COVID-19 Information Hub

COVID-19/Coronavirus Information for the Mount Community

The COVID-19 Information Hub was created for students, parents, alums, and visitors to our campuses. Here, you will be able to access current campus COVID-19 protocols and updates on the status of the campuses as well as resources related to COVID-19 from local and federal experts. The health of our entire community remains a priority.

Hygiene

One of the most essential tools for protecting yourself against COVID-19 is to wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Always wash your hands thoroughly after coughing or sneezing.

Use hand sanitizer made with at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not immediately available. Hand sanitizing stations are in several areas around campus, including building entrances, stairways, and breakrooms. 

Safe Campus

MSMU Facilities Management has implemented the following measures to provide a safe campus for the MSMU community.

Cleaning and Hygiene Program

As part of our Cleaning and Hygiene Program, MSMU commits to using appropriate equipment to perform effective cleaning and disinfecting, including the use of electrostatic sprayers and other specialized equipment as available, chemicals listed in the EPA’s List N for the effective killing of Coronavirus, personal protective equipment (PPE) recommended by CDC.

Additionally, MSMU has implemented two cleaning response levels:

  • Level One/Routine Cleaning: completed under normal operations at regular intervals using soap and water (cleaner/degreaser) to prevent the spread of disease and provide safe and healthy environments for our stakeholders.
  • Level Two/Enhanced Cleaning: designed to disinfect commonly touched surfaces with a chemical on the EPA’s List N to prevent the spread of disease, focusing on high-touch surfaces such as handles, doors, countertops, push bars, elevator buttons, handrails, etc.
Exposure Management

Institutes of Higher Education are trusted community partners that can help the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LACDPH) in the response and containment of COVID-19 at the community level, through rapid initiation of a COVID-19 Exposure Management Plan. Mount Saint Mary’s University Exposure Management Plan describes the response to one, two, and three or more campus cases. The plan complies with the Department of Public Health’s guidance for COVID-19 Exposure Management in Institutes of Higher Education and will be modified as the protocols are updated.

COVID-19 Prevention Program

As a California employer, Mount Saint Mary’s University is required to comply with Cal/OSHA’s COVID-19 Prevention Non-Emergency Regulations (CCR Title 8 section 3205). The COVID-19 Prevention Program was developed, established, and is maintained as part of identifying, evaluating, and correcting any COVID-19 hazards that may be present on campus, along with other procedures to protect employees.

Food Services & Eating on Campus

The cafés and coffee bars on both campuses are open for dine-in. For more information and hours of operation, visit MSMU Food Services.

Food deliveries by delivery services and restaurants are permitted. Drivers must check-in at the entrance gate.

Layering Protections 

As we continue our collective effort to limit the spread of Acute Respiratory Illness, including COVID-19, flu, and RSV to protect ourselves, our loved ones, and those in our community, consider layering appropriate protective measures: 

  • Masks remain an effective tool in mitigating the spread of new COVID strains. Consider wearing a mask indoors, even when it is not required. 
  • Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or use hand sanitizer, especially after contact with often-touched surfaces. 
  • Perform a Daily Self-Check. If you’re experiencing symptoms of fever, cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, vomiting, diarrhea, or lack of smell or taste, tell Campus Safety.
  • Test for COVID-19. COVID-19 symptoms can be mistaken for other acute respiratory illnesses. If you are sick, stay away from others and get tested to know for sure.

Campus Entry Points

Students, faculty, staff, and contract workers may be asked to show an MSMU ID and/or a current parking permit at the main gate to access campus. Visitors are welcome on campus and will need to check-in at the entrance gate. See the Campus Entry Points .

There are no entry point changes at Chalon. 

The pedestrian entrances at 23rd Street, Adams Blvd. and Figueroa Lot gate will remain closed. Additionally, the building entrances on Adams Blvd. for Buildings 745 and 649 (Amat House) will be closed. Building 745 is not accessible on the west side of the building.

Shuttle Service & Parking

The semester shuttle schedules are posted on the myMSMU page, under Shuttle Schedules. Enhanced Cleaning and Safety Practices are in place. High-touch surfaces are disinfected after each trip, and each shuttle is treated with an electrostatic sprayer each night. The use of masks while riding shuttles is not required, but if you choose to wear one, no one will discourage you from doing so.

The Shuttle Seat Reservation App is available for download in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Search for “MSMU Transit” to begin reserving your seats. Show your reservation screen in the app to the driver to board. Overflow shuttles will be available during peak morning times in case reservations fill up. Please remember to cancel your reservation if your plans change and you no longer need a seat.

Parking Permit sales are now open. You may find instructions by visiting Transportation & Parking on myMSMU. In-person sales are not available. If you need assistance with a permit, email us at permitparking@msmu.edu.

Visitors

Visitors are welcome on campus and will need to check-in at the entrance gate.

All visitors must adhere to MSMU health and safety protocols set at the time.

All visitors and external groups renting or using the campus for events or filming must follow their respective organization’s COVID-19 and vaccination policies.

The Title IX Office welcomes you to for in-person and virtual appointments. To schedule an appointment, learn more about the information and resources available, or file a complaint, please contact the Title IX Coordinator at titleix@msmu.edu, 213.477.2803.

As always, members of the Mount community continue to have the right to be free from sexual or gender-based harassment, sexual assault, stalking, dating violence, or domestic violence and have the right to access resources. If you or someone you know experiences an incident of sexual or gender-based harassment or violence, either in person or online, you are encouraged to promptly report it to the Title IX Office.

Reporting ensures that all parties can be safe, know their rights, and access supportive resources and o. If you are seeking information and resources but are not interested in filing a University complaint, you are encouraged to reach out to the Title IX team, as well. For confidential campus and community services, please visit Emergency Resources.  

Reports can be filed by email to titleix@msmu.edu, by phone at 213.477.2534, by mail to the attention of Title IX Coordination, 10 Chester Pl Los Angeles, CA 90007, or via our online report form – which can also be completed anonymously.

Students

Symptoms

Acute Respiratory Illness (ARI) includes conditions triggered by various pathogens, such as COVID-19, influenza (flu), and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), among many others. If you are experiencing symptoms on campus, inform Student Health Services. COVID-19, flu, and RSV are some of the diseases caused by viruses that have very similar symptoms. Illness can be mild to severe, and some people may have no symptoms. Those who do get sick may experience any of the following:

  • Fever/chills
  • Cough
  • Sore throat
  • Runny or stuffy nose
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Body aches

If you have two or more symptoms of acute respiratory infection:

Wear a mask, stay home and away from others, talk with your healthcare provider about treatment options, and test for COVID-19. Consider testing for flu in addition to COVID-19 if you are at high risk of severe illness. Testing is a prevention strategy that can assist in making decisions to further protect yourself and others.

If you test negative for COVID-19, stay home and away from others until fever-free for 24 hours without medication and your symptoms improve. If you test positive for COVID-19, you must follow the MSMU COVID-19 & Acute Respiratory Illness Community Guidelines , and inform Campus Safety.

For information on how to obtain a free COVID-19 test in Los Angeles County, visit the COVID-19 Testing page.

Exposures

The MSMU COVID-19 & Acute Respiratory Illness Community Guidelines detail the current campus response protocol to COVID-19 for positive cases and close contacts.

If you have been in close contact with someone with COVID-19 and have NO symptoms, you may continue to access campus. You also should do the following:

  • Wear a highly protective mask (surgical, N95 or similar) around others while indoors, except when eating or drinking, for ten days after the last date of exposure.
  • Monitor yourself for symptoms for ten days following your exposure. If you begin to experience symptoms, get tested. 
  • Even if you have no symptoms, you should test with an FDA-authorized viral COVID-19 test (e.g., Antigen test, including at-home tests) 3-5 days following the last date of exposure. If you are negative, continue to monitor yourself for symptoms and wear a highly protective mask for the full 10 days. If you test positive, stay home and away from others, and do not access campus.
Note: these instructions are not intended for employees exposed at work. Employees must follow Cal/OSHA requirements.

Positive for COVID-19

If you have tested positive for COVID-19, please refer to the MSMU COVID-19 & Acute Respiratory Illness Community Guidelines . This details current campus response protocol to COVID-19 for positive cases and close contacts and meets requirements set by the Los Angeles Department of Public Health and Cal/OSHA COVID-19 Prevention Non-Emergency Standards.

If you test positive for COVID-19 you:

  • Stay home and away from others.
    • If symptomatic or feverish, stay home until:
      • Fever-free for 24 hours without medication, and
      •  Other symptoms are mild or improving.
  • Wear a mask.
    •  Asymptomatic individuals must wear a high-quality mask for 10 days after testing positive if you remain on campus.
    • Masks are required around others for 10 days after a positive test or symptom onset date. Early return is allowed only with consistent mask use.
    • Masks can be removed sooner if an individual tests negative twice, 24 hours apart.

You may return to campus activity ONLY IF you:

  • Have been fever-free for 24 hours (without fever-reducing medicines), AND
  • Do not have symptoms or your symptoms are mild and improving, AND
  • Wear a well-fitting mask around others for 10 days* after a positive test or symptom onset date.
    •  *If a mask cannot be worn, campus activity may resume after day 10. Masks can be removed sooner if an individual tests negative twice, 24 hours apart.

Testing

Students can contact Student Health Services at studenthealthservices@msmu.edu if symptomatic or have had recent exposure for testing options on campus.

If you test positive for COVID-19, notify Campus Safety at safety@msmu.edu.

For information on how to get a COVID-19 test in LA County, visit their public health website. 

The Division of Student Affairs offers student life programs designed to provide opportunities for students to connect and build community.
 
The Women’s Leadership and Student Engagement team offers co-curricular programs as well as opportunities for civic and community engagement. The Mount Student Government Association and Student Activities Council, along with other student clubs/organizations, provide activities to build meaningful relationships and experiences. For more information, check out ENGAGE MSMU and follow @msmuleadership on Instagram.
 
Career and Professional Development is ready to assist our students in preparing for a successful future through access to career resources, services, and events. Amazing opportunities for internships and employment are currently available. Go to HANDSHAKE, a national interactive career services tool with internship and employment listings that allows you to connect with employers. We also hope you take advantage of the array of programs and activities offered by our Center for the Advancement of Women; Center for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion; and the CSJ Institute.
 
Students who are part of the Institute for Student Academic Enrichment can continue to make appointments with an ISAE counselor here or via email. ISAE team members continue to offer support services during your academic journey. Follow ISAE on Instagram for additional updates.

Residence halls are open with students in single and double occupancy rooms.

For more information, please contact the Office of Residence Life and Housing Services at 310.954.4325.

Academic Learning Centers

The Mount has three academic learning centers to support students.
 
The Chalon Academic Support Center (ASC), located on the Chalon campus (Humanities Building, second floor), is committed to the success of all students by providing effective strategies and services to enhance the student experience, leadership, and community with an emphasis on the realization of educational goals. The ASC advocates for student success in a welcoming, respectful, and professional environment through personalized attention. The center inspires, motivates, and mentors students on their educational journey. Visit the ASC on myMSMU to see available resources or to make an appointment.
 
The Student Resource Center (SRC), located on the Doheny campus (Building 3), is dedicated to fostering academic excellence and student success. The SRC is driven by the philosophy that our staff working with students promotes academic and personal success. Staff are available to promote student success through tutoring, workshops, test preparations, study skills, discussion groups, and peer and success counseling while also helping guide students in exploring and accessing campus resources. Email DohenySRC@msmu.edu or visit the SRC on myMSMU to see available resources or to make an appointment.
 
The Professional Academic Resource Center (PARC) is a centralized physical space for all students of the Graduate Division, Weekend/Evening & Online College and Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing to gather, study, and engage in group work. The staff is available to support your academic and professional growth by assisting with: :
  • Writing: Brainstorming, grammar, punctuation, citation, coherent argument, revision
  • Research Methods: Developing research questions and designing surveys
  • Math: Arithmetic, Basic Math (basic algebra, geometry), graphs, dosage calculations, as well as CBEST, CSET, and ASVAP test prep
  • Career Advising: Resume development, mock interviews, assessment, job search strategies
  • Thesis Support: Organizational structure, time management
  • Workshops
  • Resource Books
  • Study Abroad & Student Travel

Faculty and Staff

Symptoms

Acute Respiratory Illness (ARI) includes conditions triggered by various pathogens, such as COVID-19, influenza (flu), and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), among many others. If you are experiencing symptoms on campus, inform Human Resources. COVID-19, flu, and RSV are some of the diseases caused by viruses that have very similar symptoms. Illness can be mild to severe, and some people may have no symptoms. Those who do get sick may experience any of the following:
  • Fever/chills
  • Cough
  • Sore throat
  • Runny or stuffy nose
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Body aches

If you have two or more symptoms of acute respiratory infection:

Wear a mask, stay home and away from others, talk with your healthcare provider about treatment options, and test for COVID-19. Consider testing for flu in addition to COVID-19 if you are at high risk of severe illness. Testing is a prevention strategy that can assist in making decisions to further protect yourself and others.

If you test negative for COVID-19, stay home and away from others until fever-free for 24 hours without medication and your symptoms improve. If you test positive for COVID-19, you must follow the MSMU COVID-19 & Acute Respiratory Illness Community Guidelines and inform Campus Safety.

§  For information on how to obtain a free COVID-19 test in Los Angeles County, visit the COVID-19 Testing page.

Exposures 

The MSMU COVID-19 & Acute Respiratory Illness Community Guidelines detail the current campus response protocol to COVID-19 for positive cases and close contacts.

If you have been in close contact with someone with COVID-19 and have NO symptoms, you may continue to access campus. You also should do the following:

  • Wear a highly protective mask (surgical, N95 or similar) around others while indoors, except when eating or drinking, for ten days after the last date of exposure.    
  • Monitor yourself for symptoms for ten days following your exposure. If you begin to experience symptoms, get tested.    
  • Even if you have no symptoms, you should test with an FDA-authorized viral COVID-19 test (e.g., Antigen test, including at-home tests) 3-5 days following the last date of exposure. If you are negative, continue to monitor yourself for symptoms and wear a highly protective mask for the full 10 days. If you test positive, stay home and away from others, and do not access campus.

Positive for COVID-19

If you have tested positive for COVID-19, please refer to the MSMU COVID-19 & Acute Respiratory Illness Community Guidelines . This details current campus response protocol to COVID-19 for positive cases and close contacts and meets requirements set by the Los Angeles Department of Public Health and Cal/OSHA COVID-19 Prevention Non-Emergency Standards.

If you test positive for COVID-19 you: 

  • Stay home and away from others.
    • If symptomatic or feverish, stay home until:
      • Fever-free for 24 hours without medication, and
      • Other symptoms are mild or improving.
  • Wear a mask.
    • Asymptomatic individuals must wear a high-quality mask for 10 days after testing positive if you remain on campus.
    • Masks are required around others for 10 days after a positive test or symptom onset date. Early return is allowed only with consistent mask use.
    • Masks can be removed sooner if an individual tests negative twice, 24 hours apart.

You may return to campus activity ONLY IF you:

  • Have been fever-free for 24 hours (without fever-reducing medicines), AND
  • Do not have symptoms or your symptoms are mild and improving, AND
  • Wear a well-fitting mask around others for 10 days* after a positive test or symptom onset date.
    •  *If a mask cannot be worn, campus activity may resume after day 10. Masks can be removed sooner if an individual tests negative twice, 24 hours apart.

Per the Los Angeles Department of Public Health, universities can implement measures that mitigate the spread of COVID-19 on campus. If you have tested positive for COVID-19 or if you have received notification of exposure to a positive case, please view the MSMU COVID-19 & Acute Respiratory Illness Community Guidelines .

Testing

Any faculty or staff determined to have been exposed to COVID-19 on campus can receive testing through the University's workers' compensation program.
 
If you test positive for COVID-19, faculty should notify:
The MSMU COVID-19 & Acute Respiratory Illness Community Guidelines detail current campus response protocol to COVID-19 for positive cases and close contacts.

The Center for Academic Innovation and Creativity (CAIC), in conjunction with the Instructional Design Team, will offer several professional development opportunities throughout the year. They are also available for departmental/program-specific sessions, as well as one-on-one sessions. Please visit the Instructional Design myMSMU page for more information.
 
Students who need a laptop loaner or internet hotspot loan should be directed to the Dean of Students at DeanofStudents@msmu.edu for support.
 
Instructors are encouraged to submit a Student Success Alert for their students who may need academic or other support. The Student Success Alert system can be accessed through myMSMU.
 
All the learning centers (Academic Support Center at Chalon, Student Resource Center at Doheny, and the Professional Academic Resource Center for WEOC and Graduate students) are open and available to students. Please direct students to their respective myMSMU pages for details on available resources, hours, and scheduling appointments.

MSMU continues to implement measures to mitigate and prevent the spread of COVID-19 for those employees who report to work in person, including vulnerable populations on campus. To be successful, we must work together and as part of our Athenians Care Promise. As we have an obligation to ourselves and to each other to follow the recommended guidelines, Human Resources has compiled a Manager COVID-19 Resources toolkit. This toolkit identifies practices and protocols of which we ask all employees to follow. Guidance will very likely change over time. We will update this resource as circumstances change, with or without notice.

COVID-19 Resources

Browse through these COVID-19 resources for more information.