Update: On-campus operations – 3/17

Dear campus community,

Yesterday, I shared a message with you all regarding escalated COVID-19 mitigation efforts at San Francisco State University effective today (March 17). Those efforts include significantly reducing the population on our campuses by limiting on-campus operations to necessary offices and moving the majority of staff and faculty to working using remote modalities. I am sending a follow-up message today with more details.

Services Open on Campus

On-campus services will be sharply curtailed, but some offices will physically remain open along with a few of our food service providers who are offering grab-and-go fare. For the most up-to-date information on operating hours, visit the webpages for each respective office or find links at the University’s COVID-19 website, under the Offices Open on Campus section. When in doubt, call the office to confirm operating hours.

Library is Closed for Normal Services

While the Library will be closed to normal services, students and faculty will retain access to the building’s Research Commons to use computers. We have to keep the Research Commons open to meet what is now one more basic need for some of our students: access to computers and internet connectivity. See details below:

• Hours of operation — 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday
• Laptops for loan — The University is making available to students laptops that may be checked out for a 30-day loan period. Visit the Library Research Commons service point Wednesday, March 18 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. to check out a laptop.
• Safety and sanitizing — The layout of the Research Commons allows for proper social distancing. Facilities team members will continually sanitize the area. Hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes will also be readily available
• Holiday closures — The Library will be closed March 21 – 29 for Spring Recess and on March 31 for Cesar Chavez Day.

Special Instructions for Faculty

Faculty have been instructed to begin closing their research facilities and collecting necessary items from their offices. To support this transition, all academic buildings will be open until 5 p.m. today and from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday (March 18 and 19). Effective Friday, March 20, all academic buildings will be closed through April 7, at a minimum.

Residential Students

Residential students who are able have been asked to return to their homes, but the University is aware there are some who cannot. We will maintain altered services for these students to ensure their basic needs are met and they have appropriate resources for remote instruction. This includes providing access to food, bathroom facilities and internet connectivity. For ongoing updates, continue referring to the list of services across campus that remain open.

By accelerating the University's measures for social distancing, we are significantly reducing the number of people on campus and the risk of spreading the virus. We continue to urge all to accelerate your own measures for social distancing and good hygiene.

There will be times when you need more assistance. We have created an online contact form for you to ask questions and get help.

Given the rate of change, it is not surprising that rumors may arise. Please refer to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for latest health information and to our own COVID-19 website for the most current SF State updates and information.

I thank you for your vigilance and patience. Stay well!

Lynn Mahoney, Ph.D.
President