Pacific Requires Masks in Indoor Public Areas

Starting immediately, Pacific University will require mask use in public indoor areas on its campuses.

The university’s COVID-19 task force continues to meet weekly to assess emerging information about COVID-19 and, most recently, its delta variant. Campus protocols are reviewed and updated regularly based on the best scientific and public health information available. 

Masks will be required indoors across Pacific’s campuses, except in private office or lab spaces, residence hall rooms, or while eating or drinking. Instructors may remove masks when teaching from at least a six-foot distance from their audience or from behind a barrier. Exceptions to mask rules also may be requested for specific classroom activities, such as dental hygiene clinical skills practice or musical instrument rehearsals.

In the Forest Grove Campus fitness center, masks are recommended for everyone and are required for anyone who is unvaccinated.

Upload Your Vaccination Information

COVID-19 vaccination is required for all Pacific University students and employees. Limited exemptions are available. Employees should have uploaded their vaccination documentation or approved exemption documentation by Aug. 1. If you have not done so, please upload to Paycom immediately.

Students are required to upload their documentation prior to starting classes for the fall term.

  • Graduate and professional students, follow your program’s directions for submitting documentation via Certiphy.
  • Forest Grove undergraduates, upload your documentation here.

Testing Requirements

Students and employees who are exempted from COVID-19 vaccine requirements will need to be tested weekly at the university health center. Appointments will be available at noon and at 3 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays in Hillsboro and at noon and 3 p.m. Mondays and Fridays in Forest Grove starting next week. Sign-ups will be available on the health center's webpage later this week.

Students and employees with a known exposure to COVID-19 — but without symptoms — can also get tested through the university health center. 

Students experiencing COVID-19 symptoms can contact the health center to arrange a test (please do not walk in if you are ill). Employees who are experiencing symptoms should contact their primary healthcare provider.

What We Know About The Delta Variant

  • When viruses are able to spread, they are able to mutate. The delta variant is the latest variant of the virus that causes COVID-19.
  • The delta variant is up to twice as contagious as the original COVID-19 virus and may cause more severe illness, particularly in those who are unvaccinated.
  • Vaccination does offer protection against the delta variant. Those who are vaccinated are less likely to contract the virus and, if they are infected, are less likely to experience severe illness or death.
  • Vaccinated individuals can spread the delta variant. However, they may be contagious for a shorter period of time.
  • Masks are an important part of the comprehensive prevention strategy to reduce spread — and future mutation — of the COVID-19 virus.
  • The best way to protect yourself and others, and to mitigate future mutation of the virus, is through widespread vaccination. 
Monday, Aug. 9, 2021