Need-to-Know A-Z Index

Air Filtration

HVAC Regular Maintenance Standards
Facilities Management continuously ensures campus HVAC systems are performing optimally, per guidelines set by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE).

HVAC systems are maintained according to ASHRAE Operations and Scheduling Guidelines for Existing Air Handling Units (AHU) during the pandemic. LMU adheres to a national standard code 180 set forth by ANSI (Approved American National Standards Institute), ASHRAE and ACCA (Air Conditioning Contractors of America). This outlines standard practice for inspection and maintenance of commercial building HVAC systems.

Current COVID-19 Pandemic Enhancements
Since March 2020, HVAC filtration levels in all campus systems have been increased to maximum system capacity in all campus buildings. LMU has also increased the frequency of HVAC filter replacement by 100% as compared to pre-COVID levels. 

In preparation for campus reopening, FM has taken the following measures to ensure that campus HVAC systems were completely evaluated and operationally adjusted:

• Reviewed air distribution conditions of existing spaces, resolving any issues including but not limited to covered diffusers, blocked return air grilles, reduced supply diffusers/registers, and return exhaust grilles that create short cycling.
• Commissioned external professionals for assessment of airflow and review of overall system configuration.
• Reviewed and addressed any existing air quality issues, complaints, or deficiencies.
• Adjusted outside air dampers, to as high as 100% intake, to increase outside air exchange and return air ratios to enhance fresh air circulation.
• Improved central air filtration optimum levels via:
• sealing of edges in filter racks
• frequent replacement of all filters
• increased filter efficiency in all buildings by a minimum of 16% for large particles and 50% for small particles.

• Expanded scheduled air flow beyond normal business hours to increase the time period for air exchange.
• Performed general inspections of spaces to identify potential concerns for water leaks or mold growth that could negatively impact occupant health.
• Reviewed control sequences to ensure systems are operating according to ASHRAE specifications, maintaining required ventilation, temperature, and humidity conditions in occupied areas. Leveraged service contract with Siemens to ensure front end controls are working and functioning properly at all times.
• Performed modifications to increase the quantity of outside air and ventilation in offices and other spaces.
• Replaced 3,000 HVAC filters across campus
• Disinfected all individual air supply and return registers in every space on campus prior to occupancy.

Cleaning

Facilities Management is working continuously to ensure that our campuses remain clean and sanitary, especially in high-touch areas like door handles, restrooms, handrails, seating areas, and more.

How do I get the trash can in my office emptied?
All individuals with private offices should place their trash and recycling bins outside their door at the close of business, so receptacles can be emptied.

How do I get my office cleaned?
Office services (including vacuuming, dusting, and general cleaning) are by request only. Please email quality@lmu.edu to request a cleaning, or to request supplies (sanitizing wipes and spray, hand sanitizer). 

What office cleaning services are provided? What am I responsible for? 

• Cleaning wipes are provided to offices.
• Hand sanitizing stations are located at or near all building entrances, elevators, and copy/mail rooms.
• Hand sanitizer: available at or in close proximity to all building entrances; elevator entrances; high traffic service counters; housing building entrances; locker rooms; large open areas (e.g. villages, lounges, atriums).
• All bathrooms and pantries are stocked and replenished on a regular basis with soap and water. Pantries without sinks are equipped with hand sanitizer stations.
• Employees are responsible for cleaning and maintaining their individual workspaces, including desks, chairs, and computer equipment. Commonly used surfaces should be wiped down before and after use with products that meet EPA criteria for use against COVID-19 and are appropriate for the surface. Before and after use of shared equipment, individuals should wash their hands and wipe down equipment or supplies. Cleaning supplies that meet the EPA’s criteria for use will be provided to employees for this purpose.

COVID Dashboard

For current figures on isolated, quarantined and confirmed cases of COVID-19 at LMU, please consult the COVID Dashboard.

COVID Protocols

Where can I get information about LMU isolation or quarantine instructions? 
Please refer to the isolation instructions found here. 

What should I do if a friend or family member notifies me that they are COVID positive after I have spent time with them?
If you are a close contact to a positive case, get tested and monitor your health closely for 14 days. you can find additional guidelines here. If you have additional questions, please contact the COVID Support Team at COVIDSupportTeam@lmu.edu or 310.568.6868.

What should I do if I receive a positive COVID test result?
Individuals who receive a COVID positive test, regardless of vaccination status, should self-isolate and notify the COVID Support Team using the COVID Test Submission form. You will automatically receive individualized instructions and support from the COVID Support Team. If you were on campus while you were infectious, the COVID Support Team will contact you to conduct a contact investigation. The COVID Support Team can also be reached at COVIDSupportTeam@lmu.edu or 310.568.6868.

What should I do if I have COVID symptoms or just don’t feel well?
If you do not feel well and you are confident you have not been exposed to a positive COVID case in the last two weeks, please follow these instructions.

When may I return to campus in-person after having COVID-19?
You may return to in-person instruction after completing isolation per L.A. Public Health's guidelines and following instructions provided by the COVID Support Team.

May I attend class or go to work if I am COVID positive?
No. Anyone who tests positive must isolate and may not leave their home or come to campus until isolation is completed in accordance with L.A. Public Health’s and instructions by the COVID Support Team (unless they are obtaining essential medical care).

When can students return to class after they test positive?
Students may return to class once isolation is completed in accordance with L.A. Public Health’s and instructions by the COVID Support Team (unless they are obtaining essential medical care).

Do I need to tell my professor and/or supervisor that I'm sick?
You are responsible for communicating your absence to your instructors or supervisors, though you do not need to disclose the specifics of your health status. 

What happens if a student doesn't notify their professor that they're sick?
If a student does not directly communicate with their faculty, faculty should treat the absence as they would typically.

How does LMU clean affected areas, in the event of a positive case?
LMU cleans and sanitizes locations used by infectious individuals within the 24 hours prior to notification to the COVID Support Team. Per Cal OSHA and L.A. Public Health, locations used by individuals more than 24 hours ago are not required to be sanitized, as there is no risk of transmission from droplets after one day. Procedures include wiping all surfaces with a sanitizing disinfectant approved by the EPA to kill COVID-19 and/or use of electrostatic disinfection machines to sanitize all surfaces. 

How does LMU conduct contact tracing?
The COVID Support Team handles contact investigation and communication with positive, symptomatic or exposed individuals. Contact tracing is conducted for every individual who is lab-confirmed COVID positive and has been on one of LMU's campuses during the period in which they were infectious.

What happens if there is a positive case?
In the event of a positive case, the COVID Support Team immediately initiates a contact investigation, provides instructions for home isolation, and issues exposure notifications for those exposed.

Will I be notified if I was in contact with a positive case?
You will be notified if you were identified by the positive case to have had close contact with them indoors while they were infectious. (For the definition of close contact, click here.) 

Will I be able to know who I was in close contact with, who tested positive?
In support of the individual's privacy and in alignment with contact tracing protocol and best practices, the name or other identifying information of the positive case will not be disclosed to the close contacts, their faculty, their supervisors or any other individual in accordance with FERPA requirements.

How does LMU tell the community about COVID positive cases and exposures?
You may track the current isolation count and the number of cases on the LMU COVID-19 Dashboard, which is updated daily.

Will anything be posted in the actual location where a confirmed case was found?
Per Cal/OSHA requirements, a notice will be posted for 24 hours at the general location of the primary worksite of an employee who is lab-confirmed COVID-positive, while also maintaining that employee's confidentiality. Note that signs are not posted for student cases, unless they are a student employee. 

Will LMU notify the community in the case of a larger outbreak?
Clusters are reported on the university's COVID-19 dashboard; a cluster is defined by L.A. County Public Health as at least 3 epidemiologically linked cases. Details about the individuals who are lab-confirmed COVID positive will not be disclosed. This measure is in compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act. 

How does LMU coordinate contact tracing with L.A. County Department of Public Health?
The COVID Support Team Leader will report all lab-confirmed positive cases and exposures the L.A. County Department of Public Health, Acute Communicable Disease Unit in accordance with the County's Guidance for Exposure Management in Higher Education.

How is the COVID Support Team notified of a positive case?
The COVID Support Team is automatically notified of positive results from tests collected at the LMU or LLS Testing Centers. Individuals who are tested off campus are expected to contact the COVID Support Team as soon as they receive a positive result. Individuals whose positive tests are collected off-campus or collected with an at-home antigen test should notify the COVID Support Team using the COVID Test Submission form.  The COVID Support Team is available 7 days a week from 9:00am - 5:00pm (9:00am - 2:00pm on university holidays), and may be reached at COVIDSupportTeam@lmu.edu or 310.568.6868.

COVID Safe Return Initiative

LMU Environmental Health & Safety has developed the COVID - Safe Return Initiative, a program that facilitates ongoing communication of protocols and streamlined support to colleges, schools, and departments, to ensure that all employees have a safe and compliant workspace. Learn more here. 

Face Masks

Face masks are not required on campus, regardless of vaccination status. However, the university continues to recommend masking when indoors around others, and asks everyone to respect each other's preferences. 

Do I need to wear a mask while on campus?
LMU continues to align our policies with L.A. County Department of Public Health requirements and guidance from regional, state, and federal public health authorities. As of August 17, 2022, masks are not required on LMU campuses. Masks are still required at Student Health Services and Student Psychological Services, per county and state guidelines for healthcare settings. 

What type of mask should I wear?
L.A. County Public Health recommends surgical masks, N95 and KN95 respirators. Bandanas and scarves are not recommended. You can view L.A. County Public Health's full face mask recommendations here. 

May I wear a face shield instead?
Face shields with drapes are permitted as a reasonable accommodation only. To submit a request to use a face shield, students should contact DSS and faculty and staff should contact HR.

How do I request an N95 mask?
Faculty or staff may request an N95 or clear mask by submitting this form. Students, faculty, staff, and visitors may obtain free surgical masks throughout campus in Malone, VDA, University Hall, Campus Safety, Burns Rec Center, and WHH Library. 

General Info

Who can I contact if I have a question about COVID safety in the workplace?
If any employee has concerns about the COVID safety of their workspace, please contact your COVID safety liaison.

How do I find answers to questions related to instruction that are not answered here? 
As we navigate uncertainty together, please continue working with your deans’ offices to address your questions and concerns. You may also send requests for a question to be added to these FAQs by emailing CommunitySupport@lmu.edu.

Where can I find the most updated information regarding LMU’s return to campus?
The LMU.edu/Together site has been the university’s hub of information throughout the pandemic. As a reminder, this A-Z Index  is your comprehensive resource for up-to-date information on a number of topics related to campus life. You may also view current and cumulative COVID-19 data at the LMU COVID Dashboard.

Illness

Isolation/Exposure

LMU strictly adheres the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health Guidance for Exposure Management for Institutes of Higher Education and the Health Officer Order.

What do I do if I'm exposed to COVID-19?
If you have recently been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, you are not required to quarantine per current L.A. County Public Health guidelines, but you must follow these instructions:

• Wear a highly protective mask at all times when indoors and around large crowds outdoors through day 10 from your last date of exposure. 
• Get tested immediately and again 3-5 days after your last date of exposure, and follow report your test results using the LMU COVID Test Submission form.   
• The test must be an FDA-authorized COVID-19 viral test – a PCR test is strongly recommended. If it is not possible for you to obtain a PCR test in a timely fashion, an antigen test is also acceptable. 
• If you do not test within 3-5 days after your last date of exposure (or immediately, if day 5 has passed), you are prohibited from returning to LMU until day 11, per Cal/OSHA.
• If you have tested positive for COVID-19 within the last 90 days: 
  • If you have symptoms of COVID-19, you should use antigen tests to make sure you have not gotten re-infected. 
  • If you do not have symptoms of COVID-19: Testing is not recommended if your first positive test was 30 days ago or less. Testing is recommended (but not required) if your first positive test was 31-90 days ago. If you do test, you should use an antigen test. 
• If your test result is positive, isolate and notify the LMU COVID Support Team via the LMU COVID Test Submission form, as we are mandated to report your positive result to L.A. County Public Health. 
• Monitor your health for 10 days. If symptoms start, stay home and get tested. 

Notes: 

• Close Contacts are now defined by the size of the venue shared with an infected individual, regardless of masking:

  • Classrooms, Offices, Conference Rooms, or Other Similar Sized Spaces (capacity: up to 30): everyone in the room who shared the same indoor air space with the infected person for 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period is considered a close contact per California and L.A. County Public Health.
  • Dining Halls, Lecture Halls, Auditoriums, Larger Suites, and Other Large Indoor Spaces (capacity: greater than 30): close contacts are identified as those who were within 6 feet of the infected person for 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period, OR if the individual is part of an identifiable group (e.g. teammates, club members, cohort, etc.) with the infected person.
  • Outdoors: L.A. County Public Health does not consider outdoor exposure, even within 6 feet with or without masks, as close contact.

• COVID positive is defined as an individual who has a positive diagnostic swab or saliva viral test for COVID-19 or whose healthcare provider thinks they have COVID-19. Note: an individual who has had COVID-19 in the past 90 days may continue to test positive on a PCR test even when they are no longer infectious. If an individual who had COVID-19 in the last 90 days has a new positive diagnostic test for COVID-19 and is asymptomatic, they are not presumed to have COVID-19 and are instructed to talk with their doctor to obtain a diagnosis. 
  
  

What happens if an individual has COVID?
If an individual has COVID-19 – meaning they have tested positive for COVID-19 using a lab-based saliva or swab PCR test, they tested positive using a rapid antigen or PCR test, or their healthcare provider otherwise diagnoses them as infectious COVID-19, regardless of their vaccination status, they are required to isolate.

Note: If an individual has had COVID in the last 90 days, they are instructed by L.A. County Public Health and the CDC to avoid testing using for 90 days from symptom onset or the date their positive test was collected since they may continue to test positive even though they are not infectious. As such, those who have had COVID in the past 90 days and test positive during that 90-day period are exempt from isolation unless the individual is symptomatic or has been diagnosed with COVID by their physician. The COVID Support Team will work these individuals to provide individualized guidance. 

Isolation Instructions for those who have COVID-19:

• Stay home and separate yourself from others in your household until your home isolation ends. On-campus residents are provided with a dedicated isolation space and support, coordinated by Student Housing. 
• Do not leave your residence except for essential medical care. When obtaining medical care, drive yourself, if possible. If you cannot drive yourself, keep as much distance as possible between you and the driver and others by sitting in the back seat, leaving the windows down, and wearing a mask. If you do not have a mask, wear a cloth face covering.
• If someone from outside your household is shopping for you, ask them to leave the food and other supplies at your door and pick them up after the person has left.
• An individual is cleared from isolation:
• • After day 10, provided you remain asymptomatic or your symptoms have improved and you are fever-free without the use of medication for at least 24 hours - OR –
  • On day 6 or later, provided that you test negative via an antigen test on day 5 or later, you remain asymptomatic or your symptoms have improved and you are fever-free for at least 24 hours without medication, and you have received clearance from the COVID Support Team. If you are cleared prior to day 10, you are required to wear a medical grade mask indoors at all times and outdoors when around others through day 10. (Those who test positive on their antigen test on day 5 or later are automatically required to complete a 10 day isolation.)

Loyola Law School Community

Members of the LMU Loyola Law School community should review the LLS Student FAQs and LLS Faculty & Staff FAQs. Visit LLS Together for more LLS-specific information. For questions specific to LLS, please contact LMU Loyola Law School Student Affairs at 213.736.8151, or  studentaffairs@lls.edu.

Test Kits

LMU offers free at-home rapid antigen COVID test kits to students, faculty, staff, and contractors. Check the LMU COVID-19 Testing webpage for additional details, including where to pick up complimentary tests, during both operational hours and after hours.

Travel

Can I travel on university business this year if I am vaccinated? 
Domestic university-related travel, including research trips, conferences, immersion trips, volunteer or work programs, service learning, fellowships, or professional development activities, is permitted for fully vaccinated individuals.

Can I travel on university business this year if I have an approved exemption? 
Domestic travel by non-vaccinated individuals with approved medical or religious exemptions is approved on a case-by-case basis. These individuals will be required to follow all CDC protocols upon their return. You can learn more here. 

Can I travel internationally on university business?

Yes. Effective May 1, 2022, university-sponsored or grant-funded travel abroad for fully vaccinated faculty and staff no longer requires a travel exception request by Risk Management for travel to locations identified by the U.S. Department of State (U.S. DOS) and the CDC as Level 1, 2 or 3 advisories. University-sponsored travel to locations with U.S. DOS or CDC Level 4 advisories require completion of a Travel Exception Request Form and advance review by Risk Management at least 21 days prior to planned travel. Learn more University Sponsored International Travel Updates.

Please always refer to the latest guidance by L.A. County Public Health before traveling. 

Do I need to get tested or quarantine when returning from domestic or international travel?
If you are fully vaccinated, you do not need to get tested or quarantine upon your return. For more information, please refer to the L.A. Public Health travel page for current recommendations.

See also: Travel Guidance and Study Abroad

Vaccine Requirements

Vaccinations and Boosters Required for LMU and LLS Faculty and Staff
Effective August 30, 2021, all students, faculty, and staff are required to have their original COVID vaccine and one booster, and report their vaccination status to VaxLMU prior to the academic year or upon hire (for employees). 

This requirement is consistent with public health guidance, our values, our student protocols, and recommendations from the Faculty Senate.

Human Resources and Student Affairs will consider exemptions on a case-by-case basis for qualifying medical or religious reasons. Exemption requests must be submitted via VaxLMU.

Please note: Students, faculty or staff who fail to comply with this protocol will be subject to sanctions and corrective action processes in accordance with policies set forth by Student Affairs and Human Resources, respectively.

What do I need to do to comply with the vaccination and booster requirement? 

1. Be fully vaccinated and have received at least one COVID booster.
2. Report your COVID vaccination and booster(s) to VaxLMU.

Those who are unable to receive the vaccine due to a medical condition or sincerely held religious belief must apply for and receive an exemption from Human Resources (staff/faculty) or Student Affairs (students).

What are the consequences if I fail to comply with the vaccination and booster requirement?
Students, faculty or staff who fail to comply with with the vaccination or booster requirement will be subject to sanctions and corrective action processes in accordance with policies set forth by Student Affairs and Human Resources, respectively.

May I ask a community member about their vaccination status?
No, a community member’s vaccination status is a private matter and protected by HIPAA and FERPA. Asking an individual to disclose their vaccination status is not permitted.

What are the requirements for students, faculty, or staff who receive exemptions?
Students, faculty, or staff who receive approval for a medical or religious vaccination exemption do not have any restrictions on activity.

How will I know if my students are noncompliant or are facing sanctions?
Similar to vaccination status, student judicial or conduct information is private and protected under FERPA.