Mt. SAC Student Services held a Zoom meeting on Sept. 2 that shared updates and answered questions about vaccination and testing.

During the meeting, the Vice President of Student Services, Audrey Yamagata-Noji, explained how to upload vaccination cards onto Cleared4, upcoming testing dates and sites on campus and changes in the excused withdrawal policy. She also talked about the consequences that students will face if they do not comply in providing proof of vaccination, taking weekly testing and wearing a mask indoors.

Students will have next week to get “cleared” before the school begins excluding unvaccinated and untested students beginning Sept. 13. Students will need both shots of Pfizer or Moderna to be considered fully vaccinated.

For those that want to get vaccinated, Mt. SAC is offering Pfizer & Moderna on Sept. 9, Sept. 16 and Sept. 23 at building 67A and 67B courtyard between 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. More information on how to upload a vaccination card using Cleared4 can also be viewed here.

Starting Sept. 7, there will be five testing sites on campus during day and evening hours. The test will be a self-administered nasal swab and each site will be stationed with a registered nurse.

Here are the locations as described in a Mt. SAC email on Sept. 4:

• Building 4 Administration (near flag poles)
  • Monday-Thursday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Friday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.  
• Building 6 Library (north entrance near fountain)
  • Monday-Thursday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Friday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. 
  • Saturday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Building 13 South Walkway (central campus, north of Equity Center)
  • Monday-Thursday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Friday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. 
• Building 67A (east campus, late evening hours, Park and Test)
  • Monday-Thursday, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
  • Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
  • Saturday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Building 40 School of Continuing Education (east of Building 40)
  • Monday-Thursday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Drive-thru testing is also being planned for Sept. 11.

Yamagata-Noji also recommended students take the test on campus. Vaccinations and tests are free, but it also helps Mt. SAC receive better records for now.

“At the moment, we haven’t been able to link our system with other testing sites,” she said. “So if you went to get tested elsewhere, we haven’t been able to automatically link it.”

Sept. 3 was the refund deadline and Sept. 6 is the last day to drop without a “W.” Students can no longer drop anytime without penalty as of this semester.

The policy regarding the excused withdrawal, “EW,” had changed. Now students must submit a Petition for Exceptional Action to the Admissions office to drop with an “EW.” If students missed the Sept. 6 deadline, the last day to drop with a “W” is Oct. 28.

Yamagata-Noji reminded everyone at the meeting that it is mandatory to wear a mask indoors, which includes inside of classrooms, labs, various classroom settings and buildings. She explained that students will face disciplinary action if they refuse to do so.

Students can report those who refuse to wear a face by contacting ACCESS at (909) 274-4290 or Student Health Services at (909) 274-4400. Those who are unvaccinated, fail to get tested weekly or refuse to wear a mask will be excluded from library, tutoring, counseling and other school services. Faculty can also remove students from class up to two class meetings.

“We will have more of these meetings,” Yamagata-Noji said. “We will post them when they will be.”

For more updates on COVID-19 and services, students can visit Mt. SAC Student Services.