International Campuses
Travel To Poland Suspended
Since the outbreak of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, University officials have monitored the situation closely and contemplated how events may impact the safety of University travelers. Due to an explosion in Przewodow, Poland today, which killed two people and is under investigation by Polish and US authorities as a possible Russian missile attack, Pepperdine is suspending all travel to Poland until further notice. University officials will continue to monitor this situation and track the Russia/Ukraine conflict for additional potential impacts to University international travel. Community updates will be provided as needed.
All other international travel remains governed by Pepperdine’s International Travel Policy. Travelers are reminded to log their travel in the University’s travel log supported by International SOS; instructions for doing so are available in WaveNet. Additionally, individuals should remain aware of current events throughout their travels.
A Message from President Gash: Pepperdine’s Emergency Preparedness
Each year, Pepperdine prepares a message like this one to better inform our parents and students of the University’s emergency response plans. Most years, this message shares what Pepperdine does to keep our students, faculty, and staff safe. In other years, and especially these last two and a half years during which we have collectively had to address a global pandemic and the challenges it poses for our society, it also serves as a reminder of how important awareness, emergency preparedness, and resilience are for the entire University—and the role each member of our community has in managing our collective response.
As we bring our community together again this school year, you can take comfort in knowing that health and safety are our top priority, and we will continue to have COVID-19 infection control measures to minimize the pandemic’s impact within our campus community, including optional free testing and contact tracing to reduce transmission when cases are identified. Additionally, we remain poised to address other natural and man-made disasters. Pepperdine University is like a small well-equipped city. We have fire trucks and emergency response personnel; capable facilities employees able to respond 24/7; medical supplies, food, and water; health and counseling centers; and numerous other resources available to us in an emergency. Additionally, faculty and staff who live on campus are present and active in assisting the University.
Through diligent training, equipping, studying, staffing, and commitment, we are prepared to be our own first responders until local and state agencies reach campus. We are prepared to be self-reliant in the event utilities and other infrastructure services are disrupted. When the University activates an emergency response plan, our expertly trained staff gather support personnel, disseminate information, and, if necessary, open pre-planned relocation centers. The University has an exhaustive and well-rehearsed protocol to evaluate risks and make decisions in the best interests of both our community and our campuses. In fact, we have used this protocol throughout the pandemic to guide our response.
I can attest, from personal experience, that in the middle of an emergency at Pepperdine, a sense of calm permeates our community. Though it may not be known by the public or reported on the news, we know it is because we have done our due diligence to prepare accordingly. One of our greatest tasks is to transmit accurate information from, to, and within the campus community. Our emergency notification system, Everbridge, allows the University to send voice messages to the cell, office, and home phones of every faculty, staff, and student, as well as deliver text messages and emails. The system is dependent upon each of our community members entering his or her contact information into the University web portal that feeds into Everbridge, and students receive instruction on how to do so.
In addition, the latest updates and decisions of the University’s Emergency Operations Committee are posted on Pepperdine’s Emergency Information Page. You may also call our Department of Public Safety at 310.506.4442 (non-emergency line) or 310.506.4441 (emergency line) at any time during the day or night. During the pandemic we have also opened a COVID-19 Information Line, covid19info@pepperdine.edu or 310.506.8111, which is staffed Monday through Friday during normal business hours. The only things that may impair our communications are things we simply cannot plan for or control. Throughout all of this, our every effort is directed toward protecting our community and returning to safe and normal operations, including classes, as soon as possible.
Furthermore, we use the StepUp campaign to emphasize the importance of looking out for one another, both in emergency situations and in daily life. Through the StepUp campaign, our students, faculty, and staff have received valuable bystander intervention and Title IX training that encourages participants to step up and speak up for themselves and others who may be in distress.
Another instrumental tool in this effort is the LiveSafe campus safety app, which allows users to submit emergency and non-emergency messages to Public Safety; utilize SafeWalk, a person-to-person virtual security escort allowing users to ensure their loved ones reach their destinations safely; and see a full list of the University’s emergency procedures. Importantly, the app also works for users who are traveling or participating in one of our international programs. Further, we partner with International SOS, a global emergency medical and security services firm that provides assistance to our students, faculty, and staff abroad.
Pepperdine maintains a multi-disciplinary threat assessment team that meets whenever necessary to immediately address potential threats to our community. The team includes University leaders, members of our Counseling Center, and outside experts and law enforcement when applicable. The group is experienced and well-trained, and it always works to serve the best interests of the University community and the individual for whom the concern was raised.
Our emergency plans are living documents, regularly updated to include the latest best practices adapted to best serve our community. In addition to learning from our own experiences, we also study disasters around the world to glean lessons learned and adapt them to our circumstances. These planning revisions and careful preparation place us in a state of readiness as we move into this new school year. While we hope each year our emergency response plans remain unused, they stand ready to be used as they have been during this pandemic.
All of us at Pepperdine are excited for the school year ahead, and we look forward to completing it successfully—and safely—with each student who has been entrusted to us.
University COVID-19 Updates
Los Angeles County experienced a spike in COVID-19 cases in mid-July driven by the BA.5 variant. While case rates and hospitalizations peaked at the end of July, data indicates that positive cases are showing signs of slowing and hospitalizations appear to have plateaued. As University leadership continues to monitor conditions, community members are reminded of the following:
- Pepperdine will require entry testing for all students 72 hours prior to arriving on campus for the fall semester in order to reduce the risk of transmission within the community. Students are required to complete the Entry Test Reporting Form and should take their entry test prior to arrival on campus, not at a COVID-19 testing site on any Pepperdine campus. Returning faculty and staff members are not required to test before arriving on campus for the fall semester.
- The University’s COVID-19 vaccination policy remains in effect. All new students accessing any University campus or facility must upload proof of compliance by August 15, 2022, to indicate that they have been vaccinated or to claim an exemption for medical, religious, or philosophical reasons. All new faculty and staff must also notify the University of their current vaccination status by completing the COVID-19 Vaccination Notification Form.
- PCR COVID-19 testing sites remain open and free of charge on Pepperdine’s campuses. Testing remains optional for all community members. Face coverings are optional but encouraged for anyone who wishes to wear them indoors. All campus testing sites will continue to provide face coverings free of charge.
- Faculty, staff, and students who have tested positive for COVID-19 must continue to report positive test results using the START Form. Test results received from the on-campus PCR testing sites are automatically uploaded to the Start form.
Further details on each of the items above are available at pepperdine.edu/coronavirus or by contacting the University’s COVID-19 information line at 310.506.8110 or via email at covid19info@pepperdine.edu.
COVID-19 Community Update – February 11
University officials continue to monitor the evolving research, announced rules, and best practices surrounding the pandemic. As part of this effort, the University is announcing the following COVID-19 updates:
Masking Requirements
Recently, with the decline in COVID-19 cases, California Department of Public Health officials announced they would not extend the indoor mask mandate for vaccinated individuals when it expires on February 15, 2022 (though the State still mandates masking for those not vaccinated). As you know, county rules may be more restrictive than state protocols, and that remains the case in Los Angeles County. Los Angeles County Department of Public Health officials have noted the County’s mask mandates will remain in place for all individuals regardless of vaccination status, and the County will not consider reducing these restrictions until certain specific thresholds regarding hospitalizations, vaccines, and weekly case rates are met.
With the County mandates still in place, the University’s current face covering policy will remain in effect until further notice. As a reminder, the policy requires all students, staff, and faculty to wear medical grade masks while indoors. Masks continue to be available for pickup at weekly screening test locations.
Post Spring Break Testing
As a precautionary measure, Pepperdine strongly encourages students who are traveling for spring break to take their own test before returning to campus. These tests do not need to be documented as entry tests were before the beginning of the term, but are important as one measure to protect against the risk of transmission after travel. At this time, the University does not have an inventory of home test kits to provide, but continues to pursue options to make kits available to the community.
At University weekly screening testing sites, early testing on your first week back on campus following spring break is strongly encouraged. Please complete your weekly screening test within 48 hours of your arrival back on campus.
Free Government COVID-19 Antigen Tests
As of January 19, every residential address in the US is eligible to order four, free, at-home COVID-19 tests from COVIDTests.gov, and we encourage all community members to order your tests. Residential students should be sure to include their mailbox number in the address line.
Remember, antigen tests are also available at pharmacies, large retailers, some county testing sites, medical providers, etc., and costs for these tests can be reimbursed through your health insurance if needed.
COVID-19 Boosters
Boosters are shown to protect individuals against severe illness from COVID-19. In support of the community, the University continues to offer vaccine and booster clinics. The next two clinics will take place on Tuesday, February 22 and Friday, March 11.
Reserve your appointment for either vaccination clinic using these links:
Remember, if you are fully vaccinated and have received your booster, if eligible, you will not be required to quarantine if identified as a close contact with someone who tested positive. Students should document receipt of their booster dose in the Student Health Center Patient Portal.
Utilizing the START and EXIT Forms
Students, faculty, and staff members, please use the START Form to report (1) a positive COVID-19 result from tests not taken at the on-campus weekly testing sites or the Student Health Center, or (2) an exposure to a positive case not in the Pepperdine community. The START Form is available on the COVID-19 Planning and Preparedness website.
Additionally, students, faculty, and staff members should utilize the EXIT Form to document completion of isolation or quarantine, whether testing out early or completing the full 10-day period. This confirms a student is cleared to return to in-person classes or an employee is cleared to return to work.
Thank you for your continued cooperation and partnership. If you have any questions, please contact the University’s COVID-19 information line at 310.506.8111 or covid19info@pepperdine.edu.
Pepperdine Emergency Information 
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