all be together again on campus, we appreciate your continued patience, flexibility and kindness toward each other in the Spartan community. We wish you a safe, healthy and successful spring semester.

Sincerely,

Dr. Mary A. Papazian
President