Test:
COVID-19 Community Response Plan

Subplans

• Testing
• Daily Wellness Check

Testing

Consistent with current best practices and consistent with Los Angeles County Department of Public Health guidance for institutes of higher education, Pepperdine has implemented a comprehensive, multi-layered testing strategy. The University has an ample supply of testing kits, on-site processing equipment, established relationships for off-site lab processing, and additional medical and support staff.  The University is well-prepared for all needed testing during this academic year.

Entry Screening Testing

As a precautionary measure and screening tool for the start of the semester in compliance with Los Angeles County Department of Public Health guidance, Pepperdine requires all students accessing a Pepperdine campus or facility, regardless of vaccination status, including those students arriving from international locations, to obtain a diagnostic test for COVID-19 no more than 72 hours before arrival at one of Pepperdine's campuses or facilities. This is a one-time test required prior to arrival on campus.

Before coming to campus, all students referenced above must do the following:

• Take a COVID-19 test (either a rapid/antigen test or a PCR test) no earlier than 72 hours before arriving on campus. If you are unsure of how to get a COVID-19 test, visit your state, tribal, local, or territorial health department's website to look for the latest local information on testing or contact your healthcare provider.
• Enter your test results into the appropriate reporting form before arriving on campus. 

Students who test negative for COVID-19 are cleared to arrive on campus. 

Students who test positive for COVID-19 must:

• Not come to campus
• Complete the University's START Form to alert Pepperdine officials to your case
• Follow instructions from their medical provider
• Complete their isolation period before coming to campus
  
  

Routine Screening Testing

Screening testing refers to the periodic testing of individuals, regardless of whether they exhibit symptoms of COVID-19. Because people with COVID-19 can show no symptoms at all (asymptomatic), screening testing helps proactively identify COVID-19 cases and reduce further transmission in the community. Screening testing will be provided at no cost to the community.

To prioritize health and safety and in accordance with Los Angeles County Department of Public Health guidance, all students, faculty, and staff accessing a University campus or facility have the option to participate in screening testing. The frequency of testing is subject to change and will be determined by an ongoing analysis, considering such factors as, public health orders and guidance, the number of people on campus, the presence of COVID-19 cases on campus, the level of COVID-19 transmission in the local community, and the percentage of Pepperdine community members who are vaccinated. Certain groups within the University community will continue weekly testing in accordance with guidance from outside agencies, and further details will be communicated to these groups directly. 

Screening testing at the University is simple and quick, and community members do not need to quarantine while they wait for test results. Community members will do the following:

• Use a web-based software platform to schedule testing
• Once a week, go to an on-campus testing site
• Use a nasal swab or saliva tube to submit a sample
• Receive their test results by email and/or text

Screening Test Site Hours of Operation

The campus testing sites are only used for screening testing. If you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, please DO NOT visit the campus routine screening testing sites to test for COVID-19. Instead, follow specific instructions for Diagnostic Testing below. 

Diagnostic Testing

Diagnostic testing is intended to identify current infection in individuals and is performed when a person has symptoms consistent with COVID-19.

If you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, please DO NOT visit the campus routine screening testing sites to test for COVID-19.

If you have COVID-19 symptoms:

• Do not go to campus or to class. 
• Remain in your residence.
• Contact the appropriate healthcare provider. 
  
  
  • Students: Get tested for COVID-19 and seek medical attention as appropriate from your doctor. Note the Student Health Center is available to see students Monday through Friday during business hours. 
  • Faculty/Staff: Contact your healthcare provider and follow their instructions, which may include diagnostic testing and quarantine/isolation. 
  • If you test positive for COVID-19 at a testing location other than Pepperdine’s on-campus weekly screening testing sites or the Student Health Center, please complete the University's START Form to alert Pepperdine officials to your case.
    
    

Compliance

We are confident community members will comply with these important health and safety provisions. In the unlikely event of non-compliance, these matters will be directed to the Office of Community Standards for students, the Office of the Provost for faculty, or Human Resources for staff members. Consequences will be aligned with other failures to comply with University policy.

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

Daily Wellness Check

Every member of the Pepperdine University community will be required to complete a COVID-19 daily wellness check before arriving on campus each day. The daily check is sent to all Pepperdine community members via email and asks all individuals to check their health and confirm they:

1. Have not tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 10 days.
2. Are not currently in quarantine or isolation.
3. Are not experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19 including cough, congestion, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, fever, chills, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle aches not related to physical activity, and/or the sudden loss of taste or smell.

Once each of these statements is confirmed, nothing further is needed and the community member may come to campus. 

Do not come to campus or leave your on-campus residence if you are experiencing symptoms consistent with COVID-19. Please get tested for COVID-19 and seek medical attention as appropriate from your doctor. The Student Health Center is available to see students Monday through Friday during business hours. If you test positive for COVID-19 at a testing location other than Pepperdine's on-campus testing sites or the Student Health Center, please complete the University's START Form to alert Pepperdine officials to your case. Once your form is completed, University contact tracers will follow up regarding your specific circumstances. Employees should notify their supervisor as well.

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