Test:
COVID-19 Community Response Plan

Subplans

• Testing
• Daily Wellness Check

Testing

Consistent with current best practices, Pepperdine has implemented a comprehensive, multi-layered testing strategy. The University has an ample supply of testing kits, established relationships for lab processing, and additional medical and support staff. 

Entry Screening Testing

As a precautionary measure and screening tool for the start of the fall 2022 semester, 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) within 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 Entry Test 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, all students, faculty, and staff accessing a University campus or facility will have optional screening testing available. Certain groups within the University community may have required 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 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

Members of the Pepperdine University community should not come to campus or leave their on-campus residence if 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.