Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Classes Housing Theatre Arts School of Music Visits Athletic Events Study Abroad Programs: IBEX Campus Events Employees Financial Aid

Contact Information

For more information, please call 661-362-2502 or email emergencyhotline@masters.edu.

Health Center Office Hours
9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Phone: 661-362-2655

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information and Updates

The Master’s University is vigilantly monitoring and responding to new information about COVID-19. No COVID-19 cases have been reported at TMU. As things continue to evolve, 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.

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.

See full updates below, including:

The 2020 commencement exercises are scheduled for August 29 at 10:00 A.M. at Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California.
Closed campus dormitories. Students may contact student life to make an appointment to remove their belongings from campus between March 30 and May 8.
Campuses will reopen when authorities loosen restrictions.
Students in online programs continue regular sessions.
TMU and TMS have transitioned to online and non-traditional class formats for the remainder of the semester, beginning March 30.
Every student has the opportunity to finish this semester successfully.
TMU Administration has developed a financial solution for residential dormitory students.

Update, April 3, 2020

When The Master’s University closed its campus March 18 and moved all classes to a remote learning format for the rest of the semester, we still hoped for a reunion, and a well-deserved celebration of our seniors, at graduation on May 8. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 crisis has worsened the past two weeks. The President of The United States has extended federal guidelines on social distancing to April 30. At the same time, the governor of California has ordered all residents to shelter-in-place until at least April 19. And the situation continues to change rapidly. We cannot be sure the virus will stop spreading by the end of April, or that our governing authorities will, come May 8, permit large gatherings like a commencement exercise. For those reasons, it is no longer prudent or safe for the TMU family to gather May 8, so we are postponing our 2020 graduation ceremony.

We know this is a disruption and disappointment for our seniors and their loved ones. They’ve worked hard and sacrificed so much. They deserve all the pomp and circumstance that comes with a graduation ceremony, and we are still committed to providing that.

The 2020 commencement exercises are now scheduled for August 29 at 10:00 a.m. at Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California. Our beloved chancellor emeritus, John MacArthur, will speak. And it will be the first time the TMU family will officially gather after a difficult, trying period, to celebrate God’s goodness, rejoice with our beloved seniors, and look ahead, with great anticipation, to all God has in store for them and for The Master’s University. Please join us in praying for an end to the threat of COVID-19 so that on this new date, August 29, our seniors can be celebrated and our TMU family can reunite.

Mitch Hopewell

Previous Updates

Update, March 23, 2020 Update, March 19, 2020 Update, March 18, 2020 Update, March 15, 2020 Update, March 14, 2020 Update, March 13, 2020 Update, March 12, 2020 Update, March 11, 2020 Update, February 28, 2020

FAQs

What is TMU doing about Coronavirus?

Our task force is monitoring the situation as it develops, and we are following the recommendations set by health experts.
How long will the TMU campus be closed?

We intend to keep the campus closed the remainder of the academic year. We will only open campus if the situation improves and the CDC issues new guidelines on social distancing and group gatherings.
With campus closed for the remainder of the semester, will I receive a refund for the last seven weeks of room and board?

Yes. The Master’s University will fully credit all residential student accounts seven weeks for room and board. For students planning to return for the 2020-21 academic year, this credit will apply to their fall balance. Please contact student accounts if you have any questions.
Can I still request financial aid for the 2020-21 academic year?

Yes. 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 2020021 academic year because of poor academic performance this spring semester.
What about travel plans?

As of March 11th, TMU is cancelling or postponing international travel for all community members, as well as all domestic school sponsored trips. We are currently reviewing any travel beyond April 6, 2020. Currently, we are not imposing any restrictions on domestic travel. However, we will be closely monitoring developing cases in the U.S. and may need to impose the same restrictions for those who travel to domestic areas that authorities have established as hot spots.
Do you have information for international students?

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
About the symptoms and the virus.
The symptoms are roughly analogous to those of the flu. The CDC lists the primary symptoms as follows
- Fever
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
Health experts are still determining exactly how COVID-19 can and cannot be transmitted. But the virus can spread between people, so normal flu-season precautions are recommended.

Is there a cure? A working vaccine has not yet been developed. As with the flu, infected individuals can receive palliative care to reduce the risk and discomfort caused by symptoms.

What are the recommended preventative measures? Common sense is a powerful preventative for this and other viruses. We recommend:
- Cleansing your hands with soap or alcohol-based sanitizer frequently throughout the day.
- Avoid close contact with sick individuals. If you yourself are sick, stay home.
- Disinfect items and places in your environment that are likely to carry germs.
- Cough or sneeze into your sleeve or a tissue.
- Avoid touching your face (especially your eyes, nose, and mouth).
Should I wear a mask? Health experts believe that masks provide little or no benefit to healthy individuals, although they may help prevent a sick individual from spreading germs.

How do I disinfect my environment? Objects and surfaces that are touched frequently should be disinfected with a cleaning product registered with the EPA or a diluted bleach solution. As always, follow the instructions on the product label to ensure safety. We suggest regularly disinfecting things like keyboards, computer mice, doorknobs, switches, and phones. Take care when cleaning electronics, as using the wrong solution can damage them.

Is TMU testing for the Coronavirus? While we do not have testing kits on campus, we are working with local health authorities who are capable of examining any suspected cases. If any member of the TMU community is concerned they might have COVID-19, the first step would be to contact their primary care provider.
Will TMU still conduct summer classes?

Yes. At this time, all summer classes will begin as scheduled.
Will TMU open for the Fall semester?

Yes. We will update you if there are any changes to the schedule.
Has the Emergency Operations Center been activated?

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