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Tuesday, June 7, 2022

How We Live (and graduate) Now

From a email circulated yesterday:

COVID-19 Response and Recovery Task Force

What you need to know:

  • Los Angeles County continues to experience high case numbers of COVID-19
  • Reminder: Universal indoor masking required at UCLA
  • Safety is critical at end-of-year celebrations

Dear Bruin Community:

We wanted to take a moment to thank our campus community for your efforts to make our academic year a safer one. We know this has been another challenging year, and your patience and perseverance is greatly appreciated.

Los Angeles County continues to experience high case numbers of COVID-19

Cases of COVID-19 have remained high in Los Angeles County over the past four weeks with new variants in circulation. The reinstatement of universal indoor masking for students, faculty, staff and campus visitors will help stabilize our campus case rates. As we approach end-of-year celebrations and graduation ceremonies, we want to remind you to make these special occasions safer for all guests and attendees.

Reminder: Universal indoor masking required at UCLA

Well-fitting upgraded masks or respirators are required for all students, faculty, staff and campus visitors while indoors on UCLA property, except when alone in a room, eating or drinking, or in your living units with your household. Masking is also highly recommended in crowded outdoor settings. Wearing a properly fitted mask reduces the risks of getting the virus or spreading it to others.

Upgraded masks are available to students, faculty and staff — free of charge — at the UCLA Emergency PPE Supply Store, the John Wooden Center, all residence hall front desks, the Student Activities Center and in Ackerman Union at the A-level information window (next to the post office).

Safety is critical at end-of-year celebrations

As a reminder, those attending indoor commencement ceremonies and celebrations, including UCLA affiliates and external guests, must mask indoors at UCLA. Commencement speakers may remove their masks to deliver their graduation addresses and graduates may momentarily remove their masks while walking across the stage and while being photographed on or adjacent to the stage.

Event organizers are strongly encouraged to request surgical masks from the PPE store and have them available at these gatherings. Free masks will be available this Friday through Sunday for graduates and guests at most commencement venues. Rapid antigen tests will also be available at Bruin Plaza and the Dickson Plaza Flagpole. Please refer to the Commencement COVID-19 FAQs below for more information.

Important reminder if you are planning on attending Friday's commencement events:

We are anticipating street closures, increased traffic delays and high parking demand on Friday. Plan to allow additional time to get to campus prior to your commencement event and prepare for hot weather. We recommend guests arrive at Pauley Pavilion for College Commencement ceremonies at least one hour prior to the time printed on your tickets. Please visit the College Commencement FAQ site for more information regarding commencement.

Masking at other events off campus will also help curb the spread of the virus. There is still a lot we do not know about the health impacts of COVID-19. You should continue to avoid getting infected or reinfected to the extent possible.

Together, we can make our end-of-year events memorable and help reduce the risks. We have experienced a remarkable academic year, and that has largely been due to our community’s commitment to caring for one another. We thank you for all of your continued efforts and wish you a happy and healthy summer.

Sincerely,

Michael J. Beck, Administrative Vice Chancellor, Co-chair, COVID-19 Response and Recovery Task Force

Megan McEvoy, Professor, Institute for Society and Genetics, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, Co-chair, COVID-19 Response and Recovery Task Force

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