COVID Updates and Guidelines - 09.21.23

September 21, 2023

Dear Pitzer Community, 

As we continue to navigate the challenges posed by COVID, and because Pitzer has returned to in-person instruction, we wanted to reach out to the community with some important recommendations and guidelines. The safety and the well-being of our community remain our top priorities.  

Staff/Faculty

  • Masking for staff and faculty is not required on campus but the wearing of masks in all indoor shared spaces within the campus is highly recommended for all employees and visitors. This includes common areas, meeting rooms, hallways, and elevators. Surgical masks and KN95 masks are available across campus, including at the Dean of Faculty’s Office, Office of Student Affairs, Gold Student Center, Human Resources, and Facilities.  Faculty may continue to require masking in classes when desired.
  • COVID tests for staff and faculty will be available through HR, Facilities, and the Dean of Faculty’s offices.  Tests are also available through Pitzer-sponsored medical insurance plans. Staff and faculty may test at home or off campus.  Positive results must be reported to HR within 24 hours using the new Smartsheet link: Covid Exposure – Self-Reporting Form.  Following form submission, HR will advise individuals on the isolation period of 5 days, and additional resources available to them.
  • Although hand sanitizing stations will remain throughout campus and within buildings, it is highly recommended that staff wash their hands often. Disinfecting wipes will be available for classrooms. Please assist in keeping Pitzer safe and healthy by regularly washing hands and wiping down surfaces (e.g., printers, keyboards before and after use) and shared community areas.  

Students: 

  • Masking for students is not required on campus but is highly encouraged indoors.  Masks are available in the Residence Life Office, Dean of Faculty’s Office, Office of Student Affairs, Gold Student Center, Human Resources, and Facilities.  Faculty may continue to require masking in classes when desired.
  • COVID tests are available to students via the Honnold Library testing machine, and private medical insurance.  All positive tests should be reported to the Student Health Center and [email protected].  Student Health will communicate with OSA staff and make proper arrangements as needed. 
  • OSA will then notify the faculty of the student’s enrolled courses and update the faculty when the student is released. 

Remember that wearing masks is a simple yet effective measure to reduce the spread of COVID, especially with the emergence of new variants. By following these recommendations, we contribute to the safety and well-being of our entire community.

Thank you for your continued cooperation and commitment to the health and safety of all our members. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or concerns regarding these guidelines.  For more information regarding LA County’s Public Health updates you may visit http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/coronavirus/guidances.htm

As always, we are truly grateful for our entire community and its commitment to being “Mindful of Each Other.”

Sincerely, 

Samantha Greer, MPA
Safety and Emergency Preparedness Coordinator
Facilities and Campus Services
McConnell Center 113
Office: 909.607.4976 | Cell: 909.380.6138

Monkeypox Update and Information - 08.19.22

August 19, 2022

Dear Pitzer Community,

As we near the start of the fall semester, we want to share information and resources concerning the nationwide outbreak of Monkeypox, which the Biden administration has declared a national public health emergency. Pitzer, in partnership with Student Health Services (SHS) at The Claremont Colleges, is closely monitoring the situation. Pitzer College participates in weekly higher education-specific briefings with public health experts at the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LACDPH). 

Please visit Pitzer’s Pathway Forward site for updates and resources, including:

As with the COVID-19 pandemic, we expect public health guidelines and protocols for Monkeypox to continue to evolve. Pitzer will continue working with SHS and the County to help keep the campus community informed and as safe as possible.

Sincerely,

Laura A. Troendle, CPA, MBA
Vice President, Chief Operating Officer & Treasurer

Allen M. Omoto, PhD
Vice President for Academic Affairs & Dean of Faculty

Sandra Vasquez, EdD
Vice President for Student Affairs

Monkeypox Update from The Claremont Colleges Services - 08.05.22

As you all may be aware, the Biden administration declared monkeypox to be a public health emergency in the U.S. on August 4, 2022. Both California as well as Los Angeles County have also made similar declarations recently.

First, I would like to share with you a few current facts regarding monkeypox:

  • Monkeypox is a viral infection
  • As of August 4, 2022, there have been more than 6,600 confirmed cases of monkeypox in the continental U.S. and Puerto Rico
  • While this is a cause for concern, thankfully, monkeypox is rarely fatal and no deaths have been reported in the U.S. so far. However, there have been eight reported deaths from this disease across the world during the current outbreak, primarily in Africa and other regions where the health systems aren’t as robust
  • Early signs may include fever, muscle aches, headache, swollen lymph nodes, exhaustion. A rash may also develop, often beginning on the face and then spreading to other parts of the body, including the hands, feet, eyes, mouth and/or genitals. This rash can sometimes be quite painful in nature
  • Infection can be spread from the time symptoms start until the rash has fully healed and a fresh layer of skin has formed, usually 2-4 weeks
  • Current transmission/spread is primarily through close, personal, often skin-to-skin contact
  • There is no specific treatment for monkeypox virus infections. Treatment for monkeypox infection is mainly supportive care (e.g., easing the symptoms by taking acetaminophen or ibuprofen for fever or pain)
  •  However, since monkeypox virus and smallpox virus are genetically similar, antiviral drugs and vaccines developed to protect against smallpox may sometimes be used to treat and prevent monkeypox virus infections, currently only in those at highest risk
  • Vaccine supplies to prevent monkeypox remain limited currently. Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has established priority criteria to administer first dose of vaccine to as many people who are at higher risk for monkeypox exposure as possible. When supply improves, they will make second doses available. Vaccines are not currently available for administration to private clinics such as Student Health Services

As with the last public health emergency declared in the U.S. in January 2020 in response to COVID-19, Student Health Services (SHS) at The Claremont Colleges continues to closely monitor the situation and is in touch with our local public health officials at the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health for regular updates. SHS current response includes:

  • Keeping our staff up to date on the latest monkeypox information
  • Keeping up to date with our laboratory partner on proper methods of collecting and submitting samples from suspicious lesions for testing
  • Creation of a webpage with more detailed and regularly updated information to keep the campus community informed on monkeypox
  • Reinforcing proper cleaning and hygiene habits, both within our department as well as across the consortium

Prateek Jindal, DO

AVP for Health and Wellness

The Claremont Colleges Services (TCCS)

Link to update on Student Health Services site

Student COVID-19 Testing—Fall 2023 - 01.10.22

All Students Must:

  • Complete a pre-arrival PCR COVID test 3-5 days before coming to campus for the first time (students with access barriers should notify [email protected] prior for access support). If your test is positive, we ask that you isolate in place and not return to campus until you receive a negative test.

If you test positive after you have checked-in to the halls, please notify [email protected] and contact SHS. All symptomatic students and students identified as ”close contacts” are required to comply with Student Health Services directives to participate in testing.

Symptomatic students MUST test by no later than 48 hours from the onset of symptoms.

Students instructed to test by a medical provider, MUST test immediately or contact SHS immediately.

Student Health Services (SHS) will be coordinating on-campus testing and vaccine access.

Testing hours are available as listed at Student Health Services. Testing can be done at any time during testing hours, appointments are not required.

Please do not eat, drink, smoke, brush your teeth or apply lipstick/chapstick 60 minutes prior to your test. Please watch these video instructions prior to arriving at SHS (https://rise.articulate.com/share/-q6MdIeo2V42boWuOGTu8i4- cT9E_pjy).

More information can be found here (https://services.claremont.edu/covid/).