Dear Pacific employees,

While COVID-19 has brought on unprecedented challenges, it has also provided opportunities for re-emphasizing our ongoing commitment to collegiality and civility. As we continue to phase into in-person teaching and services, here is key information about COVID-19 and daily university activities:

• Pacific remains diligent and committed to compliance with FERPA and HIPAA regulations, both of which allow employee and student vaccination status to be shared on a need-to-know basis. Those considered need-to-know may include:
  • faculty instructors for whom students are enrolled in their courses;
  • Human Resources staff;
  • supervisors who oversee faculty, staff, student workers, vendors/third-party contractors, etc.;
  • academic/success advisors who provide direct services to students;
  • Student Health Center staff;
  • resident assistants (for students in residential housing);
  • Athletics staff for student-athletes; and
  • other relevant offices/individuals.
• Supervisors/faculty and others need to know the vaccination status of individuals they supervise or teach to ensure compliance with university policy and Cal/OSHA requirements regarding masking and other precautions required of unvaccinated/partially vaccinated individuals. Supervisors and others with a need to know will receive a list of vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals in their scope of responsibility. Faculty will receive a list of students in their classes who are vaccinated or unvaccinated.
  • Need-to-know individuals may not re-disclose or share vaccination status information.  
  • If any person’s unvaccinated/partially vaccinated status or related accommodations must be discussed, every reasonable effort must be made to ensure privacy.
  • Need-to-know individuals are not allowed to ask why an individual is unvaccinated.
• Supervisors or others who observe employees who are not compliant with the COVID-19 Health and Safety Plan should contact Human Resources. Faculty who observe students who are not compliant with the COVID-19 Health and Safety Plan should contact the Dean of Students who will then notify the appropriate individual(s).
• Masks are not currently required indoors on Stockton campuses for fully vaccinated individuals, except in some clinical settings (e.g. Student Health Center).
• Sacramento campus mask guidelines were updated July 15, per Sacramento County Department of Public Health. San Francisco campus guidelines were updated July 19, per San Francisco County Department of Public Health. Masks are currently required indoors in Sacramento and San Francisco campuses.
• Masks are not required outdoors on any Pacific campus, but individuals may choose to wear one.
• Masks are required indoors for unvaccinated or partially vaccinated individuals unless in a room alone or eating while socially distanced. Guidelines for masks are included in the university Health and Safety Plan.
• Fully vaccinated individuals may choose to wear a mask even if it is not required. No member of the campus community may inquire why another individual wears a mask.
• Human Resources in Stockton, Sacramento and San Francisco remain available to answer any questions or provide support to staff and faculty. During this time, we ask that all employees be diligent about following the Health and Safety Plan as a matter of safety and compliance. Employees should report any concerns or compliance infractions to Human Resources, which may result in progressive discipline outlined in our Disciplinary Action Policy for Compliance Misconduct.

Thank you for your continued service and commitment to our university. As additional health and safety updates are available, the university COVID-19 Council will provide thoughtful review and continued guidance to all Pacificans.

Sincerely,

Christopher Callahan
President

Maria Pallavicini
Provost and COVID-19 Council Chair