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Saturday, March 14, 2020

No In-Person Classes Through Spring Quarter

From an email circulated yesterday evening:
To the Campus Community:
By this time, you have seen the announcement from Chancellor Block about new campus measures designed to help limit the risk of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on campus. We appreciate your patience as we work thoughtfully to make decisions and adjustments to address the impact of this international public health crisis. Based on the rapidly developing situation and new data every day, we have decided to continue to offer instruction remotely through the end of the spring quarter.
As stated by the chancellor, we want to reduce population density on campus because public health officials tell us that this is the best way to limit the spread of COVID-19. To that end, we have encouraged students who can return home to do so, and to take all of their personal items, if possible, from their university-owned housing with them. We also know there are a number of students who will remain on campus and in the local area. Housing and Residential Life will be following up with students who live in university-owned housing with more specific information, including how to request an early contract termination and seek a refund. If, in the meantime, students have concerns or questions, please email Housing directly at uclahousing@housing.ucla.edu.
We recognize that there will be courses with specialized equipment or field work that may not be able to be conducted remotely, and more specific information will be shared in the coming days. Also, students on the semester system and/or in clinical programs will receive additional information from their schools/departments.
Because remote learning will continue through spring quarter, we ask all faculty and students to familiarize themselves with remote technology features such as Zoom during spring break.
Our priority during this crisis is to protect the health and safety of our campus community. Please know that the campus remains open and we are doing everything we can to create a safe environment. This includes deploying hand sanitizer stations and surface wipes across campus, increasing the frequency of cleanings, modifying dining operations and frequently updating the campus community. Our libraries, computer labs, ASUCLA operations and University offices remain open.
The facts related to COVID-19 are changing rapidly, so routinely check with UCLA information sources for updates. The most up-to-date information can be found online at UCLA’s dedicated COVID-19 website and emergency updates and resources are always available at Bruins Safe Online.
What follows are answers to some general questions, and an overview of services as we transition to a remote learning environment.
Students
  • What about classes and exams? We have suspended in-person classes, wherever possible, and are transitioning to remote platforms. Winter and spring quarter finals will be offered remotely; instructors have been asked to communicate with students regarding final examinations. If you are concerned about your ability to participate in remote classes or exams, please contact the Dean of Students Office at 310-825-3894 or dean@saonet.ucla.edu.
  • Should I leave campus? If students are able to leave campus and continue studies remotely, please do so. However, if students remain on campus or live in the local area, University facilities will remain open.
  • How quickly do I need to remove my belongings from campus housing if I leave? Personal items may remain in campus housing through the end of spring quarter or your housing contract term. Students who wish to cancel their housing contracts early will need to remove their personal belongings prior to that cancellation.
  • Will I get to terminate my housing and dining contracts early and receive a prorated refund for spring quarter? Yes, students who choose to terminate their contracts before the end of the spring quarter will receive a prorated refund. The process for requesting termination of contracts early will be shared.
  • What if I stay on campus or in the local area? We know that some students, for a number of reasons, may remain on campus or stay in the local area. We will continue to serve those students, even if some services are modified.
  • What if I have an on-campus job? The campus remains open, and student positions will continue to be available, although the work may be modified based on the changing needs of the campus. You should speak with your supervisor to discuss your schedule and get more information.
  • Will the CPO Food Closet be open? Yes, the Food Closet located in the Student Activities Center will be open with the following hours: March 16-19 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., March 20 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.; March 23-24 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
  • Will the gym be open? Yes, various UCLA Recreation facilities remain open. Updated facility information can be found by visiting UCLA Recreation’s website.
  • Are libraries open? Yes, all UCLA Library locations will remain open, but UCLA Library is modifying overnight studying hours during Finals Week for Powell and Young Research Library in order to deep-clean the spaces on alternate nights. The new schedule begins tonight and is available on the library website. As always, entry for late-night hours is limited to UCLA students. Be sure to have your Bruin Card with you for overnight studying privileges. UCLA Library expects to resume regular hours on Friday, March 20, 2020.
  • Will my F1 or J1 visa be affected by classes going online? No. The Departments of State and Homeland Security have approved exceptions that will accommodate online course engagement for students attending institutions that have made COVID-19 adaptations. The Dashew Center will continue maintenance of valid immigration status for students who maintain full-time enrollment (undergraduate students: minimum of 12 units; graduate students: minimum of 8 units) despite the transition to online instruction.
  • If I’m registered with the Center for Accessible Education (CAE), how do I complete my winter quarter examinations? The CAE has communicated with registered students regarding ongoing accommodations. Please visit the CAE website for information regarding testing accommodations.
  • Will the Ashe Student Health Center be open? Yes, the Ashe Center will be open. For hours of operation, please visit the Ashe website.
  • Will counseling services be available? Yes, CAPS will remain open during normal business hours. If students are scheduled for a follow up appointment but are unable to come in person, they may request a phone appointment during their scheduled time. If students want to start mental health treatment but are unable to come to campus for an initial appointment, please call CAPS. Remember that 24-hour crisis counseling is available by calling us at (310) 825-0768. For support with managing your stress, please visit the Resilience in your Student Experience (RISE) center. Campus Assault Resources and Education (CARE) will be open during normal business hours 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Monday-Friday.
  • What do I do if my study abroad plans have changed? All remaining 2020 UCLA-run Study Abroad Programs for undergraduates have been cancelled. For questions related to Education Abroad and UCDC programs, please contact the UCLA International Education Office. For questions related to on-campus housing options, if your study abroad program has been canceled, contact UCLA Housing Services for housing availability.
  • What do I do if I am sick, need to self-quarantine or self-isolate? If you have questions about how to self-quarantine, health monitoring, or need other support, please contact the Ashe Center at 310-206-6217. If you have been directed to self-isolate or diagnosed with COVID-19 while away from campus, please call the Ashe Center Infection Control Line at 310-206-6217 so that we can be aware and coordinate care as needed.
Faculty
  • Will counseling services be available? Yes, the professionals at the Staff and Faculty Counseling Center are available to help employees deal with the impact of these circumstances.
Staff
  • How do I know if I need to come to campus? As campus remains open, we need to maintain business continuity to support campus needs, particularly during transitional periods. Departments are encouraged to develop business continuity plans that will identify where remote work opportunities are operationally feasible. Read more in this message to all staff.
  • What if I cannot come to work because I or a family member has COVID-19? The University has enacted temporary actions for leave if an employee is directly impacted by COVID-19. Read more in this message to all staff.
  • Will counseling services be available? Yes, the professionals at the Staff and Faculty Counseling Center are available to help employees deal with the impact of these circumstances.
Travel Guidance for Faculty, Staff and Students
Please know that all UCLA nonessential international and domestic travel is suspended until further notice and personal international and domestic travel is strongly discouraged. Anyone arriving from CDC Level 3 countries must self-quarantine for 14 days from the time they left that country. If you decide to travel, be aware that other countries could change travel restrictions without notice, flights may be canceled or new re-entry restrictions could be imposed when returning to the United States. There are no current restrictions on domestic travel, but you should be aware of preventative measures as you travel domestically.
We need all Bruins to remain flexible during this time of transition. We want to thank all of you for taking care of yourselves and each other.
Sincerely,
Emily A. Carter
Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost
Michael Beck
Administrative Vice Chancellor
Monroe Gorden, Jr.
Vice Chancellor, Student Affairs
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