US Campuses
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Community Update – March 1
The situation around the coronavirus outbreak remains highly fluid as University officials continue to make decisions to ensure the safety and well-being of the Pepperdine community around the world. This weekend, in light of the latest developments of the outbreak’s impact in continental Europe, Pepperdine and Seaver College officials have made the decision to suspend the Heidelberg and Lausanne international programs for the remainder of the spring 2020 term. Students in these programs will attend classes through Tuesday, March 3 while the University books flights home for all program participants. Like students who are returning from Florence, students in both the Heidelberg and Lausanne programs will complete their coursework remotely for the duration of the semester.
Based on a number of deciding factors, the London program will continue to operate normally, but previously announced weekend travel restrictions for students in London remain in place at this time. The University will continue to carefully monitor the situation throughout Europe and the United Kingdom and will communicate with the University community if conditions significantly change. In the coming weeks, the University will also evaluate all sponsored travel for summer 2020, including all Seaver college international programs, graduate school global programs, and other University-sponsored trips.
Pepperdine continues to prohibit University travel and strongly discourages personal travel to countries with a current CDC Level 3 Travel Warning. See the CDC website for a current list of these countries. In the event of personal travel to these countries, the University will not be able to provide assistance to community members trying to reenter the US and will restrict returning travelers from coming to campus for 14 days. Exceptions to this restriction will not be granted. Please contact the Office of Emergency Services at 310.506.4996 for questions or assistance.
The University encourages you to stay informed with the latest information on the outbreak and to continue to practice healthy habits to prevent the spread of illness. Additional information and regular updates about the coronavirus can be found on the World Health Organization, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and L.A. County Public Health websites.
EOC Community Update
We understand that with all that is happening around the world, and all that has already happened with Pepperdine international programs, there are some understandable questions and concerns that members of our community have. Pepperdine’s Emergency Operations Committee (EOC) continues to closely follow the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak and is following its plans to protect the well-being of the University community. The EOC is working closely with University stakeholders, as well as an outside infectious disease expert; consulting with International SOS; and following advice from the World Health Organization (WHO), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.
At this time, none of the University’s US campuses is under any immediate threat from COVID-19. Additionally, the CDC does not recommend individuals wear face masks to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19. Face masks should be used by people exhibiting symptoms and medical personnel treating COVID-19 patients.
The EOC advises the University community to take the following actions to protect their health and prevent the spread of respiratory illness:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue and immediately throw the tissue in the trash. Then go wash your hands.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
- Avoid sharing drinks or eating utensils with others, even when neither of you are showing symptoms.
- Get your flu shot if you have not already done so this flu season.
You can also share this flyer for tips on staying healthy during cold and flu season.
Anyone with concerns about their health or symptoms they are experiencing can call the Student Health Center at 310.506.4316, option 3. The Student Health Center continues to offer risk assessments for those with recent international travel or who have had close contact with someone who recently traveled internationally at no charge to all members of the Pepperdine community. Call the health center to make an appointment.
Pepperdine students, faculty, and staff benefit from a community of care and compassion. During these times please remember the following resources are also available to you:
- Students may contact the Counseling Center at 310.506.4210 or student.counseling.center@pepperdine.edu. The Counseling Center provides free, confidential emotional/psychological support to all Pepperdine students.
- Faculty and staff may access counseling services through their Employee Assistance Program. Details are available on the HR website or by contacting HR at 310.506.4397.
- Pastoral support is available to the Pepperdine community through the Office of the Chaplain. Contact chaplain Sara Barton at sara.barton@pepperdine.edu.
For questions regarding international travel please contact the Office of Emergency Services at 310.506.4996. More information and regular updates about the coronavirus can be found on the World Health Organization, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and L.A. County Public Health websites.
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Community Update – February 26
The University continues to work closely with international and domestic officials to monitor Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). Yesterday, the CDC issued an update about the coronavirus, which highlighted the effectiveness of the United States’ aggressive travel precautions. As of this morning, more than 81,100 cases worldwide have been confirmed in 37 countries.
Seaver International Programs Update
The safety and well-being of our students remains paramount. In light of recent developments in Italy, and in line with other American universities in Florence, Pepperdine and Seaver College officials have made the decision to suspend the Florence international program for the remainder of the spring 2020 term. The University is currently aiding Florence program participants in returning to their homes.
As University officials considered all options for students to complete their current coursework while remaining connected to the Florence program and faculty, a decision was also made that students will not return to the Malibu campus to complete their coursework. Instead, students will remain at their primary residence for the remainder of the spring semester and all classes will be taught via remote/online learning by Florence program professors.
In the coming weeks, the University will evaluate whether to resume operations for the Florence program in summer and/or fall 2020. Presently, students in the London, Heidelberg, and Lausanne programs will remain in their host cities, limiting personal weekend travel and travel during any upcoming travel breaks until further notice. There are no changes to the summer/fall 2020 programs in Florence, London, Lausanne, and Heidelberg at this time.
Due to the elevated CDC travel notices and State Department travel advisories, all other upcoming University-related travel to Italy continues to be under review on a case-by-case basis in accordance with the University’s International Travel Policy.
Spring Break and Other Travel Notices
Pepperdine community members should be aware that the CDC has issued six Travel Health Notices to various countries, including Level 3 Travel Warnings (the CDC’s highest warning level) to avoid non-essential travel to China and South Korea, and continues to update its warnings as conditions change. Travelers should also be aware that many countries have implemented strict screening procedures to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 and that upon re-entry to the US after travel, they may be placed under a 14-day quarantine.
Due to the highly restrictive conditions currently in place, Pepperdine is prohibiting University travel and strongly discouraging personal travel to countries with a current CDC Level 3 Travel warning. In the event of personal travel to these countries, the University will not provide assistance to community members trying to reenter the US and will restrict returning travelers from coming to campus for 14 days. Exceptions to the restriction will not be granted. Please contact the Office of Emergency Services at 310.506.4996 for questions or assistance.
More information and regular updates about the coronavirus can be found on the World Health Organization, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and L.A. County Public Health websites.
Security Alert: Off-Campus Sexual Assault
The University became aware this afternoon of an off-campus sexual assault reported to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. The incident occurred on February 8, 2020, at approximately 3:45 AM on the 23900 block of Civic Center Way in Malibu. The sheriff’s department has issued a community alert indicating that the suspect entered an unlocked apartment and awoke the resident by sexually assaulting him or her. The suspect then apologized and rapidly exited the residence, possibly under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.
The suspect is a male white adult, transient, approximately 30 years old, six feet tall and 170 pounds, with blonde hair and a long beard. The suspect remains at large and was last seen on the west end of Civic Center Way wearing all black clothing with a baseball hat. Individuals with any information regarding this suspect are encouraged to contact the Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station at 818.878.1808. Information can be provided anonymously by calling “Crime Stoppers” at 800.222.8477 or by visiting lacrimestoppers.org.
All Pepperdine community members are encouraged to be vigilant and aware of their surroundings and to take all necessary measures to secure their person and property. For on-campus, non-emergency security concerns, community members should call the Department of Public Safety at 310.506.4700. For emergencies, call 911 and then call Public Safety at 310.506.4441.
Pepperdine Emergency Information 
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