The campus re-opening has been carefully planned with your health and safety in mind. With that in mind, we have implemented a set of safety protocols.
Additionally, the College recognizes the pandemic is a fluid situation. It is your responsibility to check this site frequently to ensure you are following all current requirements.
Individuals must stay home if they do not feel well or if they have been told to quarantine. Notify your supervisor immediately, if you will not be on campus. Also, regardless of coming to campus you need to report your illness to your supervisor for OSHA guidelines and complete an Online COVID-19 Reporting form, if feeling at least one COVID-19 related symptom.
All employees, students, and volunteers, are required to provide certification of COVID-19 vaccination on or before January 31, 2022. Employees, students, and volunteers, may claim an exemption to the approved vaccine requirement in accordance with District procedures. Employees, students, and volunteers who do not provide certification of vaccination, obtain an authorized exemption, or undergo weekly COVID-19 testing and provide proof of negative test results will be denied access to on-site campus/programs. All students, faculty and staff must complete the COVID-19 Vaccine Verification/Exemption Form (Affidavit).
Before entering campus, all individuals must complete the COVID symptom checker process (SWAY App) no more than 2 hours before entering campus. Although all campus entrances are open, ALL employees entering campus MUST complete the SWAY App before coming to campus. To access the SWAY app paper form click here. To access the SWAY app paper form in Spanish click here.
The screening process is intended to keep people at home who are not feeling well.
Face masks and hand sanitizer will be provided as necessary.
Follow all installed signage regarding safety protocols.
To ensure your safety, and the safety of others, you must follow these protocols. If you do not, you will be asked to leave campus.
If you still have specific questions, please email us at HRCOVID@collegeofthedesert.edu.
You may also wish to view more COVID-related topics and other helpful resources by visiting the sites on our left navigation menu.
Allow extra time to get to your class/office.
If you do not pass the symptom checker, you may be denied access to campus for the day. It is very important if you are not feeling well to notify your supervisor and stay home.
Your supervisor will email covidreporting@collegeofthedesert.edu to inform them of your absence.
A COVID-19 Reporting Team Member will:
All criteria must be met before the employee will be allowed to return to campus.
Do not come to campus if you feel ill. Report your illness using the online form.
Get vaccinated. This is not currently mandated by COD, but vaccination is the most effective COVID prevention/mitigation tool available to protect you, your classmates and those around you. View Riverside County Vaccination sites. The College is also an approved vaccination site.
Wear a mask indoors in public places to minimize your exposure.
Get tested. Refer to the College’s COVID-Prevention Plan for more information.
Masks must be worn indoors at all times. If you do not have a mask, one will be provided upon entering campus.
Maintain social distancing.
No eating or drinking inside the classroom.
Wash or sanitize hands frequently.
Report all COVID-19 illness/exposure/contact/positive test results to your supervisor immediately. A member of the COVID-19 Reporting Team will follow-up with you over the phone with any potential next steps.
Anyone exposed to someone diagnosed with COVID-19 must quarantine according to CDC and Riverside County guidelines. For questions regarding quarantine requirements and leave, contact Human Resources at 760-773-2529.
Non-compliant individuals will be reminded of and asked to follow all safety protocols. If they refuse and non-compliance continues, Public Safety will be notified and the individual will be removed from campus.
If you feel unsafe at any time during an interaction with a non-compliant individual, contact Public Safety immediately at 760-341-2111. If it is an emergency situation, call 911 from a campus phone (where possible).
College of the Desert is required to report all COVID19 related incidents to Riverside County. We appreciate your support in helping us meet regulations and forward any reports for both online and hybrid students to the COVID Reporting Team.
If a student tells you that they are sick or tested positive to COVID19, your responsibility is to report it to covidreporting@collegeofthedesert.edu as soon as possible. This will allow a COVID19 Reporting Team member to reach out and conduct a contact tracing interview and ensure that safety protocols are in place.
Please email covidreporting@collegeofthedesert.edu with the following information:
As students navigate the COVID19 pandemic, we want to support our students’ overall well-being. The Student Health and Wellness Center offers support for students in crisis. They include services such as mental health appointments, community resources and student workshops.
For more concerning student cases, please complete an Incident of Concern form to report a student’s well-being or behavioral issues to COD Assessment and Care Team.
Updated May 25, 2022