Navigate Community Health & Wellness

Last updated 8/10/22

 

Find information about community health resources and expectations for student behavior in UC Berkeley divisional buildings and public spaces operated by Student Affairs. Additional information is available at UC Berkeley’s COVID-19 resources page.

 

On this page you can find the following resources (click to jump to point on page): 

 

Commitment to Community Health

The university will help students navigate by clearly communicating expectations for student behavior when on campus and by encouraging healthy practices. We still plan to rely on testing, vaccination, and masking to assist us with limiting the spread of the virus. Campus leadership continues to monitor local infection rates, CDC guidance, and other relevant information to ensure that campus policies remain in alignment with prevailing public health guidance.

 

Travel Guidance

For planning arrival to or departure from campus, see Travel Guidance. Anyone traveling within the past seven days before coming to campus, or engaging in high-risk activities, is encouraged to take an at-home antigen test or a University Health Services at-home PCR test.

Students living in campus housing, check Housing COVID-19 guidance for additional information.

 

Read COVID-19 mitigation measures for Fall 2022 email.

 

Community Expectations and Health Requirements

All UC Berkeley students are expected to help protect the community by adhering to campus public health and safety requirements. Students, faculty, and staff need to follow all COVID-19 related regulations in order to enter university buildings and spaces, including:

  • Vaccination and booster requirements. COVID-19 vaccination, including booster shots, is required under the University of California vaccination program. Read the UC FAQs for students for details and answers to common questions. If needed, review the instructions for updating your COVID-19 vaccine and booster records in eTang.

  • If a COVID test returns positive, follow instructions from UHS. Immediately isolate at home and away from roommates, and do not go to work or class until cleared from isolation.

  • Testing for symptoms or close contacts. For anyone experiencing symptoms or who has been exposed, isolate and test immediately. If exposed to COVID, please follow close contact instructions. For consultation, call the University Health Services (UHS) Advice Line 24/7 at 510-643-7197 or send a message through etang. For severe symptoms (shortness of breath, chest pain or fainting), call 911.

  • Campus community screening.

    • Visit campus surveillance testing to find required testing frequency for those who are not fully vaccinated, or booster eligible but not yet boosted, or who have an approved exemption.

    • For those who are fully vaccinated and boosted or vaccinated but not yet eligible for a booster, regular surveillance testing is no longer required.

  • Wear face coverings or masks as directed. Masks are strongly encouraged indoors. Visit the campus mask information page for details and rules. Students and community members in university spaces may need to wear face masks if directed by current policy or per posted signs.

    • A special note on mask types: Public health authorities now find many cloth face coverings are inadequate, and are instead recommending legitimate N95 and KN95 respirators, surgical masks, or KF94 masks in indoor settings. Please utilize these as much as possible. Cloth face coverings where light can pass through the fabric are strongly discouraged.

    • Students can pick up free disposable surgical masks from Eshleman Hall (lower Sproul Plaza). Limit two masks per individual.

    • Outdoors, masks are optional and may be worn by anyone (vaccinated or unvaccinated) if they choose to do so.

  • Follow City of Berkeley regulations when outdoors or not on campus. Students and other members of the community are expected to be aware of regulations when on campus and while living in the city. City regulations are subject to change.

  • Agree to location-specific guidelines for opened student spaces. Some spaces and events on campus have additional guidelines to follow and may require your Cal 1 Card for check in or have posted signs with directions.

  • Student employees must take online worker protection training. Student researchers and student workers who work on campus are required to take a short online training about protecting workers from COVID-19.

 

Updates from Student Affairs Offices

 

 

Locate and learn about Student Affairs offices and services.

 

Campus Wellness Resources

Find services below and visit the Dean of Students Well-being resources for additional support. For help navigating our many services, please contact: deanofstudents@berkeley.edu.

Access University Health Services Support 24/7. If you think you may be sick, and are not sure whether you need to come in, call the Nurse Advice Line (24/7) at 510-643-7197. If you are having difficulty breathing or other severe symptoms, you should seek help at the nearest emergency room. Additional resources:

Basic Needs Resources. The Basic Needs Center serves as a resource hub for undergraduate and graduate students who need support around their food, housing and financial needs. If you or someone you know is in immediate need of emergency food, housing, or financial resources, email basicneedssupport@berkeley.edu or call 510-859-7507. 

Student ​​Mental Health Resources. Counselors at University Health Services (UHS) at the Tang Center are available on a drop-in basis for urgent concerns: Counseling and Psychological Services website or 510-642-9494 (after hours counseling line 855-817-5667). Informal Let’s Talk drop-in consultations are also available.

Survivor Support from Path to Care Center Advocacy. Find confidential counseling with a holistic approach to supporting survivors in exploring all options, rights, and resources. Call the Care Line for 24/7 urgent support: 510-643-2005.

Wellness Resources. Berkeley Recalibrate offers tools that will help you identify your own unique system of wellness as wellness is personal, multi-dimensional, and our needs are frequently changing.

 

Student Conduct and Expectations

If public health conditions change, we will continue to provide updated guidance on what is required and will provide students with the support that they need to respond. Students will be expected to continue abiding by Berkeley’s Code of Conduct. Please visit the Academic Accommodations Hub if you require academic accommodations as a result of COVID-19 (for illness, hardship, or other).

 

Flexibility and Outlook

If pandemic conditions deteriorate, the campus is prepared to return to remote instruction and operations, based upon advice or direction from public health officials. We want to acknowledge once again the profound effect this pandemic has had on all members of our campus community and recognize the disproportionate impact it has had on many communities. Thank you for your continued flexibility, resilience, and vigilance.

We know that when we come together as a community, we can continue to successfully navigate campus together. Be well, Bears!