Pacific Classes, Services Adjust for Oregon 'Freeze'

On Friday, Oregon’s governor announced a “freeze” on gatherings and extended restrictions due to a rise in COVID-19 cases.

In response to the new restrictions, as well as a rise in our own positive cases, Pacific will begin making adjustments to classes and services, particularly for undergraduates on the Forest Grove Campus.

All in-person social activities will be canceled. The Stoller Center will close starting Saturday. The University Center will be closed starting Wednesday, Nov. 18, with meal service by takeout only. The 24-hour study area in the Tran Library will remain open with BoxerCard access, but all other library services will be provided remotely.

Forest Grove undergraduate classes will move entirely online no later than Wednesday, and some may move to remote learning earlier. These classes were already scheduled to be online from Thanksgiving through the end of the fall semester.

Graduate and professional classes will continue as scheduled; please check with your program with any questions. Students, as well as faculty and staff, who have in-person clinics, labs or other essential instructional activities after Thanksgiving are strongly advised not to travel for the holiday.

Residence halls will remain open as scheduled through Nov. 25, with finals and holiday housing available to those who have applied. Students who choose to leave campus early are encouraged to do so. However, please take proper precautions to protect your families and communities if you do leave. Oregon’s recommendations strongly encourage that students who return home plan to quarantine — even from family — for 14 days after returning home. Any student who is currently in quarantine or isolation should speak with their Monitoring & Support Team contact before making travel plans.

Families of undergraduate students are invited to our Boxer Family Town Hall on Sunday at 4 p.m. PST. Join us online via Zoom to learn more about the updated restrictions on campus, the long winter break, and plans for spring. Login details were sent to families via email. 

As COVID-19 cases — and other winter illnesses — increase in Oregon and around the country, it is essential that we all take precautions to protect ourselves and each other and to avoid overloads of the healthcare system.

Though the “freeze” officially goes into effect on Wednesday, individuals should begin following the guidelines as soon as possible. This includes limiting your interactions to your household only (for residential students, this means your roommate(s) only). Statewide restrictions also will close in-person dining, gyms and fitness centers, limit capacity in retail spaces, and limit social gatherings.

We again thank you for your flexibility and resilience throughout this difficult time. We recognize how hard this situation is, and we continue to appreciate the dedication and care that our Boxer students, faculty and staff have shown for one another and for our communities this year.