Quick Guide for Students

This guide provides undergraduate, graduate and professional students with the key information that they need to have a safe and successful academic year. Students can learn more about remote learning support, student services, mental health resources and other updates on the Student Affairs COVID-19 page.

Vaccination

All students are required to be vaccinated against COVID-19, per a University of California mandate. The policy allows for exception or deferral for eligible individuals. Vaccination documentation must be submitted by Sept. 6, and requests for exception or deferral must be submitted no later than Sept. 2. Find information on the University of California's frequently asked questions for students.

Free COVID-19 vaccines are available at the Price Center COVID-19 Vaccination Site to all UC San Diego students. Appointments are required.

Daily Symptom and Exposure Screening

Required each day for students living on campus and those traveling to campus or any UC location or property.
If you are taking an in-person class, you may be asked by your instructor to show your screener results before entering a lab or classroom.
Student employees, including teaching assistants, should only use the student daily screener.
Video: how to register »
Register for the screener »
Complete the screener »

Testing requirements

On-site students who are fully vaccinated: asymptomatic testing as needed.
On-site students who are not fully vaccinated: ongoing twice-weekly testing required (every 3-5 days).
Fully remote students: asymptomatic testing as needed. If coming to campus for any reason, required to test within 72 hours of arrival and on the day of arrival.

Regardless of vaccination status:

Students who develop symptoms of COVID-19 should conduct a test.
All residential students are required to test if there is a positive wastewater signal in their building.

Free COVID-19 testing is available through:

Self-administered test kits retrieved from campus vending machines (no appointment needed);
Provider-observed, self-administered testing at Price Center (appointment needed);
Or provider-administered testing via drive thru (appointment needed).

Learn more on the Testing and Screening webpage.

Keep Tritons Safer

Keep your fellow Tritons safe by wearing your face covering whenever you are indoors (except in your residence) and eating and drinking outdoors. In addition, get vaccinated, conduct the daily symptom screening and test twice-weekly if you're on campus and not fully vaccinated.

Learn more about campus safety

student with boxes heading into elevator

Quarantine and Isolation Housing

In the event a student living in on-campus housing tests positive for COVID-19 at any time during the academic year, they will be moved to designated off-campus isolation housing, where Student Health and Well-being Services will provide care and ensure basic needs such as food delivery are met. Graduate students may choose to isolate themselves in their apartment with their family with consultation and approval from Student Health Services.

Learn more about housing

Exposure Notification

Add the CA Notify app to your phone to receive an alert if you’ve potentially been exposed to COVID-19. This program has the potential to help stop the spread of the infection and its use is highly encouraged, but it is completely voluntary.

Add CA Notify

Academic Resources

The majority of fall courses will be held in-person with indoor and outdoor classrooms. Some key courses will be offered remotely so that students who are unable to join us from abroad due to visa or travel restrictions can continue to make progress on their academic journey.

Dining

Housing, Dining, Hospitality (HDH) and University Centers restaurants, dining halls and markets are open for indoor and outdoor dining. Masks must be worn indoors and eating and drinking should be done outdoors or within your private residence. Check out the campus's mobile ordering platform, Triton2Go, where campus community members can place their orders in advance to help limit crowds and wait time.

HDH menus and hours »

University Centers menus and hours »

Triton Food Pantry

Students can schedule to pick up a pre-bagged selection of food from the Triton Food Pantry up to once per week. Orders should be placed at least three days in advance, and masks must be worn to pick up your order.

Place an order

Student Life

Learn about what’s happening on campus through the Virtual Student Union. Tune into a virtual performance event through ArtPower, join an Esports team, get moving in an online yoga class and more.

Visit the virtual student union

Support

We are in the midst of extraordinary times, and our emotions reflect this. If you’re not feeling like yourself, it may be time to reach out. Counseling and Psychological Services is here for you, available for confidential one-on-one virtual visits. Call 858-534-3755 to connect with us.

More about CAPS services