USF Air Quality Policy

Effective Date: Fall 2019 

Updated: Fall 2025

Responsible University Officer: Vice President for Student Life and Vice President of Operations

Policy Owner: Senior Director for Department of Public Safety 

Policy Contact: Director of Campus Resilience

1. Introduction

The University of San Francisco is committed to the safety and security of its community and will take proactive steps to mitigate, prepare, respond and recover from the impacts of wildfires and related air quality concerns.

The original policy and protocol was developed and implemented based on USF’s experience with previous wildfires. The policy and protocol has been revised to align with practices being implemented at other educational and governmental institutions. 

Prolonged and significant poor air quality can pose a variety of negative environmental conditions that impact our campus community as well as campus operations.  Environmental conditions will vary based on indoor and outdoor conditions, but our response protocols are based on outdoor readings from Airnow.gov. 

2. Activation of Emergency Operations Center (EOC)

  • When the AQI threshold reaches or exceeds 200 for a period of 24 hours or more, the Emergency Operations Center will be activated.  The activation and meeting location (in person or virtual) will be determined by the Emergency Operations Director.
  • In order to maintain current situational awareness, the Director of Campus Resilience will continuously monitor events that may have an impact on USF’s campuses and contact other organizations for update.

3. Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Actions

  • The Emergency Operations Director (EOD) will assume the overall management of the Incident Management Team and ensure the following actions are completed. 
    • A message via USF Dons Alert will be sent to the community that the EOC has been activated and the University is monitoring the air quality.
    • Messaging to remind the community to monitor emergency.usfca.edu and their USF Mobile app for air quality levels, academic schedules, campus operations updates and other important information.
    • Continual messaging to include additional information on AQI conditions, campus operations, N95 respirator distribution, personal safety guidelines and other relevant information
    • Establish an operational period and teleconference check in schedule.
  • The Incident Management Team (IMT) in discussion with University leadership will determine any changes to academic schedules, campus operations/activities and safety precautions. The IMT will also determine the best method of communication to the community .  The IMT will use the Air Quality Decision Matrix as a guide for personal safety actions and campus operations.

4. Activation of Continuity of Classes Plan

  • When the AQI threshold is projected to be above 201, the Continuity of Instruction protocols (which could include cancellation of in person classes, shift to online modality or preplanned remote instructional plans) will be determined and communicated to the appropriate schools, departments, faculty/staff/librarians and students.

5. Air Quality Decision Matrix

  • This matrix is designed for use when environmental conditions result in worsening and unhealthy air quality for San Francisco and areas surrounding satellite campuses.
  • The matrix is not a stand alone document. It should be used in conjunction with university emergency operation plans, department action plans and operational procedures as well as local, state and federal guidelines and information.
  • The matrix is intended to provide guidelines to the community to ensure their safety during times of poor air quality.
  • The matrix is subject to change based on the totality of environmental or operational circumstances presented or projected.
  • Satellite campuses must also take into consideration and follow any local government or organizational protocols which may supersede this matrix.
  • Contract employees working at USF should follow the guidance from their employers.
  • University employees should seek guidance from their supervisors regarding their work status at the different AQI levels.
  • Actions for Athletic activities are based on the West Coast Conference (WCC) guidelines which uses the Air Quality Index (AQI) to guide decisions about outdoor athletic activities.
  • At all times, community members must take into consideration their health condition and take necessary precautions that may not be listed in the matrix.

6. Campus Operations

The university is committed to continuing campus operations in a safe and accessible manner. During poor air quality conditions, essential services such as food, facilities and public safety will be available.  Other academic and administrative services may be limited based on the environmental conditions and the availability of staff.

  • Dorraine Zief Law Library and the Gleeson Library will maintain normal operations until very unhealthy conditions (201+ AQI) jeopardize the safety of the community due to outdoor exposure.
    • During periods of remote instruction, Gleeson Library and Zief Law Library will remain open to help support those faculty members using the space to teach remotely.
  • Outdoor activities such as admissions tours, field trips, external community events held on campus, etc. may be relocated or rescheduled based on the current and projected environmental conditions.
  • Athletic events comply with West Coast Conference (WCC) - Refer to the USF Athletics Air Quality Index Protocol.  
  • Campus Status
    • Normal Operations - All campus buildings and services are accessible and available.
    • Limited Access - Campus buildings are accessible for essential services such as food, classes and studying. 
    • Restricted access - Campus buildings are accessible to assigned staff. 

7. N95 Respirators

  • N95 respirators distribution locations.
    • Zief Law Library
    • Gleeson Library
    • UC 5th Floor Public Safety desk
    • Lone Mountain Cafe
  • Respirators will be available at the satellite campuses.  Please check with the Campus Director.
  • During unhealthy air quality, stay indoors as much as possible and only go outdoors if necessary. 
  • A respirator should be used properly and kept clean. 
  • People with a heart or lung problem, high blood pressure, asthma or other health conditions should consult their professional healthcare provider before wearing an N95 respirator. 
  • An N95 respirator relies on a tight seal. Facial hair can substantially diminish or nullify the effectiveness of the respirator. 
  • If you have symptoms such as difficulty breathing, dizziness, or nausea, go to an area with cleaner air, take off the respirator and get medical help.
  • Community members should continually monitor their health condition and seek advice from their physician or emergency medical services as needed.

8. Resumption of Normal Operations

  • The EOC in discussion with University leadership will determine the decision regarding returning to normal academic schedules, campus operations and activities.  
  • The community will be kept informed through Dons Alert and other messaging tools.

9. Continuity of Services

As USF and its community work through the impacts of the wildfires, specific services must continue.  USF relies on its valued employees and partners to provide continuity of services for those members of the community who must remain on campus. 

Continuity of Service employees identified must report to work on campus and comply with actions required by Cal/OSHA Section 5141.1.  

Continuity of Service employees must seek guidance from their supervisors on outdoor work activities and duties.  Employees must also take into consideration their health condition, advise their supervisor and take necessary precautions.

9. Additional Information

AIRNOW

The University of San Francisco uses the Air Quality Index (AQI) metric provided from Airnow.gov as our thresholds for this protocol.

The AirNow website, at www.airnow.gov, is a multiagency web site run by EPA that reports air quality using the AQI. The AirNow program accepts, stores, and displays data provided by state, local, and federal air quality agencies. Agencies submit continuous PM data to AirNow from over 1,200 PM2.5 monitors and 500 PM10 monitors, plus temporary monitors, on an hourly basis. These data are available to the public via an interactive map on airnow.gov and through email notifications, widgets, and smart-phone apps.