Separate:
COVID-19 Community Response Plan

Subplans

• Gatherings and Events
• Plexiglass
• Common Spaces/Outdoor Areas
• Quarantine/Isolation
• Face Coverings/Social Distancing Policies
• Enforcement of All Policies

Gatherings and Events

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LACDPH) is the agency responsible for determining whether large gatherings and events can be held and the maximum number of people allowed to attend. Currently, there are no capacity or maximum guest count limitations for gatherings or events.

However, in times of high transmission of COVID-19 in the surrounding community, we all must execute good judgment and consider layers of infection control measures which minimize the risk of transmission without compromising the event. The University is developing guidance for Fall 2021 events, which will contemplate recommended safety precautions based on the number of attendees. This guidance will be shared once finalized, and may evolve during the fall as public health guidance changes.

Plexiglass

Pepperdine has installed physical barriers, such as sneeze guards and partitions, particularly in areas where it is difficult for individuals to maintain physical distance seeking to meet the specific needs of various campus areas and stakeholders while ensuring a consistent and standard application across campuses, including in the following areas:

1. Customer service, transaction, and reception areas where frequent, in-person interactions occur throughout the day
2. Areas where faculty provide instruction in classrooms

While LACDPH no longer requires these plexiglass installations, the University will keep its existing plexiglass in place at this time. Removing and storing the plexiglass, in case requirements pertaining to plexiglass are reinstated, is not presently feasible. Disinfection of installed partitions will be a shared responsibility between the University and the end user of that space. Refer to the University's cleaning plan summary for more information.

Generally, the University will not approve additional requests for plexiglass installation. For questions, please contact the COVID-19 Information Line at covid19info@pepperdine.edu or 310.506.8111.

Common Spaces/Outdoor Areas

Extra outdoor furniture has been placed in on-campus locations such as Alumni Park, Joslyn Plaza, and the residential community. For faculty interested in hosting certain class days outdoors, the University has also invested in outdoor chairs in certain locations. For questions, please contact the COVID-19 Information Line at covid19info@pepperdine.edu or 310.506.8111.

Quarantine/Isolation

Definitions

Quarantine: Quarantine refers to separating people who have been, or may have been, exposed to COVID-19, but are not showing signs of illness.

Isolation: Medical isolation refers to confining a confirmed or suspected COVID-19 case to prevent contact with others and to reduce the risk of transmission.

As part of our comprehensive infection control plan, Pepperdine has secured scalable quarantine and isolation space sufficient to support outbreaks in our campus population throughout the academic year and, in particular, in the event of positive COVID-19 cases. The University's plan addresses facilities, medical care, transportation, academic support, food and supplies delivery, and mental and spiritual counseling, among other items, and is consistent with LACDPH guidance for institutes of higher education.

Quarantine and Isolation for On-Campus Residential Students

If, through the University's detailed contact tracing program, a residential student is determined to be a close contact of a confirmed COVID-19 case but tests negative and is showing no signs of illness, that student will be assigned to quarantine in a designated quarantine space either on or off campus. If, during quarantine, a student shows symptoms of illness or tests positive for COVID-19, the student will transfer to an isolation space for monitoring and additional medical care as appropriate. If sick, or while awaiting test results, students will be assigned to isolation spaces.

Transportation

Pepperdine will provide appropriate transportation for residential students to and from quarantine and isolation locations.

Care and Support During Isolation and Quarantine

The Student Health Center will coordinate the appropriate level of care to address student health needs, dependent on medical condition and student preference, as identified by a patient survey. Services available include medical check-in and treatment, food delivery, Student Care Team case management, assistance with academic arrangements, telehealth counseling and spiritual counseling, and other reasonable requests.

Modified Quarantine for Vaccinated Students

Asymptomatic residential students who are fully vaccinated and who are a close contact of a confirmed COVID-19 case may undergo a modified quarantine under certain conditions.

• They should be tested 3 to 5 days following the date of last exposure with a PCR test. Until the student receives a negative test result, they must adhere to modified quarantine for the full 10 days outlined below.
  • Residential students should remain on campus in their residence, except for continuing to attend on-campus classes and academic activities if they are consistently and correctly masked and remain asymptomatic. They are not allowed to participate in on- or off-campus social activities until they receive a negative test result and have been cleared by University officials or have completed modified quarantine for the full 10 days. This includes attending or playing in sporting events, team practices and training, or competitions.
  • While on modified quarantine, the student should not go to any indoor public- or community- setting that is off-campus, such as restaurants, bars, markets and offices among others, nor attend any outdoor gathering off-campus.

• If the student receives a negative PCR test result from a specimen collected 3 to 5 days after their exposure, they can be released from the modified quarantine at that time.

• If the student receives a positive COVID-19 test result OR develops symptoms at any point within 14 days of their last exposure, they must immediately isolate and notify the Student Health Center so appropriate follow up and contact tracing can occur as needed.
  
  

Quarantine for Students Living Off Campus

Quarantine for Students Arriving from International Locations

Learn more about quarantine for international students under the International Student Guidance section of this plan.

Quarantine for Staff and Faculty

The University will require staff and faculty to adhere to LACDPH quarantine and isolation mandates but will not dictate location. Individuals should quarantine at their primary residence or an off-campus location of their choosing. On-campus options outside of one's primary residence will not be available.

For questions, please contact the COVID-19 Information Line at covid19info@pepperdine.edu or 310.506.8111.

Face Coverings/Social Distancing Policies

Face Coverings

A cloth face covering is a material that covers the nose and mouth. Keeping both the nose and mouth covered is important, and coverings can be secured to the head with ties or straps or simply wrapped around the lower face.

University Policy

Pepperdine’s face covering policy aligns with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the California Department of Public Health, Cal/OSHA, and the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health as of August 23, 2021. 

• Face coverings are not required outdoors.
• Face coverings are required for everyone regardless of COVID-19 vaccination status, in the following settings at Pepperdine’s Malibu, Calabasas, Encino, Irvine, and West Los Angeles campuses::
  
  
  • On public transit (University shuttles, buses, vans, ride shares)
  • In compliance with the Day Camp Protocols
  • Healthcare settings
  • Emergency shelters
  • Indoor public settings, including
    
    
    • Residence Halls. Individuals sharing suites or apartments may be considered a household and are not required to wear face coverings while in their "home" area unless visitors are present, but should wear face coverings when exiting their suite/apartment in public areas of the resident halls.
    • Classes. Face coverings are required for all individuals, regardless of vaccination status.
    • Dining Halls. Face coverings are required for all individuals until seated and unless eating or drinking.
    • Workplaces. Face coverings are required for all individuals regardless of vaccination status, unless alone in an office.

Social Distancing

University Policy

Social distancing is no longer required on Pepperdine campuses in Southern California, except in limited workplace settings in compliance with Cal/OSHA COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standards. Social distancing may be required at Pepperdine international campuses in compliance with local regulations.

For questions, please contact the COVID-19 Information Line at covid19info@pepperdine.edu or 310.506.8111.

Enforcement of All Policies

Pepperdine will inform all members of the community about the University's COVID-19 policies. This will happen through various communication channels. Adherence to COVID-19 related policies is a personal demonstration of individual commitment to the health and safety of Pepperdine and our surrounding community. Each member of the community will be expected to comply with University policies, cooperate with University directives, and abide by local health guidance when off-campus.

The University expects community members to comply with these important health and safety provisions and will enforce compliance in a manner similar to that of other University policies. Please direct concerns of noncompliance to the Office of Community Standards for students, the Office of the Provost for faculty, and Human Resources for staff members.