Latest Updates

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**NPS COVID-19 Procedures**

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COVID Mitigation Plan Update

January 13, 2022

BLUF:  NPS will remain in Distance Learning and Maximize Telework.  In person for Labs/Classified Courses (SCIF/STBL)/Pre-approved meetings w/i capacity restrictions

As I am sure all of you are aware, our local Monterey community continues to see a rising trend in community transmission and NPS has observed an elevated positive COVID-19 cases rate amongst our population.  In light of the data and current trends, we will maintain on our current course and not return to full in-person learning or normalized workplace occupancy next Tuesday.

The good news is that NPS’ streak of zero transmission on campus is still alive.  Thank you for your continued diligence in executing our mitigation measures.

President Rondeau and the rest of the leadership team remain committed to returning to in-person learning.  Consistent with DOD and Navy guidance in response to COVID, we will continue to monitor the conditions and make a prudent and objective determination based on conditions, including a consistent reduction in community transmission.

To recap:             

• Maximize telework if at all possible
• Distance Learning for classes w/exception of labs and classified courses
• Masks required indoors
• No in-person meetings with more than 4 people unless pre-approved
• STAY HOME IF YOU HAVE SYMPTOMS OF ILLNESS

As a public service announcement, CALMED at the POM medical clinic has Pfizer vaccine/booster available with 24 slots available for the next two weeks.  Authorized beneficiaries may call the appointment line for scheduling COVID vaccination: 1-866-957-2256.

A gentle reminder that if you become COVID-19 positive, you need to report it to NPS.  Please utilize the procedures and information linked below and at our Coronavirus website that has a myriad of good information and resources.

And did I mention to please stay home if you have symptoms of a cold, flu, or other illness?

v/r,

CAPT Philip E. Old
Chief of Staff,  Naval Postgraduate School
 

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COVID Mitigation Plan Update

December 31, 2021

NPS Team,

BLUF:  NPS will switch to Distance Learning immediately

Unfortunately but not unexpectedly, we continue to see an increasing rate of positive COVID-19 cases.  15 new positive cases reported yesterday bringing the total number of people in isolation to 40 as of yesterday evening.

At this point, I wouldn’t characterize that as anything close to a crisis but in order to preserve the limited medical capacity at the CalMed clinic on POM and out of an abundance of caution, we will be switching to Distance Learning modality starting on Monday for at least through the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday weekend.  Hopefully, we will be able to switch back after that but that will be a future decision by President Rondeau.

Everything else remains the same:

• maximize telework if at all possible (and now is a good time for civilian employees to ensure your telework agreement is current)
• masks required indoors
• no in-person meetings with more than 4 people (prudence dictates to just hold them virtually)
• stay home if you have symptoms of illness (if in doubt, sit it out!)=

Base services will remain open and there is no intention of curtailing or closing them with the caveat that positive cases in their workforce may necessitate a change.

And while I have your attention, I strongly encourage you to get a COVID-19 booster shot if you are 6 months past your second Pfizer/Moderna vaccine dose or 2 months past your J&J dose.

Please see our web page https://nps.edu/web/safety/nps-covid-procedures for more information and repasting the links for what to do in the event of a positive case..

I am COVID 19 Positive or a Close Contact Aug 21.pdf

NPS COVID 19 Positive Case Procedures_05Aug21.pdf

As always, we greatly appreciate your flexibility, agility and responsiveness as NPS rises to the challenge of accomplishing our mission in a dynamic environment!

v/r,

CAPT Philip E. Old
Chief of Staff,  Naval Postgraduate School

 

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COVID Mitigation Plan Update

December 29, 2021

First, let me take the opportunity to provide a warm (figuratively speaking) welcome to our new students.  Its great to have you aboard!

Second, as we embark on a new year and new academic quarter, NPS leadership continues to monitor the pandemic situation on a daily basis.  As anticipated, we are seeing an uptick of positive COVID-19 cases this week.  As of yesterday evening, NPS has had a total of 23 positive cases including family members [For perspective, NPS has ~2,300 staff, faculty, students not including family members] reported in the last week and Monterey County is now in the “high” community transmission category at 101.6 cases/100K over past 7 days (440 cases). [For further perspective, per the CDC tracker, the National average is 435.6 cases/100K over past 7 days.] Read more...

 

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COVID-19 Update

December 9, 2021

Not so good news.  Unfortunately, the COVID-19 Community Transmission Level for Monterey Peninsula has been at the ‘Substantial’ level for a sufficient period of time with a lack of downward trend to indicate that the situation is not transitory and a reversion back to the ‘Moderate’ level is unlikely in the days ahead.  Per the DepSecDef Memorandum dated July, 28, 2021,”[i]n areas of substantial or high community transmission, DoD requires all Service members, Federal employees, onsite contractor employees, and visitors, regardless of vaccination status, to wear a mask in an indoor setting in installations and other facilities owned, leased or otherwise controlled by DoD.”  Accordingly, mask wearing will be required indoors starting on Monday.

Effective Monday 13 December 2021:  All Personnel (Service members, Federal employees, onsite contractor employees, and visitors) regardless of vaccination status are required to wear a mask in an indoor setting onboard Naval Support Activity Monterey (NSAM) as well as the Presidio of Monterey (POM). Read more...

 

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Mask Wearing Requirements at NPS

October 18, 2021

Good news!  As many of you noticed today, the COVID-19 Community Transmission Level for the Monterey peninsula has been at a “Moderate” level with a downward trend for a sufficient period of time to enable the relaxation of mandatory mask wearing by all hands in indoor settings onboard Naval Support Activity Monterey (NSAM).

While community transmission has decreased, both NSAM and Presidio of Monterey (POM) remain at HPCON BRAVO.

What that means to you while on NSAM or POM:

If you are fully vaccinated (14 days past last vaccine dose), wearing a mask is optional and you are not required to maintain physical (social) distancing.

If you are not fully vaccinated, you are still required to wear a mask indoors and maintain physical (social) distancing.

As a reminder, only fully vaccinated faculty and students are authorized to conduct/attend classes in person.

Lastly, if you are not yet fully vaccinated, CALMED will be offering Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine at the POM Weckerling Center from 1400–1800 on Thursday, 28 Oct and Monday, 08 Nov.
 

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COVID-10 Vaccination Mandate ... from NPS Human Resources Office

October 5, 2021

On 9 Sept. 2021, the President of the United States issued Executive Order 14043, “Requiring Coronavirus Disease 2019 Vaccination for Federal Employees.” Subsequently, the Secretary of Defense signed the “Mandatory Coronavirus Disease 2019 Vaccination of DoD Civilian Employees” of 1 Oct. 2021.

Together, these documents strive to ensure the health of our workforce and the readiness of the Department of Defense by mandating that all DoD civilian employees be fully vaccinated by 22 Nov. 2021, subject to exemptions as required by law. 

Employees are considered fully vaccinated 2 weeks after receiving a single dose of a one-dose COVID-19 vaccine or two weeks after receiving the second of a two-dose vaccine regimen. 

New DoD civilian employees must be fully vaccinated by their entry on duty (start) date or 22 Nov. 2021, whichever is later. Read more ...
 

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Exemption for Workplace Occupancy Limits During HPC Bravo

Sept. 21, 2021 
 

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Fall Quarter Plan for Students ...from Ann E. Rondeau, VADM, U.S. Navy (Ret.)

Sept. 13, 2021

It is great to have so many of you back on campus, in spite of the dynamic pandemic constraints that we are all working to navigate as a nation.   I appreciate how difficult this time has been on everyone – students, faculty, staff, and all of our families and those with whom we fellowship and associate.  The impact is real.  The management of effects – to the best outcomes – is a challenge and a calling for us all.  

As we approach the fall quarter, the principles of mission, safety, and risk management are influenced by best practices that serve both the tactical situation at the moment and mission and strategic impact overall.

Along that line, we at NPS are working to be adaptive and agile while mindful of personal and professional planning.  How do we take care of our members and our families?  How do we ensure we optimize this professional education experience and mission obligation?  How do we live a culture that cares for each other and manages resources that ensure the institution and everyone in the organization are advantaged.  How do we do these things in a highly dynamic environment? How do we simultaneously address students and their families alongside the personal and professional concerns, equities and mission intent of our dedicated Faculty? Read more ...
 

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NPS Fall Quarter …from Provost Scott S. Gartner

Sept. 15, 2021

I hope that you are doing well. We live and work in challenging and uncertain times. I appreciate how difficult this time has been on everyone, faculty, students, staff, and all of our families and community. We are simultaneously trying to figure out NPS Next and NPS Now.  A vital key to NPS Now is determining how we operate in the current COVID environment.  We want to support both our community’s safety and execution of our mission.  

The President and SECDEF have ordered all military members to get vaccinated against COVID-19, the President recently announced that all civilian government employees and contractors will be required to become vaccinated, local trends in community spread of the virus have been on the decline for the last two weeks, and area public schools are back to in-person instruction. The environment has changed such that we can begin transitioning NPS back to on- campus and in-person instruction while still maintaining the health and safety of our NPS community as our top priority. I recognize that this policy change will create a hardship for some of you and your families, and that it will require some reorganization of schedule, routines, and priorities for most of us.  

The fall quarter at NPS will be a transitional quarter where we bring as many faculty and students back to campus as possible, while making exceptions for those with circumstances that prevent their return.  After this transition quarter, our goal is to return to fully on campus instruction in the winter quarter.  To that end, my expectation for fall quarter is that, in accordance with the specific mitigations detailed in the POLICY FOR FACULTY EXCEPTIONS FROM FALL QUARTER IN-PERSON TEACHING every NPS faculty member will return to in-person and on-campus instruction unless granted an exception based on individual circumstances. Read more ...
 

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Digital COVID Vaccine Record Info

August 20, 2021

You may have seen recent news articles that some other countries that are no longer accepting the paper CDC Vaccine Cards as proof of COVID-19 Vaccination and now require digital COVID certificates.

For those of us in the State of California, there is a Digital COVID-19 Vaccine Record (DCVR) Portal that allows you to download your vaccination record to a personal electronic device and receive a QR code for digital proof.

For those that received the vaccine out in town, your CDC Vaccine Card should have been uploaded automatically to the DCVR portal.  

However, for those that received the vaccine at POM through CALMED (or other sites that did not automatically upload), you will need to upload your Vaccine Card to the DCVR portal.  Below are the directions for those who wish to do so.

More information can be found here.

DIGITAL COVID VACCINE RECORD (QR CODE)

1. Go to: https://myvaccinerecord.cdph.ca.gov/ and enter relevant information.
2. You will receive an email and/or text (depending on what you enter) saying your record was not found. The email and/or text will contain a URL to submit the vaccination information including photos of the front/back side of the vaccine card, the physical address of where you got the vaccine, and personal details.
3. Processing and notification takes 1 month.
4. Receive a text and/or email to go back to https://myvaccinerecord.cdph.ca.gov/ and re-enter info to download digital vaccine record.
5. Download the digital vaccine card to personal digital device.

v/r,
CAPT Philip E. Old
Chief of Staff, Naval Postgraduate School

 

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COVID-19 Update

August 2, 2021

Monterey County entered into the Substantial category of community transmission so the requirements contained in the Deputy Secretary of Defense Memo of 28 July 2021, “Updated Mask Guidance for all DoD Installations and Other Facilities,” are now in effect on NSA Monterey.  Please note that the DepSecDef memo does not provide for any type of waiver to the guidance.  Accordingly, neither I nor anyone else at NPS possess the ability to approve anything other than strictly following it.

All personnel (service members, civilian employees, contractors, visitors) are required to wear a mask in an indoor setting on DOD property regardless of vaccination status.  In addition, all personnel who are not fully vaccinated are also required to physically distance from others.  As a reminder:

• Full face coverings (like ski masks) are not authorized.
• Mask types with an exhaust valve and neck-gaiter style face coverings are prohibited.
• Face coverings will be secured with ties or ear loops and should fit snugly but comfortably against the side of the face and be from top of nose to chin.  

Vaccination Information:

Thursday 05 August: 1:30 – 4:30 PM Building 454 on the corner of Kit Carson Rd and Army St onboard Presidio of Monterey - appointments and walk-ins available.

The Military Treatment Facility (aka US Army CAL MED) onboard Presidio of Monterey is one means on the Peninsula for authorized patrons of the Department of Defense.  

Vaccination service is for DoD government civilians, military, military retirees, and Tricare beneficiaries.

US Army CAL MED CANNOT vaccinate: Contractors, Civilian retirees, and family members of Government Civilian employees (unless the individual is a Tricare beneficiary).

COVID vaccination appointments offered to all eligible DoD beneficiaries over 18.  DoD beneficiaries include:

Government Civilian Employees (GS and NAF employed by the DoD)

• Military
• Military retirees
• Tricare beneficiaries

You may schedule an appointment at:  https://informatics-stage.health.mil/CalMedCOVIDApp/COVID.aspx

Please fill out a DHA 207 prior to arriving at the Army Health Clinic vaccination site.

A Monterey County vaccination clinic available by appointment is also an option.

All Monterey County residents age 12 years and older are eligible to make an appointment for COVID-19 vaccination.

The first step for gaining information and registering for an appointment is to visit www.mcvaccinate.com

The Monterey county Health Department COVID vaccination registration page is https://www.co.monterey.ca.us/government/departments-a-h/health/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-covid-19/vaccination-registration

If a Navy and Marine Corps active duty service member receives a vaccine at a site other than POM Army Health Clinic, please submit a copy of the individual’s vaccine card and DoD ID to HM1 Brian Sutton at brian.t.sutton2.mil@mail.mil and HM1 Elston Stewart at elston.c.stewart.mil@mail.mil.  This will enable NMAU personnel to document their vaccine in the Navy Readiness System. 

v/r,
CAPT Philip E. Old
Chief of Staff, Naval Postgraduate School

 

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COVID-19 Task Force Announcements

July 28, 2021

INSTRUCTIONAL SUPPORT: TEACHING AND LEARNING COMMONS

• The Office of Teaching and Learning (OTL) is accepting applications for the AY2022 Teaching Fellows Program (TFP) for faculty to expand teaching and assessment practices in residential and distance learning courses.
• New this year, all interested NPS faculty are eligible to apply to TFP; for details: https://nps.app.box.com/s/ivlcbqqn0hj4rxrrfu9phj0p6qozk5ay 

Student Guide for Hybrid Instruction
https://nps.box.com/s/mt9arsjz1z6c0q66sb6754xgdveqfhug

Hybrid Resources for Faculty:
https://nps.box.com/s/nxg4diwli3ll1fmg42eztwxi2x4je3pn

Resources for course design and technology & pedagogy integration: 
geacinstrdesign@nps.edu

For additional ideas and help getting started contact Ali Rodgers: arodgers@nps.edu

For further information and to review instructional resources, visit the TLC website or TLC@nps.edu

CLASSROOMS/LAB SPACES: HYBRID-ENABLED CLASSROOMS

• ITACS and GSEAS have collaborated to create 45 hybrid-enabled classrooms, including more robust Flex rooms and Reed Hall
• Fifty documents cameras with built-in microphones will be deployed upon arrival and will support lecture from the lectern with limited utility for exchanges between remote and resident students
• Speakerphones are on order to better support classroom discussion
• Help on the NPS Wiki
  • HYBRID-HOW-TO: NPS CLASSROOMS
  • LIST OF HYBRID-ENABLED CLASSROOMS 
  • UPDATED ON CLASSROOM TECHNOLOGY

CLASSROOM/LAB SCHEDULING & AVAILABILITY

• The Scheduling Office assigned a classroom to every course
• Alternative spaces, such as larger conference rooms, were added to the pool of available classroom spaces to provide additional capacity for on-campus learning
• Changes to the posted schedule will need to follow the scheduling workflow
• The Scheduling Office is available to facilitate room adjustments
• For scheduling questions: scheduling@nps.edu

OTHER ACADEMIC SPACES: DUDLEY KNOX LIBRARY GRADUATE WRITING CENTER and THESIS PROCESSING OFFICE

• The Dudley Knox Library (DKL) is open from 0730-1730 Monday through Friday 
• DKL offers resource checkout, COVID-safe study or meeting spaces, library computers and printing services (download new printer packages [login required])
• Other services currently available online through DKL remain
• Spaces in DKL comply with safety and COVID-19 regulations and requirements
• Abide by signage posted to ensure compliance with safety protocols
• Cleaning and sanitizing materials are available throughout the building
• DKL is discontinuing book retrieval and print on demand services
• Course Reserve items are available for use in the building
• The Inter-Library Loan (ILL) service “Request Article or Book” is currently unavailable; contact “Ask a Librarian” for assistance
• New printers will require remapping and/or new mapping of laptops
• New users: to map your laptops, send print jobs to DKL: The link for those instructions is here.
• Study rooms at the Library are available on a reservation basis with limited seating capacity.
• To access the reservation system, use the Reserve a Room icon on the Library homepage: https://library.nps.edu or directly at: https://libmeeting.nps/edu/ 
• Once in the reservation system, move your cursor over room numbers to see seating capacity and safety protocols
• To request conference rooms, cubicles, classrooms and auditoriums use the Event Scheduler which requires VPN access and a nps.edu email account
• Campus spaces are granted on a first come, first serve basis; only make requests for the dates and times the room will be needed to prevent request denials
• Requests will be sent to the room owner for approval
• For help on making a room request: https://nps.edu/web/scheduling/faqs 
• For further information on additional study spaces, contact your Program Officer
• The Graduate Writing Center (GWC) and Thesis Processing Office (TPO) are continuing most of their services on-line; however, there are opportunities for in-person coaching and instruction
• GWC: https://nps.edu/web/gwc
• TPO: https://nps.edu/web/thesisprocessing

PRESIDENT’S BOARD for STUDENT AFFAIRS

The President’s Board for Student Affairs (PBSA) will:

• continue to host Student Council meetings on the second Thursday of every month; the next one via MS Teams is from 1200-1300/by Starbucks on Aug 12
• provide weekly student updates on Yammer and the student resource page 
• be open to feedback on campus life and to answer questions
• mediate if needed

Recommendation forms are available at: my.nps.edu/group/pbsa/student-advocacy

The Hybrid Transition survey results were distributed in late July; for questions, assistance, survey results or requests for meeting minutes, contact Chair at: domonique.hittner@nps.edu or pbsa@nps.edu.

NAVAL SUPPORT ACTIVITY MONTEREY (NSAM) and SAFETY OFFICE 

• The Safety Office continues to test ventilation and airflow in windowless classrooms and repair faulty systems 
• All windowed classrooms have been approved for use
• The Safety Office: https://nps.edu/web/safety/coronavirus
• For NSAM guidance, services and activities: https://www.nps.edu/web/nsam or https://www.nps.edu/ewb/nsam/news-and-annoucements

 

View the complete COVID-19 TASK FORCE Update of July 28 pdf.