Pacific University COVID-19 Response

Pacific University continues to monitor conditions around COVID-19 in our communities and region, as we shift from an emergency response to ongoing communicable disease management.

As we have throughout the pandemic, Pacific continues to follow the scientific expertise and guidance of public health organizations, including the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention and the Oregon Health Authority, in establishing protocols to manage COVID-19.

Vaccine Requirements | Masking | Testing & Care | Travel Guidance | Preparing for the Future 

COVID-19 Vaccine Requirements Lifted in Most Cases

Except in programs or settings where vaccination requirements apply, Pacific University students and employees will no longer be required to receive COVID-19 vaccinations or boosters to attend school or work.

We continue to strongly encourage members of our community to stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations in accordance with CDC guidelines regarding those vaccines for which they are eligible. If you would like to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, please contact your medical provider or your local pharmacy.  

There are a few exceptions: 

• International study abroad participants will continue to be required to be up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations according to their vaccine eligibility, except when they have an approved religious or medical exemption.  
• COVID-19 and other vaccines may be required for anyone participating in clinical rotations or internships within healthcare settings, K-12 schools, or other community businesses or organizations. Please refer to your specific program or site requirements for more information.

All guests on Pacific campuses, as well as at university-sponsored events off campus, are encouraged to be up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations, according to their vaccine eligibility, but will no longer be required to be vaccinated nor will they be required to provide a negative test. 

Masking

Members of the Pacific community are expected to follow all local regulations regarding face masks. In accordance with public health guidance, masks remain required in healthcare facilities, including Pacific’s public clinics, the Student & Employee Health Center, Student Counseling Center, and Athletic Training Room. Masks may also be required in some class and lab settings where students practice healthcare services.

Pacific’s Eugene Campus is located on the grounds of Lane Community College. All students, employees and visitors to the Eugene Campus must follow the protocols of LCC.

The Oregon Health Authority and U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention also recommend masking and other precautions based on COVID-19 Community Levels. Look up COVID-19 Community Levels and current recommendations by state and county.

If you are experiencing symptoms of an airborne illness (COVID-19, flu, etc.) and are unable to stay home, we urge mask use to protect the community.

Pacific University respects the choices of individuals who choose to wear a face mask to protect themselves or their community.

Testing & Care

Symptom Monitoring

Datos, Pacific’s symptom monitoring system, remains available for all employees but is not required for daily symptom monitoring. Employees may use Datos to report an illness and receive specific instructions for when to stay home or return to work. Employees also may contact the Student & Employee Health Center or their primary care provider for guidance.

Students who are experiencing symptoms also are encouraged to contact the Student & Employee Health Center for care. Some graduate and professional academic programs may instead continue to require Datos use for students to report illnesses. Please check with your individual program for expectations. The Symptom & Exposure Reporting Form is no longer required for undergraduate students.

You also may choose to continue to monitor your health with symptom trackers like the CDC Coronavirus Self-Checker.

Individuals with approved vaccine exemptions are no longer required to test weekly for COVID-19.

Exposure

Individuals who may have been exposed to COVID-19 are encouraged to wear a mask in public and test for COVID-19 five or more days following exposure, but are not required to quarantine. Individuals who test positive following an exposure, whether symptomatic or not, may consult CDC guidelines about isolation and other preventive measures or seek guidance from the Student & Employee Health Center, Datos or their primary care provider.

As roommates are considered a "household," exposure and/or a positive COVID-19 test do not automatically require students to move into isolation housing. Isolation rooms will remain available in limited circumstances as needed for communicable diseases in general. Learn more about residence hall protocols, what to do if you or your roommate tests positive, and how to request temporary rooms.

Illness

If you are feeling ill, please try to stay home. If you are experiencing symptoms of an airborne illness (COVID-19, flu, etc.) and are unable to stay home, strongly consider wearing a face mask.

Contact the Student & Employee Health Center or your primary care provider to determine what testing might be appropriate based on your circumstances. The Student & Employee Health Center offers evaluation of acute illnesses, including COVID-19, flu and other upper respiratory infections.

At-Home COVID-19 Tests

The at-home, over the counter diagnostic tests are available for free from the Business Continuity/Emergency Management office, while supplies last.  Please note that these tests are printed with an expiration date of 12/19/2022 but those dates have been extended to September 2023 by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA).  

If you have tests that are showing recent expiration dates you can look-up the brand and determine if an extension has been granted by the FDA from their General Information page.

Travel Guidance

COVID-19 may continue to impact international travel, based on guidelines nationally and internationally. The university assesses State Department Travel Advisories for all university-sponsored international programs. Travel is typically prohibited to locations under a Level 4 Travel Advisory and are assessed on a case-by-case basis for Level 3 Advisories. If a location is under a Level 4 Travel Advisory solely due to COVID-19, travel will be allowed, but students will be required to sign a waiver. Students and employees traveling abroad must fulfill all other requirements set by the destination location for entry and must agree to follow all public health precautions established in their destination.

Preparing for the Future

The Pacific University COVID-19 Response Task Force continues to meet periodically to review conditions and protocols. The university is also using our experiences over the past two years to review and update our overarching emergency and continuity plans within the emergency management framework.