COVID Operations Updates: Testing & Masking

Dear Oxy Community,

Given campus and county-wide decreases in positivity rates, Oxy’s COVID-19 testing plan for the community will change beginning this month. The COVID Operations Group, in consultation with Dr. Kim Shriner ‘80 and other Emmons medical staff, is moving forward with a plan to offer symptomatic, opt-in, and cohort based testing, similar to our Fall 2021 protocols.

The COVID Testing Center in AGC will continue to operate Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-3:45 p.m. to support the community, including during Spring Break. Below are the details:

Students:

• All students who remain on campus will continue with weekly testing through Spring Break

• All students are required to participate in COVID testing when classes resume the week of March 14

  • This is a prudent measure to account for travel and other social activities that may occur over the break. We want all students to enjoy the time off and to do so safely. We encourage community members to self-monitor and focus on personal prevention strategies to reduce the chances of exposure and transmission of the virus.

  • A-E - Monday 03/14

  • F-K - Tuesday 03/15

  • L-Q - Wednesday 03/16

  • R-Z - Thursday 03/17

• Beginning March 21:

  • All students who are vaccinated and boosted will no longer need to test weekly unless they are part of a higher-risk cohort.

  • Some cohorts of students participating in activities that involve close contact, like athletics, music and theater, may be required to continue testing. You'll be notified in mid-March if you are in a cohort that will continue to require regular testing.

  • Any Oxy students with vaccination exemptions are required to test twice weekly.

  • Any Oxy student can opt-in for weekly testing.

Staff & Faculty: 

• Beginning Monday, March 7:

  • Employees who are fully vaccinated and boosted will no longer need to test weekly

  • Any Oxy employees with vaccination exemptions are required to test twice weekly

  • Any Oxy employee can opt-in for weekly testing

Additional Health & Safety Considerations:

In order to maintain a healthy campus community with these protocol changes, we also want to reinforce that it is critically important to continue practicing COVID prevention measures:

• Masking guidelines in Los Angeles County are currently changing, and Oxy is keeping a close eye on our community positivity rates to help ensure campus health and safety. 

• While L.A. County mask mandates are relaxing, Oxy is maintaining our indoor masking requirements, at least through the return from Spring Break, at which time we will reassess campus guidance.

  • Please continue to wear a high-quality mask (N95, KN95, surgical) indoors where required.  

• Any Oxy community member experiencing symptoms should come to the AGC testing center for evaluation. 

Thank you all for your continued dedication to keeping Oxy healthy, and for protecting yourself and others in accordance with Oxy health and safety guidelines. Your adherence to testing protocols and other safety measures have made a tremendous difference in our community!

Devon Sakamoto, Assistant Dean of Students for Emmons Wellness Center

COVID Operations Group (COG)

Harry J. Elam, Jr., President
Sharla Fett, Faculty Council President, Professor of American History
Rob Flot, Vice President for Student Affairs & Dean of Students
Amos Himmelstein, Vice President & Chief Operating Officer
Nora Kahn, General Counsel
Devon Sakamoto, Assistant Dean of Students for Emmons Wellness Center
Marty Sharkey, Vice President of Communications & Institutional Initiatives
Wendy Sternberg, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the College
James Uhrich, Vice President for Information Technology Services & Chief Information Officer