Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Community Update – March 12
Pepperdine continues to gather new information about the impact of COVID-19 as the University community prepares for the operational adjustments announced by President Gash yesterday.
As the University and all five schools conduct town hall sessions to address questions from the community, Pepperdine’s COVID-19 website will continue to be updated to include information on the town hall sessions, policy updates, and frequently asked questions (FAQs) for each of Pepperdine’s five schools. The FAQs include information related to academic programming and operational adjustments. Future town hall sessions may be held for students, faculty, and staff as needed. Students who need additional support during this transition are encouraged to reach out to the Student Care Team.
Additionally, community members are advised of the following developments:
Reports of COVID-19: The Student Health Center (SHC) is working closely with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health to monitor any community members with health concerns and to give the appropriate recommendations. Any person who is notified that they may have been exposed to an individual who may have or has COVID-19, or any person who is concerned that they are exhibiting symptoms, should notify the SHC at 310.506.4316, option 3. Those who believe that they might be exhibiting symptoms should call the SHC before visiting.
Dependent care: As local school districts adjust their policies and class schedules, employees with children may need to make accommodations to work remotely or arrange childcare. Employees in this situation should contact their supervisors to make arrangements for telecommuting under the University’s Interim Telecommuting Exceptions.
Guidelines for vulnerable populations: As per the CDC, individuals in our community who are older than 60, autoimmune compromised, or defined by the CDC to be vulnerable populations should avoid travel and large social gatherings, telecommute when possible, and avoid contact with any person who has or may have had contact with COVID-19. Out of an abundance of caution, the University is encouraging that all vulnerable individuals, or those with vulnerable family members, consider telecommuting, and temporarily obtain off-campus housing.
Visitors and campus guests: Effective immediately, Pepperdine is implementing Interim Restrictions for Campus Visitors for the University community through March 31due to the outbreak of COVID-19.
Access to all University campuses is restricted to invited guests only, and access to nonessential guests will be prohibited. If known in advance, requests for access for invited guests can be sent to the Department of Public Safety using the Pepperdine Guest Registration form. Guests can also identify their host at the gate or entrance. Faculty and staff who work and live on campus are encouraged to exercise good judgment, limit the number of visitors to campus, and conduct nonessential meetings via teleconference. Any student who is granted an exception to remain on campus should be aware the ability to have visitors on campus may be greatly restricted, and no overnight guests will be allowed. Additionally, all campus tours have been cancelled through March 31.
Campus events: All Pepperdine events with expected attendance of more than 100 people have been canceled or postponed through March 31. This includes Waves Athletics events and Center for the Arts programs. If you had purchased tickets to any Center for the Arts performances through March, a refund will be issued in your original payment method.
Travel restrictions and conference attendance: Pepperdine continues to restrict all nonessential international and domestic travel for employees through March 31. All travel for academic and business purposes must be approved by the provost, chief operating officer, and/or senior vice president for strategic initiatives. Effective immediately, Pepperdine students, faculty, and staff are prohibited from attending academic and professional conferences through March 31.
Staying informed: As always, you are encouraged to stay informed with the latest information on the outbreak and to continue to practice healthy habits to prevent the spread of illness. The latest information can be found on the University’s COVID-19 website and Emergency Information Page. Additional information and regular updates about the coronavirus can be found on the World Health Organization, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Los Angeles County Department of Public Health websites.
Pepperdine Emergency Information 