Faculty Guidance

Visit the COVID-19 Vaccination FAQ webpage on Health Watch.

All individuals, regardless of vaccination status, are required to wear an appropriate face mask over the nose and mouth while indoors on campus. Masks are strongly recommended outdoors in crowded settings.

Masks are required to be worn indoors at Cal State LA. This includes while teaching and also applies to speakers at indoor events, including while delivering remarks onstage, at a lectern, and/or with amplification.

Faculty and staff are required to wear surgical masks or higher-level PPE such as N95 respirators or KN95 and KF94 masks indoors on campus. 

Effective October 1, the University is easing mask protocols on campus to reflect the changing nature of the COVID-19 pandemic. Under the new protocols, masks will be required in classrooms, labs, and the Student Health Center. Masks will no longer be required in other indoor spaces, such as the University Library, offices, hallways, eateries, and other non-classroom spaces on campus. Students, faculty, staff, and visitors are always welcome to wear a mask. In accordance with the county health department, anyone exposed to COVID-19 must still wear a highly protective mask around others for 10 days from the date of exposure.

Surgical masks are available for students, faculty, and staff in dispensers located in buildings throughout campus, often near main entrances, stairwells, or on various floors. The dispensers also offer hand sanitizer.

N95 respirators are available to faculty and staff upon request. You can request an N95 respirator on the Risk Management and EHS website using the N95 Respirator Request Form (Online). Personal protective equipment (PPE), such as clear-panel masks and gloves, are available for those who have job responsibilities necessitating use. Should you need these items, please contact your resource manager, dean, or associate dean.

Faculty members may contact their college resource manager, associate dean or dean for an amplification device or other specialized personal protective equipment as needed for their instruction. Clear-panel face masks are also available.

Faculty can contact their college resource managers, dean, or associate dean to get required personal protective equipment, including cleaning supplies.

Physical distancing and barrier requirements have been eliminated on campus, in line with state and county public health guidance. 

When the Student Health Center is notified that a student has tested positive for COVID-19, the Student Health Center will conduct a contact tracing assessment.

If the student reports that they attended one or more in-person classes during their infectious period and had close contact with other people in the class, the Student Health Center will send a notification to all students in the class or classes advising them on their next steps.

At the same time, the faculty member(s) whose course the student attended, as well as their department chair and their college dean, will be notified of the possible exposure. All employees, including faculty, will also receive a separate notification letter from Human Resources Management regarding the potential workplace exposure to COVID-19. This communication also includes information about types of benefits and leave that may be used as needed for COVID-19.

If a student is able to identify specific people in the class with whom they were in close contact, those specific individuals will be contacted with guidance based on their unique testing and/or quarantine requirements.

Faculty members do not need to quarantine if they are not showing any symptoms. They will be advised to monitor themselves for symptoms, wear a highly protective mask around others for 10 days from their date of exposure, and get tested 3-5 days after the date of exposure. If they tested positive for COVID-19 within the last 90 days, they will not need to test unless they develop symptoms.

In some cases, faculty may determine that it makes sense to hold the class remotely for a short period so all students can participate equally virtually. In other cases, faculty may determine it is better to keep meeting face to face and make separate arrangements for students who are not attending for that period of time. The faculty member can reach out to their chair and/or dean for guidance as needed.

The University cannot disclose infection, vaccination, or exemption status of students to non-medical or health agency personnel.

If a student informs a faculty member that they have tested positive for COVID-19, the faculty should advise the student to contact the Student Health Center immediately and may also contact the Student Health Center directly with this information at 323-343-3300.

Faculty members can use their discretion about whether to take the class remote for a brief period until the Student Health Center is able to conduct contact tracing and send out notifications. 

If a faculty member decides to move the class to temporary remote instruction, they should inform their chair so the department is aware of the change. 

No, the faculty member should advise the student to contact the Student Health Center, which will confirm the positive test result and advise the student regarding appropriate actions.

In such cases, faculty may teach remotely for the short period in which they are self-isolating. In some situations, it may be preferable for the department and/or college to provide coverage in a course.

We will follow the usual practice of having the department and/or college manage course coverage in the event of an extended illness or absence. 

Faculty teaching in any modality (in-person, hybrid or remote) may hold either in-person or remote office hours for their students.

Make sure the student is aware of the assignments and has access to the necessary course materials. Please work with your department chair as needed.

Faculty and staff who miss work because of COVID-19 may utilize:

• Regular sick leave
• Vacation leave
• Workers’ compensation
• COVID-19 related leave

If you have any questions, please contact [email protected].

• If a student is not wearing a mask, ask them to put one on; if they do not have one, ask them to retrieve one (or provide one yourself if you have a supply from your department or a nearby dispenser).
• If the student refuses to comply, ask them to leave for the safety of others.
• If they do not put on their mask, you may dismiss the class for a break and call the Dean of Students (323-343-3103) for assistance or, as necessary, dismiss the class for the day. Please do not call Public Safety to manage mask noncompliance. Dean of Students staff will also be available during the evenings.
• Consult with the Dean of Students prior to the next class meeting to get assistance in working with the student.
• Every situation is different so faculty may use these as a guide but use their best judgment.

Yes. All students are required to comply with the CSU vaccination requirement, which includes certifying proof of vaccination, and a booster when eligible, or requesting a medical or religious exemption. Any students who have an approved medical or religious exemption are required to test weekly. We may pursue disciplinary action with students who are non-compliant.

Please see suggested information to include in syllabi below:

Dear Students,

The health and safety of the Cal State LA community is our top priority as we continue to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic.

As a reminder, the CSU requires all faculty, staff, and students to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, unless you have an approved exemption. Masks are required at Cal State LA while indoors. Accordingly, all students are required to wear an appropriate mask that covers the nose and mouth in order to participate in this course. Wearing a mask outdoors when in a group or populated area is also recommended.

Find more details about campus COVID-19 protocols and answers to frequently asked questions on Health Watch at calstatela.edu/healthwatch. Policies and requirements regarding COVID-19 may change based on campus, local, state and/or federal guidelines; the Health Watch page is the best resource for current Cal State LA information. If you have any additional questions, call 323-343-3633 or email [email protected].

The University operates a COVID-19 Hotline at 323-343-3385. If your call is not immediately answered, please leave a message and someone will return your call as soon as possible. You may also send an email to [email protected]. Students should call 323-343-3633 or email [email protected].