COVID-19 Information

1. What should I do if test positive for COVID-19?

If you are in need of medical care, please call Health Services at 805-493-3225 to make an appointment or use the TimelyCare App to make a virtual appointment. 

2. What should I do if I have an exposure to COVID-19?

You are cleared to continue to do normal activities on campus so long as you are not having any symptoms. If you develop symptoms, you should get tested right away and follow the steps outlined in the tab above called "Exposures."

3. What should I do if my roommate tests positive for COVID-19?

If your roommate tests positive and you are at high risk of severe disease, you may request a temporary move to another location for the duration of your roommate's infectious period. The specifics of the alternative location will be determined by California Lutheran University Student Affairs staff and may be located off campus. "Medically high-risk" is determined by Health Services. Students at high risk of severe disease can contact covid19reporting@CalLutheran.edu to confirm risk and initiate the process of moving to a different location for the duration of a roommate’s infectious period.

4. What should I do if I am having symptoms of COVID-19?

If you have severe symptoms, such as difficulty breathing, chest pains, fainting, you should seek immediate medical care by going to the ER or calling 911.

5. Are there any COVID-19 vaccination requirements?

COVID-19 vaccinations are NOT required by California Lutheran University at this time. However, for everyone's own health and the health of the entire community, we strongly recommend everyone stay up-to-date with their COVID-19 vaccinations. Information on staying up-to-date can be found on the CDC website.

6. Are there any mask requirements on campus?

With few exceptions, masking is optional across most of the Cal Lutheran campus. However, we strongly encourage anyone with illness symptoms to mask in order to reduce the spread of illness.

1. What should I do if test positive for COVID-19?

As soon as possible, report your positive result. Someone will email you back within 24 hours to discuss next steps and answer any questions. Please watch your Cal Lutheran email as it will contain important information regarding when you can return to campus.

2. What should I do if I have an exposure to COVID-19?

You are cleared to continue to do normal activities on campus so long as you are not having any symptoms. If you develop symptoms, you should get tested right away and follow the steps outlined in the tab above called "Exposures."

3. What should I do if I am having symptoms of COVID-19?

If you have severe symptoms, such as difficulty breathing, chest pains, fainting, you should seek immediate medical care by going to the ER or calling 911.

4. Are there any COVID-19 vaccination requirements?

COVID-19 vaccinations are NOT required by California Lutheran University at this time. However, for everyone's own health and the health of the entire community, we strongly recommend everyone stay up-to-date with their COVID-19 vaccinations. Information on staying up-to-date can be found on the CDC website.

5. Are there any mask requirements on campus?

With few exceptions, masking is optional across most of the Cal Lutheran campus. However, we strongly encourage anyone with illness symptoms to mask in order to reduce the spread of illness.

6. Can I get tested for COVID-19 on campus at Health Services?

Employees are encouraged to use over-the-counter COVID-19 tests that may be purchased at most local pharmacies or to go to their medical provider or a local urgent care for testing.

7. What happens if a student in my class tests positive for COVID-19?

8. Who is notified about exposures?

The definition of an exposure under California Department of Public Health guidelines is anyone in the same indoor airspace (e.g., classroom, airplane cabin, waiting room) with the infected person during their infectious period for > 15 minutes over a 24 hour period. Please note that the California Department of Public Health defines the infectious period as the time from when symptoms began until the time when symptoms are improving and the person has been fever-free for 24 hours. According to this definition, asymptomatic individuals do not have an infectious period; thus, employees around an asymptomatic person with COVID-19 will not be notified of any exposure.

9. Am I allowed to tell students about a positive COVID-19 case in the classroom?

Faculty are allowed to inform students in a class if someone in their class tested positive for COVID so long as it does not violate FERPA privacy laws. This means that a professor can inform their class that a person who attended the "Monday 10:00 class session" (as an example) has tested positive for COVID so long as the professor does not divulge the name of the infected person. Sending a note to students containing general information and informing them of an exposure is not a violation of FERPA. In these cases, professors can remind exposed students about watching for symptoms as well as encouraging them to view this webpage for further guidance.

10. Why wasn't I notified about an exposure?

(4) The positive individual may not have interacted with you for long enough period of time. We only notify individuals of an exposure that meets the definition of a Close Contact under the California Department of Health Definition. The definition of a close contact is: Someone sharing the same indoor airspace, e.g., home, clinic waiting room, airplane etc., for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period (for example, three individual 5-minute exposures for a total of 15 minutes) during an infected person's infectious period.

11. If a student tells me they are sick and cannot attend class, can I require proof?

We ask that faculty give students the benefit of the doubt in the interest of the overall health of the Cal Lutheran community. Faculty should not ask for test results or other medical information, as this information is protected under patient privacy laws. Please be flexible with your attendance policies.

12. For students who are isolating, what accommodations am I expected to provide them?

Faculty have many options available to them, including making course materials, lecture notes, readings, assignments, and recordings available, or allowing students to Zoom into class meetings using the 360 cameras. Faculty should provide extensions on course requirements if students become sick or if isolation prevents them from completing assignments on time.