Update 8.17.21:
Due to the increases in cases, the infectious nature of the Delta variant of COVID-19, and new guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Mills is requiring all individuals, vaccinated and unvaccinated, to wear a mask indoors until further notice. All individuals, including guests, also must wear a mask when within 6 feet of another person outdoors, regardless of vaccination status. Vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals may remove masks in dining locations while actively eating and drinking.
On July 16, 2021, San Francisco Bay Area Counties including Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Sonoma, and the City of Berkeley, are now recommending face masks be worn indoors for both unvaccinated and vaccinated individuals to help mitigate the increasing spread of the coronavirus amongst unvaccinated individuals. Read the press release.
As we continue to recover from COVID-19, we are looking forward to welcoming you back to campus. This page contains access and policy updates for Mills based on the State of California Reopening Guidance and local requirements. We will use guidelines from the State, Alameda County, and input from campus stakeholders to direct the reopening of Mills College with safety as our priority. Please note that there may be differences between the State and county requirements and Mills' requirements, so please review this page carefully.
Starting August 1, 2021, Mills College will open to faculty, staff, students, and the general public. Mills may limit overnight campus access to non-Mills members for safety purposes. We ask that everyone evaluate their own health and wellness before coming to campus. Also effective August 1, 2021, the Mills community will no longer need to show the MillsGO Wellness pass at the gate. However, Mills staff and faculty may ask students to complete the MillsGo Wellness check before attending in-person events on campus. Guests accessing the Mills campus must comply with all mask and social distancing requirements. This information is subject to change if new guidance is released from the county or State or due to the needs of the College.
If you are not feeling well and have any symptoms of COVID-19, please follow public health guidance and stay home and contact your medical provider. Do not come to campus if you feel ill.
Masks
Mills will follow the Alameda County guidelines on masking as detailed below unless otherwise specified. Masks will be optional for fully vaccinated individuals. Unvaccinated individuals, including guests, must wear a mask in all indoor settings and when within 6 feet of someone else. However, Mills reserves the right to require masks at events or programs where the risk is higher due to the size, scope, or other risk-related factors. The CDC recommends face masks for congregate living spaces; however due to our vaccination requirement for all students living on campus, we will not require masks for residents of campus housing.
Immunization Information
Mills students and employees must submit their proof of vaccination on the immunization form per Mills College policy. Employees must complete this process by August 9, 2021. Students must complete this process by August 16, 2021. Employees must finish the process and receive a confirmation email prior to returning to campus. Students must finish the process and receive a confirmation email prior to attending in-person classes or moving into residence halls.
Exemptions Forms
To request an immunization exemption, use the appropriate link below. Please review the exemption process to ensure you have time to complete the paperwork prior to your return to campus.
Immunization Status and Privacy
Members of the Mills community should not inquire about a person’s vaccination or exemption status unless they are explicitly required to as part of their job responsibilities. Please consult with your direct supervisor if you are unsure if this is part of your responsibilities. Individuals may self-disclose their status but that self-disclosure is not a replacement for the official immunization exemption process. Additionally, an individual’s vaccination status should not be shared and cannot be used to treat a person differently except as outlined in the Mills policy. If you have concerns related to the treatment of employees or students, please report this to Human Resources for employees or to the Dean of Students for students. You can also submit your concern via the Mills Reporting Page.
Social Distancing
Mills will follow the Alameda County guidelines on social distancing. Social distancing requirements will be eased in situations where all individuals are vaccinated such as the residence halls. Since the vaccination status of all those on campus is unknown, Mills will continue to use some social distancing, barriers, and event spacing to reduce risk when appropriate. Mills reserves the right to enforce greater social distancing as needs or health requirements change.
Space Usage
Evidence has shown that risk of transmission due to surface touching and shared spaces or items is minimal and vaccination is protective. Therefore, limitations on using surfaces, shared items, or items in circulation will be adjusted accordingly. Additionally, limitations on meeting rooms, tables, and events will be increased to adjust to the new guidance. Mills reserves the right to limit spaces and attendance on larger-scale events or events where there is an increased risk.
Sanitizing and Hygiene
Due to general hygiene concerns and what is likely to be a virulent cold and flu season, Mills encourages all members of the community to practice good hygiene, including: hand washing, mask wearing, hand sanitizing, and staying home when you feel ill or if others in your home or social bubble are unwell. Mills will continue to meet the highest standards of cleaning and care for campus spaces and our community.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact DeanofStudents@mills.edu.
As the State of California prepares to move beyond the Blueprint for a Safer Economy and potentially reopen services in mid-June 2021, Mills is moving to safely increase access to campus and services. Beginning April 14, 2021, all current Mills students, faculty, and staff may enter campus between 7:00 am and 7:00 pm daily. Essential staff; residential students; and previously approved vendors, faculty, and non-residential students may continue to access campus outside of these hours. The Mills campus remains closed to the general public.
Students, faculty, and staff are still required to pass a daily health check via the MillsGo app before coming to campus. Vendors and guests can take the daily health check by using this using this symptom check form. All COVID-19 prevention guidelines, including mask-wearing, social distancing, and hand washing/sanitizing must be followed by all of our community members and visitors while on the Mills campus. Students, faculty, and staff can visit our COVID-19 information pages for detailed information on coming to campus.
As of April 10, 2021, all Alameda County residents ages 16 and up are eligible to receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. Vaccines are available at mega and community points of distribution sites (such as the Oakland Coliseum), through your healthcare provider, and at some pharmacies. Visit myturn.ca.gov or call 1.833.422.4255 to schedule an appointment. You will not be asked about immigration status.
In a new announcement from the State of California, Alameda County has moved to the orange or "moderate" tier (PDF) in the State's color-coded, four-tier "Blueprint for a Safer Economy." At this time, the Mills campus remains closed to the general public. Students, faculty, and staff are still required to pass a daily health check via the MillsGo app before coming to campus. Vendors and guests can take the daily health check by using this using this symptom check form. Read more details about campus access procedures.
"The key to keeping newly permitted activities [in the county] open and moving Alameda County closer to the yellow tier is to continue practicing the safety measures we know work against COVID-19: wearing masks whenever we leave home (even if fully vaccinated), watching our distance, washing our hands frequently, and limiting mixing with people from different households," said Dr. Nicholas Moss, Alameda County Health Officer.
COVID-19 vaccines are currently available based on eligibility and availability at mega and community points of distribution sites (such as the Oakland Coliseum), through your healthcare provider, and at some pharmacies. On April 15, 2021, every Californian age 16 and up will be eligible to receive the vaccine. Register at myturn.ca.gov to be notified when you can make an appointment.
The Oakland Coliseum vaccination site is now open to Bay Area residents who fall into one of the following categories:
The Oakland Coliseum vaccination site operates daily from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm. AC Transit will be providing free daily shuttles to increase access to the site, and BART is offering free rides home from the Coliseum after vaccination appointments. If you are eligible, visit myturn.ca.gov or call 1.833.422.4255 to schedule an appointment or register at the MyTurn website to be notified when you can make an appointment. You will not be asked about immigration status.
The State of California announced that Alameda County has been moved back into the red or "substantial" tier (PDF) in the State's color-coded, four-tier "Blueprint for a Safer Economy."
The State also recently introduced a program enabling residents to volunteer at vaccination sites in California and, after at least four hours of work, become eligible to receive the vaccine as a community health worker.
The Oakland Coliseum vaccination site is now open to Bay Area residents who fall into one of the following categories:
The vaccine site operates daily from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm. AC Transit will be providing free daily shuttles to increase access to the site.
If you are eligible, visit myturn.ca.gov or call 1.833.422.4255 to schedule an appointment or register at the MyTurn website to be notified when you can make an appointment. You will not be asked about immigration status.
By March 15, 2021, California plans to expand eligibility for vaccines to people ages 16-64 with underlying health conditions. Register at myturn.ca.gov to be notified when you can make an appointment.
The Oakland Coliseum site is now open as the largest mass vaccination location for residents of Alameda County who fall into one of the following categories:
The vaccine site will operate daily from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm. AC Transit will be providing free daily shuttles to increase access to the site.
If you are eligible, visit myturn.ca.gov or call 1.833.422.4255 to schedule an appointment or register at the MyTurn website to be notified when you can make an appointment. Once you have booked an appointment, you will need to bring an ID with your name on it and proof of employment in eligible fields. You will not be asked about immigration status.
By March 15, 2021, California plans to expand eligibility for vaccines to people ages 16-64 with underlying health conditions. Register at myturn.ca.gov to be notified when you can make an appointment.
The State of California has updated their guidelines for vaccine eligibility to include education and childcare in the second phase (phase 1B) of vaccine distribution. Employees in the education sector will be able to get vaccinated when supplies are available in their county. Alameda County has indicated that this change is now in place as of the week of February 8, 2021, pending the availability of the vaccine supply. Learn about vaccination progress in Alameda County.
The California Department of Public Health ended the Regional Stay-at-Home Order and curfew for all regions statewide today, including the San Francisco Bay Area. This allows counties to return to the guidelines of the Blueprint for a Safer Economy and color-coded tiers. Alameda County will be in the most restrictive purple tier. See the approved open and closed businesses and activities list in the county.
State public health officials announced Saturday the regional Bay Area stay-at-home order has been extended indefinitely until ICU bed capacity is greater than or equal to 15%. Under the extended order, residents are directed to stay at home except for work, shopping, or other essential activities, such as medical appointments. Alameda County public health officials indicated that the order will remain in place until lifted by the State. Read the press release (PDF).
On Wednesday, December 16, 2020, the State of California announced that less than 15 percent of ICU beds in Alameda County were available, meaning that the regional stay-at-home restrictions (PDF) adopted by the County earlier this month remain in effect for a minimum of three weeks—through at least January 7, 2021. The State updates ICU capacity data by county on their About COVID-19 Restrictions page.
Since Mills has kept access to the campus limited, closed the campus to the public, offered primarily online classes, canceled events, and kept the cohort of residential students small, there is little that we need to change on campus under this public health order during winter break.
Non-essential travel is prohibited in California at this time. If you need to travel outside of the San Francisco Bay Area but remain in California, the San Francisco Department of Public Health and the Association of Bay Area Health Officials strongly recommends that you self-quarantine for 14 days after your return. If you need to travel outside of California, you should self-quarantine for 14 days after your return, per the California Department of Public Health (PDF).
Effective today, San Francisco is requiring anyone visiting the city from outside of the Bay Area to quarantine for 10 days. Violating the order is a misdemeanor. Medical workers, first responders and essential workers are exempt. For detailed information, read the San Francisco public health emergency order (PDF).
On Thursday, December 3, 2020, Governor Newsom announced a new virus mitigation plan that would require closure of non-essential businesses in regions where less than 15 percent of ICU beds were available. Bay Area counties, including Alameda County, implemented the State’s new regional stay-at-home order (PDF) effective Monday, December 7, 2020, to proactively protect public health and prevent our healthcare system from being overwhelmed.
Since Mills has kept access to the campus limited, closed the campus to the public, offered primarily online classes, cancelled events, and kept the cohort of residential students small, there is little that we need to change under this new public health order on campus. Specific to higher education, the order does indicate that higher education institutions may offer in-person instruction for clinical training or classes and laboratory or studio classes only. In-person instruction is otherwise prohibited. As planned, Mills classes will continue to be remote for the remainder of the fall semester.
Read the Alameda County Public Health Order (PDF) to learn about restrictions off campus.
On Thursday, December 3, 2020, Governor Newsom announced a new virus mitigation plan that would require closure of non-essential businesses in regions where less than 15 percent of ICU beds were available. Bay Area counties, including Alameda County, today announced that they will implement the State’s new order effective Monday, December 7. Mills classes remain remote, as planned, for the remainder of the fall semester. The new public healthcare restrictions will be in place until January 4, 2021. Read the press release (PDF) for details.
Update 11.16.20:
The California Department of Public Health has moved Alameda County back to the purple tier (the most restrictive) starting at 12:01 am on November 18. "Due to very rapid and widespread increases in COVID-19 cases, the California Department of Public Health has modified its Blueprint for a Safer Economy to allow for a faster, more nimble response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Rather than using data from two weeks ago and moving only one tier at a time, the state is now using data from the past week and moving counties multiple tiers if necessary. These significant changes allow for a timelier response that will protect our communities, save lives, and keep our healthcare systems from becoming overwhelmed." Read the press release (PDF).
Update 10.13.20:
On October 13, 2020, the State of California announced that Alameda County and Santa Clara County have been moved into the orange or "moderate" tier in the State's color-coded, four-tier "Blueprint for a Safer Economy. At this time, the Mills campus remains closed to the general public. Students, faculty, and staff are still required to pass a daily health check via the MillsGo app before coming to campus. Vendors and guests can take the daily health check by using this using this symptom check form. Read more details about campus access procedures.
There have been some questions about food delivery and people just dropping or picking someone up, so here is some further clarification:
Picking Up or Dropping Off:
The drivers must just drop off/pick up and not exit the vehicle or go into any building on campus. Anyone dropping off/picking up should be on campus for only 15 minutes.
If an employee/student is in the car and staying on campus, they can show the MillsGo app authorization to the Department of Public Safety officer through the window.
Any campus resident receiving food or other deliveries should come out of the residence to meet the driver and get the delivery. The driver should drop off and immediately leave the campus. In these cases, the driver does not need to do the symptom checker.
Update 9.21.20:
On August 28, 2020, the State of California announced a shift from its monitoring watchlist to a color-coded, four-tier "Blueprint for a Safer Economy." Alameda County and most of the Bay Area are in the purple tier, which is the most restrictive. While the County remains in that tier, the information below applies. We continue to actively monitor state and Alameda County Public Health Department mandates and look forward to the county being able to move into a less restrictive stance. As things begin to improve countywide, and our tier moves down to red, we will review the campus situation and try to provide broader access.
For now, the campus remains closed to the general public. Students, faculty, and staff are required to pass a daily symptom check via the MillsGo app before coming to campus. Vendors and guests can take the daily symptom check by using this using this symptom check form.
There have been some questions about food delivery and people just dropping or picking someone up, so here is some further clarification:
Picking Up or Dropping Off:
The drivers must just drop off/pick up and not exit the vehicle or go into any building on campus. Anyone dropping off/picking up should be on campus for only 15 minutes.
If an employee/student is in the car and staying on campus, they can show the MillsGo app authorization to the Department of Public Safety officer through the window.
Any campus resident receiving food or other deliveries should come out of the residence to meet the driver and get the delivery. The driver should drop off and immediately leave the campus. In these cases, the driver does not need to do the symptom checker.
Update 7.27.20:
In light of updated State of California and Alameda County public health orders, Mills has shifted its fall 2020 instruction plans so that nearly all academic courses—including many classes that would have been taught in hybrid or in-person mode—will be offered entirely online.Read the news story.
Update 7.9.20:
To reduce the risk presented by COVID-19 while supporting the Mills mission, the College has crafted a plan for fall 2020 that combines flexibility and personal attention with new approaches to space, time, and social interaction. Read the news story.
Update 6.18.20:
The Alameda County Public Health Department issued an updated shelter-in-place order effective June 19, 2020. This order allows for indoor/outdoor retail, limited religious and cultural ceremonies, outdoor dining, fitness, and museums. The shelter-in-place and social distancing protocols remain in effect. Read the order.
In addition, California Governor Gavin Newsom has ordered that all Californians must wear face coverings while in public or high-risk settings, including when shopping, taking public transit, or seeking medical care. This order takes effect immediately. Read the order(PDF).
Update 6.8.20, 4:26 PM:
Mills continues to adhere to public health guidelines to ensure the safety of Mills students, faculty, staff, and visitors. Based on current restrictions from the State of California, it is anticipated that most fall classes will be online, with some classes offered in a hybrid format. In addition, we will offer some in-person classrooms that will follow social distancing guidelines.
For students who are interested in living on campus, Mills will offer housing for the 2020-21 academic year with modifications. Current students can view the updates to housing and residential life policies (PDF) via the intranet. New students can contact housing@mills.edu for information. Safety measures include changes to policies and practices, including single-room assignments, social-distancing requirements, updated guest policies, and other best practices that will help protect the health of our students and community members.
We will also continue to offer robust student life programs, access to medical and mental healthcare, tutoring and writing services, career advising, and a spectrum of initiatives both in-person and virtually. More details will be announced as soon as possible.
Update 6.8.20:
The Alameda County Public Health Department issued an updated shelter-in-place order that went into effect today to allow some additional businesses to resume operations while maintaining the shelter-in-place and social distancing protocols.
Included in this new order is the requirement that face coverings must be worn at all times by all members of the public, including outdoors while engaged in physical activities (walking, running, biking, etc.) and within 30 feet of people outside of their household.
Effective June 8, 2020, the Health Officer Order to Update the Shelter in Place allows:
*The small outdoor gatherings are permitted for people belonging to the same social bubble. A social bubble is defined as a group of 12 or fewer people from different households
Read the Alameda County Public Health Department 6.5.20 Order (PDF) for detailed information.
Update 5.18.20:
The Alameda County Public Health Department issued updated shelter-in-place orders today to allow some additional businesses to resume operations while maintaining the shelter in place and social distancing protocols.
Businesses that may resume operations at this time include:
Businesses and activities authorized under previous orders may continue.
Public or private gatherings of any size remain prohibited.
Everyone should continue to stay and work at home as much as possible, wear a face covering outside their home, and stay at least six feet away from people outside their household.
Non-essential travel remains prohibited.
Read the Alameda County Public Health Department 5.18.20 Order (PDF) for detailed information.
Update 4.30.20:
The Alameda County Public Health Department has amended the shelter-in-place order of March 31, 2020, and extended the county order until May 31, 2020.
Effective Monday, May 4, 2020, Alameda County has revised the shelter-in-place order (PDF) to allow some key activities to resume, while continuing social distancing protocols and requiring masks/face coverings (PDF) under certain circumstances. Activities that are now allowed, include:
Update 4.18.20:
Effective today, the Alameda County Public Health Department is now requiring that members of the public wear face coverings to prevent the spread of COVID-19 (PDF) in three main settings:
The order does not apply to:
What you need to know about acceptable face coverings:
View the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's tutorials on how to make a face covering and how to wear and clean face coverings (en Español).
Effective Date:
This order is effective immediately and until further notice. Alameda County will begin enforcement efforts at 8:00 am on Wednesday, April 22, 2020.
Update 4.15.20:
Nearly a full month since the State of California ordered the shelter in place, the tremendous impact of those orders is clear. So far, we have collectively mitigated the potential harm of COVID-19 through an amazing display of self-distancing discipline and care in our communities. The changes that each of you have made in your daily behavior, combined with decisive state and county action, heroic front-line service providers, and even some good fortune, has made that mitigation possible. The health consequences of the virus are very real and protecting public health must remain at the top of our list of priorities.
The opportunities that lie ahead for Mills include the gradual, and likely uneven, restoration of economic and social activity in California that Governor Gavin Newsom began to describe at his press conference on April 14. Once our region begins to meet the public health conditions the Governor set out, Mills College will continue to protect the health of our community as we resume another version of modified operations.
We are approaching the COVID-19 crisis as an event that may affect us into 2021 and are planning appropriately. Our faculty are already thinking about how to adapt to a new educational climate in the Bay Area and beyond. Mills’ intimate size and expansive campus are valuable assets during a time when social distancing remains essential. We have great faith in the adaptability and creativity of Mills' staff, faculty, and students to meet this moment.
Update 4.6.20:
Mills is observing the following Social Distancing Protocol, as ordered by the Alameda County Department of Health, effective April 2, 2020, until further notice. This protocol is posted at the front entrance to campus and has been communicated to all staff and faculty. Copies are available for anyone granted access to the campus. The campus is currently closed to the public, although essential vendors, deliveries, and guests will be allowed.
The College has put the following procedures in place:
Update 3.20.20:
On Thursday, March 19, Governor Newsom issued a new, statewide executive order that broadens and deepens the shelter-in-place orders issued on Monday, March 16, 2020. As an educational facility that is part of a critical infrastructure sector specified by federal and state law, Mills remains authorized to continue with modified operations.
Mills has already implemented many of the measures required to comply with the new order (PDF). We are now taking the following additional steps:
We expect continued federal and state action in response to COVID-19 and will communicate regularly. Mills is also reaching out to public health authorities in Alameda County and the City of Oakland to support local responses.
Update 3.16.20, 3:15 PM:
As the state of California battles to mitigate the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, public health officials have issued a "shelter in place" order that includes all of Alameda County, including Mills College. We are taking the following steps to implement this order:
We will continue to provide regular updates to keep everyone informed as this situation evolves.
Update 3.12.20, 5:00 PM:
In our ongoing efforts to protect the health and safety of our students and community members from the coronavirus, we need to follow a new course of action in response to the California Department of Public Health guidelines. With input from our faculty, students, administrators, and staff, we have determined that we will transition to online delivery of all classes for the remainder of the spring 2020 semester.
Mills College remains open, but all classes will be canceled on Friday, March 13, and Monday, March 16, to enable the College to move to online classes as expeditiously as possible.
Beginning Tuesday, March 17, ALL courses at Mills will be offered online for the remainder of the spring semester. This includes all lab, studio, and Athletics, Physical Education, and Recreation (APER) activities. Faculty will offer virtual office hours (and may also offer in-person hours, if possible). Mills will also offer support services to assist students with this transition.
Students, faculty, and staff who live on campus will continue to do so at this time, if they desire. Meals will be served at the Tea Shop, but hours may be subject to change. Please check the MillsGo app, the News Forums, and signage at dining locations for the latest hours. Low-risk, small events (following CDC guidelines) will continue to be held.
We recognize that this is a challenging time for our community. We encourage students to contact Counseling and Psychological Services at 510.430.2111 or Spiritual and Religious Life at 510.430.3123 for help navigating these changes.
Update 3.11.20, 4:00 PM:
In line with other local institutions of higher education and following the guidance of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), we are now taking the following preventative actions:
Update 3.6.20, 4:30 PM:
Mills College remains open as we monitor city, state, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports on the status of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in our area. Northern California now has a number of confirmed cases, but as of this writing, no one on the Mills campus has been diagnosed with COVID-19to our knowledge. While this virus has been reported as mild for many people, preparation is important.
In addition to the precautionary steps we have already taken to increase campus housekeeping, add additional sanitizing stations, and post health education signage across the College, our Incident Response Team initiated planning in the event of any potential disruption to academic or administrative services. Campus leadership is assessing what measures would need to be taken if the virus were to interrupt operations, including:
Remote learning solutions are being evaluated utilizing existing and additional tools such as Blackboard and virtual conferencing tools.
Remote working solutions are being assessed utilizing existing and additional tools such as the Mills VPN and virtual conferencing tools.
Students, faculty, staff, or visitors who exhibit the symptoms of COVID-19 (fever, cough, and shortness of breath) should not come to the Mills campus.In addition, if someone in your household or someone you have come in contact with is diagnosed with COVID-19, please contact the Alameda County Public Health Department and notify them of your contact. You may have to be isolated for the required number of days, and you will need to be medically cleared before returning to campus. Students will not be penalized for missing class for this reason, and faculty/staff can work with Human Resources on their unique circumstances.
Update 3.3.20, 9:21 AM:
Mills College is open and monitoring city, state, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports on the status of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in our area. We will provide updates to the campus community as they become available.
Mills has taken the following steps to protect the campus community: