Latest Event Updates
A Message from President Gash: Coming Together
Although we are presently separated for important reasons, it is our deepest desire to assure you that the Emergency Operations Committee (EOC) is fully functioning, closely monitoring all local and national developments, and making decisions to further the health and well-being of our beloved community as our highest priority. As we all adjust to this temporary new normal, University leadership continues to appreciate the empathy and responsiveness faculty, staff, and students have shown one another. We are grateful for the outpouring of prayers, support, and encouragement we have been receiving from you every step of the way. We encourage you to continue praying for our community, our nation, and the entire world.
To update you, Seaver College began online instruction today following the departure of most students from the Malibu campus over the weekend. Each of the graduate schools began online instruction earlier this week. The University has also fully implemented its critical support personnel staffing this week with all departments working remotely except for those performing essential tasks that need to be handled on site. We encourage employees who have additional questions or ongoing needs to reach out to their supervisors for additional guidance.
The EOC, the Student Health Center, and University leadership are actively monitoring our community for any additional COVID-19 cases. At this point, we are not aware of any positive test results at any of our domestic campuses. We will inform you if this changes. Interim restrictions on campus visitors announced previously remain in place through at least March 31. Non-essential visitors to campuses are, unfortunately, not permitted, and for individuals remaining on or traveling to any campus, social distancing of at least six feet is required. As the Malibu campus population continues to shrink, campus services will be modified accordingly.
The COVID-19 public health situation remains dynamic, and University officials continue to follow guidance from governmental and health agencies during this period. Information is updating quickly, which may prompt responsive decision-making from the University. You will be updated by the University when conditions change.
As the community learns and works in a new remote environment during this time, it is important for you to stay informed with the latest information. Frequently asked questions for the University community are being updated daily on the University’s COVID-19 website.
Let’s rest together in the truth found in Psalm 62:1-2 NLT:
“I wait quietly before God, for my victory comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will never be shaken.”
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Community Update
As Pepperdine navigates and responds to the rapidly changing COVID-19 situation and the directives being issued by local and governmental agencies on a daily basis, the University remains committed to sharing updated actions regularly with faculty, staff, and students. Please see below for the most recent updates:
International Programs COVID-19 Case
Today, the University learned of a report of a confirmed positive COVID-19 test result of a London program participant who recently returned home. The University does not have independent verification of these results but is proceeding with its protocols as if the test result is verified. The individual flew home from their international program location and did not visit any of the University’s domestic campuses. Out of an abundance of caution, Pepperdine notified everyone in that program of the potential exposure and asked them to quarantine themselves for 14 days and monitor their symptoms. If you have not been notified, you have not been identified to be at risk of developing symptoms.
Online Classes Commence at Pepperdine
This week, students from all five of Pepperdine’s schools will transition to remote instruction for the remainder of the semester. Pepperdine students and faculty are encouraged to review the FAQs on the University’s COVID-19 website.
Commencements and Events
In line with recommendations from multiple governmental and health agencies, limiting the number of people at gatherings, the University is postponing all commencement ceremonies scheduled for the spring. Nonetheless, graduating students who complete their coursework will receive their degrees as scheduled and should be assured that commencement ceremonies will take place on the Malibu campus at a future date.
Critical Support Personnel Staffing
Effective immediately and through March 31, Pepperdine will transition to a critical support personnel staffing model where departments will work remotely except for essential tasks that must be handled on-site. All employees who can perform their work from home should work remotely, beginning tomorrow, March 17. All designated critical support personnel should contact department supervisors directly for instructions. All employees are reminded to coordinate work schedules and logistics with their supervisors moving forward.
Operational Changes Through March 31
Recreational Facilities
- All fitness centers are closed.
- Fitness classes are canceled.
- The Malibu campus swimming pool and hot tub are closed.
Dining Facilities
- The only Malibu campus dining locations open are the Waves Cafe and the Drescher Cafe, serving in a grab-and-go fashion only, with no seating open.
- It is reasonable to anticipate that, as the on-campus population decreases, the Drescher Cafe will close.
Campus Store
- Campus bookstores currently remain open with normal hours, but hours may become limited in the near future.
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.
COVID-19 Telecommuting Update
As Pepperdine continues to monitor the rapidly changing COVID-19 situation and consider the recommendations set forth by state and local officials, the intention of the Emergency Operations Committee is to make decisions that will protect the health of the University community and their families. Today, California governor Gavin Newsom issued guidance calling for the home isolation of all individuals 65 years or older and those with chronic conditions. Additionally, many school districts surrounding our community have canceled classes, creating urgent childcare needs for some employees.
This guidance is in line with the University’s previous recommendations, including telecommuting for those older than 60, pregnant, autoimmune compromised, or those living with someone who is vulnerable. The University continues to strongly encourage these recommendations.
For all other employees, the University urges supervisors to be as flexible as possible with those expressing an interest to telecommute and those whose work can be effectively done remotely. This evaluation must be done while acknowledging the balance of serving our students and accomplishing necessary work. Supervisors are responsible for ensuring their departments remain functional while we continue to have a large but diminishing number of students on our campuses. Utilizing critical support personnel to handle essential on-campus responsibilities will be important in these times.
Recognizing this is a dynamic public health emergency, additional adjustments to this plan will occur, and employees can expect further communications as we continue to implement plans with your well-being in mind. Human Resources is available to assist in this period of transition.
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Community Update – March 13
University officials continue to monitor the situation around the COVID-19 outbreak in Los Angeles and across the globe. This afternoon the president of the United States declared a national state of emergency in an effort to provide new resources to assist in the fight against COVID-19 at the local, state, and national level. In challenging times of great uncertainty, Pepperdine remains committed to assisting our students, faculty, and staff.
Community members are encouraged to take the following actions to stay informed and protect their health:
- Visit Pepperdine’s COVID-19 Planning and Preparedness website, which includes information about the University’s monitoring and response to COVID-19 as well as FAQs for community members and students at each school.
- Be aware of the University’s interim protocols, such as Interim Travel Restrictions for the Pepperdine community and Interim Restrictions for Campus Visitors, developed to protect the health and well-being of the campus community.
- Evaluate and discuss dependent care needs with supervisors according to the University’s Interim Telecommuting Exceptions protocol.
- Review the CDC’s recommendations for practicing 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 COVID-19 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 
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