COVID-19 update: Responding to the Omicron variant

Dec 23, 2021

Dear Pacific students and employees,

As you have seen in the news, COVID-19 rates are increasing around the country as the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant spreads. Learn more about the Omicron variant at the CDC’s website. We are closely monitoring the evolving situation and are actively preparing for a safe beginning to the Spring Semester and Winter Quarter. We know a lot more than we did a year ago about how to minimize risk and given what we know right now, we write to provide you with critical information:Please take note of the following before and upon your return from winter break:

  • Consistent with our vaccination policy, Pacific is requiring the vaccine booster for all who are eligible. If you wish to get the booster during winter break, there are hundreds of locations that provide free booster shots. Find your nearest location. Additionally, in January, Pacific will offer a new round of vaccination clinics; more information to come.
  • All students, faculty and staff will be required to test on their first day back to campus. We are working on how best to operationalize this requirement and will share details based on specific program and campus operations before January 4.
  • Wearing masks indoors will continue to be required and we are re-evaluating our weekly testing requirements. As things progress, we will communicate further.
  • At this time, we have no plans to switch to remote learning. But we will continue to closely monitor COVID-19 and adjust our plans as needed to ensure the health and safety of our community and to provide our high-quality educational experience.

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation as we plan for a safe start to 2022. Thank you for your commitment to keeping our Pacific community healthy as we continue to navigate this pandemic and the many challenges it poses for all of us.

If you have further questions, please email Pacific’s COVID-19 Council at COVID-19_information@pacific.edu.

Sincerely,Maria Pallavicini Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs COVID-19 Council Co-chairMaria Blandizzi Vice President for Student Life COVID-19 Council Co-chair