Latest Event Updates
COVID-19 Community Update – June 15, 2021
The state of California retired its Blueprint for a Safer Economy today as it fully reopens its economy, relaxing masking and physical distancing requirements, as well as most state industry-specific guidance. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health confirmed it will align with the state, retiring its own protocols, and is expected to release further industry-specific guidance for higher education as early as this week or next. Similarly, Cal/OSHA, which governs workplace rules in the state, is expected to approve its updated COVID-19 regulations later this week.
Each of these expected protocols affects the University. Pepperdine leadership is carefully and quickly evaluating this information as it is released and will make adjustments to campus policies and practices accordingly. The University will communicate any modifications to Pepperdine’s safety protocols—as well as impacts to and permissions for student activities and University operations—including how these changes will affect office guidance and workplace rules. Until that time, the current policies, including those governing masking and social distancing, remain in place for all faculty, staff, and students.
COVID-19 Community Update – June 11, 2021
As California prepares to return to normal and fully reopen the state’s economy, updated changes to COVID-19 regulations are expected in the coming weeks. While the University continues to receive updated guidance from state and local health agencies, the following updates are anticipated beginning as early as next week:
- On June 15 California will sunset its Blueprint for a Safer Economy, which currently guides reopening criteria for counties in the state. As part of this plan, most state industry-specific guidance will be discontinued and masking and physical distancing requirements will be relaxed for retail businesses and restaurants.
- While specific details are not yet available, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has indicated an intention to largely align with the state’s changes, though some industry-specific protocols may continue, including for areas such as higher education.
- Cal/OSHA, which governs workplace rules in the state, is expected to reconsider its current masking and physical distancing rules at its next meeting on June 17. Any changes the division makes would not go into effect until the end of June at the earliest.
As additional information is released, the University will communicate any modifications to Pepperdine’s safety protocols or impacts to University operations.
COVID-19 Community Update – June 2, 2021
As shared at this morning’s President’s Briefing, Los Angeles County remains in the least restrictive yellow tier of the state’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy, with a current adjusted case rate of 0.7 cases per 100,000 people.
Along with governor Gavin Newsom’s announcement to reopen California’s economy on June 15, some state health officials have noted nearly all sectors and businesses will be able to return to usual operations without capacity limits and without distancing requirements.
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LACDPH) announced during a teleconference last week that it would follow the state’s lead in implementing its objectives and will revise its travel advisory to align with the state’s guidelines. While the LACDPH will apply stricter guidelines for schools, it has not yet been determined whether those guidelines will be recommended for colleges and universities. However, based on the most recent data, and assuming trends do not reverse, the LACDPH believes in-person gatherings during the fall semester will likely not require face coverings, social distancing requirements, classroom capacity limits, or occupancy restrictions in residence halls.
Cal/OSHA, whose safety rules for California workplaces currently require the wearing of masks and social distancing at worksites, will convene on June 3, 2021, to vote on an updated masking and social distancing policy, which, if approved, would go into effect on July 31, 2021.
COVID-19 Community Update – May 5, 2021
As noted at today’s President’s Briefing, on May 4, 2021, Los Angeles County moved into the least restrictive yellow tier of the state’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy, with an adjusted case rate of fewer than two cases per 100,000 residents for two weeks.
The Student Health Center (SHC) has administered more than 1,400 COVID-19 vaccines to date. Those who wish to receive the vaccine at the Malibu campus can contact the COVID-19 Information Line at 310.506.8111 or the SHC at 310.506.4316, option 3.
The University’s previous COVID-19 outbreaks are now closed.
Commencement Update
Los Angeles County’s shift to the yellow tier allows outdoor events to expand from 33 percent of the venue capacity to 67 percent of the venue capacity. As Pepperdine’s schools plan their commencement ceremonies, they will determine how many tickets each graduating student will be allowed to give to attending guests. Currently graduating Seaver College seniors may invite two guests. If additional tickets become available, individual schools will communicate the appropriate process to request more tickets.
Summer School Update
Seaver College summer school classes will begin in June 2021. Dates for summer programs at Pepperdine’s graduate schools will vary. As the University receives increased permission to conduct on-campus activities, each of Pepperdine’s five schools will continue to evaluate the delivery of its learning modalities. Additional information about summer courses will continue to be shared by each school.
Fall Semester Update
With assurances from Los Angeles County and the State of California, the University plans to resume in-person classes and on-campus housing this fall. Restrictions regarding social distancing and testing are yet to be determined. Additional information about summer courses will continue to be shared by each school.
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