Limited Fall Access FAQs

Health and Safety

All employees, students, and visitors have a responsibility to protect themselves as well as other members of the Pacifica community. If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or if you have been in contact with a person with a confirmed or suspected diagnosis of COVID-19 in the past 10 days, it is critical that you do not come to campus. If you are fully vaccinated and exposed to someone with COVID-19 and you have been on campus, you should report the possible exposure on your portal or by emailing Safety@pacifica.edu.

FAQs

How do I reserve my slot to come to campus?

Students can reserve a day/time slot here: https://pgi-campus-safety.youcanbook.me/.  Once the request form has been submitted, a confirmation email will be sent, along with details for checking-in via OptimumHQ (see below). Proof of vaccination is required via OptimumHQ in order to be approved to come to campus. A maximum of 10 students per campus, per day will be approved.

What days/hours is the campus accessible?

• Both the Lambert and Ladera campuses may only be visited after receiving approval, no walk-ins will be allowed.
• The Ladera campus will be available to access on Mondays and Wednesdays from 10am-2pm.
• The Lambert campus will be available to access on Tuesdays and Thursdays 10am-2pm. 

Where can I go while on campus? 

Students may access the Administration and Library buildings at their respectively approved campus depending on the day. 

Only approved students may utilize outside space and walk the grounds on their reserved day. While there will not be any formal, organized program activities, any meetings or small gatherings are encouraged to take place outdoors while adhering to Pacifica’s required guidelines found in the Face Covering Mandate and Pacifica’s CPP. 

What services are offered on campus? 

In-person library services will be offered during accessible hours. Students may access classrooms in the Administration building and computer resource rooms. No other services will be offered, such as organized class/program activities, shuttles, food, or housing.  

Students may meet in person with staff, if arranged in advance. To ensure availability, students should contact the faculty or staff member prior and arrange a date, then the student should schedule a slot on the Pacifica website (see reservation information above). Employees are not required to meet with students in person; such appointments are optional and only if all parties agree and arrange accordingly.  

Will there be a limit to how many students can come per day? 

Yes, a maximum of 10 students per campus/per day will be approved. Approval will be granted on a first-request, first-served basis.  

Students that have submitted a reservation request and been approved will need to check in on the morning of their approved day on their OptimumHQ portal or by scanning the QR code at the entrance of the campus. A standard COVID-19 health screening questionnaire, like those found at places of employment, will be prompted to be filled out. Upon successful completion of the survey, you will be provided with a digital badge that shows you are approved to be on campus that day. You will need to show that badge to the receptionist on arrival, and any other Pacifica employee that requests to see the verification. Students that have not completed the survey or that are not approved to be on campus will be asked to leave. 

Where can I park on my approved day? 

Due to the limited staffing and minimal persons allowed on campus, parking is available on a first-come-first-served basis. Numbered parking stalls are not reserved. Red zones and disabled parking stalls will still be enforced. 

Will COVID-19 vaccinations be required? 

To facilitate a full and safe return for winter 2022, Pacifica Graduate Institute (PGI) is implementing a COVID-19 vaccination requirement for all of its physical campuses and locations; for all students, faculty, including adjunct faculty; and all staff.  

Students wishing to visit campus during the fall limited access must submit proof of vaccination (see below) in advance of receiving approval for their campus visits. 

For students and employees who will not be accessing the campus until it’s reopened in winter, more information regarding the deadline for uploading vaccination proof, applying for exemptions, and other details around winter quarter preparations will follow in the coming weeks. 

Click to view the entire COVID-19 Vaccination policy. 

Will face coverings/masks be required? 

Face coverings are required to be worn indoors while on Pacifica’s campuses by all persons regardless of vaccination status. Face coverings and/or social distancing are encouraged, but not required for use outdoors.  

A face covering may be multilayer cloth, N95 respirator, or disposable mask that covers the mouth and nose. Face coverings are available from reception during approved time slots. 

All persons are expected at all times to follow the face covering requirements. Students, employees, and visitors who are not adhering to the face covering mandate may be asked to leave campus or be subject to disciplinary action.  

Click to view the entire Face Covering Mandate. 

Will daily health checks be required? 

Yes, everyone entering campus will need to complete a daily health screening upon arrival. This can be accessed via your OptimumHQ portal on the morning of your approved campus visit, or by scanning the QR code at the entrance of campus. Completion of the daily screening will provide you with a digital badge that must be shown upon arrival to the receptionist, and as requested by Pacifica employees.

Touch-free thermometers will be provided in the lobby of each campus for those needing a thermometer to verify their temperature.

How will Pacifica be conducting contact tracing?

Pacifica will be relying on two primary and complimentary methods:

1. We encourage everyone to join/enable the CA Notify on your phone.
   • iPhone users turn on “Exposure Notifications” in the settings app
   • Android users – download the CA Notify app
2. All campus visitors, students, and employees will be required to check in and complete a daily screening. If a positive COVID-19 case is identified, all persons that had a “close contact” or checked into the same location at similar times will be notified as required. The COVID-19 positive person’s identity and identifying factors will be kept confidential.

Will I be required to have a COVID-19 test during the Fall Limited Access?

Testing will not be required during the Fall Limited Access. If you believe you may have had contact with a COVID-19 positive individual or have signs or symptoms of COVID-19 you should not come to campus. If signs or symptoms appear recently after visiting campus you shall notify Pacifica’s Safety team by email at safety@pacifica.edu.

What if I have contact with someone that has COVID-19 or get sick myself?

Fully vaccinated individuals that are not showing any symptoms, that had close contact with a COVID-19 positive person, should contact Safety@pacifica.edu prior to coming to campus if contact was within the last 10 days.

What is the definition of close contact?

Anyone who was within six feet of an infected person for at least 15 minutes starting from 48 hours before the person began feeling sick or received a positive COVID-19 test until the time the patient was isolated.

What is the definition of fully vaccinated?

14 days following either the second dose in a two-dose COVID-19 vaccine series or 14 days following a single-dose COVID-19 vaccine.

What are COVID-19 symptoms?

Symptoms can include a fever of 100.4 or higher, chills, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, or diarrhea.

Is there a cost associated with coming to campus during the Limited Campus Access?

No, there is no charge or fee for these visits.

What has been implemented to reduce the risk of COVID-19 spread on campus?

• HEPA Air Filters have been placed in rooms and common areas.
• Weather permitting, doors and windows are opened daily to provide maximum ventilation inside of buildings.
• Masks are provided and required while indoors.
• Signage guiding effective hand washing and 30 second timers have been placed at each sink.
• 42 wall mounted touch-free hand sanitizer dispensers and 10 temporary dispensers have been placed throughout campus.
• Housekeeping is scheduled during campus access hours and routinely cleans high traffic areas and surfaces such as door handles, restrooms, reception, Library, and Computer Lounge.
• Cleaning wipes have been placed in classrooms, library, and the computer lounge for users to wipe down surfaces before and after use.
• Limited campus access restricts the number of people on campus to a minimum.

Pacifica reserves the right to modify its policies and procedures as needed to meet the federal, state, and local legal requirements, as well as public health and safety protection measures.