Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information and Updates

FAQs

• What is the situation at Master's? keyboard_arrow_down

  The Master’s University is vigilantly monitoring and responding to new information about COVID-19. We are following recommendations and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO), the American College Health Association (ACHA), and local health officials.

  We care deeply about the health of our students, faculty, and staff and have gathered a team, including our resident medical microbiologist, Dr. Joe Francis, (661-362-2706, jfrancis@masters.edu) to oversee TMU’s preparedness efforts at our Los Angeles and IBEX campuses.

  • The Santa Clarita Valley, where our campus is located, has also avoided a major outbreak.
  • Our campus is ideally situated in Placerita Canyon, a residential neighborhood with few outside visitors.
  • Thankfully, the data shows that this virus is significantly less dangerous for people 25 and under, the age group for the vast majority our student body.
  • We have in place policies and procedures that will promote the health and safety of our constituents.

  As we pray for those affected and trust in the Lord’s care, we aim to be extra vigilant in order to implement measures in the best interest of all our students, faculty, and staff.

• Information for prospective students, admitted students, and families. keyboard_arrow_down

  We continue to accept undergraduate applications for the Fall 2020 semester and have extended our deadlines. For information about ACT or SAT test scores, deferred applications, or additional aid due to COVID-19. Please see our admissions page and information here.

• Do you have information for international students? keyboard_arrow_down
  • TMU is working closely with the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). We are monitoring updates from the DHS, ICE, US Department of State, and authorities concerning travel and visa requirements for all foreign nationals.
  • The DHS is deferring to the CDC for travel prohibitions, so we are closely monitoring CDC regulations for foreign nationals.
  • California State releases additional COVID & reopening guidelines, which TMU is incorporating into the above decision-making factors.
  • TMU has invited our greater TMU community to host an international student in their home as needed, either for an amount of time until they are able to get on a flight home.
  • Financial and Relief Aid applications for new and continuing students available at masters.edu/relief

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  We are actively seeking to serve our students who are still on-campus in helping them get home safely. About 10% of our student community includes international students who may not be able to get home right away due to limited flight availability or limited finances. The Student Life Office is assisting when possible to help book flights home.

  We invite the TMU community to host an international student in their home for an indefinite amount of time until they are able to get on a flight home. If you would be willing to open up your home, please fill out the following information:

  International Student Hosting: https://bit.ly/3a7IDX6

• When the campus closed in Spring 2020 for the latter portion of the semester, did students receive a refund for room and board? keyboard_arrow_down

  Yes. The Master’s University fully credited all residential student accounts seven weeks for room and board.

• When will graduation take place? keyboard_arrow_down

  The 2020 commencement exercises are scheduled for August 29 at 10:00 A.M. at Grace Baptist Church in Santa Clarita, California. More details will be posted here.

• Will The Master’s University reopen campus and return to in-person classes this fall? keyboard_arrow_down

  Yes! We are excited to reopen the university campus this fall. The plan to reopen includes a return of campus housing, in-person classes, and athletic events.

• When will students return to campus and will there be any changes to the academic calendar? keyboard_arrow_down

  We will resume on-campus instruction on August 27th. On-campus instruction will be completed before Thanksgiving, and the remainder of the semester will be conducted remotely.

• Do I need to wear a mask? keyboard_arrow_down

  TMU is requiring face coverings where physical distancing cannot be maintained outside and inside university buildings, including classrooms and laboratories, beginning, Monday, August 10 (RA’s return). This requirement applies to everyone on campus and extends to those attending university events.

• What protocols is TMU instituting to promote the health and safety of our campus community? keyboard_arrow_down

  To help promote a healthy and safe return to campus, TMU is implementing a comprehensive health plan that calls for the following:

  • Self-screening of COVID-19 symptoms and exposure.
  • Good hygiene that includes frequent hand washing and covering mouth and nose when sneezing.
  • Physical distancing throughout the university campus.
  • Frequent and thorough cleaning throughout campus.

  Frequent and thorough cleaning will be the foundation of our protocol for promoting health and safety while learning. Vinyl gloves and disinfectant wipes will be provided, and students will be encouraged to wipe down their desk/chair area. We will schedule cleaning crews to fully sanitize each classroom in the evenings. Additionally, two weeks prior to student arrival, student residence and gathering spaces will be professionally deep cleaned. Out-sourced nightly cleaning crew will clean all non-dormitory buildings Sunday through Thursday evenings, including classrooms, lobbies, hallways, offices, conference rooms, reception areas, common areas, and restrooms. Areas on lower and north campus with higher weekend traffic (library, gym, fitness center, Student Center, BSC, Music Center, etc.) will also be cleaned on Friday and Saturday evenings. Finally, bathrooms will be cleaned and sanitized multiple times a day and high-traffic spaces will be cleaned regularly; wipes and sanitizers will be placed in multiple strategic locations.

• Will the university be providing personal protective equipment (PPE), such as masks, to the campus community? keyboard_arrow_down

  Yes. The Master’s University is providing every student, faculty member, and staff member two high-quality nonmedical-grade masks. These are reusable and washable masks. One disposable mask will be provided to visitors. The University will have extra masks on hand for purchase to replace lost or damaged masks.

• Will TMU require COVID-19 testing for students before returning to campus? keyboard_arrow_down

  Students will not be required to take a COVID-19 test before returning to campus, but they will undergo a health screening upon their arrival. That includes temperature checks, symptom monitoring, and a survey of any possible exposure to COVID-19.

• How will TMU make sure students, staff, and faculty are following the health and safety guidelines? keyboard_arrow_down

  TMU has spent the summer going throughout campus mapping out traffic flow to utilize physical distancing this fall. Signs are posted on doors and buildings to remind our campus community of the health and safety protocols. Classrooms are reconfigured to accommodate physical distancing. Finally, we, as a campus community, have the responsibility to protect each other, to care for each other, and to ensure the health and safety of our entire campus by following guidelines for physical distancing, face coverings, self-monitoring of symptoms, and good hygiene.

• Will a student need to quarantine if he has been tested for COVID-19 and is awaiting the result? keyboard_arrow_down

  Yes. Quarantined students will remain living in their dorm room. Their roommate must quarantine with them until the Health Center clears both students to resume all on-campus activities. TMU will designate one sink, toilet, and shower per bathroom for students who have been exposed but are asymptomatic. Quarantined students will not attend class in person but are responsible to make arrangements with their professors to fulfill their academic responsibilities. Provision will be made to have their meals delivered to them

• If a student tests positive for or has been exposed to COVID-19, will they be quarantined? keyboard_arrow_down

  Students testing positive will be required to leave campus until cleared by the Health Center to return. A student with a positive result will leave campus. TMU has secured temporary off-campus accommodations to provide care until students can return home or come back to campus with a clean bill of health. A student with a negative result should contact the Health Center and proceed as instructed.

• What do I do if our campus closes like it did last spring? keyboard_arrow_down

  If TMU closes its campus and transitions to fully online instruction, students will be given a prorated refund for room and board. International students will be allowed to continue their studies in the U.S. if they choose to, but they may have to make living arrangements away from the TMU campus.

• What if I want to just take classes online? keyboard_arrow_down

  We have a full slate of general education courses available online. Students can sign up for those this semester and return to campus for future semesters. Because the on-campus experience is an integral part of a TMU education, residential students must attend in-person classes.

• Will TMU modify how the dorms/residence halls are organized? keyboard_arrow_down

  Each dorm room will have a maximum of two occupants. Each wing will be treated as a “family unit” in the sense that it is a shared residence with a communal restroom. Face coverings will not be required within wings unless mandated by state/county regulations.

• What will on-campus dining look like this fall? keyboard_arrow_down

  The dining hall occupancy will be set at 60% to ensure physical distancing. A concierge will monitor traffic flow and dining hall occupancy to ensure physical distancing. A myriad of other policies are being implemented to ensure health and safety at our dining hall. To review the full adjustments to The Mustang Grill and the Trough, see our policy and procedures document.

• Are there new financial aid relief options? keyboard_arrow_down

  Yes. Financial and Relief Aid applications for new and continuing students available at masters.edu/relief

  The Financial Aid office will remain open during normal business hours–Monday through Friday, 9:00-5:00 PST. Also, because of this disruptive transition to distance learning, no student’s academic and need based scholarships will be affected for the 2020-021 academic year because of poor academic performance this spring semester.

• What are the TMU task forces safety & action items? keyboard_arrow_down

  In addition to our Infectious disease task force, TMU has 4 dedicated task forces each working with local and federal agencies. Upon our reopening this fall, task forces will have implemented a detailed and comprehensive health and safety plan including:

  • (1) On-campus classes as our primary instruction model.
  • (2) The development of a distance education plan that can be implemented when necessary so we can deliver a quality education no matter the circumstances.
  • (3) Physical distancing protocols mandated by governing authorities
  • (4) Expanded student health and support services
  • (5) Procedures for health clinic to trace any infection on campus using health department guidelines.
  • (6) Partnership with our local Henry Mayo hospital to provide testing and patient care for our students and community,
  • (7) Procedures for reporting health conditions daily and for checking temperatures at any time.
  • (8) Solutions to downsize large groups, informed by federal and local guidelines.
  • (9) Solutions to allow access to chapel.
  • (10) Solutions for athletic competitions.
• Has the Emergency Operations Center been activated? keyboard_arrow_down

  Yes. In order to facilitate management of the COVID-19 response, The Master’s University (TMU) administration has approved the activation of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC). This activation is being done according to our Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) which follows the National Incident Management System (NIMS) protocol, as well as state and federal guidelines. Members of the TMU Infectious Disease Task Force are closely monitoring city, county, and state response to the COVID-19 outbreak and will meet in the EOC to assist the administration with preparedness, response, and recovery efforts related to the incident

• What is the construction currently happening on-campus? keyboard_arrow_down

  Over the summer, a number of construction and renovation projects are scheduled on the university campus. Many will be completed by the start of the fall semester, and they are going to significantly upgrade a number of classroom spaces, interior and exterior updates and renovations to the dorms, new and updated common areas of campus including Under The Oaks, upgrades, and renovations to a number of academic centers including the School Of Business, CIS Department, School of Online, and School of Education.