Dear Student Organization Leaders,
Thank you for your patience and understanding as we adjust precautions and safety procedures in response to the evolving public health situation. Below are guidelines for student organization meetings and events, based on the expectations and protocols currently in place for the USF community.
Contact Tracing
In order to aid with contact tracing, student organizations should keep a record of attendance at meetings and events. Students should sign in to the event and the organization should retain the sign-in sheet for at least seven days. It is important to report the results of a positive test, either by emailing covidtracing@usfca.edu or by answering the appropriate question in the Dons Health Check survey. Any reported close contacts will be notified and guided through next steps.
Events
No “mega events” on or off campus (more than 5,000 attendees indoors and 10,000 outdoors) can be planned at this time. USF will not sponsor or host third-party or non-USF related events on campus this semester. Student organizations hosting off-campus events should adhere to USF events policies for fall semester. Food may be allowed at off-campus events as long as all venue guidance is followed.
Face Coverings
Face coverings are required indoors and at all outdoor events for all individuals, regardless of vaccination status.
Food
Food and beverage are not allowed at indoor events or meetings. At this time, food and beverage will be served outside only. If you wish to provide food and beverage for attendees, to-go boxes are encouraged. Options can be reviewed with Events Management.
Food sale fundraisers will be allowed only for packaged food that can be taken away, such as boba or candygrams at outside locations only. As usual, all fundraisers are subject to approval by Events Management and Student Leadership and Engagement.
Meetings
Student organizations will be able to meet in person when space is available.
Rehearsals
Student organizations practicing for performances should arrange for larger spaces with Events Management or look for outdoor spaces for rehearsals.
Speakers and Performers
Speakers and performers at events must be fully vaccinated and follow all community guidelines. However, they will be allowed to remove face coverings on stage (or in the stage/performance area) during their performance as long as they maintain at least six feet of distance from attendees and employees. They are encouraged to maintain as much distance from other performers as possible.
Vaccination
As a reminder, students are required to be vaccinated. Personal exemptions are no longer accepted. Students who have approved exemptions will have testing expectations.
Visitors and Outside Guests
Visitors and outside guests will not be allowed at student organization meetings and events. Attendance is limited to current USF students and employees.
Additional Recommendations
- Plan for spaces that are large enough to accommodate social distancing, and consider using outdoor spaces. We will be increasing outdoor furniture around campus.
- Set a reasonable capacity limit for your event, typically much lower than the max capacity of the space, and provide livestream or virtual access if appropriate.
- Contact your student organization advisor or Student Leadership and Engagement for help with planning your meetings and events.
Public health guidance may change depending on the course of the virus; we expect adjustments and will continue to communicate any and all updates to our protocols and processes. Please be sure to continue to reference the resources on USF Together. Updates are made regularly.
Sincerely,
Julie Orio, Vice President of Student Life