The Coronavirus (COVID-19)

In compliance with the California State University (CSU) system’s Executive Order 1107, this is a reminder that we are in a public health state of emergency and additional information can be accessed via SDSU’s public-facing COVID-19 site.

On Sept. 15, SDSU announced that, through a partnership with the San Diego Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA), all students living in on-campus housing will be COVID-19 tested, and that students are required to be tested. The university has also developed new sustained random testing initiative: SDSU’s COVID-19 Surveillance Testing Plan. With this plan, we will expand our already robust testing options.

COVID-19 CASES

On Sept. 19, San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) confirmed additional COVID-19 cases within the on- and off-campus student population. The majority of these cases are among undergraduate students living in off-campus housing that SDSU does not manage. As of Sept. 18 at 6 p.m., 770 confirmed cases and 32 probable cases have been reported for a total of 802 cases.

With this update, SDSU continues to urge all students and employees to:

Avoid gatherings of any type, including through the weekends. This is critical for individual and community health.

If you are currently in isolation or quarantine, continue to do so. Breaking isolation or quarantine may put the health of others at risk.

If you have been in close contact with anyone who is ill or tested positive for COVID-19, prioritize getting tested as soon as possible.

Wear a facial covering, practice social distancing and wash your hands regularly to help avoid the spread of COVID-19.

SDSU announced on Sept. 2 that, given the rate of increase in the COVID-19 cases among the student population in the past three days, and out of an abundance of caution for the health and well-being of the campus community, a pause on in-person instruction is being implemented. This, and other changes, is effective on Sept. 3.

Please visit this site often as it is updated regularly.

San Diego State University has shifted all instruction to virtual modalities. For Fall 2020, the majority of courses will be offered via virtual modalities, as aligned with the California State University system, and through a campus-wide model and plan, called SDSU Flex. Read the May 12 campus notice for more information.

All non-essential personnel, and essential personnel whose work can be accomplished remotely, are asked not to come to the SDSU campus. Such employees are asked to telework.

SDSU is closely monitoring the worldwide situation regarding the coronavirus (COVID-19), declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization. SDSU, in its decision-making regarding COVID-19, follows the guidance of the San Diego County Health and Human Services (HHSA), California Department of Public Health (CDPH), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Department of State.

Learn More About SDSU Flex Additional information regarding SDSU's flexible repopulation, instruction and business continuity plan in response to the COVID-19 pandemic SDSU Flex

Cares Disbursement

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act was passed by the U.S. Government to provide support in the wake of the coronavirus public health crisis and associated economic fallout. One section of the CARES Act established the Higher Education Emergency Relief fund, which provides funding to the nation’s colleges and universities to provide emergency grants to students. This funding also covers a portion of certain unbudgeted costs and lost revenue due to the disruption of campus activities due to the COVID-19 pandemic under the Institutional Portion. SDSU has signed and returned Recipient's Funding Certification and Agreement to the U.S. Department of Education indicating that the university will use no less than 50% of the funds received under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act to provide emergency aid to students.

San Diego State University was awarded $29,394,934, of which no less than $14,697,467 or 50% is being disbursed to students. Upon receiving the funding allocation in early May 2020, SDSU distributed grants to eligible students based on their documented financial need. Eligibility for students enrolled for the Spring 2020 term was determined using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Award amounts differed based on full-time or part-time enrollment status, as well as by financial aid eligibility status and Pell Grant, State University Grant (SUG), and Cal Grant eligible student status. In total, 22,620 students were eligible to recieve CARES Act funding between $250 and $800 per student. To date, $13,770,235 has been disbursed to students.

Students who are eligible to file a FAFSA and have not, are being encouraged to complete one as soon as possible. The remaining funding will be awarded to students who complete a FAFSA or who apply for additional funding through the SDSU Emergency Crisis Response Team.

Institutional Portion of the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund information

The Funding Certification and Agreement for the Institutional Portion of the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) was signed and returned on April 22, 2020. Pursuant to the agreement, SDSU was awarded $14,697,467. Although SDSU have received the authorization to draw down funds, at this time the university has not utilized the institutional portion allocated to the campus as the campus is still determining all costs incurred.

Minority Serving Institution Funds (MSI) - Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund

The Funding Certification and Agreement for the MSI Portion of the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund was signed and returned on May 1, 2020. Pursuant to the agreement, SDSU was awarded $2,286,923. Although SDSU has received the authorization to draw down funds, at this time the university has not utilized the MSI portion of the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund. These funds will be drawn down during the FY20-21 fiscal year, following the CARES Act guidance.

Recent COMMUNICATIONS

The following earlier e-mail messages have been shared with the SDSU campus community and include some of the university's targeted communications: