New Student COVID-19 Cases Off-Campus: You Can Help Slow the Spread

Date: 9/10/2020
From: Office of Student Affairs
Subject: New Student COVID-19 Cases Off-Campus: You Can Help Slow the Spread

Dear Students, Faculty and Staff,
 
In the past few days, we have confirmed nine new, positive cases of COVID-19 among Cal Poly Pomona students who attended the same off-campus party—and who live off campus and have not recently been on campus. We care deeply about the wellbeing, health and safety of these students and other members of our university community, and we ask that you join us in taking the necessary measures to keep us all healthy and safe. 
 
Current Situation: What You Need to Know 

  • The nine students who tested positive were likely exposed when they attended an August 28 off-campus party hosted by members of a registered Greek student organization at housing that is not affiliated with the university. More than 30 students from Cal Poly Pomona and other schools in Southern California, including some where there are known COVID-19 cases, were present.  
  • Immediately after the first possible positive cases were reported, Dr. Leticia Gutierrez-Lopez, Associate Vice President for Student Health & Wellbeing, began an incident investigation to contain and mitigate the spread, as required by exposure management protocols for Institutes of Higher Education by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LACDPH).
  • Consistent with these protocols, Dr. Gutierrez-Lopez contacted each Cal Poly Pomona student who attended the party to provide them with necessary information and guidance regarding isolation, quarantine and student health and wellbeing resources available to them. 
  • We are closely monitoring the nine Cal Poly Pomona students affected, in partnership with LACDPH. 
  • We have confirmed that none of these nine students were on campus during the infectious period, and no other students, staff or faculty have been exposed, including the small number of students living on campus or participating in our very small number of approved, in-person learning activities on campus. 

You Can Help Slow the Spread 

  • While we have minimal numbers of students living in our on-campus residences, we know that students continue to live and gather in the local area in group settings. 
  • To protect all members of our community, we need students to follow the Expectations for Student Organizations sent to all students and registered student clubs and organizations (including Greek life) about our safety protocols and precautions, expectations, and consequences. As a reminder, all in-person gatherings of any size affiliated, hosted and/or coordinated by the university, students, clubs and organizations, and members of the Greek Life community are prohibited until further notice, and student organizations may be subject to disciplinary action for failure to abide by these and other policies.
  • To foster a safe learning environment during the coronavirus pandemic, students should also review and follow CPP’s COVID-19 Mask & Social Distancing Guidelines, which includes tips for students, faculty and staff on what to do when you encounter someone who isn’t following the guidelines. 
  • All students, faculty and staff should also visit our Safer Return website to find resources and checklists you must complete prior to coming to campus for approved in-person instruction, work, and/or other business and activities. 
  • Finally, if you believe you have had close contact with an infected person and/or you are not feeling well, see the FAQ's on this page for what to do next, including calling Student Health and Wellness Services at (909) 869-4000 if you are a student. For general information on how we report and respond to positive cases, visit this reporting page. If you still have a question or concern, email healthalert@cpp.edu or call (909) 869-2500.

We are proud that our preparation, persistence and collective efforts to contain the Coronavirus have kept our campus’ total reported cases relatively low compared to other colleges and universities across the nation. But we need you to do your part—and encourage others to do the same—in continuing to slow the spread and protecting the health and personal wellbeing of everyone in our community.

Sincerely,
 
Christina Gonzales
Vice President for Student Affairs
 
Leticia Gutierrez-Lopez, Psy.D.
Associate Vice President for Student Health and Wellbeing
 
Jonathan Pettigrew, Ph.D.
Director, Student Conduct and Integrity