Supporting our Pacific community

Dear Pacific Community,

The COVID-19 crisis continues to challenge and change our daily lives in ways none of us could have imagined. This is especially true for our university community. Information is changing rapidly, the need to quickly adapt has never been greater, and the stress is immense. I want you to know that the Board of Regents has the utmost confidence that you have risen, and will continue to rise in the days and weeks ahead, to work through this crisis. The Board of Regents is extremely proud of the way you are supporting each other, reflecting the spirit of community at Pacific.

The university has had to make difficult decisions to protect the health and safety of our community. These decisions have greatly impacted our students, our faculty and our staff. Yesterday, we transitioned to online learning. We understand that this has come with challenges, and I want to thank our students and faculty for their outstanding work in preparing for this shift quickly. The way you have stepped up is remarkable, and I am deeply appreciative of the patience and flexibility you have demonstrated.

The Board of Regents has recently created an ad hoc committee that has been convening regularly with university leaders to discuss our responses and actions to the crisis. The committee has reviewed communications we have received from students, parents and community members, as well as a recent resolution from the Associated Students of University of the Pacific (ASuop). Our focus has been centered on how we can best support you and protect the university. Today, in a special meeting that was called last Friday, the board unanimously approved the following:

• Pacific will issue pro rata room, board and parking refunds to graduating seniors and will offer the option of a room, board and parking refund or credit to non-graduating students. Students who choose to receive a credit rather than a refund as of May 1, 2020 will receive a $500 premium to the credit amount. (Refunds or credits will first be applied to any outstanding balances, which is our standard practice.) Details on processing of the refunds/credits will be forthcoming from university administration.
• The university will ensure that federally funded student workers receive their full wages based on available funding from the federal government. The university will also provide sick-leave accrual for federal student workers who become ill. Finally, student workers who are institutionally funded will be paid an estimated wage.
• Our faculty remain committed to providing an outstanding, interactive learning opportunity for our students. No portion of our tuition for the spring semester will be refunded, as learning and progress toward degree completion will continue through the semester.

On behalf of the Board of Regents, I want to extend our sincere gratitude for the effort you are undertaking. We understand that you may be facing personal and family stress while focusing on your studies or your work. We are deeply appreciative for all of you, and we are holding the health and safety of you and your families in our thoughts. We will continue to keep you informed.

Kevin Huber, ’86
Chair, Board of Regents