Masking Policy

The College's decision is in line with county, state and federal guidelines, which no longer make indoor masking mandatory. As announced in August, the College reevaluated its policy this month based on current data. COVID cases on the Oxy campus have been manageable and minimal this fall. Over the past month, the campus positivity rate has been significantly lower than the countywide rate. As of Sept. 22, Los Angeles County is now at the "low" community level, as defined by the CDC, with 98 cases per 100,000 residents.The CDC requires indoor masking only when the community level is at "high."

Just as faculty members can require the use of masks in their classroom, each staff member and administrator can require the use of masks in their individual office. In indoor workspaces and common areas the wearing of masks is strongly recommended, but not required. Any group that works together can decide collectively to wear masks even if the space is a "masks strongly recommended" space. We are relying on our culture of care and mutual respect to guide those discussions and decisions.

We continue to test symptomatic and exposed people, and to contract trace all positive cases on campus to identify sources of spread and potential outbreak.

As has been the case throughout the pandemic, College policy will continue to change based on the facts on the ground. We will consult county guidelines and monitor the rate of virus on campus, our isolation space capacity and the severity of illness community members are experiencing. Should we see a significant reversal of the current positive trends, we will not hesitate to reinstate mandatory masking, widespread surveillance testing, or other mitigation measures as needed.

Yes. Surgical, KN95, and N95 masks are all available on campus. Surgical mask stands will remain in place in the Academic Commons, AGC, and outside of Emmons for individuals. If departments or classrooms need surgical, N95 or KN95 masks in bulk, please email acasillas@oxy.edu at Emmons with your request (quantity/type of mask). Please provide Emmons with advance notice of your request, and they will confirm when your order is ready for pick-up.

COVID positivity and case data are updated weekly on this site. COG is reserving campus-wide email notifications for critical updates and positivity surges.