Forest Grove Undergraduate Programs Extend Spring Break

Most of Pacific University’s residential undergraduate programs in Forest Grove will extend their spring break to begin Monday in order to allow implementation of the transition to online coursework announced Friday morning.

Classes for Forest Grove Campus undergraduate programs in the colleges of Arts & Sciences, Business, and Education will be canceled March 16-31. (These classes already were on spring break March 23-27.)

Classes will resume online only on April 1 and will continue online through the rest of the term.

Pacific welcomes students to stay in their campus housing during the extended spring break and through the remainder of their housing contract. Or, they may also choose to return home and continue their coursework online, as announced Friday morning.

The Housing Office will begin a survey of students to determine each person’s plans.

This schedule change is not a reflection of any increased risk of exposure to the coronavirus at Pacific. It is solely to allow faculty and programs the time to make the transition to online course delivery that will allow us to continue providing a high-quality and meaningful education for students.

Graduate & Professional Program Schedules Will Vary

Many of Pacific’s graduate and professional courses already are prepared to transition to online delivery. Some graduate and professional programs will begin offering courses online as early as Monday, March 16. Others will follow the undergraduate programs with an extended break to prepare for the transition. 

Unlike the undergraduate programs, graduate and professional programs may not be 100% online. Some clinics and labs will continue in-person to make sure that students are able to graduate on time.

In the College of Health Professions:

• The School of Graduate Psychology will cancel classes March 16-29. Classes resume March 30.
• The School of Occupational Therapy will cancel classes March 16-31. Classes resume April 1.
• All other CHP schools will continue classes as scheduled as they transition to online course delivery.

In the College of Optometry, extern sites will continue as normal. All lectures, labs and internal patient care will be suspended starting March 16, while faculty and staff transition to online lecture delivery. March 23-27 is spring break for the College of Optometry. Classes resume March 30 with more online delivery. 

Students are advised to contact their program for additional details.

Pacific Offers Flexibility for Employees, Student Workers

Our faculty and staff are central to our students’ experience at Pacific, and we are committed to keeping our campuses open and services available. However, we also recognize the importance of social distancing in slowing the spread of the coronavirus. And, we know that personal or family illness, as well as childcare responsibilities due to the temporary closure of K-12 schools, puts increased stress on our employees.

We remind all employees that they are accountable for their work responsibilities. But, if those responsibilities can be accomplished remotely, we encourage employees and their supervisors to consider alternative arrangements as needed.

Students also are an important part of our operations, and we know that many depend on their campus jobs financially. Students are allowed to keep working, but we also encourage student supervisors to consider projects that students can complete remotely. Regardless, student workers will continue to be paid their average wages through the end of the term, even if they are unable to work.

Frequently Asked Questions

This situation is changing rapidly, and Pacific is adjusting its model to continue providing the best experience possible for students while also taking care of community health. We appreciate your patience as we work through the myriad details that come with that transition.

The best place to find up-to-date information is online at pacificu.edu/coronavirus.

In the meantime, a few other new details to answer frequent questions:

• Students with Pacific Source Student Health Insurance remain covered, even if they choose to go home. The insurance is good through the term of the contract and coverage extends to all 50 states.
• Students who rent books from the University Bookstore may take them home if they choose to leave campus. Students can print a prepaid shipping label from the bookstore’s webpage and send the book back at the end of the term.
• Because residence halls and dining options remain open and available to students, refunds will not be issued.
• We are aware that there are many questions about Commencement and end-of-term celebrations. No decisions have been made at this time, though we hope to have sufficient information soon.