Updates: Commencement and January Work Return

Dear colleagues,

 

It is with the heaviest of hearts that I write to you today letting you know that we must yet again postpone the in-person commencement ceremonies for the Classes of 2020 and 2021. Graduates and their guests were informed earlier today. 

 

The City and County of San Francisco made the decision this week to cancel its outdoor New Year’s Eve event due to the Omicron-driven surge in COVID-19 cases and announced new rules for large indoor events which require eligible attendees to have received booster shots. In consultation with the San Francisco Department of Public Health (SFDPH), we were encouraged to postpone the event or immediately implement the booster requirement for the January 8th Commencement. With the event just over a week away, there is simply no way to comply with the booster requirement. So, in the best interest of health and safety, we made the very hard decision to postpone the event. At this time, I have no details about a rescheduled event but will keep you updated.

 

Because many employees were traveling over the holidays and some were unable to schedule recommended COVID-19 booster shots until late December or early January, we are encouraging employees to work with managers and appropriate administrators to continue work from home where possible through January 14. We have every expectation at this time that with mandatory masks, high levels of vaccination and readily accessible testing on campus that our offices will be able to resume  on January 18 with staff returning to fully in-person or hybrid work schedules as determined by the needs of the office. We also anticipate that in-person classes will start as scheduled on January 24.

 

We will continue working closely with SFDPH and will make adjustments as required. Our efforts to date have been very successful at preventing a campus outbreak, and we will continue to do what is necessary for the health and safety of the SF State community.

 

As always, I wish you good health.

 

Best,