Friday, Jan. 10, 2025 at 2:00 p.m.
For an update on road travel back to Biola for the Spring 2025 semester, please visit this webpage for a map and travel information.
If you have been directly affected by any of the fires, please contact Biola at internal.communications@biola.edu.
Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025 at 6:12 p.m.
The local wildfires and tragic events in recent days have been devastating and heartbreaking to watch unfold in our state. While the raging fires are far from Biola University, our community is not unaffected. We grieve with those affected by the wildfires and invite everyone to join us in prayer. If you or someone you know has been affected, please reply to this email, and we will do our best to offer support.
Below are some important updates for students and faculty as they prepare to return to campus on January 13, 2025, for the start of the spring semester.
Travel
All major freeways remain open, while some parts of Pacific Coast Highway are currently closed. For the latest updates on road closure information, visit Public Works Los Angeles County. We recommend checking your route on Google Maps before traveling and avoiding the Downtown Los Angeles area.
Both LAX and John Wayne (SNA) airports are operating normally. While some flights may experience delays, the majority of arrivals and departures are continuing as scheduled. LAX has advised “passengers to check their flight status directly with their airline.”
On-Campus Housing
If you live in Biola housing, you are welcome to return anytime. Incoming students who need their keys can contact the non-emergency Campus Safety line at 562-903-6000 and ask to speak with the Resident Director on call.
Air Quality
The air quality in La Mirada continues to fluctuate, and we are monitoring its progress. We encourage you to be mindful of the air quality and take precautions for your health:
Biola athletes should contact their coaches directly for information regarding outdoor practices/games. Our athletics healthcare administrator will continue to monitor the air quality in the days ahead and relay any vital information directly to the coaching staff.
Officials recommend that individuals with underlying health conditions, including asthma, wear an N95 mask when outside when the air quality is unhealthy.
N95 masks are available at the Biola Student Health Center during business hours for students and employees with a history of moderate to severe asthma, allergies, or compromised immunity. After hours, students can pick up N95 masks from the Campus Safety Office.
If you are experiencing symptoms such as severe coughing, shortness of breath, wheezing, chest pain, palpitations, nausea, or unusual fatigue, please visit or call the Student Health Center at 562-903-4841. If it is after hours, please contact Campus Safety at 562-777-4000 (or extension 5111 from any campus phone) or visit the nearest Emergency Room for further evaluation.
Additional Resources
We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as necessary. Let us know if there is anything Biola can do to support you during this difficult time.
University Communications
Monday, Mar. 9, 2020 at 10:27 p.m.
Read updates and information about Biola University's continued preparedness, action and response to the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) at biola.edu/coronavirus.
Wednesday, Mar. 21, 2018 at 9:00 a.m.
Today, March 21, Biola University is hosting a drill.
Sunday, Apr. 30, 2017 at 8:36 p.m.
(8:36 p.m.) - Los Angeles County Sheriff followed up on the shooting incidents throughout last night. All roadways are now open.
A prayer vigil was held at Behringer park in La Mirada tonight for the victims of the shootings. Our prayers are with the victims and their families.
Saturday, Apr. 29, 2017 at 10:35 p.m.
(10:35 p.m.) - No new information from LASD. Deployment of the campus safety officers to the entrances has been removed. Officers have resumed their general patrol on upper and lower campus. Campus is safe.
Saturday, Apr. 29, 2017 at 6:59 p.m.
(6:59 p.m.) - Update: LASD indicated suspect vehicle found in Mayberry Park in the city of Whittier 3 plus miles away from campus. East bound La Mirada Blvd will remain closed for a considerable amount of time. Campus is safe. Campus Safety officer deployments on Campus will remain intact until further notice.
Saturday, Apr. 29, 2017 at 6:28 p.m.
(April 29, 2017 at 6:28 p.m.) - Shooting started as a carjacking in Pico Rivera. A green Cherokee was stolen. They drove from the Pico Rivera area into Whittier and now in La Mirada area. Los Angeles Sheriff Department has set up a command post at La Mirada High School. Suspects at large. Several roads in La Mirada are closed off including Imperial and La Mirada Blvd. Campus Safety officers have been deployed to the northern perimeters of campus. Campus is safe.
Saturday, Apr. 29, 2017 at 6:02 p.m.
BIOLA EMERGENCY ALERT (April 29, 2017 at 6:02 p.m.) Active shooter in the La Mirada area near Imperial/Santa Gertrudes. All students have been advised to avoid the area and return to campus through the Biola Ave. entrance or leave for safer area. Campus is safe and not impacted. Campus Safety is monitoring the situation. We will provide updates as the situation unfolds.
Thursday, Oct. 16, 2014 at 10:00 a.m.
Biola University’s Emergency Response Team participated in the 9th annual Great California ShakeOut earthquake drill on October 20. It involved more than 10.5 million Californians practicing "Drop, Cover and Hold On," the earthquake safety protocol recommended by experts as essential for avoiding injury and even death during earthquakes (see www.ShakeOut.org/dropcoverhldon). In addition, more than 50 million people across the United States and in more than 60 other countries are participating in their own earthquake drills.
California participants include people in schools, colleges, businesses, government agencies, non-profit organizations, community groups, and many others.
Thursday, Oct. 9, 2014 at 10:00 a.m.
Biola University, in partnership with the city of La Mirada, is conducting a full-scale mass casualty exercise today based on a hypothetical 6.7-magnitude earthquake in conjunction with The Great California ShakeOut. The university’s drill was selected by the California State Office of Emergency as this year’s ShakeOut model. The exercise, which will be localized at the northeast side of campus and not interrupt campus life, will include the use of makeup for moulage victims. Biola’s emergency response team and campus safety will work with the Los Angeles County Fire Department, City of La Mirada Office of Emergency Management and Community Emergency Response Teams for the drill.
A press conference will be held at 8:45 a.m. The full-scale exercise is scheduled to start at 9:40 a.m. and conclude at noon.
In the event of an emergency, this site will be frequently updated with important information for the Biola University community, parents, the media and the general public. University Communications and Marketing will post updates as new details and instructions become available.
Additionally, Biola University’s emergency notification system will send updates via email and text messages. Students and employees are encouraged to subscribe to emergency text alerts and keep their cell phone number current in Biola's emergency notification system. Updates may also be sent out via email and through Biola’s Twitter account (@biolau).
Biola University has a plan in place to mitigate major emergencies and disasters affecting campus, including earthquakes, active shooters, fires or explosions, medical emergencies, and more. Detailed information about Biola’s safety services, policies and emergency response effortsis available on the Campus Safety website and in the latest Annual Security & Fire Safety Report.
13800 Biola Ave, La Mirada CA 90639—© Biola University, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Login