Latest Event Updates
Information Regarding Public Safety Power Shutoffs
You may have heard recent news reports about Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) happening in the area. This means, during forecasts of fire danger and high winds, Southern California Edison (SCE) could proactively turn off the power in certain areas to mitigate fire risk.
Pepperdine officials are in close communication with SCE. Though changes could occur, at this time, a PSPS is not expected to impact the Malibu or Calabasas campuses. The University continues to monitor the situation and will share additional information if changes occur.
Red Flag Warning
The National Weather Service issued a red flag warning for Malibu beginning Thursday (10/10/19) at 3 AM through Friday (10/11/19) at 6 PM. Winds along the coast are expected to be 20-30 MPH with gusts up to 50 MPH. The strongest winds are predicted to be Thursday mid-morning through Thursday mid-afternoon. Humidity is predicted to be 3-10%.
Red Flag warnings issued by the National Weather Service identify time periods when conditions are ideal for wildfires. During Red Flag warnings it is especially important to:
- Report any signs of smoke immediately to emergency responders. If on the Malibu campus call Public Safety at 310.506.4441. At all other locations report smoke by calling 911.
- Use caution when disposing of cigarettes and ensure that they are completely extinguished.
- Minimize any use of open flame in outdoor settings.
Pepperdine Public Safety is monitoring the situation and is prepared to respond to potential wildfires. Additional information regarding Red Flag warnings and Pepperdine’s wildfire response plans is available on the University’s Emergency Information Page and in the Emergency Preparedness Guide found in WaveNet.
Mountain Lion Sighting on Malibu Campus
Public Safety officers spotted three mountain lions early this morning at approximately 4:30 AM near Anacapa Lane of the Drescher Student Apartments. The three lions appeared to be a mother and two cubs. The sighting was reported to the local sheriff’s department and the Department of Fish and Wildlife. Public Safety officers observed the lions as they left campus and headed up the hillside west of Chapparal Circle and continued to move away from campus.
Pepperdine officials share confirmed mountain lion sightings near the Malibu campus to ensure the University community is informed of, but not alarmed by, the wildlife with whom we share the Santa Monica Mountains.
Please remember:
- Do not hike, bike, or jog alone, especially from dusk until dawn when mountain lions are most active.
- Remember Public Safety security escorts are available on the Malibu campus 24/7 by calling Public Safety Dispatch at (310) 506-4442.
- If you see a mountain lion on or near the Malibu campus, please report the incident to Public Safety at (310) 506-4441.
- If safe to do so, please take a picture and/or video and send it to Public Safety via the LiveSafe app.
As a reminder, if you encounter a mountain lion:
- Respect the animal.
- Maintain eye contact and move away slowly.
- Do NOT run. Running will trigger the mountain lion’s instinct to chase you.
- Appear as large, loud, and powerful as possible.
- If there are small children or pets present, pick them up immediately. Additionally do NOT leave them unattended outside.
- Do not approach the mountain lion; leave space for the cat to escape.
- In the unlikely event of an attack, fight back. Do not fall to the ground or roll into the fetal position.
Geo Group Protest Announced at West L.A. Campus for September 19, 2019
A protest of Geo Group, a company leasing space in the same building that houses the Pepperdine West Los Angeles Graduate Campus, has been announced for tomorrow, September 19, scheduled to begin at 10 AM and expected to end at 1 PM. University officials do not believe there is cause for alarm, but because previous protests have disrupted access to the building, the University has worked with building management and the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) to coordinate preparation efforts and develop a security plan.
Tomorrow morning, building management will install temporary barricades at 5 AM, closing the plaza in front of our building to everyone except authorized building tenants and their guests. The bi-fold door in the building’s lobby will remain down, and the only open lobby entrance will be the set of double doors nearest to the security desk. The parking garage will remain accessible, and elevators from the parking garage will be operational unless protestors enter the garage and/or block access.
Entrance into the building or plaza will only be allowed with a valid access card or Pepperdine ID. All students and employees must have their access cards or Pepperdine IDs—no exceptions will be permitted. Any guests must be registered with building management through Harold Taylor by 4 PM today, and they must be escorted into the building by a Pepperdine employee. Building security has requested Pepperdine faculty, staff, and students enter and exit only through the designated lobby doors or through the parking garage, to the extent that it remains accessible.
Please note these procedures are subject to change as events unfold. If protestors block designated access points, building security will coordinate with LAPD and receive instruction from officers onsite. The safety of the campus community is the University’s highest priority, and the community will be updated if significant changes occur.
Pepperdine Emergency Information 
You must be logged in to post a comment.