The Beacon will be updating this page regularly with new information pertaining to COVID-19 and campus operations at the University of Portland.
Updated Aug 29 at 12:20 a.m.
Masks recommended but not required on campus, testing event for Sept. 1 - 2
The University of Portland is no longer requiring masks on any part of campus, but does recommend students to wear them in indoor spaces.
Additionally, there is a testing event on Thursday Sept. 1 and Friday Sept. 2 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Lund Family Hall Annex. The testing will be billed to the student's insurance.
Free self-tests are still available for students from the Campus Safety office. Students must provide their Student ID to pick up a test. The self tests are free for UP students.
Updated April 10 at 7:15 p.m.
UP recommends masks for Commencement 2022
Though mask mandates have been lifted due to low case counts, Oregon has seen a rise in COVID-19 cases in the last week. With that in mind, Acting President and Provost Herbert Medina is "strongly recommending" that visitors and commencement participants wear masks inside over graduation weekend, according to an email sent by Medina.
UP will not be checking vaccination status for visitors and guests, but asks that attendees be vaccinated and boosted, or have a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of the ceremonies.
Updated Feb. 19 at 3:30 p.m.
COVID-19 Vaccination Update: As of Feb. 19, UP's Pilots Prevent Vaccination Dashboard shows:
- 688 out of 735 employees are *compliant with UP's vaccination policy, or 93.10%.
- 2,570 out of 3,421 students are *compliant with UP's vaccination policy, or 75.12%.
- *Compliant means an individual has either submitted proof of vaccination or has an approved exemption.
COVID-19 Case Update: As of Feb. 19 the Pilots Prevent Dashboard shows:
- 29 reported positive cases for the week ending Feb. 13.
- 12 students are in on campus isolation.
- 433 reported positive cases for the semester.
Updated Feb. 9 at 12:30 a.m.
COVID-19 Vaccination Update: As of Feb. 9, UP's Pilots Prevent Vaccination Dashboard shows:
- 676 out of 735 employees are compliant with UP's vaccination policy, or 91.97%.
- 2,497 out of 3,421 students are compliant with UP's vaccination policy, or 72.99%.
COVID-19 Case Update: As of Feb. 9 the Pilots Prevent Dashboard shows:
- 36 reported positive cases for the week ending Feb. 6.
- 12 students are in on campus isolation.
- 404 reported positive cases for the semester.
Updated Feb. 7 at 4:30 p.m.
COVID-19 Vaccine Update: UP students, faculty and staff may face consequences for not getting their booster
It has been six days since UP's official booster shot deadline of Feb. 1. UP now defines "fully vaccinated" as having the booster, according to the updated COVID-19 Vaccination Policy. This means those who do not get their booster within two weeks of being eligible will face consequences.
The University estimated in January that most community members would be able to receive their booster by Feb. 1.
Students who are not fully vaccinated and have not received an exemption will have to follow additional COVID-19 protocols in order to be on campus. They may also have holds placed on their accounts and the University may take disciplinary action through the Student Conduct Process, according to the Vaccination Policy.
Employees who are not fully vaccinated may face disciplinary action, possibly even losing their job, according to the policy.
Those who have applied for an exemption do not need to re-apply.
UP has not updated its Vaccination Dashboard to show booster shot information.
Updated Feb. 1 at 11:00 p.m.
COVID-19 Case Update: As of Feb. 1 the Pilots Prevent Dashboard shows:
- 35 reported positive cases for the week ending Jan. 30
- 10 students are in on campus isolation.
- 368 reported positive cases for the semester.
Updated Jan. 26 at 10:15 a.m.
COVID-19 Case Update: As of Jan. 26 the Pilots Prevent Dashboard shows:
- 74 reported positive cases for the week ending Jan. 23
- 26 students are in on campus isolation.
- 333 reported positive cases for the semester.
Updated Jan. 19 at 10:15 p.m.
COVID-19 Case Update: As of Jan. 11 the Pilots Prevent Dashboard shows:
- 143 reported positive cases for the week ending Jan. 16.
- 41 students are in on campus isolation.
- 259 reported positive cases for the semester.
Updated Jan. 13 at 3:15 p.m.
COVID-19 Case Update: Results from first day of mass COVID-19 testing are in.
There have been 1830 COVID-19 tests distributed, with 1100 results uploaded as of noon today, according to an email sent by Vice President for Student Affairs Fr. john Donato. Of those reports, the positivity rate is 4%, meaning there have been roughly 44 positive cases so far.
"However, let's not celebrate quite yet," Donato said in the email. "We still need all undergraduate students who can test, to participate."
Approximately 60% of eligible undergraduate students have received their test, factoring in those not testing because they tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 90 days, according to Donato.
The last day for students to get their tests from the Chiles and Merlo box offices is Friday, Jan. 14, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Eligible students are required to submit their test results.
"Finally, please remember Omicron is still around us," Donato said in the email. "Keep your masks on as much as is reasonable, watch for any symptoms of COVID-19, and follow isolation or quarantine protocols."
Donato reminds the UP community to stay hopeful, and that these are temporary measures.
The Pilots Prevent Dashboard does not reflect these positive cases at this time. There have been 160 positive cases reported since the beginning of the semester.
Updated Jan. 11 at 11:30 p.m.
COVID-19 Case Update: As of Jan. 11 the Pilots Prevent Dashboard shows:
- 95 reported positive cases for the week ending Jan. 9.
- 21 reported positive cases for the week ending Jan. 2.
- 116 reported positive cases for the semester.
Since Dec. 27, 116 positive COVID-19 cases have been reported to the University. There were 56 positive cases reported to the University during the entirety of the fall semester.
Updated Dec. 8 at 11:30 a.m.
COVID-19 Case Update: As of Dec. 8 the Pilots Prevent Dashboard shows:
- 7 reported positive cases for the week ending Dec. 5.
- 1 reported positive cases for the week ending Nov. 28.
- 56 reported positive cases for the semester.
Updated Nov. 25 at 10:53 p.m.
COVID-19 Case Update: As of Nov. 25 the Pilots Prevent Dashboard shows:
- 2 reported positive cases for the week ending Nov. 21.
- 48 reported positive cases for the semester.
Updated Nov. 16 at 9:00 p.m.
COVID-19 Case Update: As of Nov. 16 the Pilots Prevent Dashboard shows:
- 2 reported positive cases for the week ending Nov. 14.
- 46 reported positive cases for the semester.
Updated Nov. 11 at 10:30 a.m.
COVID-19 Case Update: As of Nov. 11 the Pilots Prevent Dashboard shows:
- 5 reported positive cases for the week ending Nov. 7.
- 44 reported positive cases for the semester.
Updated Nov. 3 at 7:00 p.m.
COVID-19 Case Update: As of Nov. 3 the Pilots Prevent Dashboard shows:
- 2 reported positive cases for the week ending Oct. 24.
- 39 reported positive cases for the semester.
Updated Oct. 26 at 8:00 p.m.
COVID-19 Case Update: As of Oct. 26 the Pilots Prevent Dashboard shows:
- 2 reported positive cases for the week ending Oct. 24.
- 37 reported positive cases for the semester.
Updated Oct. 19 at 9:00 p.m.
COVID-19 Case Update: As of Oct. 19 the Pilots Prevent Dashboard shows:
- 2 reported positive cases for the week ending Oct. 17.
- 5 reported positive cases for the week ending Oct. 10.
- 35 reported positive cases for the semester.
Updated Oct. 05 at 9:45 p.m.
COVID-19 Case Update: As of Oct. 05 the Pilots Prevent Dashboard shows:
- 7 reported positive cases for the week ending Oct. 03.
- 28 reported positive cases for the semester.
Updated Sept. 29 at 3:00 p.m.
COVID-19 Case Update: As of Sept. 29 the Pilots Prevent Dashboard shows:
- 2 reported positive cases for the week ending Sept. 26.
- 21 reported positive cases for the semester.
Updated Sept. 29 at 3:00 p.m.
COVID-19 Vaccination Update: As of Sept. 29 the Vaccination Dashboard shows:
- Of the students who provided their vaccination status to the University, 95.75% are fully vaccinated. 1% of UP students did not provide their vaccination status or request an exemption. UP granted 86 vaccine exemptions to students.
- Of the employees who provided their vaccination status to the University, 98.06% are fully vaccinated. Less than 1% of UP employees did not provide their vaccination status or request an exemption. UP granted 11 vaccine exemptions to employees.
Updated Sept. 17 at 7:18 p.m.
COVID-19 Case Update: As of Sept. 12 the Pilots Prevent Dashboard shows:
- 3 reported positive cases for the week ending Sept. 12.
- 14 reported positive cases for the semester.
Updated Sept. 17 at 7:15 p.m.
COVID-19 Vaccination Update: As of Sept. 12 the Vaccination Dashboard shows:
- Of the students who provided their vaccination status to the University, 96.4% are fully vaccinated. 1% of UP students did not provide their vaccination status or request an exemption. UP granted 84 vaccine exemptions to students.
- Of the employees who provided their vaccination status to the University, 97.48% are fully vaccinated. Less than 1% of UP employees did not provide their vaccination status or request an exemption. UP granted 12 vaccine exemptions to employees.
Updated Sept. 14 at 3:15 p.m.
COVID-19 Update: ASUP hosting COVID Q&A with Health Center
ASUP President Emma Fuller will be interviewing Associate Director of Primary Care Services Kaylin Soldat to address COVID-19 concerns on campus on Sept. 16 at 7 p.m.
The webinar will be over Zoom, and is open to all members of the UP community.
Updated Sept. 9 at 1:37 p.m.
COVID-19 Case Dashboard Update: As of Sept. 5, UP's Pilots Prevent COVID Dashboard shows:
- 2 positive cases reported for the week ending Sep. 5.
- 11 positive cases reported for the semester.
Unlike the previous dashboard, it does not indicate whether these cases are on or off-campus and whether these individuals are in quarantine or isolation.
Updated Sep. 9 at 1:30 p.m.
COVID-19 Vaccination Update: As of Sept. 5, UP's Pilots Prevent Vaccination Dashboard shows:
- 689 out of 713 employees fully vaccinated, or 96.63%, and 98.46% compliant with the policy. There have been 14 exemptions.
- 3,453 out of 3,581 students fully vaccinated, or 96.43%, and 98.74% compliant with the policy. There have been 83 exemptions.
Updated Sept. 6 at 5:49 p.m.
COVID-19 Vaccination Update: As UP hits Sept. 1 deadline, 94.34% of students, faculty and staff are vaccinated.
Students enrolled this fall had until Sept. 1 to provide proof of full vaccination or apply for an exemption, according to the Pilots Prevent website.
For the week ending Aug. 29, the Vaccination Dashboard shows:
- 689 out of 706 employees fully vaccinated, or 97.59%, and 99.58% compliant with the policy. There have been 14 exemptions.
- 3,360 out of 3,586 students fully vaccinated, or 93.7%, and 95.40% compliant with the policy. There have been 61 exemptions.
Students who do not get vaccinated or provide a reason for exemption will have a hold on their account, and be prohibited from attending in-person classes until their case is resolved through the student conduct process.
"Resolution through our conduct process could result in permanent separation from campus if the student still refuses to seek an exemption or become vaccinated," Vice President for Marketing and Communications Michael Lewellen said.
Updated Aug. 30 at 11:42 a.m.
Published Aug. 27 at 6:45 p.m.
COVID-19 Update: Pilots Prevent Case Dashboard will re-launch
As the Delta variant continues to change the landscape of the pandemic, UP will bring back its COVID-19 case dashboard, Acting President Herbert Medina said on Friday.
"Given the size of our community, cases of COVID-19 will occur," Medina said in an email. "Thanks to our contact tracing protocols, case counts are currently exceptionally low."
Medina reported that the University is aware of fewer than 10 cases. However, UP may be unaware of those who have not reported testing positive at an off-campus facility, who are asymptomatic or those having symptoms but not getting tested.
The reported cases are among on and off-campus students, according to Vice President for Marketing and Communications Michael Lewellen.
Students are asked to self-report positive COVID-19 cases through the Pilots Prevent website if they were not tested in the Health Center. There is no surveillance testing, and no plan has been made to bring it back.
Students who are vaccinated and exposed to COVID-19 are not required to quarantine if they are not experiencing symptoms.
Some current cases were diagnosed at the Health Center and others were diagnosed by off-campus healthcare providers and reported to the school, Lewellen said in an email. Known positive cases among faculty and staff are reported to Human Resources.
Updated Aug. 27 at 3:51 p.m.
Sports Update: Proof-of-vaccination required for off-campus students attending games
Starting Sept. 6, all off-campus students attending sports events will need to provide proof-of-vaccination, Acting President Herbert Medina announced on Friday.
UP is also considering the same requirement for other on-campus events with significant off-campus attendance, Medina said.
Updated Aug. 26 at 4:25 p.m.
COVID-19 Update: Students not compliant with vaccination policy will face consequences
Students who fail to submit proof of COVID-19 vaccination or document a reason for exemption will not be allowed on campus, according to Vice President for Marketing and Communications Michael Lewellen.
All students must be compliant with the vaccination policy by Sept. 2.
"Students who are still unwilling to work with University staff to either seek an exemption or submit proof of vaccination will ultimately lose ID access and will be temporarily prohibited from campus until their case is resolved through the student conduct process," Lewellen said in an email.
Currently, 93% of students have submitted their vaccination status or reason for exemption, leaving 252 students who are not compliant.
UP is willing to work with students individually who may be having trouble with the vaccination process, according to Lewellen.
Updated Aug. 26 at 4:08 p.m.
COVID-19 Vaccination Update: Vaccination dashboard shows percent of students, faculty and staff fully vaccinated
The University's Pilots Prevent Vaccination Dashboard has been updated to show the percent of students, faculty and staff who are fully vaccinated. The change was made Aug. 25.
The previous dashboard only showed the percentage of people compliant with UP's policy, which included individuals with vaccine exemptions.
For the week ending Aug. 22, the Vaccination Dashboard shows:
- 689 out of 706 employees fully vaccinated, or 97.59%, and 99.58% compliant with the policy.
- 3,296 out of 3,609 students fully vaccinated, or 91.33%, and 93.02% compliant with the policy.
Austin De Dios is the Editor-in-Chief of The Beacon. He can be reached at dedios22@up.edu.
William Seekamp is the News and Managing Editor of The Beacon. He can be reached at Seekamp22@up.edu
