For Graduate & Degree Completion Students

Here at PLNU, we place topmost importance on ensuring that our community of students, faculty, and staff are together and safe. We have developed a long history of exemplary care and successful strategic planning around COVID safety practices that are in accordance with state and county guidelines.

What to Expect

(Last Update: March 21, 2023)

Testing

Prior to beginning classes, we strongly encourage you to take a PCR test. Cases are on the rise, and we want to protect the campus community as much as we can to ensure a smooth start to the semester. It’s also important for us to know if you had Covid-19 in the last 90 days so we don’t unnecessarily isolate you if you become exposed this fall.

• If you are symptomatic or test positive immediately prior to return, please notify the Wellness Center. On campus medical care is available Monday through Friday by contacting covid19wellness@pointloma.edu or (619) 849-2574.

Based on the current status of the pandemic, we are now planning to transition to a more targeted Covid-19 testing program that focuses on those who are experiencing symptoms, concerned about possible exposure or returning to campus from travel. The PLNU Wellness Center will continue to test and provide care for symptomatic students, staff and faculty. 

The regional testing locations at our Mission Valley, Balboa, and Liberty Station campuses have been removed. Testing resources in San Diego can be accessed HERE. We are also happy to serve you at our main campus. See below for hours and location.

Vaccination

• We do not require the Covid-19 vaccine, however, we highly encourage you to make choices in partnership with your healthcare provider to protect yourself and others.
• The CDC has indicated that vaccination and boosters dramatically lower the risk of severe disease or death from Covid-19.
• Vaccinations/Boosters in San Diego and California can be made by scheduling an appointment. 
• PLNU will host vaccination clinics as soon as boosters become available. Please look for additional updates from the Wellness Center.

Masking

Based on the current surge occurring in the San Diego region, we strongly encourage masking on our PLNU Graduate Campuses. Given the cohort nature of many graduate and ADC programs, we know you will make the best choices to support your peers and colleagues within your community.

PLNU will continue to support and encourage campus community members to wear masks when they feel ill or exhibit any symptoms of a respiratory infection. 

The university ventilation system that was upgraded to MERV-13 filtration or better during the pandemic has also been serviced prior to the start of classes.

Our affiliate Community College campuses may have specific requirements that are different from ours and must be followed as such. 

As of August 11th, all Community College campuses are requiring individuals to mask while indoors on their respective campuses. As requirements change, you can keep up to date with each specific campus through the following links:

• Grossmont & Cuyamaca
• MiraCosta College
• San Diego Community Colleges
• Southwestern College

Isolation

As a reminder, all members of the PLNU community will be required to report to the Wellness Center or Human Resources if they test positive for Covid-19. Any student/staff member who tests positive for Covid-19 will be required to follow CDPH isolation guidance.

Mitigation & Risk Reduction

In the event that we experience a significant resurgence of Covid-19 infections in San Diego County or within our community, we may implement the following health and safety measures: 

• Require face coverings in classes, labs, libraries and chapel
• Require testing for all students, faculty and staff
• Recommend scheduled indoor events to move outdoors

While we hope that we are moving to a more endemic season of Covid-19, we are prepared to reinstate our demonstrated mitigation efforts to keep our campus communities safe and healthy. We will continue to update our Covid-19 webpage and send out community updates as needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to frequently asked questions about PLNU operations for Graduate and Degree Completion students. These FAQs will be updated as new information becomes available. (Last update: August 15, 2022)