As we transition between semesters, we wanted to provide reminders regarding the campus’s COVID-19 protocols to help you keep safe and healthy. COVID-19 Campus Protocols Isolation guidance for those testing positive: Stay home if you have COVID-19 symptoms until you have not had a fever for 24 hours without using fever-reducing medication AND other COVID-19 symptoms​ are mild and improving.​ ​​​​​​​​​If you do not have symptoms, you should follow the recommendations below to reduce exposure to others. Mask when you are around other people indoors for the 10 days after you become sick or test positive (if no symptoms). You may remove your mask sooner than 10 days if you have two sequential negative tests at least one day apart. Day 0 is symptom onset date or positive test date. Avoid contact with people at higher risk for severe COVID-19 for 10 days. CSUSM strongly encourages those who test positive for COVID-19 to submit a COVID-19 self-reporting form. Close contacts (exposed individuals) should follow the suggested protocols. The university provides notifications of close contacts and possible exposures to keep our campus community informed and to comply with applicable state regulations. Learn about how CSUSM is keeping our campus community safe. Keep up to date with our CSUSM on-campus worksite exposure dashboard. Cal/OSHA’s COVID-19 Prevention Non-Emergency Standards. General Health and Safety Reminders COVID-19 vaccines and boosters are not required. However, the campus strongly recommends following the recommendations adopted by the CDC and the California Department of Public Health. COVID-19 vaccinations Masking is not required on campus, except as required by the isolation and return protocol. Rapid antigen (at-home) tests are free and available to U.S. households from COVID.gov.  CSUSM has new wellness vending machines with tests available for purchase. Additional COVID-19 information is available at the COVID-19 resources and guidelines website. Please continue to reduce your risk of illness and review general safety protocols to help you and others stay safe and healthy.

The end of the semester can be a stressful time. Your health, safety and well-being are important, and CSUSM is here for you. If you or someone you know needs support, there are several resources available: For students:  Cougar Care Network The Office of Inclusive Excellence Student Health & Counseling Services Student Leadership and Involvement Center Student Life Centers for Identity, Inclusion and Empowerment  For faculty and staff: The Office of Inclusive Excellence Faculty Care Facilitator Staff Center Employee Assistance Program

Active men and women will receive complementary testing of body fat and aerobic fitness in a study testing the effects of exercise on fat and carbohydrate burning. This research study requires three separate sessions of exercise of about 45 minutes per day. Participants must be physically active in the last year, healthy, non-smoking, and free of joint injury. Please contact Dr. Todd Astorino, Professor, Dept. of Kinesiology, at astorino@csusm.edu for more information.

Researchers at Cal State San Marcos are seeking cannabis users for a study assessing the heart rate and blood pressure responses to smoking legal-market cannabis in free-living humans. You will wear an activity monitor and blood pressure monitor for 24 hours while you smoke cannabis. You will not be provided cannabis for this study. You’ll report to our lab twice to be outfitted for the study and to drop the devices off when the study is over; the total time commitment in the lab will be about one hour. If you are 21-45 years old and have used cannabis at least twice a week for the last year, you are eligible to participate. If you have high blood pressure, use tobacco or take certain medications that impact blood pressure, you are not eligible to participate in this study. If you are unsure, please contact the study team. For more information, please contact Dr. Matt Schubert, associate professor of kinesiology, at mschubert@csusm.edu.

Active men and women are needed to participate in a study in the Department of Kinesiology, with the goal to assess potential sex differences in fat burning between men and women. You are eligible if you are 18 to 50 years old, active, weight stable and healthy. Women must have a normal menstrual cycle or be taking oral contraceptives. Please contact Dr. Todd A. Astorino at astorino@csusm.edu for more information.

Beginning March 13, the Lot O pedestrian ramp and stairs at Campus Way and Campus View Drive will be closed for construction for the duration of the housing project. An accessible path from Barham Drive to the University Village Apartments will be provided. Walking around the barricades and using the street is prohibited. Disregarding these directives may result in disciplinary action. Please cross to the other side of the street and use the open walkway to prevent accidents or injury. We appreciate your compliance and consideration for the safety of our community.