Frequently Asked Questions

This page was updated on June 26, 2023.

Questions not covered here may be emailed to the COVID-19 Taskforce.

For COVID-19 regulations, who does Whittier College receive guidance from?

Whittier College receives guidance from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, State of California Department of Public Health, Cal/OSHA, and the CDC.

How are COVID-19 guidelines delivered to the Whittier College community?

COVID-19 Guidelines are delivered to the Whittier College Community by College leadership, the COVID-19 Taskforce, and COVID-19 e-newsletter.

What are the consequences of not following the guidelines?

Students who fail to comply with COVID-19 guidelines and requirements will be subject to the conduct process as necessary. Student-athletes who fail to comply with requirements may not be permitted to participate in intercollegiate athletics until compliant. Employees may be subject to disciplinary action.

What can I expect for fall 2023?

Vaccination

  • The COVID primary series vaccine and booster is no longer required of students, employees, contracted workers, or visitors.
  • Whittier College strongly recommends that individuals receive the latest bivalent vaccine per CDC guidelines.

Masking

  • Masking is optional for all students, employees, and contracted workers except in the following situations:
    • Per the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LADPH), masking is required of individuals with a confirmed case of COVID-19 through Day 10.
    • Per LADPH, masking is required of close contacts who have been exposed to a positive case through Day 10 after last exposure.
    • Masks remain required when visiting the Student Health & Wellness Center.
  • Whittier College will continue to provide masks for any employee who requests them per Cal/OSHA requirements. Please use the PPE & Supply Request Form for this purpose.   

Health Screening

Testing

  • Weekly testing is not required for unvaccinated individuals.
  • Students, employees, and contracted workers diagnosed with COVID-19 are required to submit proof of a negative test result to end isolation after Day 5 (i.e., between Day 6-10) AND be fever-free for at least 24 hours without fever-reducing medicine AND symptoms have resolved or are mild and improving.
  • Persons with symptoms of possible COVID-19 infection, regardless of vaccination status or previous infection, should isolate and test for COVID-19. The College will no longer require testing for symptomatic individuals.
  • Asymptomatic students, employees, and contracted workers exposed to a positive case should test between Days 3-5 after last date of exposure AND wear a well-fitting mask for 10 days after last date of exposure.
  • Whittier College will continue to provide access to free COVID-19 testing for employees exposed to a positive campus case.

Isolation

  • Students, employees, and contracted workers with confirmed COVID-19 infection are required to isolate and follow all County isolation instructions regardless of vaccination status, history of infection, or lack of symptoms.   

Contact Tracing

  • As required by Cal/OSHA, Whittier College will notify all employees of exposure to a positive COVID-19 campus case and offer free testing.
  • Institutes of Higher Education in LA County are no longer required to notify students of exposure to a positive case. The College will strive to do so and will prioritize high-risk groups and settings.

Events

It is no longer necessary to request permission for events and activities for the purpose of COVID prevention.