COVID-19 Information & Resources
Update from Pacifica – Spring and Summer 2021 Quarters
As we move through a difficult winter in the wake of severe storms affecting much of the US and with variants of the virus causing COVID-19 surges, we hope that you are healthy and well, and are helping to keep your communities safe by continuing to follow the CDC recommendations and your local/state guidelines. This month of March marks one year since the closure of Pacifica campuses and move to remote delivery of classes, and while these times have certainly not been without distress, the resiliency of our learning community has been remarkable. As a community committed to depth psychology, we are keenly aware of not only the physical impacts of this pandemic, but the mental health impacts as well. In many ways, our work is more important and needed than ever.
Looking ahead to upcoming quarters, we have now received approval from our accreditation agency (WSCUC) to continue to operate remotely through spring and summer. With these assurances from our accreditors, we are announcing that Pacifica will remain with distance delivery of courses through the remainder of the academic year (spring and summer 2021 quarters). We hope that the government’s efforts to stem the pandemic are successful over the next six months and that a return to campus will be possible in the new 2021-2022 academic year. However, given the present status of the pandemic in California and in Santa Barbara County, we cannot make predictions but shall stay in close communication with health and safety agencies, monitoring the situation and informing the community when decisions are made that allow different ways to proceed.
With this announcement, we realize that those students finishing classwork this year will not have an opportunity to return to the campuses before completing this phase of their degree. Similarly, our graduates for the 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 years will not have the opportunity to return to campus for commencement ceremonies, though as announced we will hold virtual commencement ceremonies this May. We understand that these are deeply meaningful culminating events in students’ academic careers at Pacifica and that not being able to experience them with cohorts and professors on campus can feel like a significant loss. Being mindful of the distress this may cause, we look to a possible reopening celebration within the next academic year where we can gather in community on the campuses.
As we move towards spring, let us work together and support one another in all of our endeavors and embrace this time of potential renewal.
Important Resources
Previous Communications
- November 25, 2020 – Update from the President – Winter Quarter & Thanksgiving Message
- June 30, 2020 – Pacifica Update – Summer & Fall 2020
- Apr 22, 2020 – Update from the President
- Apr 3, 2020 – Message from IT Security Information
- Mar 30, 2020 – Student Support Resources for Distance Learning
- Mar 27, 2020 – Update from the President
- Mar 20, 2020 – Update
- Mar 13, 2020 – Notice from the President re Transition to Online
- Mar 11, 2020 – Update COVID-19
- Mar 10, 2020 – Brief Update
- Mar 5, 2020 – COVID-19 Coronavirus Information
- Feb 4, 2020 – Coronavirus and Pacifica’s Response
- Zoom-Participant instructions PGI
- Student Online Etiquette
- Library Services and Collections
Reliable COVID-19 Information
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
- National Association of Foreign Student Advisers (NAFSA): Coronavirus Critical Resources
- Department of Homeland Security: dhs.gov
- California Department of Public Health: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
- World Health Organization: Coronavirus
- Santa Barbara County Public Health Department: https://publichealthsbc.org/
Spread from contact with contaminated surfaces or objects
It may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes.
General Health Reminders
How can you protect yourself?
- Stop handshaking – use other noncontact methods of greeting
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
- Use hand sanitizers frequently when a sink is not readily available
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick
- Avoid sharing personal household items
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects at home, work and school
What should you do if you think you’re sick?
- Stay home except to get medical care
- Separate yourself from other people and animals in your home
- Practice social distancing (i.e. avoid large gathering areas)
- Cover your cough and sneezes
- Wear a facemask if you are sick
- Call ahead before visiting your doctor
- Contact your primary health care provider
- Check to see if your health care provider offers virtual appointments