Dear Colleagues,

Throughout the pandemic, we have closely followed the guidance from CDC, CADPH, and SLO County Public Heal Department. Additionally, we have paid attention to the science, striving to understand the spread of disease and effective practices to maintain health. In all of this, we have worked hard to avoid rapid and repeat changes to campus protocol and instead have maintained clear guidance via campus signage and the COVID-19 webpage.  

At this time, there is increasing spread of disease in SLO County and our vaccine rates have plateaued. I spoke at length yesterday with SLO County Public Health Department to glean as much information as possible to frame our COVID protocols for fall 2021 to ensure alignment both with guidance and recommendations.

Effective immediately and until further notice:

Masks are required indoors for students.

Masks are required indoors for employees not fully vaccinated.

Masks are strongly recommended indoors for fully vaccinated employees.

Sentinel and surveillance testing of students and employees in high risk groups identified as athletics, voice, brass, wind, drama, and any combination thereof will continue. Fully vaccinated individuals are excluded from sentinel and surveillance testing and should test only when symptomatic.

A comprehensive email for students is under development that will clearly present the COVID protocols for fall. This email will be forwarded to all employees and linked to the COVID-19 webpage. We continue to strongly recommend vaccine as an important means of protecting your health and the health of others. Cuesta College will soon launch a student incentive program to further encourage vaccine and will offer a mobile clinic on the SLO and NCC campuses. 

Thank you for all you do – your investment in students changes lives!

Jill signature

Jill Stearns, Ph.D.

Superintendent/President

Highway 1, San Luis Obispo, CA 93403 

805.546.3118 | www.cuesta.edu