Frequently Asked Questions

Fall 2022 Welcome Week will take place on Friday and Saturday, August 26 and 27. New students, which include any incoming freshman and transfer students will be able to move into their residence halls on Friday, August 26, between 12-6 p.m.

Prior to arriving on campus, 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 students to inform PLNU's Wellness Center if they've had COVID-19 in the last 90 days so you're not unnecessarily isolated if you become exposed this fall.

Lastly, we'll be instituting an adapted mask policy for Welcome Week and the first two weeks of the semester. This policy will require face coverings for all individuals indoors in large community settings including classrooms, chapel, and shared spaces where larger groups gather. This policy will apply to all students and their guests on campus for Welcome Week.

For more information on Welcome Week click here.

No COVID-19 testing is required prior to Fall 2022 Welcome Week and move-in. However, we strongly encourage you to take a PCR test prior to arriving on campus. 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.

For students wishing to update their COVID-19 vaccination status, please provide documentation to the Point n Click app.

New students, which include any incoming freshman and transfer students will be able to move into their residence halls on Friday, August 26, between 12-6 p.m.

Parents/guests are invited to assist with move-in, however, we ask that students and their guests follow our Welcome Week masking policy to help keep our community safe during this event. 

Our adapted Welcome Week masking policy will require face coverings for all individuals indoors in large community settings including classrooms, chapel, and shared spaces where larger groups gather. This policy will apply to all students and their guests on campus for Welcome Week.

No COVID-19 testing is required prior to Fall 2022 Welcome Week and move-in. However, we strongly encourage you to take a PCR test prior to arriving on campus. 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.

For students wishing to update their COVID-19 vaccination status, please provide documentation to the Point n Click app.

Students who live within driving distance of campus will have the option to return home or isolate in place with masking and appropriate mitigation measures to keep their roommates safe.

Students can request an exemption via the Dean of Students if they have health concerns for members of their household or are unable to safely isolate at home. In the event that an infected person has a roommate who's considered high risk by CDC guidelines, and reasonable effort to return home is not possible or safe, isolation housing will be provided.

An individual is placed in modified quarantined when:

1. They exhibit symptoms of COVID-19. 

• The individual will be tested for COVID-19 by the Wellness Center as soon as possible.
• They may be released from modified quarantine by the Wellness Center when they have a negative test and have had no fever and improving symptoms for 24 hours.

2. They've been in close contact with a person who tested positive for COVID-19. 

• The individual will be tested for COVID-19 via antigen testing by the Wellness Center on day five from last known exposure.
• The individual will remain in a modified quarantine for at least five days from their exposure date. 
• Modified quarantine permits the individual to safely engage in activities while masked and appropriately distanced. Any unmasked activity must be completed independently.
  • Modified quarantine means you're allowed to leave your room, attend in-person classes, and go around campus with your mask on at all times. You are to use the bathroom separately from others and are to eat alone. We advise that you do not spend more than 15 minutes with others in enclosed spaces (for example, cars, dorm rooms, and study rooms).
• The individual is advised to closely monitor any development of COVID-19 symptoms during the modified quarantine period. 
• Symptoms could develop at any point during the modified quarantine period. If this occurs, the student will be tested, and if they are positive at any point, a new isolation period will start with a new isolation timeline.
• Exempt Students/Employees: Anyone who has had close contact with someone with COVID-19 and meets the following criteria does NOT need to stay home or be in a modified quarantine. Individuals will be advised to continue monitoring for symptoms closely over a 10-day period.

  • Has documented COVID-19 illness within the previous three months (90 days) and

  • Has recovered and

  • Remains without COVID-19 symptoms including cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, fever, etc.)

An individual is placed in isolation when they test positive for COVID-19.

• Individuals will remain in isolation for a minimum of five days from their positive test date or symptom onset.
• They must be fever-free with improving symptoms for at least 24 hours. A negative antigen test is no longer required prior to being removed from isolation.
• Individuals who are released from isolation on day five are advised to modify quarantine for the next five days.

Isolation-in-place is for individual students who have tested positive for COVID-19 and need to isolate in their room according to university guidance. This change in protocol will allow the university to prioritize isolation housing for residential students most in need, such as those with medical conditions that place them at higher risk from COVID-19; those who experience more serious presentations of COVID-19; those who cannot travel home to isolate; or those whose living arrangements may make it difficult to isolate (such as students living in doubles as opposed to suites with individual bedrooms).

The university will prioritize moving a student to university-provided isolation housing depending on a number of factors, including room configuration, how ill the student is feeling, and if the student or their roommate has any high-risk medical factors. Students who test positive for COVID-19 will discuss the options with one of our health care providers.

We are at times isolating residential students who live in shared room spaces and consider them a family unit. We know the roommate(s) of a COVID-positive individual has likely been exposed for several days prior to testing positive. We may isolate COVID-positive roommates together, noting that the CDC says, “The goal of isolation is to avoid infecting people who are not already infected. If multiple people in a household have confirmed COVID-19, it’s fine for them to isolate together.”

During a surge, our focus will be on those students who are experiencing severe symptoms and may be particularly vulnerable due to other health factors. If we are isolating in place, it means we have limited university-provided isolation housing. If you have an existing medical condition that you think puts you at risk, you should consult with the Wellness Center. 

If in isolation, you may use the common areas in your suite or in the residence halls. You'll be required to mask in the bathroom, limit unmasked bathroom time to under 15 minutes, and be respectful to use the bathroom when there are fewer people.

Individuals living in dormitories on the PLNU campus may be unmasked in residence halls regardless of vaccination status. If you test positive or are exposed to COVID-19, students are required to follow the quarantine and isolation protocols. Any student conduct violations of these protocols and guidelines may result in the loss of PLNU housing.

If a student tests positive for COVID-19, they will be required to go home if safe and possible to travel home. If they're unable to go home, they will be expected to isolate in their current room (isolation-in-place). Students will be given an N95 mask to be worn when utilizing restrooms and getting to-go meals from the cafeteria. Students can also take walks in non-populated spaces while remaining masked.

An individual is placed in isolation when they test positive for the COVID-19 virus.

• Individuals will remain in isolation for a minimum of five days from their positive test date or symptom onset.
• They must be fever free and with improving symptoms for at least 24 hours and have a negative antigen test before being removed from isolation.
• Individuals who are released from isolation on day five will then need to modify quarantine for the next five days.

You'll be provided with an N95 mask and meal tickets during your isolation period. You are required to mask and present your meal ticket at the cafeteria to pick up to-go food.

If your roommate tests positive and you've spent time in your room with that person, it's likely you've been significantly exposed to the virus. The roommate will be placed in isolation and remain in the room. You'll be placed on modified quarantine (masked and not eating with others) and asked to follow our testing plan which can be found in the "testing" area of the FAQs.

Day five from exposure. You'll be contacted by the Wellness Center to schedule a test.

Remote or hybrid classes are not provided by all instructors. Accommodations for those who are positive with COVID-19 are issued by the EAC. No accommodations are provided to healthy students.

Enhanced cleaning and sanitization procedures will continue as they have since 2020. Improved ventilation has been upgraded in most campus buildings. Masking will continue to be encouraged in high-density areas or for those who are at higher risk of complications from COVID-19. We will continue to closely monitor regional data including wastewater viral levels and community transmission and hospitalization rates and will adjust PLNU’s plans and protocols accordingly. We will also continue to encourage and provide vaccinations and boosters (as eligible) to our campus community

Please alert the Wellness Center as soon as possible. In these rare situations, PLNU staff will work to determine an isolation and quarantine plan that limits your risk. Wellness Center staff is available during business hours to provide care and inform isolation care and timelines. After-hours care is also available through Timely MD.

At this point in the pandemic, the decision to be vaccinated is left to each individual. Each case will be reviewed by our medical team to determine any increased health risks associated within our residential community.

Weekly required surveillance testing of unvaccinated students will no longer be conducted for the fall 2022 semester. Symptomatic and exposure testing will remain available through the PLNU Wellness Center. 

We will continue to monitor the local community guidelines through the fall to determine if changes in our testing approach are necessary. If so, these will be communicated to the PLNU community via the Wellness Center.

Students who live within driving distance of campus will have the option to return home or isolate in place with masking and appropriate mitigation measures to keep their roommates safe.

Students can request an exemption via the Dean of Students if they have health concerns for members of their household or are unable to safely isolate at home. In the event that an infected person has a roommate who's considered high risk by CDC guidelines, and reasonable effort to return home is not possible or safe, isolation housing will be provided.

An individual is placed in modified quarantined when:

1. They exhibit symptoms of COVID-19. 

• The individual will be tested for COVID-19 by the Wellness Center as soon as possible.
• They may be released from modified quarantine by the Wellness Center when they have a negative test and have had no fever and improving symptoms for 24 hours.

2. They've been in close contact with a person who tested positive for COVID-19. 

• The individual will be tested for COVID-19 via antigen testing by the Wellness Center on day five from last-known exposure.
• The individual will remain in a modified quarantine for at least five days from their exposure date. 
• Modified quarantine permits the individual to safely engage in activities while masked and appropriately distanced. Any unmasked activity must be completed independently.
  • Modified quarantine means you're allowed to leave your room, attend in-person classes, and go around campus with your mask on at all times. You are to use the bathroom separately from others and are to eat alone. We advise that you do not spend more than 15 minutes with others in enclosed spaces (for example, cars, dorm rooms, and study rooms.)
• The individual is advised to closely monitor any development of COVID-19 symptoms during the modified quarantine period. 
• Symptoms could develop at any point during the modified quarantine period. If this occurs, the student will be tested, and if they are positive at any point, a new isolation period will start with a new isolation timeline.
• Exempt Students/Employees: Anyone who's had close contact with someone with COVID-19 and who meets the following criteria does NOT need to stay home or be in a modified quarantine. Individuals will be advised to continue monitoring for symptoms closely over a 10-day period.

  • Has documented COVID-19 illness within the previous three months (90 days) and

  • Has recovered and

  • Remains without COVID-19 symptoms (including cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, fever, etc.)

An individual is placed in isolation when they test positive for COVID-19.

• Individuals will remain in isolation for a minimum of five days from their positive test date or symptom onset.
• They must be fever-free with improving symptoms for at least 24 hours.  A negative antigen test is no longer required prior to being removed from isolation.
• Individuals who are released from isolation on day five are advised to modify quarantine for the next five days.

*During Welcome Week and the first two weeks of the semester (starting August 26, 2022) our masking policy will be adapted: We will require face coverings for all individuals indoors in large community settings including classrooms, chapel, and shared spaces where larger groups gather. Learn more here.

• Outdoors: Individuals on all PLNU campuses may remain unmasked regardless of vaccination status outdoors. 
• Indoors: Individuals on all PLNU campuses may remain unmasked indoors regardless of vaccination status. Masking will continue to be encouraged in close-contact settings where distance cannot be maintained.

Additional guidance for indoor spaces

• Classrooms & Chapel: Individuals on all PLNU campuses regardless of vaccination status may be unmasked in classrooms or chapel.
• Residential: Individuals living in dormitories on the PLNU campus may be unmasked in residence halls regardless of vaccination status.
• Wellness Center: All individuals regardless of vaccination status must remain masked to enter a health care facility.

We'll continue to monitor the data to inform any change in policy that aligns with state and regional guidance. These adjustments to PLNU’s masking guidelines are in line with the California Department of Public Health and the current guidance on contact tracing requirements.

*During Welcome Week and the first two weeks of the semester (starting August 26, 2022) our masking policy will be adapted: We will require face coverings for all individuals indoors in large community settings including classrooms, chapel, and shared spaces where larger groups gather. Learn more here.

Outdoors

• Individuals on all PLNU campuses may remain unmasked regardless of vaccination status outdoors. 

Indoors

• Individuals on all PLNU campuses may remain unmasked indoors regardless of vaccination status. Masking will continue to be encouraged in close-contact settings where distance cannot be maintained.

Additional guidance for indoor spaces

Classrooms & Chapel 

• Individuals on all PLNU campuses regardless of vaccination status may be unmasked in classrooms or chapel.

Residential

• Individuals living in dormitories on the PLNU campus may be unmasked in residence halls regardless of vaccination status. *See "current masking policy" FAQ for more info on our adapted masking policy for Welcome Week and the beginning of the fall 2022 semester.

Wellness Center

• All individuals regardless of vaccination status must remain masked to enter a health care facility.

PLNU is not currently requiring a COVID-19 vaccination for the fall 2022 semester.

Individual academic programs may have additional or different immunization requirements due to the nature of the program or the requirements of external partners. This includes, but is not limited to, internship, clinical/field experiences, or PLNU programs offered at partner sites. All students participating in such programs will be required to meet all applicable requirements. External partners may restrict a student’s access to its facilities and/or activities if immunization requirements are not satisfactorily met. If necessary, students may request accommodations through PLNU's Educational Access Center (“EAC”).

Individuals with questions regarding vaccinations should contact the PLNU Wellness Center at covid19wellness@pointloma.edu. 

Weekly required surveillance testing of unvaccinated students will no longer be conducted for the fall 2022 semester. Symptomatic and exposure testing will remain available through the PLNU Wellness Center. 

We will continue to monitor the local community guidelines through the fall to determine if changes in our testing approach are necessary. If so, these will be communicated to the PLNU community via the Wellness Center.

To be considered fully vaccinated means the PLNU Wellness Center has documentation that the person has:

• Completed a two-dose mRNA vaccination series of Pfizer-BioNtech or Moderna with a booster dose six months following your second dose of the series.
• Completed a single dose of Johnson & Johnson followed by a booster dose two months after your first dose.

Vaccines must be FDA approved; have an emergency use authorization from the FDA; or, for persons fully vaccinated outside the United States, be listed for emergency use by the World Health Organization (WHO).

If you've already been vaccinated, please remember to submit your vaccine records to the Wellness Center through the Point n Click app.

The PLNU Wellness Center plans to offer limited vaccination appointments on the Point Loma campus. Walk-up appointments are readily available at public county sites and local pharmacies. 

At this time, we're not requiring the vaccine for the fall 2022 semester. Individual academic programs may have additional or different immunization requirements due to the nature of the program or the requirements of external partners. This includes, but is not limited to, internship, clinical/field experiences, or PLNU programs offered at partner sites. All students participating in such programs will be required to meet all applicable requirements. External partners may restrict a student’s access to its facilities and/or activities if immunization requirements are not satisfactorily met. If necessary, students may request accommodations through PLNU's Educational Access Center (“EAC”).

If you've already been vaccinated, please remember to submit your vaccine records to the Wellness Center through the Point n Click app.

Chapel will continue to be available through a variety of experiences and formats, including:

Morning Chapels
Monday, Wednesday, Friday at 9:45 a.m. in Brown Chapel
*On Wednesdays, Chapel is offered at the Point Loma campus and the Liberty Station campus

Evening Time Out Chapel
Thursday at 9 p.m. in Brown Chapel

All indoor Chapel experiences will follow PLNU's masking policy.

• Alpha Groups, an opportunity to build a unique and lasting community by meeting together regularly to share faith journeys, are available to all new students.
• D Groups, PLNU’s small groups for sophomores, juniors, and seniors, will be offered as well.
• Community Ministries and Ministry with México will also offer in-person engagement opportunities.
• Opportunities to worship, pray, and connect will continue to be available through @plnuchapel on Instagram.

Yes, Chapel will still be required.

In addition to our usual offerings, we have added additional support services for our students:

• TimelyCare, on-demand, 24/7 access to thoughtful telehealth, will be available to all traditional undergraduate students (TimelyCare).
• Wellness Center counselors will be available to provide services for students experiencing COVID-related anxieties and other mental health concerns. 
• Feel free to reach out to wellness@pointloma.edu if you have any needs.

Call PLNU's Wellness Center at (619) 849-2574.

Symptomatic testing is available from the Wellness Center for individuals who experience any symptoms related to COVID-19. Vaccinated or unvaccinated individuals may request appointments at the Wellness Center by calling (619) 849-2574. We offer testing, treatment, and care five days a week. Vaccinated individuals will not be isolated unless they test positive for COVID-19. If you are tested at an outside facility and have a positive result, please communicate with the Wellness Center.

In the event of a possible exposure, please contact the Wellness Center at covid19wellness@pointloma.edu. Please follow this protocol regardless of vaccine status.

We will hold opportunities for our community to get vaccinated at various times throughout the semester. These vaccination dates and times will be communicated out to students, staff, and faculty via their PLNU emails.

The CDC defines this as a person you've interacted with for more than 15 minutes in a shared contained air space (such as a car, classroom, or closed room) in a 24-hour period. If you have a roommate, this person would be considered a close contact. If you live in an off-campus household, all individuals in your household would be considered close contacts. This definition is what compels us to follow recommendations for wearing face coverings and practicing social distancing around others not in our household.