Pacific University is committed to the wellbeing of our students and employees, as well as our community at large. We are dedicated to ensuring the continued educational progress and success of our students while also doing our part to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.

We are working closely with public health agencies, as well as our academic governing bodies, to move toward a safe reopening of our campuses.

In the meantime, our academic programs are moving forward. We will continue to provide our rigorous, personally meaningful academic programs in the arts & sciences, business, education, health professions, and optometry, making adjustments to maintain the health of our students, employees and communities.

Response Teams

University leadership, faculty and staff are working diligently on comprehensive plans through a wide variety of task forces and planning groups.

Pacific University COVID-19 Response Matrix

Guiding Principles

In all we do, we are guided by the following principles:

• Follow the guidance of the Oregon Health Authority, Higher Education Coordinating Commission and U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention for conduct of in-person instruction, residential and research activities.
• Reduce potential exposure to the novel coronavirus and other respiratory pathogens through:
  • Physical distancing
  • Hand hygiene
  • Cohort activities
  • Protective equipment
  • Environmental cleaning and disinfection
  • Isolation or quarantine or sick or exposed individuals as needed
  • Recognizing outdoor activities are safer than indoor activities
• Adjust delivery of academic content as appropriate for each program within a school or college.
• Apply an equity lens to ensure success for all constituents.
• With empathy, compassion and an eye toward successful outcomes, utilize available options to provide a flexible working and learning environment.

Inclusion & Respect

Pacific University is an welcoming community committed to fostering diversity, equity and inclusion. We embrace facts and reject stigma and discrimination. It is important to know that:

• COVID-19 does not discriminate based on race, nationality or ethnicity — and neither does Pacific.
• Wearing a mask does not mean a person is ill.
• You can interrupt stigma by sharing accurate information.
• Speak up if you hear, see or read misinformation or witness or experience harassment or discrimination.
• As always, you may report concerns of discrimination to the Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at 503-352-1457, nrodrigu@pacificu.edu or online.