COVID-19 Response

Classrooms, studios, and offices are set up to best protect students and community members. As we conduct in-person instruction, we will continue to leverage our small size to make decisions based on state and county health officials' research, advice, and regulatory protocols. To help the whole community stay safe, we present the SFAI COVID Health + Safety Policy. Please note that all plans are subject to change.

Administered by the Office of Postsecondary Education of the U.S. Department of Education, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (or CARES Act) HEERF funding is government aid to help ensure learning continues for students who have been affected by the COVID-19 global outbreak. Universities received a designated amount, decided by the government, with a specific amount to allocate for student use and a specific amount for institutional use in support of student learning. For more information, visit CARES Act HEERF.

COVID HEALTH + SAFETY POLICY

VACCINATION REQUIREMENTS & GUIDELINES FOR BEING ON CAMPUS 

Vaccination Requirements for NEW Members of the SFAI Community:

• All SFAI employees are required to show proof of vaccination to HR or request an appropriately documented exemption to HR by January 10, 2022

• All SFAI students studying on campus, or visiting campus, are required to show proof of vaccination to the Student Affairs designee prior to orientation and the commencement of classes. Vaccinations for international students are now available at Bay Area airports. 

• HR & Student Affairs will confidentially keep a list of who received the vaccine, what date the vaccine was received, and confirm the vaccine type meets Cal/OSHA requirements.

Documented Vaccination Exemptions:

• Any students or employees who cannot or will not get a vaccination due to a legitimate medical reason will need to provide a letter from their doctor. 

• Any students or employees who will not get a vaccination due to a legitimate religious reason will need to provide a letter declaring that they cannot receive the vaccine due to specific religious reasons.

• All exemptions for staff will be approved by HR & the CAO or COO. All exemptions for students will be approved by the Student Affairs designee. 

Vaccination Requirements for Visitors: 

• Invited guest visitors are required to complete a survey to report their vaccine status, and bring their proof of vaccination at the time of visit. 

• Vaccinated guest visitors may access campus outdoors following the guidelines listed below.

• Unvaccinated guest visitors may access campus but will need to wear a mask indoors and practice social distancing (6 feet).

BEING ON CAMPUS – VACCINATED + UNVACCINATED COMMUNITY MEMBERS 

• Common areas: Masks are no longer required on campus in common areas indoors or outdoors but are still recommended.
• Activities + Events: Anyone planning events on campus is required to coordinate with the Health & Safety Committee and the Operations Team at least three weeks in advance of the event to allow ample time for planning and compliance with our Health & Safety guidelines. Thank you!
• Offices:  The same guidelines apply to offices. Staff may require anyone coming into their office to wear a mask for protection.
• Classes + Classroom:  Wearing masks will be at the discretion of faculty as needed depending on the number of students in their class, and the ventilation in the classroom in which teaching occurs. Each classroom will have a cleaning station. Please contact the Facilities team (facilities@sfai.edu) if supplies are low. Special cleaning by request is also available (allow 24 hours please).
• People can continue to wear masks around others whether it’s required or not for added protection. Like every other personal decision, we ask that you respect others' choices around their health. Masks are still strongly recommended, especially for unvaccinated people. They are the safest choice in indoor public settings and crowded or poorly ventilated spaces.
• SFAI may restrict access to unvaccinated students & employees in places of the campus where safe social distancing cannot be maintained. Please keep in mind that some individuals in our community may be exempt from vaccination; therefore, we kindly request your vigilance in maintaining and reinforcing mask-wearing indoors.

TESTING – REPORTING POSITIVE RESULTS ONLY

SFAI employees and students are highly encouraged to test themselves for Covid on a regular basis and to notify the school if they test positive. Students should notify Student Affairs, and employees should notify Human Resources. Please note that we ask that you only report positive tests to Academic Affairs by emailing academicaffairs@sfai.edu. If your tests are negative, no need to share the results.

• Students who test positive should notify academicaffairs@sfai.edu and their faculty, and they should isolate for at least 5 days, and until they test negative again. Regarding classes: Students should coordinate with their faculty on how to make up for missed classes. Students must try and attend their online courses as much as they can (if symptoms are mild) to avoid missing out on class time or assignments. 
• Faculty who test positive should notify academicaffairs@sfai.edu of their results and cancel the in-person class and notify their students. If it is possible, they may teach online for the next week or so until they test negative again. 
• Staff who test positive should notify academicaffairs@sfai.edu of their results, and stay home until testing negative.

Policy for reporting a positive case of COVID:

• Covid test results will be kept confidential within HR for employees and Student Affairs for students. 

• In the event of a reported case, contact tracing will be conducted in compliance with contact-tracing guidelines. HR & Student Affairs will notify anyone who has been in close contact.

IMPORTANT LINKS:

Beyond the Blueprint Framework for Industry and Business Sectors

Cal/OSHA COVID-19 Prevention Emergency Temporary Standards (ETS)

CDC Recommendations for Colleges, Universities, and Higher Learning,

Guidance for Shared or Congregate Housing

Vaccine Call Center
628-652-2700
covidvax@sfdph.org