COVID-19 Student Requirements
College of the Desert is committed to supporting the health and well-being of our community, especially during the public health situation related to the coronavirus pandemic.
We have created a set of safety requirements that all students must follow to ensure campus safety for all at College of the Desert. If you do not follow these requirements, you will be asked to leave campus.
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.
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Stay home when ill. Individuals must stay home if they do not feel well or if they have been told to quarantine. Notify your instructor immediately if you will not be on campus.
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Face masks are required to be worn over mouth and nose at all times while in classrooms and inside any campus building, regardless of vaccination status. If you do not have a face mask, the College will provide one at the main entrance, Public Safety Office, or the Health Center.
NOTE: "Face masks” means a surgical mask, a medical procedure mask, a respirator worn voluntarily, or a tightly woven fabric or non-woven material of at least two layers. A face covering has no visible holes, vents, or openings and must cover the nose and mouth. A face covering does not include a scarf, ski mask, balaclava, bandanna, turtleneck, collar, neck-gaiter, or single layer of fabric. -
Before entering campus, students should complete a self-screening COVID symptom checker before entering campus (link this to the symptom-cheker page).
- Wash and sanitize hands regularly.
- Students are not required to purchase a parking permit for the fall 2021 semester. However, students must still follow all parking rules, including parking in designated student lots and using appropriate spaces.
If you still have specific questions, please email us at COVID@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.
- First determine if you are sick. If you are not feeling well, notify your instructor
immediately and do not come to campus.
Faculty and Staff Contact Information -
Effective, Friday, October 1, 2021, all campus entrances at the Palm Desert, Indio, and Palm Springs campuses will be open. Students are not required to purchase a parking permit for the Fall 2021 semester. However, students must still follow all parking rules, including parking in designated student lots and using appropriate spaces.
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Effective, Friday, October 1st, you will need to complete a self-certification symptom-checking process BEFORE coming to campus (link to self-screening/formerly sway page).
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If you do not pass your self-screening, do not come to campus, and notify your instructor(s) immediately. Your instructor(s) will contact a member of the COVID-19 Reporting Team who will follow-up with you.
- Wear a mask. Masks will be provided if you forget yours.
- Follow all signage for entering and exiting labs.
- FIrst, you should notify your instructor(s) that you did not pass your self-screening. Provide them with your contact information (Student ID, Course, Phone Number and Preferred Email).
- Your instructor(s) will email covidreporting@collegeofthedesert.edu to inform them of your absence.
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A COVID-19 Reporting Team Member will:
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Contact you within one business day for more information and to follow-up on symptoms.
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Request information to help the Team identify any potential exposures for contact tracing purposes.
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Notify authorized officials that you will not be allowed on campus until cleared by a COVID-19 Reporting Team member.
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Determine a date in which you may be allowed to return to campus.
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Call you the day of your tentative return date or the first business day after to conduct a follow-up evaluation. If cleared, you may be allowed to return the next day.
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Email your instructor(s) to notify them of your anticipated return date.
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All criteria must be met before you will be allowed to return to campus.
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- If you are already on campus and begin to exhibity symptoms, you may be asked to leave campus. Individuals who need to wait for a ride can do so at the Public Safety Office until they can get picked up by someone. It is important to keep in mind that if someone is experiencing shortness of breath 911 should be called immediately.
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Do not come to campus if you feel ill.
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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.
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Wear a mask indoors in public places to minimize your exposure.
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Get tested. Refer to the College’s COVID-Prevention Plan and our Testing and Vaccination site for more information.
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Masks must be worn indoors at all times. If you do not have a mask, one will be provided upon entering campus.
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Maintain social distancing.
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No eating or drinking inside the classroom.
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Wash or sanitize hands frequently.
- Avoid touching your face.
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Report all COVID-19 illness/exposure/contact/positive test results to your instructor(s) immediately. A member of the COVID-19 Reporting Team will follow-up with you over the phone with any potential next steps.
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Anyone exposed to someone diagnosed with COVID-19 must quarantine according to CDC and Riverside County guidelines. For questions regarding quarantine requirements, contact Student Health and Wellness Services at 760.776.7211.
- Individuals experiencing COVID-like symptoms while on campus will be immediately sent home by their instructor or other COD personnel. Individuals who need to wait for a ride can do so at the Public Safety Office until they can get picked up by someone. It is important to keep in mind that if someone is experiencing shortness of breath 911 should be called immediately.
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Non-compliant students will be reminded of and asked to follow all safety protocols. If non-compliance continues, Public Safety will be notified and they will remove the student from campus.
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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).
Updated September 30, 2021
