California Releases Guidance For Reopening Colleges And Universities

By Michael Burke – EdSource

Given the statewide levels of COVID-19 infections, most California colleges and universities must offer classes virtually except for limited hands-on courses that will require physical distancing and other protocols to limit contact between students.

That’s according to a 34-page state guidance for colleges and universities, released Friday by California’s Department of Public Health.

Campuses across California’s three public higher education systems — the University of California, California State University, and the community college network — were already preparing to hold most classes remotely. However, this newly released guidance marks the first formal direction from the state, just ahead of the academic year’s start.

The document touches every aspect of campus life, especially housing. It recommends limiting students to one per room wherever possible, closing shared recreational spaces like game rooms and lounges, and disabling drinking fountains to reduce contact risk. Dining halls are encouraged to serve only grab-and-go meals, and physical barriers — such as plastic screens between bathroom sinks — are to be installed to maintain social distancing. Face masks are mandatory when six-foot distancing cannot be maintained, both indoors and outdoors.

While the state is not requiring universal COVID-19 testing, it encourages it. A campus may be partially or fully closed if there are confirmed cases of the virus. Additionally, colleges in counties listed on the state’s monitoring list for three consecutive days will not be allowed to hold indoor lectures, though non-lecture courses like science labs may continue under strict protocols.

Even with the academic focus shifting online, housing remains a key concern. Many campuses, including UC Berkeley, are proceeding with plans to house thousands of students, prioritizing those with significant need — such as low-income students, student athletes, and those with disabilities. But the state acknowledges the challenges: enforcing physical distancing in dormitories is inherently difficult, and limiting shared bathroom use or restricting visitor access may only partially mitigate risks.

Student housing is also evolving. Take this student accommodation in Loughborough, for example. It’s designed with modern student needs in mind — offering private rooms, dedicated study spaces, and health-conscious communal arrangements that could serve as a model for future development worldwide. These kinds of purpose-built facilities represent a shift in how universities and private providers are rethinking shared living, not just for comfort, but for safety and resilience during public health crises.

To adapt, California campuses are being urged to reimagine not only learning environments but also living arrangements. That includes using larger spaces for fewer students, reworking cleaning protocols, and creating isolated quarantine units in the event of exposure. While the feasibility of these adjustments varies by institution, housing policies will likely continue to play a critical role in the overall effectiveness of campus safety strategies.

“As colleges and other institutions of higher education plan to resume in-person instruction, it’s critical that campuses make modifications to reduce risk,” said Dr. Erica Pan, California’s top epidemiologist. “This guidance aims to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 among our students, families, and the communities where they study.”

CSU Chancellor Tim White echoed this sentiment, noting that the guidelines align with the system’s existing priorities and that each of its 23 campuses will review their plans to ensure compliance. The UC system, still assessing the guidance, has so far declined to offer detailed comments.

Even in a primarily virtual semester, student housing — and how it’s managed — remains central to the public health equation.

Under the guidance, colleges are told to consider “routine systematic testing of staff or students” but there is no mandate to do so and it does not define what would constitute “routine” testing. Colleges are also encouraged but not required to conduct daily health screening of faculty, staff and students by having those individuals report their symptoms or take temperature checks.

Some but not all colleges across the state plan to test students and staff for the coronavirus. Most of UC’s nine undergraduate campuses are planning to provide testing, though it’s not clear for every campus how frequent the testing would be. In the case of UC San Diego, which has one of the most robust testing and contact tracing plans of any campus nationwide, students and staff are expected to be tested at least once monthly.

Across the CSU, all 23 campuses are planning to have “some aspect of testing, notification and contact tracing procedures,” said CSU spokeswoman Toni Molle, who added that those plans will vary from campus to campus.

Colleges are required under the guidance to establish a “campus-specific COVID-19 prevention plan,” but it does not tell them specifically what that plan should be.

The guidance also says college sports may return but only if a number of conditions are met.

For practices to occur, there would need to be regular Covid-19 testing of athletes and support staff.

The guidance does not define specifically how frequently the testing would need to be.

For games to resume in “high contact risk sports” testing and results must be available for athletes within 72 hours of competition. Masks would also be required for coaches, staff, media and players not participating in the game. Schools would also need to have a system in place for notifying opposing schools if an athlete tests positive for the virus within 48 hours after the competition, according to the guidance.

“California will consider further action if the NCAA or other sport institutions fail to meet these requirements and prioritize their economic interests over the health and well-being of players – and their families,” Gov. Gavin Newsom said in a statement.

If a college or university detects a positive case of COVID-19 somewhere on campus, the individual who is sick should either go home or, if they live in campus housing, “follow isolation procedures.” They also may need to be transported to a healthcare facility depending on how severe their symptoms are.

Those who have come into contact with an individual with Covid-19 will also be required to stay home or in their dorm rooms.

In the event of a positive case of the virus, colleges will also need to consult with their local health departments, who will recommend what actions the college should take, including possibly closing some or all of
the campus.

“Parts or all of the campus might need to close temporarily as students or staff quarantine,” the guidance states.

EdSource reporter Ashley A. Smith contributed to this story.